The Beautiful Billionaire

LINDEN

I went back to the hotel, distraught over something I’d done right. I should have told her I was there to bring her home, but what was the point when she already blew my cover?

She knew who I was, but my assignment. And she was going home anyway. Somehow, I still accomplished my mission. But I lost something in the end- the chance and her trust.

After I called Hope to confirm my itinerary the following day, I went down to Terzo waiting for me. He gave me an odd look the moment he saw my duffel.

“I’m going home.”

“Already?”

“Yeah.” I got in the passenger’s seat of his Maserati Ghibli. “I left tons of work.”

“You should chill out sometime. You will never run out of work, but our time is not a guarantee.”

“Look at you.” I couldn’t help but chuckle. “How’s your father, by the way?”

“He’s doing great. That’s why I’m trying to enjoy before I take over the family business because once I’m in that position, I have a lot of changes to do and might as well disappoint my father in the end.”

“For the better, I hope.”

“For the better of my family.” He quickly digressed. “So, you can’t stay even for a day?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“So, I’m sending you to the airport?” He noticed the change of tone in my voice.

“Yeah, but first, let’s head to this address.” I showed him the address on my phone Moses had sent to me.

“I know where it is.”

I looked through the rearview and caught a black SUV tailing us that I didn’t see while we were leaving the hotel lobby. “Yours?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry. No one will touch you while you’re here in my territory, but you can’t be too confident with your skills, Linden. You need to have your own bodyguard.”

“You sound just like my boss.”

“He’s right. You’re famous now. Never underestimate your value. Your competitors are not your friends. The richer you are, the more enemy you get.”

“I’m not in a world of mafia, Siciliano.”

“I agree, but this world is cruel, and why do you think rich people hired people like you? Why do you have a successful company? Because of threats. Anywhere you go, there’s always a threat. Of all people, you should know that.”

“First, I’m not rich. Second, I’m not famous, but thanks. I’ll take that under advisement.”

“Whatever you say, man, but if you need my assistance or someone to get their hands dirty, you know where to reach me. I’m just a call away.”

“Appreciate it.” My mind went back to my last conversation with Estelle and that one desperate kiss.

“We’re here. Do you want me to go check the parameters first?” He quickly jumped off the car as soon as he parked in front of the villa.

“Why?” I narrowed my eyes at Terzo. “I can handle myself.”

“Let me guess. It’s Estelle’s?”

“You already knew. Why do you have to ask?” I got out of the car. Now I stood before the villa, and my mind went blank.

“I found her first. I knew the people around here who were hiding from who, running away from. I am the one who told Signor Braddson about her.”

“Well, shit. Thanks for the info.”

“You kissed her.”

I didn’t hide my displeasure much as I asked him firmly, “Do you have any problem with that?”

He smirked as he shook his head in amusement. “I never thought I’d see one day Gabe Linden will be smitten by a blue-eyed lady. This is the best day of my life, man.” He clapped my back before he went to the front gate.

“You’re such an asshole.”

“What are you waiting for then?”

I went to his side to ring the doorbell, hoping I wasn’t too late or she hadn’t flown back yet.

The gate door opened, and a late teenager came out and asked me in Italian. His eyes widened to see the man standing next to me.

“Let me,” Terzo volunteered. I didn’t insist since the teenager probably recognized him according to his reaction.

Terzo spoke to him in Italian. I only understood Signorina Solace. Estelle probably used an alias.

“That’s her.”

“She used the name Rae Solace. Sounds like a Bond movie to me with a sexy Bond girl.”

“Is she here?”

Terzo translated to him and said a little more.

When he shook his head, I felt thrown into the frozen lake. I should have come here last night.

“He said they left early this morning.”

“That I understood. Thanks.” I went ahead of him to the car and inhaled a sharp breath.

I’d never felt so down. I never failed in any task besides the last tour when we were outnumbered. Bullets started flying, my brothers were shot, and another died in my arms. This felt like another big failure to me. Only this time, I let it because of my fucking code.

Terzo came to the driver’s seat and drove off silently.

“Just say it.”

“What?” he asked innocently.

“Fuck you.”

“You guys like to curse a lot.”

“You don’t?”

He just laughed at me. “Call me if you want to kidnap the pretty lady.”

“Just send me to the airport, please?”

“I’m serious. Kidnap for a bride. It doesn’t need convincing, given how she looked at you. She will marry you in a heartbeat.”

I stopped talking. Terzo was chatty, and he always had something to say or reply. I admired this guy despite being raised in a cruel family. He still had his own way of appreciating things and people around him. He would be a good leader. He could be cold, ruthless, and feared, but his people would follow and respect him without questions.

We arrived at the airport. The jet was ready.

“Come with me.”

He laughed in amusement. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you for the offer, man. I always flew under the radar. That’s how I keep myself safe and alive. Go ahead.” He held his hand out.

“You’re not so bad, Terzo.” I shook his hand.

“Because you’re a good man, Linden. You don’t wanna see the darkest side of me.”

“I’ve met bad people. I know that there’s something good left inside this.” I pointed at his heart.

“Just get in that jet.”

I smiled. “See you soon.”

***

I forgot it was Saturday. I showered and changed into a shirt and jeans. Taco Saturday was a thing for Vanderford, Cade, and Braddson, and there was no escape, even for me. I had no choice but to be at Moses’ estate, or the pregnant London would throw a fit in my absence.

I just parked my car in front of the mansion when a familiar figure stood beside the white sedan.

I went out quickly to confirm who it was. She was already grinning at me.

“Willa?”

“You sound so surprise, big brother.” She pulled me into a tight hug. “I missed you. Dad, too. You should visit him sometimes, not just drown yourself with work.”

“Now you sound just like Pops.” I looked at her from head to toe before I kissed her on the cheek. “What are you doing here?”

“Mr. Braddson purchased paintings. I checked the authenticity and ensured he got the right items.”

I nodded in delight. “I miss you too, sis.”

“Just drop by the gallery sometimes.”

“Why don’t you come inside?”

“I was actually inside. Striker told me that you had just arrived. That’s why I waited for you outside.”

“Okay. Is everybody there?”

“Yeah, but I was with Mr. Braddson and Striker the whole time. How are you? He told me you went to Italy?”

“Cade doesn’t fully understand classified. Ignore him.”

Willa laughed as she wrapped her arm around my waist. She was also tall, but I was way taller than her.

“So, you’re dating someone?” She lifted her chin to look at me.

“Stop it.”

“Why? I’d been married and divorced. You, on the other hand, your friends are married, and you’re still single. You’re thirty, Gabe.”

“What’s wrong? I can get married at forty,” I quipped dryly.

She sighed loudly.

I faced her. “I know. I get it.” I paused. “I love you, and I’m happy that you’re happy, okay? It’s just-” I swallowed hard. I didn’t know what else to say. “If it makes you feel better, I stopped sleeping around. I wanna have a girlfriend. I wanna get married and have kids-”

“But you work so hard you don’t even have time for yourself.”

“Willa.” I groaned. “This is for the future.”

Willa cupped my face. “Look at me, brother. I love you with all my heart and soul. If you only open your eyes and heart, she can be right before you.”

I took her hands down and wrapped my arm around her. “Let’s-” My words stuck in my throat. Everyone’s eyes were pinned on us, including the unexpected guest. Well, fuck me. “Shit.”