Tomorrow, The Trial Is No More

Eight hours into this busy day Tomorrow stood from dinner and swayed almost falling over. Lucas picked up his 'tall drink of water' as her sparkles had completely blurred her vision. Lucas should have known that she can't go this long without rest. 

Stripped and covered, with a quick kiss her night was over. She made it over eight hours, so she was getting better. Before she did well to make it five hours. He planned to give her a few hours to sleep and then join her in her bed and do his best to wake her up. 

Pearson and Diego met him at the side entrance, looking apprehensive, "is she Ok," Diego asked as he followed Lucas to the front desk. 

"Yeah, she is just worn out. She was in a bad accident about eight months ago and still wears out fast," Lucas told them and went to check on dinner guests. It was 9 o'clock, the restaurant was still going strong, and he only recognized a few people. Stopping by a few tables, greeting them. Speaking to one group he felt wouldn't mind being interrupted he enjoyed their banter. 

A number of people asked his room rates, finding them reasonable. They smiled as they spoke of coming here the next time. His hotel was different from so many on the island. No, you can't sit on your own patio and look at the ocean, but you can sit on your balcony and view the whole coast and ocean not engulfed with other hotel rooms. 

They could enjoy the covered cabanas and the pools and meet the other people here. He also told them about the poker games that would cost them nothing to play. "All for fun and challenge and you can't go broke that way," he told the wife of one interested man. They were a little older than the rest of the guests but not by much.

Making his way around the room, he heard praise about the food. Stepping into the kitchen, he called out to the bustling group, "I'm hearing nothing but praise over the food, keep up the good work." Receiving smiles, he ducked out, leaving them to work. He can see why he is paying the kitchen staff so much they work their butts off daily. He knows the chef was enjoying the job and the island. He is tan and happy every time they talk, he expresses his pleasure about being there. 

He just hopes he doesn't take his well-paid earnings and open his own restaurant here. Lucas could only hope with the pay and percentages he has offered this restaurant will fulfill his desire for a place of his own. He has heard him say a few times owning your own place is more expensive than he thought. He possibly has gone out and looked at locations on the island and yes, it is expensive. Even a crap building costs way too much. 

He could have never built this hotel in the economy now. He stood watching the diners, thinking about that house he wants to build. He still had three million in the bank from his grandfather. He needs to see how much he made before he starts anything. He may be living pie in the sky and be only breaking even he hopes. Lord, he thought, if he lost money, he was going to have to rethink this whole thing. He knew it was worth a hundred and sixty million if he could find a buyer. 

Walking through the lobby, he hated the idea of not living here and working here. Tomorrow loved it here he knew she did. She gushed about the shopping and the quaintness of the town and lamented about not going out and shopping before as she handed him back his credit card. Lucas put it back in his pocket, relieved to have it back with that kind of talk. She has money he knows he has paid her a bundle, which is something they need to talk about before they get married. 

She is helpful, but not invaluable to the running of the hotel. She will have access to his money, does she still want to be paid for the hours she works? Lord, how does he ask that question? He knew his ex-girlfriend was so protective of her money she wouldn't move in with him. He had no idea how Tomorrow felt about her separation of money. 

Maybe the eight-day wait is good. They need to sit and talk now that the sexual tension has been released. He can't stay sedated because all he still thinks about is getting a hold of her body every other second. Right now, he needs to get a hold of her mind. This time the walks on the beach will be about their life and them, not the hotel. 

Lucas went back to his apartment, cleaned up and went to Tomorrow's place. Slipping in quietly, he left the door open until he cut on the stove light. It was pitch black in there otherwise. Making his way to the bedroom, he pulled off his clothes, climbed in bed and she didn't move. Moving closer he placed his hand on her shoulder and felt her breathing and warmth, he breathed a sigh of relief. She was so still it scared him. He nestled into her back, and she slept on. Thinking, damn she is a heavy sleeper, he relaxed and thought 'this is the first time in my life I have gotten in bed with a woman and not had sex within moments. Thinking morning for sure and fell asleep. 

Waking him with a gentle caress of his balls, he was up and ready in seven seconds. With a hardy growl, Lucas dove in and Tomorrow relished his attention. She knew for sure she would never complain about not getting attention. Even in Billy's early stages, he never was this rambunctious. She hoped they didn't have an audience again this morning because she could not stay quiet if her life depended on it. An hour and a half later, they made an appearance in the lobby. No cute smiles or raunchy looks told her they didn't have an audience, so she was happy. Lucas knew and pushed her to make more noise. Leaving her sleeping Lucas went to his office; he needed to run the numbers and see if they made a profit. If not, some people will have to go and some still may go that aren't working out. He expects his workers to work, not stand around ogling the women. And so far, the cabana boys do too much gawking. He may have to advertise back in the states and find some college dropouts. He knows they would love to work here for a few years. His grandfather always found good workers that way. He had been hoping to find them locally and help the economy here. But if you can't depend on them then what do you do? 

His grandfather has probably already tried that. Maybe a few of the hotel management degree ones, he could have them start in the cabanas and work up to the hotel desk. He could weed out the bad ones over the course of the summer. He has used up Laurel and Pearson with the twelve-hour shifts. Tomorrow spends a lot of time helping them, giving them breaks and so far, they haven't complained. 

