Journey To Fortune

“Hello, everyone,” Pina said and went right to Knox and Dane, giving them kisses.

Knox gave her ass a slap and whispered into her ear, but Falco heard him. “This skirt is too short,” he reprimanded and she gave his chest a tap.

“It is not.” She turned to the others and kissed them hello. “You all know my friend Rose,” she said and the others greeted her. Falco noticed how his brothers gave Rose the once over and each shook her hand hello. Rylan gave her a wink.

“Long time no see,” he said. Rose smiled.

“Where is Clark?” Pina asked, taking a seat next to Dane. Rose sat next to her and Rylan.

“You know Clark, he wasn’t up to lunch out,” Dane said and noticed Pina’s concerned expression.

“So what’s in the bag?” Remo asked Rose.

“Just a painting. We stopped by the gallery to pick it up from storage,” Pina said and put her napkin on her lap and reached for the menu. Falco watched her very closely. She looked good and her green eyes really stood out.

“Yeah, Rose is going to be showing some artwork to the guy that hooked her up with jewelry modeling,” Pina said to them and Rose worried her bottom lip.

“You mean Mulgoff Lenotz?” Rylan asked her. She looked at him.

“Yes, he said he wanted to see some of my pieces and that he might know some people who might be interested if they were good. We’ll see. I’ve heard this before and nothing has happened,” she replied.

“You’re meeting him on Friday?” Falco asked.

“She’s doing another modeling gig for him Friday,” Pina told them.

“Friday? Not at LaTargere?” Falco asked.

“Yes, that’s the place,” she replied.

“Slade and I are running security for the party. There are going to be very expensive items on display and it’s by invitation only,” he told her.

“I know. I’m a bit nervous,” Rose whispered as the waiter came over and asked what they wanted to drink. She ordered sweet tea and so did Pina. The guys all ordered another round of beers.

“You kind of fell into this jewelry model thing. Does it pay well and seem to be something consistent?” Dane asked her.

“I don’t know about consistent but it pays well. I hadn’t really known what to expect last week, but I guess it wasn’t bad and kind of fun.”

“You forget about the Egyptian guy and his thug bodyguard?” Rylan asked with attitude. Falco knew that situation really upset his brother. He also knew that Rylan hadn’t stopped talking about Rose or looking up information on her either.

Rose squinted at Rylan.

“Of course I didn’t forget that. I suppose when you’re dealing with wealthy men who think they can buy anything they want with money and power that you’ll run across a few dirt bags. I wasn’t worried,” she said and looked away.

“Not all men with money are dirt bags looking to buy women or whatever they want,” Remo said to her, seeming offended by her comment.

“I suppose not, but I don’t know a lot of wealthy men to pass judgment. I just know I would have been able to take care of myself,” she stated.

“I was there. You wouldn’t have been able to fight that guy off or avoid his advances. You were shaking in your shoes,” Rylan stated firmly.

She stared up at him.

“I said thank you to you and Daxton, who was there, too. I’ll take further precautions Friday night,” she stated.

“Well, with you guys there you can ensure she is safe and gets home safely, too. Especially if there are men like that Egyptian dude you mentioned earlier today,” Knox said, indicating they had discussed the issue and Rose.

Falco stared at her. “What does Mulgoff have you modeling?” he asked.

“Oh, I can’t say.”

“It’s something incredibly expensive though. Rose said she knows she would never get to wear anything like it in her lifetime,” Pina stated.

“The more expensive the items, the bigger assholes interested in purchasing it. Remember that,” Slade added to her.

Dane cleared his throat. “So what paintings are you bringing along? Have you gathered your best work?” he asked Rose.