Journey To Fortune

“So you love us, huh?” Slade asked her as Mercury and Falco talked to Mulgoff about venues.

She smiled and gripped his hand that tightened around her waist. She turned toward him sideways.

“It’s kind of hard not to when you guys use that love potion of yours,” she said and he chuckled. “Just wait until I get you home.”

“Rose, I nearly forgot. I need you for a private dinner party on Saturday. I know it’s late notice and all. I should have called you days ago when I first heard but I’ve been swamped. It will be about four hours. The pay is very good. Five hundred an hour.”

“Seriously? What would I be modeling?” she asked.

“Not as expensive as that blue diamond, more like the jewelry you wore for the first event at the hotel Ambiance. Rings too this time so before you leave today I’ll need to measure your fingers and your wrists too for bracelets.”

“Okay,” she replied.

“Wait, where is this event?” Mercury asked.

“Oh, it’s a private party at a friend’s house. No need for high-tech security or you know I would have called you. She has her own security team.”

“Who is that?” Slade pushed. Falco looked at her like he was a bit angry. She probably should have asked about where, who and security. She was just excited about the gallery event and also about modeling to make more money. She didn’t want to be dependent on the James brothers even though they deposited fifty thousand dollars into her account and gave her a debit card. She put that right into a box she would never use.

“Do you know Cassidy Monclaire?” Mulgoff asked them.

“The wife of Norman Monclaire who owns all those shopping malls across the south? Of course,” Mercury said. Rose swallowed hard.

“Well, she is doing a fundraising event with about twenty-five friends and business associates. I’ve been asked to donate a percentage of sales that evening to the children’s hospital they’re raising money for. Mrs. Monclaire asked for Rose specifically. She was at the event where the blue diamond was sold.”

“That’s so nice. I would love to do that and especially if money is donated back. I could even give part of my earnings too,” Rose offered and Mulgoff stared at her.

“You are a gem. More rare and valuable than any gems I’ve come across. Don’t you change, Rose. Your men are very lucky indeed. I will text you the information and have a car pick you up at your place.”

“Oh, I’m living elsewhere now.”

He smiled. “The James estate then. I’ll make a note of that in your contact information. They’ll bring you here where Daisy and Elga will do your makeup and have your dress ready for you. Then we’ll drive over together. Afterward my driver will drop you off at home. She should arrive to you by eleven,” he told the James brothers and they didn’t look happy.

Rose reached out to shake Mulgoff’s hand. “Thank you again and I’ll see you Saturday.”

“Yes, around four they’ll pick you up.”

* * * *

They were quiet and Falco sat next to Rose in the back seat of the Range Rover and ran his hand along his jaw.

“This is all so exciting. I think it’s going to work out great,” she said and he could hear her enthusiasm.

“I don’t like it one bit,” Mercury said.

“Nor do I. We don’t know who will be there. Could we get that information somehow?” Slade asked as he drove.

“I suppose we could,” Mercury said.

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

“About the modeling thing Saturday,” Falco said to her. She turned in her seat to look at him.

“What about it?” she asked, her green eyes narrowed slightly. He reached out and stroked her cheek.

“We won’t be there. You understand that?”

She swallowed. “I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry. Mulgoff will be there and it’s at some wealthy woman’s estate. You guys even know who she is.”

“We don’t know who is attending.”

“It will be fine. It’s like four hours.”

“You’ll be gone more than six.”

She took Falco’s hand and then leaned on his shoulder.