Of course, it has only been open for three weeks. Yeah, he needed more desk help. Maybe Laurel would have some ideas of others who would be interested and not have to pay the job site fees. He is suddenly cost conscience. He wrote himself a note to ask her and got down to the numbers. 

Tomorrow brought him coffee and his sliced fruit and bacon with a quick kiss on the cheek she was gone. The place was quiet with only a few guests. Laurel was working a reservation call when she came back. A group from Texas State was looking to book five rooms for fifteen guys and girls. Laurel was explaining that this was not a cabana suite hotel, and they would have to keep the crazy down and do most of the partying outside. 

With a few laughs, she took down the credit card number and booked the rooms for spring break. March was a great time there, mid to high eighties and the water was already warmer. "His uncle Dan told him to go here," Laurel told Tomorrow, "He also told them not to act a fool, he wanted to be able to come back."

"Dan, Dan the poker man is already sending business our way, how great of him. We will have to give him a good room rate. If they don't destroy the place," Tomorrow said. 

"Yeah, that is what I implied, he said they were all seniors and have gotten past acting fools, their wild partying days are gone, they just want to relax before they have to go find jobs after graduation," Laurel told her. 

"Sounds good, but we will see. This place seems to bring out the wild in people."

"Yeah, that is true Dan's group was pretty wild, and they have been working for a while. But they did have fun."

"I wonder how many that hooked up will try to keep in touch with each other," Tomorrow wondered.

"I don't know, but my man calls me almost every night so we will see if any come back. Gavin says he should be able to come back in three weeks but hasn't made reservations yet. Gavin is his name, I had forgotten, thank God he said Gavin here when he called and I was like, oh yeah that was his name." 

"Aren't you bad," Tomorrow said with a grin.

"Yes, I am but a girl has to do what a girl has to do," Laurel teased back. "Besides, look who's talking. The lady who draws an audience." 

"Yeah, well Lucas knows how to make a woman happy too."

The restaurant started to fill up with a lunch crowd. They sat back and watched a stream of people walk by them, "I hope chef has enough supplies, we didn't expect to have this many people dining here after the holidays," Tomorrow told Laurel.

"Yeah, I know they all expect some time off. But we have a few guests coming on the 2 o'clock flight."

"Oh yeah, I know one of them, we sat together on my flight here. I saw his name a few days ago. It will be good to see him. I was shocked he was going to stay here. He is one of those who only stays one night, stays close to the airport. Maybe he is checking up on me. I was teasing him that Lucas was going to hold me here as a sex slave."

"And look he has," Laurel laughed out as Tomorrow gave her a dirty look.

"No, he is my slave, I'm not his," Tomorrow smarted back. 

 "You go girl," Laurel said as the reservation line rang.

She got busy and Tomorrow walked the dining room talking to guests and finding out where they heard about the restaurant basically making them feel welcome. As always, word of mouth is what brought them in. The menu and smells kept them here. 

"We are a little different from the other hotels around here, but the views from high up are amazing. My first day here I watched the dolphins jumping in the water from the balcony, it was amazing," Tomorrow told one group as they looked out on the patio area to the ocean beyond. The smell of the grilled shrimp had her mouth watering, she wondered if Lucas was getting hungry too. 

She hadn't seen him in almost five hours. That was the longest time she has gone so far of not seeing him since she got here except to sleep. It felt strange and lonely he wasn't pestering her. He was always making some lame joke, a sexual innuendo, and she missed that. She had to give him time to work out the books. Tomorrow went back to the desk and offered to hold down the fort so Laurel could go eat. 

With no objections, she took off and Tomorrow sat down for the first time this day. Moments later, Lucas came walking up with a smile. "We made a forty-two-thousand-dollar profit without the restaurants totals and the liquor totals, so I think we did good."

"As long as they kept up with the bills at the bar. They seemed a little loose to me, they might have handed out more drinks than were bought." Tomorrow told him.

"I noticed and got on to two of the waiters a number of times. After lunch, we will inventory the bar and figure out the split. Rocco will give me his bills and I'll work out the profit there. But in all it looks good."

"We have a good crowd for lunch still." Tomorrow said as two more couples walked by. "And Laurel is at lunch right now. We have guests coming at around 2:00 and remember David from the plane he is coming to stay probably for one night." 

"To check up on you," Lucas added.

"Could be, it has been a while. He may think I'm ready to hide in his basement,"

"Are you?"

"No, I like your torture chamber here just fine," she said taking his hand and holding it to her heart. He felt the beats kick up as she held his hand. Making his kick up too. 

Looping his arms around her neck, he pulled her closer, rolling the chair into her. "You didn't seem to be in pain this morning," Lucas teased, placing small kisses on her neck. 

"No, I wasn't. That is why I like your torture chamber. It feels really good to scream and moan in your chamber, whoops it was my chamber," she was telling him as she started kissing his neck.

Lucas backed away before he took her to the floor and ruined his business. "Morrow, you are trouble. Come and find me when Laurel comes back, we need to talk," he told her heading back to his office. 

"Is that what you're calling it today?"

"No, we need to talk," he told her with a grin. 

Forty-five minutes later Laurel came back. "Service was slow."

