Billionaire Bad Boys: A Collection of Contemporary and Paranormal Bad Boys Page 9

  She and Adam entered and were whisked into the night.

  At Fleur Rouge, Adam and Savannah parted ways—him to his rooms, her to her suite. She wandered around the space, overwhelmed by the care taken to everything, from the sleek and discreet wall sockets to the pricey art. She sauntered along a corridor and entered a home office she hadn’t yet seen. As soon as she stepped through the doorway, a golden light came on, illuminating the room. She made her way to an ornate desk, then settled in the plush chair and lifted the lid of a gold laptop computer. A gold-lined note rested on the desk. Written in a fine, scrolling hand, it said, Naeva Weathersby, next to a username and password.

  Determined to find out more about Liam to accomplish her mission, she logged in and opened a browser window. I need to find out what makes this guy tick. What kind of life he’s had. She typed his name into the search box and waited for the results.

  Several listings populated page one of seventy-five possible pages.

  First, she clicked on images. She viewed him through time, from childhood to his current age of twenty-seven. As a young teen, he appeared smiling and fun-loving, photographed on yachts, sailboats, skiing down mountains, and snowboarding. As he aged, his scowl became ever present. She clicked on the News link. Then, she selected an article with the headline Chartier Heir rocked by Father’s Murder.

  An eighteen-year-old scowling Liam stared back at her.

  She clicked to the next page.

  In this image, his palm faced the camera, trying to shield it from capturing his grief.

  Next to his image, she read, Logan Chartier gunned down in a freak accident while skiing with his only son, Liam. The sniper shot at him from a distance. Logan and Liam were making their descent down the remote Sunrise Bowl, in Vail, Colorado. No witnesses have come forward. No suspects have been found.

  “Oh, Liam. Not only were your dreams of being a doctor taken from you, so was your father. I can relate. Cancer took my mom. I’ve never had a sense of family until I met Adam. And this job means the world to me. I may not have had a choice when it came to having a family, but I’ve made darn sure I chose my career. It wasn’t foisted upon me, like a new foster family.”

  She remembered shuttling through foster care, without anyone in her life to guide her. He might have had money, but she recognized the look on his face. He felt like he had nothing, too.

  A soft knock startled her. Without thinking, she slammed the lid of the computer down.

  “Oh!” She gazed at Adam. Her hand fluttered to her chest. “It’s you.”

  “Sorry to disturb. I let myself in. Ready to tell me what you gleaned today?” He strode through the doorway and settled on a loveseat placed against the wall.

  “Yes.”

  “Tell me what happened.”

  She rose and made her way to him, seating herself close. “What a day! That ladies club was engaged in studies of S&M. There was this extremely well-endowed guy named Master Steele. I had no idea men’s penises could get that large. Ambrosia made me show him obedience, claiming she sent courtesans to train me in Paris. Good God, it was humiliating. Oh, and remember Monique? The woman my father is probably screwing right now? She failed the test of obedience, so that’s why they put me in. I did it, not because I enjoyed it because, well…obedience is a way of life in Mosul. I was trained by the best.” Her face betrayed her lie about not enjoying it. If she allowed it, she could recall the sensation of his fingers along her skin as if he stood next to her.

  Adam put his arm around her and pulled her close.

  “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “And what about your jackass of a fiancé? I wanted to grind his balls into his forehead.”

  She grimaced. “Yes. I wanted that, too. But you wouldn’t believe what he showed me.”

  “What?”

  “A room full of hidden jewels, each one larger than the next. All stolen. Each family has one to represent them.”

  “You’re shitting me.” Adam’s eyes widened. He sat forward, clasping his hands at his knees.

  “I kid you not. I asked him if he might be planning another heist, but he wouldn’t tell me. He made a threat saying if anyone finds out I saw those jewels, he’ll know who spilled the secret. And, he said they have ways of dealing with betrayers. What a place, huh?”

  “I’ll say.” Adam nodded.

  “But—get this—he said he took me in there because he needs to be able to ‘count on my wife to keep my secrets.’ His words, not mine.”

  “Excellent, Savannah. He’s starting to trust you.”

