Elliot pointed out two more turns in quick succession. “It was the JM Howard. That’s the hotel chain.”
I’d never made the connection before. “Howard is a common last name, Not likeSmith, but also not likeZabriskie.”
The men dissolved into laughter. Apparently, the wordZabriskiewas hilarious. I had an ex-boyfriend who would disagree, which made it really tempting to introduce him to these two while they were drunk.
“No.” Link came down hard on the word. “It’sElliot’slast name.”
Pieces were clicking in my head. No. Shit.
“Technically, it’s my grandfather’s name. There’s no way Dad was going to pass that gem along to his son. And really, I’m kind of grateful, becauseJohnsonis one hell of a funny name.” He fellback in his seat and grabbed his crotch. “Hi, I’m Johnson. It’s like naming someone Richard.”
“You’re one ofthoseHowards. The hotel chain Howards.”
Elliot was back, his mouth near my ear. “That’s right, Kittie.”
“I told you he came from money,” Link said.
Right. Because he lived in a mansion. But I’d been thinking… I didn’t know what I’d thought, but not this. “You’re a fucking billionaire.”
The way Elliot shook his head was violent and almost scary. He stopped and pressed his hand to his forehead. “Nope.Dadis a billionaire. Grandpa Johnson was too. My cousin, when Dad passes the reins to him. I’m technically not part of the family anymore, so I’m still working on reaching that elusive three comma mark.
“But you…” What was I supposed to say? So many thoughts raced through my mind, I struggled to process Elliot’s next navigation instructions.
“I what?” he asked.
“You work for a living.”
He shrugged. “Debatable.”
“Untrue.” Link almost sounded offended. “He workshard.”
I believed that.
“I’m not just a customer, I’m the owner.” Elliot slid into a ridiculous infomercial-style voice.
I wasn’t going to make the hotel mistake again. He meant literally. “Trade publications say Judith Walsh is the owner.” But I’d also looked into the company before to learn more about its board and investors, and because it was a private company, a lot of that information wasn’t available.
We pulled up in front of his house, and I parked where I’d seen him park, in the first spot in the garage. As we climbed from the car, Elliot draped an arm around my shoulder and leaned in closely. “You can’t tell anyone. Please. It’s a secret.Shhh.”
How often did he actually ask for something instead of just assuming he’d get it? Me telling other people that he was an owner of AcesPlayed didn’t benefit me, and I liked being in on the secret.
“I promise, I won’t. Cross my heart. Which key unlocks the door?”
Elliot took the keys from me and proceeded to drop them several times before finally letting us into the house.
Mrs. Ria was sitting in the living room with King, waiting. When she saw the condition Elliot and Link were in, she just rolled her eyes. “You’ll take care of my idiots?” she asked me with nothing but affection in her voice.
“I will.”
“Good. I’m leaving for the night.” With that, she was gone.
Elliot stripped off his wig and set it on the coffee table, and King growled and jumped on it. “Not a threat.” Elliot laughed and picked up the dog.
Link took Elliot’s wig and his own, and set them someplace higher. They both shed their trench coats quickly and tossed them over a nearby chair.
“Sit. Both of you.” I wasn’t sure how drunk they really were, but this seemed like a bad room for them to stumble through.
Link grinned. “Bossy Fallyn. I wanna see you face off with Bossy Elliot.”