tonight?” Joseph asked dolefully. “If a good nights sleep is what you want perhaps we should sleep apart?”

“Yussef, darling, you can assume that I will want you in my bed with me every night from now on. I want to be able to wake up with you next to me every morning. Even if we just sleep together and nothing else.” Fazzi said as he started to return to his room through the connecting bathroom. “If we do sleep apart, I will assume that we have had a lover's spat.”

“Oh Fazzi, one thing more,” stammered the soldier who was not too sure if Fazzi might not have seen the pistol being covered up or not. “I did a rather foolish thing that I don't think you are going to like or approve of it. But, I did it because I love you. I thought it was a good idea at the time and I still do.”

Stopping and turning around Fazzi asked, “What is that?”

“I purchased a hand gun.”

“You what? Why in the world would you feel you needed to do that? We are well protected here.”

“Well I know that your driver carries a gun and since there will be times when you and I would be alone in my car-I thought you might feel more at ease if you knew I could provide you with the same degree of protection that he does.” He lied. “I'm a good shot and I do know how to use it. As a Sergeant I do carry a sidearm and I am licensed to carry a weapon. Besides which, who would you rather have protecting you-a paid employee or someone that loves you and is looking out for your welfare? One another reason is that that if I'm to live in Paterson there are sections of this town where I might need that gun.”

“I'm glad you told me about the gun. I just wish it were not necessary for me to employ bodyguards, but it is. As long as you are careful and don't behave like a cowboy, it is OK with me.” Fazzi said and smiled to himself, as he already knew about the gun. Unknown to the soldier, while they were eating, he had his chauffeur go through Joseph's belongings. The chauffeur's revelation about the gun had worried him, but now, he breathed a sigh of relief because Joseph had, on his own, told him about the gun and the reason he had it.

“Just make sure that you secure the weapon in a safe place. Tomorrow I will have a cabinetmaker install a lock on that night table. You can keep it there.” He walked over to Joseph and held him in his arms and kissed him. “I want you to know that I love you for everything you have done for me and this above all. This wanting to protect me with your life, if need be, proves to me beyond any doubt how you feel about me. I am sorry that I had any doubts about your commitment to me. I am most sorry that because of my work and lifestyle that I have placed you in danger, too. There are people out there who would like nothing better than to do me in. And now that you are going to be connected with me, they might want to take out their frustrations on you as well. It is good that I now know you are