  “I know, right? I’m going to make SLAE so stoked they assigned me. Maybe I’ll get a promotion or something.” She grinned. “And listen to this—the Weathersby family is supposedly represented by a Painite. It’s called Fire.”

  Adam whistled. “Those are pricey gemstones.”

  “No kidding. And Liam made it clear I’m not a person anymore. I belong to the Club.”

  “Damn.”

  “Right.” She wrinkled up her nose and gave him a side-eyed glance. “It’s weird for me to hear I belong anywhere, even in make believe. SLAE’s the first place where I felt I belonged. That, plus, having a pretend mother and father kind of plays at my heartstrings, you know?”

  “I hear that,” Adam said. His eyes filled with softness.

  “It’s probably jet lag. Going from poverty and the threat of death for being seen outside the home in Iraq to the Diamond Club with all its kinky rules…I can’t exactly make sense of it yet.”

  “I understand.”

  “And that scene in the Diamond Strumpet’s Club.” Her face grew hot. “At first I felt a lot of anger and judgment. Like, how dare they play at submission when there are people paying with their lives for asserting any sense of independence. But then…” She shook her head, not wanting to reveal the tenderness the Master had bestowed upon her. Or the care she’d imagined she felt from him. Or, how completely turned on she’d become.

  Once again, she dismissed her creative musings with a toss of her head. Quit being an idiot. This is a job, dummy, not a dating service.

  Adam studied her with fond regard.

  “Don’t pay me any mind. I’m tired. I haven’t had a chance to catch up with myself. A good night sleep or two and I’ll be fine.

  He nodded at her, but she figured he wasn’t buying her excuses.

  They both grew quiet for a few seconds. Then, Adam said, “It’s not too late to back out. This sort of thing—pretending to be engaged to someone who truly believes he’s marrying someone promised to him—well, it can be complicated. You weren’t trained for that.” He paused. “We don't want your emotions to get confused.”

  She stiffened. “I'm a professional. I can handle it.”

  He studied her for a moment. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

  He gave her another squeeze.

  She nodded. “I’m sure.”

  She let out a long yawn.

  “You’re tired.” He pushed to standing. “Me, too. Let’s get some shut-eye. I’ll connect with SLAE before we meet in the morning. I’ll get some answers. Maybe they have more dirt on Liam than they’re letting on. Or, maybe they’ve heard something since we got there. Either way, I’ll give them a call.”

  She stood, too. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she hugged him tightly. “I couldn’t do this without you.”

  “It’s a wild ride,” he said, returning the hug. “And we’re in it together. Oh.” He eased her away from him, bearing a playful smile. “Did you happen to notice that suited man doing the body shots…Did you notice his cuff links?”

  She thought a second. “Yes, why?”

  Adam laughed. “Those things come with an 18-karat-gold-plated butt plug. They’re sort of an advertisement to the kink that guy is into.”

  Her mouth fell open.

  “How do you know this?” she spluttered.

  He laughed again. “I know. It was part of Xavier’s training. While you were learning how to walk and talk li
ke a rich bitch…” He shrugged. “Xavier showed me a thing or two.”

  She slapped his shoulder. “You’re incorrigible, you know that? How does your girlfriend deal with your explorations?”

  He shrugged. “We love each other. She accepts my bi nature. She knows I’ll always come home to her and the kids and put her first, no questions asked. She doesn’t like something or someone? I end it. And she’s the only woman in my life. My one and only.” Then, his face grew serious. “But about the cuff-links…the quirks of the Club. I need to know everything there is to know about this place to keep you safe. That’s my prime directive. And with that…” He pivoted on his heel and turned. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he called over his shoulder, leaving her to her own wondering about what, exactly, tomorrow would bring.

  9

  Today I’m going to get answers. I’m going to work myself into Liam Chartier’s soul like a razor-sharp, diamond-edged knife. He won’t know he’s been cut until it’s too late and he’s bled out all his secrets.

  Sitting on the balcony of Fleur Rouge, Savannah stared at Central Park. It glowed like a fairy-tale forest in the rising sun as morning stirred the city to life. She picked up her coffee cup and sipped, waiting for Adam to return from the phone call which had interrupted their breakfast.