"No problem, I was just searching the internet," Tomorrow said dismissively and walked towards Lucas's office.

Laurel hit history and Tomorrow's recent life story poured out on the screen. The murder of a witness and her attempted murder was the latest in an ongoing investigation of a Senatorial Candidate son. Typing in her name Laurel read about her accident and how close to death she was. Then, looking at the pictures that were only a few months old, she couldn't believe how well she had healed. And no wonder she keeps a deep part in her hair, or a scarf wrapped around her head. Laurel always thought it looked dumb now she knows why. What a jerk of a boyfriend. She thought and read on. Twenty minutes later, she typed in her name and found nothing. 

"I guess that is what you get for being from a big town." Laurel whined as she paid attention to the people leaving the restaurant. She waved and called out for them to come back. 

"Ok, what do you want to talk about," Tomorrow asked Lucas who was hunched over his computer. 

"Yeah, Hi sweetie," he said, still paying attention to his computer. "I want to talk to you about the house situation. Right now, I don't think I'm comfortable spending a million or two to build until we see how the income on this place goes."

Tomorrow laughed, "I'm not comfortable living in a million or more-dollar house and I never thought you would build this soon. I'm fine living in mine or your apartment for now. We could pop a hole in the wall and make it a two bedroom if we need more room." Tomorrow offered. She had thought about that this morning. "You are right, we don't spend much time inside the apartments."

Lucas was smiling as she spoke. "Good, I don't want to be stuck here with a big house and the hotel to sell if the hotel doesn't work out "

"Oh, come on Lucas this is just first-time nerves you will do great. Having to discount all the expenses makes it seem like not a lot was made. All the Christmas stuff is packed away for next year. Those expenses aren't going to be there again for years. You will do Ok."

"We will do Ok." Lucas said, reaching out to her.

Filling his arms, she kept things under control with an open office door. "Ok the next thing is. How do you want to deal with being married to me and working here?"

"Do you mean do I need to be paid for the work I do?" Tomorrow said as Lucas glanced over at her. "Yes, but you are very valuable to me and this place and if you want, I will continue…"

"No, as long as I'm able to buy a thing or two once in a while. I don't mind letting all our money go into a joint account."

"No, it will go into a corporation account which we will have limited access to."

"Am I going to have to sign a prenup?" Tomorrow asked.

"Ok, now you're hurting me." Lucas said and he did look hurt.

"I didn't mean to upset you. I was offering to protect your legacy. I have no plans to divorce you, but life is life, and we are living in a singles hotel."

"And you don't trust me."

"Oh no I do, or I wouldn't have agreed to marry you. It is just eight years and three kids from now. Some 'sexy thing' might draw your attention, and I need to protect my kids." 

"Your kids, they will be mine too," Lucas pointed out. 

"Ok, so how much would you be willing to lose to have sex with a sexy woman when your forty-five," Tomorrow asked,

"To you. infidelity is the showstopper right," Lucas asked.

"Yes, it would kill my soul if you touched some other woman. Billy hurt me but he never cheated."

"Morrow I would never cheat on you and if you want a prenup I will have one set up for you. How much do you want if I cheat? That will not happen," he assured her.

"Ten Million would put a hurt on you and if I cheat, I get nothing, and you get to keep the kids. I would never do anything to hurt you or lose my kids."

"Fine Tomorrow I will write that up. You talk like you already have those kids."

"I have dreamed for years about having kids, how long do I have to wait," she asked cozying up to Lucas. 

"We can start on that tonight. I would love to hold a baby in front of that Christmas tree next year," he told her, bringing her hand to his lips and kissing her down her arm and starting back up.

She said, "Sounds good to me too."

"Is there anything else you're worried about?"

"Yes, how do I explain this deep tan to my mother in a few weeks and we are staying at my mother's right?" 

"We use a tanning bed. It helps with winter depression in Chicago. And yes, I have thought about how to explain me away.'

"Good tell me how because you don't know my mother," she stated the obvious. "And I don't want her here."

Reaching out his hand. "Let's go and eat lunch and talk about pulling the wool over your mama's eyes," Lucas offered with a smile and devious chuckle. 

Tomorrow ordered a child's size meal; she noticed her hips were getting rounded. Lucas looked at her as if she was crazy. "Girl, are you nuts, you're skinny." 

"I might be now, but I'm built like my mother, and she has hips, and I want to hold those back for as long as possible," Tomorrow said in her defense. 

"Just so you know I don't mind an ass on a woman and if you grow one while you're pregnant I will relish watching you walk."

"Oh yeah waddle, it's lots of fun."

"But it doesn't last long, right…" Lucas pointed out. 

"No, not long and well worth the pain I'm told," she said, having been so jealous of Today and her gushing about baby Brice. He is adorable. She sends videos all the time with him as the star. He is crawling. Which she finds amazing since Today will never put him on the floor. "I can't wait for ours to play in the water and crawl along the shore," she told him, almost dreamy eyed. 

"Sounds good but will your mother ever like me when she finds out we have been lying to her for months."

"Ah, she gets over everything quick, plus you have money she will like that. So, what was your idea?"

"Well, I am a lawyer, and I do have old business cards. We can say I came to town to help with some legal issues with your company and we fell in love quickly as we did," Lucas offered.

