After firing the second security team responsible for Kari’s safety, and after determining that it was their negligence rather than collusion with Linda that allowed her to access Kari’s house unchecked, he made his way to his own house.  He’d deal with Linda after he spoke with Kari.  He needed to check on Kari first!

As he checked out the security around his perimeters, and he was grateful to Reno for bringing some men of his own as backup to his men, Alex made his way upstairs to Kari.  Although Jordan was in Alex’s bed fast asleep after staying up nearly all night long, Kari and Reno were in the sitting area of the bedroom watching, of all things Alex thought, some soap opera.  Reno Gabrini watching the soaps!  And he appeared all into it too.

“But that’s Victor Newman for you,” Kari was saying as they watched.  “He can be a snake when he wants to be.”

“That old guy?” Reno asked.

“Oh, yeah!  He can be something else!”

“Why is he in a coma?  What happened?”

“He got in a fight.”

“A fight?  That old guy?”

Kari laughed.  “I’m telling you he’s something else, Reno!”

“And here I was feeling sorry for his ass,” Reno said.  “Him being in that coma and all.”

“Sorry to interrupt you ladies,” Alex said.

Kari turned when she heard his voice.  And when she saw his face, back home to her at last, she jumped from her chair and ran to him. 

Alex smiled.  He loved the way she responded whenever she saw him.  And he caught her into his arms.  He lifted her up and held her tightly.  He could hardly believe it when they told him Linda had tried to kill her.  He couldn’t believe his men dropped the ball that profoundly once again!

But at the end of the day he blamed himself.  A near-miss on Kari’s life twice in a row?  That shit was on him.  Kari could have paid the ultimate price for his negligence.  Nobody felt worse than Alex did!

Still embracing her, he leaned back and looked at her.  Reno had told him, by phone, that she didn’t look so good.  Dazed was the word he’d used.  But now, presumably after getting at least some semblance of sleep, she looked revived.  She looked as if she was ready to give this life another go.  Her resiliency.  That was what Alex loved.

And when he looked into her eyes, he loved her even more.  “Doc said you’re okay,” he said, rubbing her hair, “so I know there’s nothing physically wrong.”  Alex had his doctor take a look at her after the incident.  Twice.  “But how are you emotionally, baby?” he asked her.

“I’m good, Alex,” she said.  “I’m just glad you’re back.”  Then she wrapped her arms tighter around his neck.

And he kissed her passionately.  He didn’t care that Reno Gabrini was in that room.  He didn’t hold back.  This lady was going to be his wife someday. He didn’t hold back!

Reno stood to his feet.  Although he cared about Kari, and enjoyed her company immensely, he was glad to be relieved of his duty too, as Benny and Faye had been relieved after he arrived.  They got to go home soon after his arrival.  He was hoping to hop his plane and get back to Vegas, and his work and family, too.

When Alex sat Kari back down on her own two feet, he looked over at Jordan.  Poor fellow.  He knew he had disappointed him.  Benny told him how he was upset with Alex for not protecting his mother better.  And Alex didn’t blame the kid.  He was upset with himself!

“Reno’s been a champ,” Kari said with a smile as she took Alex’s hand and they made their way to the sitting area.  “He even cooked me breakfast, if you can believe it.”

“What do you mean if you can believe it?” Reno asked.  “I’m a man of many talents.  What are you talking?”

Kari and Alex laughed.  Alex extended his hand.  “How are you, old man?”

Reno shook his hand.  “We’re around the same age,” he said.  “What’s with this old man shit?”

Alex smiled.  Then his look turned serious.  “Thanks for coming, Reno,” he said heartfelt.  “I’ll never forget it.”

“No problem whatsoever,” Reno said.  “I have a lot of family.  When I’m in trouble, they come running to take a fucker out who tried to do me harm.  You ain’t got shit,” Reno said, and Alex laughed.  “I’m the only gangster you got!  But all kidding aside, it’s my pleasure to help out.”

“Thanks,” Alex said again.

Then he and Kari sat down on the settee, and Reno sat back down in the chair.

“Any idea what the fuck is going on?” Reno asked.  “Because something’s going on.  Too much shit’s going down.”

“Oh, yeah, something’s happening, that’s for sure,” Alex said.  “But answers are few and far between.”

“I heard about that attempt on your life in Munich.  That was some crazy shit.”

“You’re telling me!”

“It took some great skills to extricate yourself from that craziness.  I was impressed when I got the details.”

Alex smiled.  Coming from Reno, it meant something.

“So, what’s your game plan?” Reno asked.  “How do you plan to approach it?”

“From every angle,” said Alex.  “I have to go hard or don’t go at all.”

“Now you’re speaking my language,” Reno said happily.  “Those assholes don’t understand anything but hardcore.  I should know.  I’ve been dealing with them practically all my life.  I should know.  Not that you’ve been a choirboy yourself,” Reno added, and they laughed.

“But what I don’t get is why they came for Kari,” Reno said.  “And they came twice.  That’s what I can’t figure out.  Or is that shit related?”

“That may be the biggest part of the puzzle that’s puzzling me, too,” said Alex.  “But I’m on it.  My men are on it.  We’ll get more answers soon.”

“Need my help?” Reno asked.

“I can take it from here.  Coming here to make sure there were no fuck-ups in security until I could get back was all the help I needed.  Thanks.”

“You don’t have to thank me.  It was my pleasure, like I said.  Kari is a great girl.  She’s a smart girl, too.  Your slick ass doesn’t deserve her, but that’s another story.”

Alex laughed.  “Yes, it is, Reno,” he said, and Kari laughed too.

“But really, I can help,” Reno said.  “I know you like to work alone, but I can give you a helping hand.”

“Thanks, man.  But I got it.  Seriously.”

“My advice?” Reno asked.  “I say handle that shit.  You hear me?  Leave no stones unturned.  Handle all that shit.  Including that fucking ex-wife.”

“Don’t worry,” Alex said.  “But first I need her to tell me all she knows.”

“Tell you?” Reno asked.  “According to Kari, she’s going to tell her too.”

Alex nodded and took Kari’s hand.  “Yes, she will,” he said.  “She tried to harm Kari.  Kari has a right to ask her questions, and to hear it straight from her.”

Reno was floored.  He couldn’t believe it!  But Kari was smiling.  “Told you!” she said triumphantly.

“What?” Alex asked, puzzled.

But Reno was smiling too.  And, true to his word, he pulled out his thick wallet, and handed her, in crisp one hundred-dollar bills, a cool grand.

Kari started laughing and kicking her legs in joy that she just beat the grand master of casinos at his own game, while Alex couldn’t help but smile too.  He assumed she had won some bet, but it didn’t matter to him either way.  He was just happy that after her ordeal, and after all they’d been through, they were still able to laugh.