”I thought that Mother was going to explode with another tirade to me, so her next words shocked me. “My poor baby, what have they done to you? Wh...t have you done so terrible for them to treat you like this? Perhaps, I should contact a few of them, remind them just how important our family is.”“No mother,” I replied. “If this is some type of coup, perhaps we should leave the magick realm. I was all set to though I could never abandon you, you’re all I have left after father’s death. Though for. "She told me that she spends a lot of time with you and that you two have done a lot together since you came to work here."The quick flash of concern (or was it fear) that went across his face pretty much told me that where there was smoke there was likely to be fire. I noticed that for the rest of the night Brad kept glancing nervously at the table where Alice was sitting. I also noticed several people watching our table with bemused grins and smiles on their faces. Did every one know? Were. The whooshin' of the air from his lungs told me I had a chance. As he rose to his knees, tryin' desperately to catch his breath, I made it to my feet. Staggerin' closer to him, I kicked as hard as I could right in his gut.Fightin' down the sharp pain in my ribs and givin' it my all I grabbed his shirt and pulled him to his feet. Measurin' him carefully I put everything into one last punch. Two things happened; I broke my fist and his jaw. He collapsed, falling head down in the river. Stunned. The waiter replied that it was already taken care of by Gary and handed me a room key.Beth looked at me in surprise as we walked down the hall to Gary's room with its fireplace and piano and chilling Champagne and remarked that this was somebody's apartment and then I had to explain about the poker game. She laughed and stepped into my arms "Am I part of your winnings?" I responded with a passionate kiss and we shared another joint and a glass of the bubbly. Then she sat back to display a vast.