"Sounds simple, are you good at lying?"

"As a young teen I talked my way out of lots of trouble and I am a lawyer so yes, I can lie. But not to you, never." He popped that in really quick. 

"Good save. I'm not a good liar so you will have to tell the same lies. I can follow along, just stick to the same story."

"Are we going to be married or thinking about it?"

"Do you want to sleep in my room?"

"Why yes, I do very much." 

"Then we will have to be married," she said as he looped fingers in her hair and pulled her towards him. Meeting in the middle of the table, they kissed. With a deep table-shaking groan, Lucas sat back down. "Girl, I do love you," 

"Oh, that is so sweet I love you too. So, when was the last time you had sex."

"This morning, and Oh, it was so good." 

"Yes, it was but you know what I mean."

"Ok, let me think it has been a while," he said and started to count on his fingers. As he started on his second go around on his count. "Not even an Island girl," Tomorrow asked, not believing this horny man could last that long.

"Me! Oh hell no. My grandfather was adamant, no Island girls. This Island is rampant with STD's. And yes, I have been recently checked for everything. Julie I am pretty sure wasn't running around, but Keith is a horn dog, and I can't believe they got married. No way that man will ever be loyal."

"Wow still lots of pain there," Tomorrow pointed out, concerned he may have been more attached than he claims. 

"Not over Julie she was never the one I told you that. Keith has been my best friend for thirty years. I miss him. He loved it here; he was one of the reasons I thought of turning this into a singles place. I figured he and I would have our pick every night. If you think I'm handsome you should see him."

"But he broke your heart."

"Yeah, he did, old girlfriends have always been off limits. That was a line we didn't cross."

"And he did it behind your back."

"I miss just being able to pick up the phone and run something by him. He was always the sensible one. Me, I'm a pie in the sky kind of guy. I have had to rein myself in without help from him and I have learned a lot in the last year. Anyways, it has been fifteen months now, and she was not someone important to me. I was not looking for you on the internet as you think. Something kind of funny happened when I saw your name on the list of applicants. I had talked to dozens of applicants, most were women. But when I saw Tomorrow Jones, my heart sped up and I smiled. Something settled in my heart that I had found you and then I saw you and I did well to breathe."

"I noticed you were flustered."

"Hey, I was being cool and then you about closed me out."

"That was not being cool, that was being obnoxious. Once I started to close my laptop, I notice that got you jumping," 

"Yes, it did. All I could imagine is I found you and you're gone. Thank you for giving me a chance to woo you."

"Well, you did offer the most and I did like how you looked," Tomorrow teased.

"Just my looks?" Lucas whined. 

"No, I do like that V, it is really nice," she teased, reaching to run her hand over them.

"Ok, so anyways your name got me, and I checked out your application and e-mailed you. Then minutes later there you were, and I was well past thrilled and then you stood, and those legs just kept going. All I could think about is having them wrapped around me," he said lustfully, the smolder in his eyes sent that poker to her center. 

Snuggling in she said, "Ok, let me tell you what I thought. First, I thought you were playing games. Some pervert on job sites trolling for women, but then you freaked when I almost shut my computer. You had my attention then you seemed sincere, you were cute, and it would be sad if you were a pervert. But I gave you a chance and after a while, I realized you were flustered talking to me and I enjoyed it. That is why I stood and gave you those leg shots. I knew before I came here, I liked you and hoped for a future with you. I knew it would be very difficult for me if things didn't work out for us."

"Good I feel the same. I didn't set out to ask you to marry me, but the thought of you not being with me every day is something I can't cope with, so we have to be married and work together."

"I agree I didn't even like the fact you were in your office alone for so long this morning."

"You could have come in; I would have given you work. I still have plenty," Lucas offered.

Taking her last bite of mango, she dropped her napkin, "let's go and get this all done," she suggested.

Following Lucas into his office, he walked to his desk and picked up a clipped stack of papers." This is the liquor delivery list, and the list of paid liquor bills we need to inventory the bottles," he said and turned to see Tomorrow slipping her panties off. Tossing them onto the couch, she walked towards him, backing him to an office chair, "I was thinking we could use a little relaxation first."

"Sweetie, I would love to relax with you, but I don't keep condoms in my office." He regretted he hadn't thought to replace the ones in his pocket. He thought those times were over.

"Not a problem, we can start trying to make a baby right now," Tomorrow said, reaching to unbutton his shorts. Slipping them down, she backed him up to sit in the chair. By the time, she accomplished all that he was ready for her standing tall and with those long legs, she perched over him and slipped on. Receiving that deep groan, she moved into his embrace. Her zipper on the back of her dress came down and he managed to release a breast to satisfy a need to suck on something. Holding his head in place, Tomorrow moved her tight muscles of her legs and milked him quickly. His moan vibrated against her breast as his hand spasmed against her back and she had him. 

Knock, knock," can I come in," Niesha called out. 

"No," they both said Lucas's was no more than a moan. They heard laughing in the hall, "Ok, well find me later." 

Lucas looked up and they locked lips, and he was lost again. Trying to kick his shorts off, he wanted to pick her up and continue this on his couch, but he knew he would fall flat on his face if he tried. 

