“Pfft,” he snorted.

I sort of agreed with him.

“All the recordin’s,” said Jason. “And just to be safe, all the computer equipment that has our files and shit. Move them to Phil’s place, and put ’em in the attic. If a hurricane hits, there’ll be floodin’. There’s always floodin’.”

Sheri nodded and wrote this shit down. “I’ll see if Gordy can help Siggie out with any of that. See if there’s some guys left…”

“Send Duck and someone else. We’ll keep Steve,” I said. “And see if the Devils can help Siggie out, too,” I told her.

With all that sorted out, we went straight into tomorrow night’s show. We would have two solid hours on stage.

Nice.

Transportation was in order and all that jazz. The roadies had all our equipment at the venue ready to go.

When the meeting concluded, the five of us got our jam on in Jason’s living room for a couple of hours. Flipper only had a tiny-ass kit, but it was enough to keep a beat. That was what I loved best about being in a band—just sitting the fuck down and rocking out with my brothers.

“So, little brother,” I said after our seventh Led Zeppelin tribute with “The Song Remains the Same.” Fuck yeah. “What’s your take on tourin’?”

“Honestly? I thought you guys were fuckin’ rock stars. Now, I know you’re all just a bunch of old farts who cater to your women.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” said Jason. “Too bad you weren’t with us on world tour number two. Talk about some wild fuckin’ times.”

X was losin’ it. “Oh, fuck! Remember that time Flipper got so fuckin’ wasted, he puked on and shat in his favorite nut-huggers?”

Jason cracked up, pointing at our Mexican brother. “Phil stripped his ass and threw ’em out, right? And fuckin’ Flip fuckin’ flipped. Made Phil go with him in the dumpsters behind the hotel and search for the fuckers!”

“But the best was the fuckin’ maid’s face when Flipper tried to get her to wash them! She made him hose that shit down in the tub—before she fuckin’ put them in a trash bag and threw them out!” X crowed.

“Hey! I never fuckin’ found a pair that fit like that again. I was fuckin’ devastated!” Flipper yelled.

“Really? That’s the wild time I missed out on?” drawled Connor.

“Yeah, well, what got those pants into that state…that was somethin’ else.” I laughed.

X’s face went blank. “What the fuck did we do that night?”

The four of us all just looked at each other, completely at a loss. Flipper opened his mouth and then closed it.

“Fuck, man. What country was that even in?” asked Jason.

“France?” I asked.

“Naawww…” said X. “Romania, I think.”

“We went to Romania?” asked Flipper.

“I think it was Austria, you guys,” said Jason. “Or Hungary. One of those.”

“Huh…” I grunted.

Connor stared at us for a few moments. “Seriously? You don’t remember?”

“Dude, there’s a lot we probably don’t remember. Sheri might though. Where is she?” I asked.

“She’s at the spa, gettin’ a massage,” said Jason.

Sweet. More fun for Helga.

X had gotten Alys, Kenna, and me reservations at a restaurant in the hotel, a place called Olives. We got to sit outside on the patio, overlooking the fountains. We had asked Lili and Lewis to join us, but they were in romance mode or something, so it was just the four of us.

After we ate, we all headed back to our rooms and called it a night. I had some emails and phone calls to make. Kenna traipsed her sweet ass into the bedroom, leaving me to my lonesome. Laptop up and running, I called my dad as I worked through several responses.

“Philip?” He always said my name rather than hello.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hey! How’s the tour going?”

“Good. We’re in Vegas now. Last show’s tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry we had to miss the show. Sigmund said you guys were amazing.”

Dad, Danielle, Martin, and my nibblings had gone to Martin’s parents’ place in Virginia. Martin’s dad had been real sick with cancer and passed away while they were there.

“We overplayed a bit that night. Listen, what’s up with that storm in the Gulf?”

“It looks like it’s gonna happen. We’re not too sure of where exactly, but it’s gaining strength.”

“Why don’t you guys go stay in La Place if it hits? I just had that place rein-fuckin’-forced. Danielle, Martin, and the kids, too.”

“It’s not a bad idea. We’ve still got time to figure out where it’ll land, but we’ve already started stockpiling. I’ll talk to everyone and see if that’s what they want to do.”

“Cool.”

“So…having fun?”

“Yeah. The shows have been fuckin’ killer. Connor’s doin’ fantastic. Real proud of how he’s worked out…”

Shooting the shit with Dad was always easy. He talked about Camille getting excited for preschool and Guillaume cutting teeth. All I had to do was grunt in reply and act interested. And I was, really. I loved my nibblings a whole lot.

“How’s Kenna doing on tour with you all?”

“She’s phenomenal, Dad. Just amazin’. That woman blows my mind,” I told him. “She’s so fuckin’ smart and just such a good person. Gordy fucked up his foot, and she was like a wizard. Had him splinted and calm while we waited for the ambulance. Dad, I can’t even…” I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “It’s like, every day, I find somethin’ more to love about her. She’s fuckin’ fierce and loyal and carin’. She goes out of her way for people, even the ones who don’t fuckin’ deserve it. She…”

“She what?”

“She even helped me fix a friendship that I thought was beyond repair. She made me listen rather than assume somethin’. It was fucked up, but she made me realize that I was wrong about this guy, and…yeah.”

“Sounds like you’re all set in the love department then. I’m happy for you, Philip.”

Dad went on about getting together for a huge barbeque when we got back. I was half-braining the conversation again when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted some movement.

Kenna.

My Baby Girl.

She was standing in a pair of black lace panties and nothing else. She had her hair up, a fuckin’ dead sexy smile on her face, and in her hand…a fuckin’ riding crop.

“…could get some watermelons and vodka. Heard that was good—”

“Dad?” I choked. “I’m gonna get back to you on that.” My eyes were fuckin’ glued on my woman. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you.”

My poor father. I hung up on him. But he had no idea that my Baby Girl was standing there in a pair of panties I was gonna tear off with my teeth. Growling, I stood up and charged her. Shrieking, she hauled ass back into the bedroom with me gnashing my teeth after her.

“Augh! No! I got this especially for you!” she cried, frantically waving the crop in the air as she zigged and zagged.

I lunged at her, and she dived and slid across the bed.

“Get over here!” I bellowed.

She giggled, and I fuckin’ lost it. Yanking off my clothes, I chased her lace-covered sweet ass all over the room.

“You fuckin’ sexy-ass little shit! Come here!” I yelled, which made her laugh even harder. “I’m gonna spank you with my dick, right after I rip those fuckin’ panties off with my teeth, if you don’t stop!”

My Baby Girl collapsed onto the bed, tears running down her precious face. She was laughing that hard. Jumping on her, I fuckin’ attacked her mouth until her laughter turned to moans, and she was breathless and squirming beneath me.

“You gonna take that switch to me?” I asked her, keeping my voice low and husky. It fuckin’ turned her to mush, hearing it.

“I thought we’d try something different.”

“You don’t like the belt?”

“I…” She swallowed hard, feeling my dick rub against her just right. “I wanted to try something I might have better control over.”