  Vowing to keep her emotions under control, Savannah readied herself for the day ahead, giving herself mental pep talks.

  Use any connection you have with Liam. All his bullshit aside, he seemed to enjoy kissing me. Her body hummed with greedy longing as she remembered yesterday’s elevator moment, where he’d ground against her while nibbling and sucking her lips. Use that moment. Flirt with him. Touch him. No one else at SLAE could do this job—they’re all men or stern looking women. This guy’s a billionaire. He’s going to want someone young, like me.

  She tapped her manicured fingernail against her tooth.

  He’s interested in me, but he’s unsure. He’s got all kinds of walls. Get inside his head. You’ve got this, Savannah.

  When footsteps approached, she turned toward the sound.

  “New plan.” Adam stepped out onto the balcony. He held his phone aloft.

  “Was it SLAE?”

  “Yep.” He settled into the seat he’d occupied earlier.

  “What did they say? Finish your breakfast while you tell me, though. I have to get ready for my day.” Dressed in her silky new robe and nightwear, with her slipper-clad feet resting on the banister, she imagined herself to be a character in a movie. “Go ahead.”

  He sat, before shoving the last of his buttery croissant in his mouth. “Agent Ryan is stoked by the information you got. Seriously stoked. He said to tell you ‘atta girl.’”

  “Yeah?” Savannah sat up taller, a grin forming on her face. “Maybe I will get a promotion.”

  “Could be. And, he wants you to push the engagement to Chartier.” He picked up his coffee cup and drained it. “Tell him you can’t wait to marry him. Grow closer to him. He’s starting to let you in. Get the information you need.”

  “What do they think I’m doing? We’ve only been here a day. You can’t force love.” She winked at him.

  “You can’t, no. But SLAE wants to speed things up. They said they gathered some information about the heist being sooner than they thought.”

  She threw back her head and groaned. “He hates me. He hates that he’s forced to marry me. He made that all too clear.”

  Adam smirked. “And then he planted a scorching kiss on your lips. Come on, girl, use your smarts. He might hate the idea of marrying you, but his lower head is eager to play. Face it. You’re hot.”

  Her face grew warm. “I don’t think so, but thanks. And, this so-called hotness never won me, love.” She puffed out a sigh. “But, it might save my job. That’s my goal at this point. Still, I don’t know how I’m going to change his mind. He seems stubborn. And willful.” And sexy as hell. “I’m going to have to use every trick I have. Act like a professional.” She smirked.

  “You mean a hooker?” Adam chuckled.

  She waggled her eyebrows.

  “I have faith in you. You’ll be accompanying him to a tennis tournament today. It’s a charity event. The Weathersby family are big philanthropists.”

  “Fronting as philanthropists, you mean. Meanwhile, they murder and steal.” Savannah pursed her lips. Her gaze drifted to a couple pushing a stroller, while an older kid skipped and danced by their side. Was I ever that lighthearted? Did I ever feel embraced by family, even as an infant? “Do you think Ambrosia’s in on the heist?”

  “She’s a pretty savvy player in the game. She’s known as the queen of the club. Everyone defers to her. So, it wouldn’t surprise me if she knows. But I doubt you’ll get anything useful out of her. She’s smart. She might play at acting ditzy, but she’s an extremely intelligent woman. Shrewd. Calculating. Keep an eye on her, too.”

  “Got it.” She glanced at Adam then put her attention back on the family across the street, far below her in her luxury tower.

  The dad had lifted the baby out of the stroller and stood rocking and soothing the screaming child.

  “Do you ever…did you ever miss having a mom and a dad?” She nibbled on her croissant.

  A slight frown flashed on Adam’s face. “I think you know the answer to that. We used to talk about it.” His mouth quirked to the side as he inclined his head. “Is this about having two people you have to pretend to call mother and father?”

  Her feet dropped from the banister. “A little, yeah. Marcus is a too cold for me to take the father term serious. Plus, he’s kind of a jerk.” She fiddled with the handle of her coffee cup. “But Ambrosia has a soft side. She at least seems to care. I admit it made me feel strange to even utter the word ‘mother’.” She blew out a quick, short breath. “Who am I kidding? All I am to her is the means to an end. Like father-dear said—the DC is like the mafia. They arrange advantageous unions. I’m nothing but a pawn in their game.”