Tomorrow lifted off, patted his chest, "save it for tonight," she said, grabbed her panties off the couch and stepped into his bathroom. 

She cleaned up and slipped a panty liner on in case she had leakage. Coming back out Lucas was adjusting his shorts. 

"You're a cruel woman," he complained under his breath.

"I'm sorry I just needed you really badly. I won't do that again," she offered with a devious smile.

"That was not what I was complaining about. I wanted to continue, and I got 'save it for tonight'. You better be ready to go to bed at seven thirty." 

"Sounds good, let's go count liquor bottles and find out what Niesha wants."

"You go see her and I will be right out," Lucas suggested heading towards his bathroom.

"Niesha what is up, what did you need," Tomorrow called out in the empty lobby.

"I wanted you to know I found a preacher and ordered the cake, vanilla with buttercream, right?"

"Yes, for forty."

"Well taking a head count I bumped it up to a hundred. You said to invite the staff, and everyone is excited so expect most of them to come," Niesha said, walking towards her, "Having a little afternoon delight," she teased, pulling on her skirt. 

"Yes, we were, but I was quiet," Tomorrow smarted back as cabs pulled up to the front. Taking a quick glance at the time she was shocked it was this late in the day.

Stepping out from behind the desk, she went into greeting the guest mode. David was the first one out of the cab as she approached. She met him with open arms, "Oh, I'm so glad you're still here," he announced as they hugged, "Gentlemen, this is Tomorrow Jones," he said, holding her tightly in his grasp. He turned her so they could all have a good look.

Pushing her back, but still holding her tight at her shoulders, he smiled, "You look good, what a relief."

"Of course, I look good, I live in paradise. What brings you here this time," she asks, eyeing the other men behind him. They all seemed to be watching her every move and talking about her quietly to one another. 

"Ok David what is going on? You're scaring me," she said and tried to turn away. Still hanging on, she told him. "David, I'm fine. Lucas is a wonderful man. Don't be worried."

Signaling the other men to come over, "Let's get us checked in, we need to talk." David told her.

"Well, David you're too late, she is mine so hands off," Lucas announced as he came quickly across the lobby. He was wondering why he was hanging on to his woman as if he owned her.

"Good to hear we need to talk," David informed him.

"Tomorrow stood back as the men surrounded her."

Lucas took notice and didn't like it, "Ok guys what is going on?"

"Like I said, we need to talk. Is there a conference room or office, we can all fit in," David asked. 

He had been pushing to come here for days. Having made the reservations days ago he was coming even if his bosses didn't think his hunch was good. He was coming to check on her and see if she remembered anything. He was relieved to see Tomorrow looking so well. She was amazing before and with this dark tan, she was stunning.

"Yes," Lucas said and escorted the group to the now game room, "We can talk in here, lots of room," he said, taking a hold of Tomorrow's hand as they walked. Everyone stepped inside as David closed the door and chose a table.

"Remember what you told me on the plane, 'Billy had no friends, so how could he make plans with a friend to kill you.'"

"Something like that. I said I didn't see how he could talk to anyone about killing me when he never went anywhere. Literally, he was not more than five feet from me at every party or charity event. It was like I was his comfort zone. He was not friendly or interested in anything his father did, we were told to come so we did," Tomorrow told them becoming more afraid as she spoke. 

"Ok," David said and took a cleansing breath, "I'm with the FBI, Tomorrow when you left Angleton did you tell people you were coming to The Virgin Islands." 

"No, I didn't want it to get out and Billy to find out, so I lied and said I was taking a job in Chicago."

David dropped his head, and the others began to whisper again. He knew it. He just happened by a room where they were trying to figure out a bunch of deaths in Chicago. They all looked too much like Tomorrow to him, so he stepped into the room and asked what was going on. He told them about Tomorrow and her situation and seemed to be dismissed. A few days later, they made plans to come and meet her.

"Tomorrow seven girls who look so much like you that the first time I saw the pictures I thought one for sure was you. All blond, tall, thin, beautiful girls have been killed in Chicago. I told the other agents who worked the case about you and your troubles and your connection to John LeMoine. I brought them out here in hopes you were still here and safe."

"What? Someone is killing women who look like me in Chicago for what reason?" Tomorrow asked as Lucas hugged her shoulder disbelieving what he heard.

"We were hoping you could tell us. None of those women had anything in common except they looked like you," David said looking concerned. "Come on Nancy Drew haven't you thought of anything that was strange about anyone or anything surrounding John LeMoine.

"No and I have thought about it a lot. I know he is a jerk. His check didn't bounce. Suddenly I was not good enough for his son."

"Can you pinpoint when that was," one of the other agents asked.

"Yes, we had gone to a fundraiser for Thomas Conley. He is a Senator from the southern part of Texas. It was a big to do, lots of drinking and backslapping as usual. As I understand, he raised over a million that night." 

"Did you know the other guests?" 

"Most, after three years you get to know most of them. Billy tried to keep the old farts away from me, but most at least introduced themselves," Tomorrow told them.

"So, do you remember any names?" 

"And who are you," Tomorrow asked the man who keeps asking questions.

"Agent Travers, Miss, do you remember names," he asked like he was in a hurry. 

