A Six-Pack & a Shot at Love (Love on the Rocks #1)(4)

“I think they have a training gig at Fort Jackson. They live for their jobs there.”

He thought about his other three brothers. They were active-duty military that trained soldiers in basic training and advanced training like hand-to-hand combat, weaponry, explosives, and other things that they were not allowed to share.

“We need to get together soon. It’s been like two months.”

“They have plans next weekend, too.”

“Shit, well, I have plans tonight anyway.”

“Where are you off to, and who are you dragging along with ya?” Roman asked.

“Just hitting a few local spots and visiting Carlyle.”

“It’s been a long time since I went to his bar.”

“I know, and I need a night out on the town.”

“So you planning on bringing back some new friends? Because I would appreciate it if you would keep the tramps outside like in the cabana.” Roman stood up.

Apollo squinted at him. Roman and even Gavan hadn’t wanted to go out and party or hook up with women in a while. They were focused on work, on working out, on distrusting anyone they came in contact with because, when you were as wealthy as the six of them were, people tried to scam. Apollo, on the other hand, was up for any challenge or game. He liked f*cking around with people who thought they had an upper hand on him. He hated dishonest people and disloyal ones even more so. His phone rang, and he glanced at the caller.

“It’s Lisa,” he said, referring to their personal assistant. She organized and finalized a lot of their life and even extracurricular activities. “Hey, Lisa, what’s going on?”

“I have the Memphis group on the line, and they’re insisting on redoing the shoot and the website, the brochures, everything. What would you like me to tell them?”

“Tell them not to bother and that we won’t be sending off their money. We’re dissatisfied. If Henry has any issues, tell him if I need to call him personally then it won’t end here.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll take care of it.”

“Great, and do me a favor. Try to find me some names of good photographers and gather me some portfolios to look at their work. I’m sick of these high-priced stuck-up artists who think they should be paid millions for a job not worth hundreds.”

“I may have a few people in mind. If you’re willing to go by their work and portfolio information and not necessarily the number of high-profile jobs they’ve done.”

“Lisa, I want results. I want to be wowed. If someone with the potential is presented to me, and I feel compelled to use them, then I don’t care how much experience they have just as long as they can accomplish what my brothers and I ask, and in a timely manner.”

“You got it. I’ll be in touch.”

He ended the call.

“Sounds like she may know someone,” Roman said as he stood by the door preparing to leave.

“Sounds like it. Lisa has good judgment. If she finds someone, then so be it. We’ll give it a whirl. But I’m not taking it easy on this one. I’m going to take a hands-on approach. Which really f*cking pisses me off. You would think we could get someone really good and worth the money we’re more than willing to spend.”

“People are greedy and only see dollar signs. Just watch your ass. I really don’t want to be wasting time with some half-assed artist and lose time and money. There are more important things to focus on.”

“Yeah, like some action tonight to take my mind off all the bullshit.”

Roman shook his head. “Would it kill you to think beyond one night? You are getting kind of old for one-night stands.”

“Says the man who hasn’t gotten laid in at least four months.”

“You keeping track of my lovers?”

“I’m noticing that we’re all in a slump.”

“Maybe the rest of us are looking for more, or just tired of being used.”

“We can have our pick of women. I pull up in the Lamborghini and they’re throwing themselves at me,” Apollo said, giving a wink and flashing what he believed was his killer smile.

“Yeah, and you’re opening your wallet and throwing away money on worthless sluts. Why don’t you try meeting a nice woman who you can take out to dinner, spend some quality time with, and have feelings for?” Roman asked.

“Are we at this whole settling down shit again? Because you know as well as I do, Roman, that women want things from us. They want our money, our time, our names, and to be part of this world we live in. They’re all the same. They want to use us, so why not use them?”

“Suit yourself, Apollo. I get not being able to trust a woman. Just don’t be so quick to pass judgment. First impressions can be deceiving.”

Apollo chuckled. “I’m just going out to have some fun,” he said in a teasing way that indicated he was looking for a good time, and there was no price limit on having a good time. Not for Apollo Corbias.





“How are you doing, Vin?” Vincent Lockatelli asked his sister over the phone. He leaned back in his chair at the police department and rubbed his jaw. A detective in the city, he had a crazy schedule working on cases.

“I’m doing well, Vincent. How are you?”

“Crazy busy as usual. How about you? Any new gigs?” He heard her hesitate. He felt terribly. She had gone through a lot of shit the last year. The detectives were working a case against her ex-boyfriend, Conan Sassone, which wasn’t looking too promising. Vincent and his brothers, Salvatore and Dante, had tried to use their connections to help in the case, but the feds and Detective Yearns, an acquaintance of Vincent’s, told him to back off. That was pretty f*cking hard to do when Conan had a part in his brother Aaron’s death and was obsessed with his sister and had struck her as he attempted to take her from a gallery in the city. Seven months since she had gone into hiding.