  “Savannah.”

  “What?”

  “Why are you tripping? What’s really going on? You usually do your job without all the reminiscing.” Adam shook his head.

  “I know, I know. I’m acting all weird. I told you, its jet lag. That, plus the contrast in cultures. Talk about extremes.”

  Adam narrowed his eyes at her. “I don’t know. You usually keep the past in the past. It sounds like your emotions are at play.”

  “I’m fine.” It’s the sexual contact. “I need some rest.” It’s Master Steele administering lessons in obedience, followed by Liam’s scorching kiss.

  “Is the sexual contact playing a part?”

  Her attention flew to his face. He knows me too well. “Why would you say that?”

  “Because I’ve been schooled by my girlfriend more times than I can count. She tells me women get all weird when it comes to sex. Your gender has a harder time staying neutral.”

  “I’ll be fine,” she said, forcefully.

  “I hadn’t thought of that when we talked last night, but this is the very thing that’s going to make it hard for you to stay neutral—the sex stuff. Are you sure you’re up for this? It’s not too late to back out.”

  She waved her hand in the air. “Don’t worry. Having a family is a complete mirage for me in this lifetime. I’m meant for a different kind of life. Strong woman travels the earth, saving the people from bad guys, solving crime…” She grinned and got to her feet. “Wonder Woman here to serve.”

  She widened her stance and put her hands on her hips. Her gaze met Adam’s. His caring expression made it look like he wasn’t buying her “I’ve got this” statement for a moment.

  She dropped her hands from her hips. “Don’t look at me like that.”

  “Like what?” He leaned forward.

  “Like I’m a puppy at the pound. I hate that. My whole life, people have looked at me like I’m heading for euthanasia any minute. Unless some kind person claims me at the last moment, they all
think I’m doomed.”

  “I’ve felt like that, too, don’t forget.”

  “I know. You and I were in the same kennel at one point.”

  “Don’t get defensive on me. I’m on your side.” Adam’s eyebrows stitched together in annoyance.

  “I got it. Don’t worry.” She started gathering their dishes.

  “You have staff for that. Don’t act like one of them.” Adam pointed toward the street at the family.

  “What should I act like, then?” Emotions lit up her insides like she had a pinball game inside.

  “Act like you’re someone who matters.” Adam let out a sigh. “You’re not a puppy at the pound. You’re a beautiful young woman who’s amazing at her job and someday, when she’s ready, will find someone to love. Someone besides me.” He grinned.

  “Oh, please. You’re my crazy brother, you know that.” She huffed out a sigh. “How about I practice with Mr. Cold-as-Ice? If I can get him to love me, then, maybe I stand a chance at finding love in my real life. So, when’s this tennis match?”

  “This afternoon. Your ride will pick you up at 11:45.”

  “Good. Then, maybe I have enough time to get ready.” She laughed. “Can you believe all the fussing it takes to make me look acceptable to a few billionaires?”

  Adam put his arm around her shoulders and walked her inside the penthouse. “Honey, you could dress in a bag, and you’d still stand out. All that primping only makes you look acceptable on their terms.”

  “Thank you, Adam. You’re the best big brother a girl could have.” Her heart warmed, cracking open for one moment. “Now go and do whatever you need to do before I turn into a bucket of mush. I have a man to seduce. And a heist to thwart.” She swished her hand at him. “I’ll see you in a couple hours. I’m sure I can make some kind of dent in Liam’s cold heart.” At least I hope I can. She just wasn’t sure how.

  10

  Savannah paced back and forth across the front room of her penthouse, in her designer Jacques-Noel off-white, off-shoulder, V-neck shirt dress. The garment boasted some serious slits down the front and the back, revealing the curve of her cleavage and the slope of her back. She hoped it would catch Liam’s eye. Her feet were clad in low-heeled, sling-backed black suede shoes. In her hand, she gripped an extremely wide round straw hat which those seated behind her at the stadium would probably despise. Except we’ll probably have chic-chic box seats.