"Yes, I do. The Hispanic men liked me and gave Billy a run for his money. They flashed a lot of cash around and told John they would donate to his running for office. One offered Billy a million for me. He just moved me to another area of the ballroom. Not wanting to sound like I'm all that, but that happened often at these fundraisers. 

"One-man teased John, he would give him a million for just one night with me. John looked interested, but Billy glared at him. One with the million was Mailto Villanueva, he dogged me all evening. Oh, there was this one who seemed to be from the middle east. You know, Hispanic skin tone but spoke differently. He was very polished. I heard someone say something about royalty. I only remembered his last name; he ran through the first so quickly. It was Fashemedma or something like that. Conley, Thomas, and him spoke for a long time that night. John seemed very pleased with the donations they received. I forgot about him; he was not interested in me, so I didn't have to put up with much from him."

"Any more names?"

"Sure, Jorge Mendoza, Alfred Henderson, Marco Rodriguez, Charles Krueger, Billy hated that man he came to all the fundraisers. He called him a thief. Said he stole more than they took in most nights. I could go on and on but most of the people are rich, rubbing noses with the movers and shakers. I have asked myself what was different about that night. For a long time, I thought I must have done something wrong for Billy to be so put off by me so badly. 

I can't pinpoint anything. It was just another fundraiser, nothing special. I was dressed up to look sexy and draw in the men. I'm not stupid, I knew what that man wanted. Billy stayed close, staking his claim. He knew, too, maybe he was tired of it and that started the fight. All I know is I heard slamming doors and a few 'Fuck Yous' as he came walking home from his father's house." 

"How long ago was that?" David asked. 

"Oh, about three weeks before he forced me off the road. He was being rude not speaking to me in general, treating me like crap as he had on and off for the last three years." 

"So, you think someone was trying to kill Tomorrow thinking she was in Chicago," Lucas asked David.

"That is my theory, and I do believe one of those names has something to do with all this and they are afraid Tomorrow will tell who she saw or what she saw."

"But that makes no sense, so did a couple hundred others," Tomorrow pointed out. 

"Ok, did you spend any time in the father's home close to the time of the fundraiser," David asked.

"We walked up to the house and waited for them to get ready to go as usual we rode with them. I know he had lots of money in bags. He was putting them in his gun safe bitching about running out of room. But he has done that a number of times. I asked where he would put what he raised that night, and he gave me a fuck you look. But that wasn't unusual either," Tomorrow told them, still thinking and her sparkles were starting. She turned and looked at Lucas. He could see it in her eyes that they were jumping, her vision will become unfocused, and he knows she is going down. He knew this was all too much for her. 

"Guys. Tomorrow likes to act like she is healthy, but she is not. We have learned the signs, and she is about to pass out. If you can give her a few hours to rest she will be able to talk to you then," Lucas told them shifting in his seat, he stood. Looping her arms around his neck, he picked her up and walked out of the room. Pulling out their laptops, they started looking up names trying to link any of those men to anything illegal. 

Niesha jumped up and came charging towards them, "What is wrong," she demanded to know, running her hands over Tomorrow's arm.

"Oh, you know Tomorrow she wears out easily. Go and ask those men if they want drinks or food. You might ask if they plan on staying," Lucas suggested as he held her close. "Good lord," he moaned and wanted to fall down too. Someone has killed seven women trying to find his Tomorrow. His mind reeled at the thought of them finding her. 

Her phone was ringing when he stepped into her apartment, setting her on her bed, he handed her purse to her and hoped whoever it was would hang up before she found it. They needed to talk while she had any wits about her.

"It is my mother, I'll call her back, besides, she knows I'm at work and shouldn't be calling," Tomorrow said, dropping it back in her purse. 

Crouching by the bed, he asks, "Are you doing, Ok?'

"I couldn't think anymore. This is crazy what the hell could I have seen that could cause John that much trouble. I mean he has all that money. At times stacks covering their dining table."

"Why would a politician have cash? Stacks of cash most donations are made by checks for the tax write off," Lucas told her.

"True, go tell those men and see what they think. I have to rest," she said while about to pass out and she would prefer to sleep. 

Lucas hated to leave her, but maybe they would leave with this 

tid-bit of information. Their lives could get back to normal. If he gave them a little more information they may leave. With a quick kiss he was gone to share this information with them. 

Niesha was carrying a tray of Iced tea to the card room as he entered the lobby. "What is going on," Laurel asked, sounding concerned.

"I'll have to explain later," Lucas said and rushed past her. The new guests were coming down to check the place out as he slipped into the card room. Niesha placed the last tea down and backed out of the room. "Tomorrow said something I found odd." He said, capturing everyone's attention. 

"John would have stacks of cash all over his dining table. I was raised in a family that donated to politicians all the time, but it was by check for the tax deduction," Lucas offered to the computer-searching crowd. 

They all looked at him as he finished his statement. 

"That's right, cash is odd." David told him.

Niesha rushed into the card room," Tomorrow called the front desk, she needs you." She stepped to the side as he ran from the room.

He ran to her apartment, and she was at the door waiting. "That call was from my mother, she said they found Billy hanging in his cell and when they went to go tell his parents, they found them shot dead in their house," Tomorrow told him hysterically crying. Leading her back to her room, he helped her lay down.

"And this all happened when?" 

"She said yesterday they found them. It was on the radio and the news today. I need to call her back. This means no trial, so we don't have to go anywhere," she offered with a weak smile. That was the only bright spot in this whole scenario. 

"Ok, let me go and tell the agents and you wait to call her back until I come back," Lucas suggested but it sounded like an order to her. Now she has to decide, does she deify him or just sleep.

Five employees and four agents were waiting for him as he stepped back in the lobby. Fear was all over the employee's faces." She is fine, don't worry, she had some bad news about some people she knows died," Lucas told them and waved them back to work.

"Why didn't you tell her about Billy and his parents?" Lucas demanded from David. Receiving and I don't understand, look he went on to tell them, "Her mother called and told her, she is very upset," he said, and the agent's expression told him they had no idea what he was talking about. "They were all found dead yesterday." 

Turning on their heels they went back to their computers.

"Exactly what did she tell you?" David asked as the others went to the search engine. Lucas told him what she told him.

"Well, at least you don't have to go back there for trial." David shot back at him just short of being humorous. 

"That is what she said," Lucas told them, "But I really need to get back to her, she is not happy about all of this." 

Lucas turned to leave. "Hey," he called out, "we would prefer to stay here, but the rates are stiff for government rates. It is off season," Agent Travers mentioned, hoping he took the hint.

"Sure, just tell Laurel the rate. Enjoy your stay," he said with a quick wave, he headed back to Tomorrow. 

"What the hell did this man get into?" David asked as they all read the story in the local paper on the internet. Agent Travers pulled out his phone and called his boss to give him the lowdown of this possible connection and the deaths. David was just pushing a hunch that Tomorrow may be involved, but now he may have stumbled on to the bigger question. Now they have to figure out the answer. 

She was sound asleep when he slipped back in the room. Her phone started to ring so he grabbed her purse and took it out of the room. Digging around in her purse he found it, a Dante Cabot was calling. He was going to nip this in the bud, "hello," 

"Who is this," came out demanding of Lucas.

"Tomorrow's fiancé, who is this?

"Fiancé since when," the strong male voice demanded.

"Well let's see I guess it has been three days now."

"And you are?" Dante asked, looking for a name.

"Her fiancé. And you are?"

"Well, I thought I was her boyfriend," he said, sounding hurt.

"Well, I guess you thought wrong. When was the last time you spoke to her as if you were her boyfriend?" He wanted to know because if she is leading this guy on, he doesn't know her at all.

"Ok fine it has been months, and she did tell me to forget about her when she left here. Does she know about Billy being found dead?" He asked him. He could have lied and messed up what she has going on now, but that would be cruel. He just wished he had found someone new too.

"Yes, she is very upset and has gone to bed for a rest that is why I answered the phone," Lucas told him feeling much better she had blown him off.

"How is she doing? It is so cold up there."

"It is but the train is close, so she doesn't have to get out in it much." He said going along with her lie.

"So, engaged, congratulations man she is a gem," he said, sounding much better not so angry. 

"Thank you, Dante, she has spoken fondly about you."

"Thank you I loved that girl she made being in rehab bearable for me." 

"She makes everything bearable. She is doing well but still gets tired quickly and this news has really upset her. We don't know where to go with this situation. Who killed the parents and why is the biggest question."

"Yeah, the speculation is someone in jail killed Billy something about a drug connection. But that's rumored. Who knows, maybe he just couldn't handle jail. So, who are you?" He asked again.

"I'm an attorney that works with the company she works for and that is all I can tell you in case they are after Tomorrow. We have had some strange things going on up here and I'm not taking any chances."

"What strange things?"

"So far, seven women have been killed around here, and they all look just like Tomorrow. All are tall, long blonde hair, and beautiful. The FBI is involved, they just finished interviewing her. Like I said, I'm not taking chances with names or companies."

"Ok, this is getting crazy," Dante told him as Mandy chattered in the background. "Ok, well tell her I love her, and I hope she calls me back."

"Ok, I'll pass on the message, but she is quite busy right now just trying to not freak out. It may become a full-time job." Lucas offered because he hasn't decided if he is going to tell her he called. With everything going on he could probably get away with it for a while. He ended the call without a goodbye. That guy was nothing to him, just another hopeful. Damn, someone was willing to pay a million dollars to sleep with Tomorrow. 

The man is right, she would be worth it. "Too bad she is mine," he said and dropped the phone back into the endless void of her purse. He went back to check on her and she was still out. She told him how she would wake up and Billy was having sex with her, and he can see how it could happen. But why would you not want to do that with her awake. When she is awake, she is magnificent, always willing and eager, moving with you. 

He left her a quick note to call his cell phone when she wakes up. He needs to check on the FBI men and work on his prenup. 

All he knows is as long as she is here and no one knows, she is Ok.

Laurel corralled him before he could get five feet into the lobby, "I put them in one of the three room suites. We are concerned with what is going on."

"I told you; she had a death with some people she knows, and they are looking for a connection," he said dismissively and walked away. He didn't need all of them in their business.

Laurel watched him walk away, and she was pissed. She knew enough of their Tomorrow's background to search for the information herself. Shifting in front of the computer, she hit history to find the old stories and found Pearson had been searching for gay porn at night. Grunting, she ignored that and found the local newspaper for Tomorrow's town. I'll teach him to dismiss us.

"Billy killed himself. Good one less jerk, but someone shot his parents about the same time he died now that is weird," Laurel whispered as she read on. 

David was standing collecting his things from the very back of the room when Lucas entered the card room. The others were still typing away on their devices. He waved and walked towards Lucas and the door. 

"Is she doing better," David asked across the room. The others looked up to hear the answer.

"She is sleeping. Like I said, she wants everyone to believe she is healthy, but she isn't. We have found her down or going down often so now, we all know the signs and watch for them. I was thinking, what about money laundering. Claim the money is a donation for some campaign, but it's drug money," Lucas suggested.

"You looking to become an agent," David teased as the others smiled. "I contacted the FBI in Houston, and they are going out to check things out. And yes, that is a line we will dig into. Meanwhile, we will be staying here for a few days. We noticed once she starts talking, she remembers things. We hope to keep picking her brain and I can't think of a better place to be investigating a case. We are hoping the killings in Chicago stops now that the LeMoine's are dead. His ass doesn't have to be covered anymore. 

"That is good. At some point she may want to go home and visit," Lucas offered.

"We will figure it out. I like what you did around here. I'm sure you don't remember me, but I was here years ago for a family vacation. I think I was fourteen or fifteen, you, and I had our eyes on the same girl. She was a little younger, but a beauty," he told him, smiling the whole time like he was enjoying the memory.

Lucas looked him over and said, "You had long hair then and were here with younger siblings. Yeah, I remember we were both working hard to get that first kiss from that young cutie."

"Yep, so did you get that kiss?" David asked, enjoying the banter. He knew he hadn't, he had days longer to persuade the girl.

"No, because a girl who was sixteen came the day you left and that one was a real wild one. I forgot about the young one once she walked into the hotel. 

"And you spent every summer going through them right,"

David shot back, knowing the type.

Lucas smiled his 'yes, I am a cad smile'. "I had a hormone driven youth, and this place didn't help. I would say that is the answer. But I'm way past that now. Some could say I'm a new man."

"And how does Tomorrow assimilate into this new man persona?"

"She is going to marry me, and we will live here and be happy. That is how she assimilates into my life. I didn't bring her here with the intention of bedding her if that is what you think. I didn't make a move on her at all. She is the one who made her claim. No, I didn't run from her, and lord knows I do love that girl." 

"So, you plan to marry?" Agent Madison asked.

"We would be already, but this stupid island has an eight-day waiting period, so we are set for Friday this week," he informed the crew. "How about we get you settled in your rooms, and you can relax. She may sleep the night through," Lucas offered if she sleeps until 6:00 he is going to take her dinner and spend the evening making her forget all about the day. 

Lucas took them to their rooms with their limited luggage he watched as they took in the room. Spreading out like schoolboys, they immediately went to the balcony and surveyed the view. 

"Enjoy the place, dinner is on me, and I will find you when Tomorrow is ready to talk. I just asked that you don't overwhelm her."

"NO, Lucas we have the time, and this is important, something strange is going on here and she knows what it is, but she doesn't realize it." 

"I agree she is slowly putting two and two together, she has to do it on her own time. She was brought into a family with a lot of influence but was kept on the outskirts. I will bring you anything she may tell me so you can delve into it with her. She sometimes rambles on, that is when the ideas come to her," Lucas offered as he left them in the room. 

Two hours later his office phone rang, "What are you doing," came softly over the line. A smile spread across his face.

"I'm thinking about you and have worked up a very beneficial prenup for you. But I would never do anything to hurt you." Lucas told her so sincerely she began to cry."

"Are you going to come and see me?" She whispered. 

"Give me two seconds," he said, pocketing the phone and ran out to her apartment. 

Standing in her bathroom, she heard her lock click and smiled. "I'm in here," she called out. 

"How are you doing? He asked slinking into her room. Very unsure what he is going to find. She seems emotional, which is very understandable, but Lucas has never been good with emotional women. Distance has always been his answer, but he couldn't do that to Tomorrow, she needs him now. 

She shrugged her shoulders, rather shocked and sad. "I knew those people for three plus years and now they are all dead. On top of that, seven women are dead because I looked somewhat like them. How unlucky for them." 

"Yes, it was but that is not your fault," he said as he walked up behind her. "What happened to them was not your fault. You got pulled into the LeMoine's messed up world and the FBI needs to figure out what happened for them to want you dead. You saw or heard something, now the question is do you want to talk to those agents now or let me crawl all over you?"

"My body says you and my brain says them," she said, running her hands through his hair, her gorgeous body swaying before him.

"Ok, let me point out one thing. They are settled into a nice suite of rooms and have all the time in the world to talk to you, they claim," he told her with his arms looped around her middle.

"And we had plans for tonight and you're not ready to let go of those plans," Tomorrow assessed.

"You know me if I can get a hold of your body,"

"I know me too." 

"Ok, so late dinner," he asked, walking her towards her bed.

"I have food in the fridge if you need it," she offered.

The fresh smell of a shower and the damp tips of her hair tells Lucas what she wants, and he has every intention of giving her what she wants.