The Billionaire’s Pawn

STRIKER

Linden had been off my radar for two days, but I knew he was working hard to give me the information I requested, even if he was also running the firm. He was good at extracting people’s dirty past. He’d proven it many times. So I gave him enough time.

At the same time, I grew restless each time I didn’t hear from him. When he called tonight, I knew he found something to put the bastard behind bars. The other three, his accomplices, were murdered before they could talk, probably by him so he could run away with twenty million dollars.

“Calm down. I’m still gathering intel.”

“What’s his name?”

“I got his yearbook. Before he became Ivy Jones, the man was Ivan Millers, a college dropout taking information technology. His father died when he was three. He lived alone with his mother, who later married an alcoholic. When he turned eighteen, he left his home and mother behind with the alcoholic stepfather. His mother lost her job five years later when a company filed for bankruptcy and was bought by the new owner. She lost the house, her husband left her, and she lived in the shelter until she was stabbed to death.”

“Jesus Christ. So, traumatic past, but that didn’t give him the liberty to hurt and kill people. Who bought the company?” I shouldn’t have asked because I got the feeling that I knew who did.

“You know who.”

I gritted my teeth. The kidnapping could be an act of revenge. “Jesus. Do we have evidence to link him to that crime? Why don’t you ask that other asshole how did they meet?”

“Magnus is already on our radar, but I can’t afford to spook him. Somehow, he’s the only person that gets in touch with Millers.”

“Or he could also be in danger. What else do you have? When did he change his identity? How about his financial statements? You said he moved out when he turned eighteen and is a college dropout. What does he do now?”

“From what I gathered, he found his grandmother, left him a property when she died.”

“Well, that’s pretty convenient, don’t you think?”

“Just give me more time, but I’ll make sure he can’t get away with this. I promise you that, brother. I already talked to the detective about this.”

“He probably keeps his millions in the Caymans or somewhere in the Middle East and uses Hawala. I have a strong feeling about this that he’s the right guy.”

“I’ll keep you posted. Tell London that she doesn’t have to worry about it. We’ll catch this bastard.”

I looked at London. She was listening to me the entire time. I didn’t put my conversation with Linden on speaker because I didn’t want to make her worry.

“Thanks, Linden.”

“I’ll see you next week.”

“Probably sooner. I’ll let you know.”

“See you soon then. Bye.”

I drew a deep breath as I squeezed her into a hug. “You okay?”

“I don’t know what to feel. I’m a little terrified that he’s gonna disappear.”

“Don’t worry. He can’t get away this time. I will ask help from my father if I need to.”

“Thank you for doing this.”

I cupped her face. “You don’t have to thank me. This is what a husband should do. And I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and to make sure that you don’t have to look over your shoulder all the time.” I kissed her on her lips. “And I want you to sleep peacefully without thinking there’s someone watching you in the dark.”

“Let’s head inside. It’s getting chilly. I don’t want your buddy to get frostbite.” That crackled me.

“That would be horrible. If he gets sick, you’ll be in trouble, too.”

She rolled her eyes as she got up from the bench. “I’ll buy a dildo. A huge one.”

My smile faded. “I don’t know if I should be offended, but knowing you wanna buy a dildo my size, that’s flattering and maddening. I still have fingers. You like them too, my mouth and tongue that you enjoyed a lot the last time I used it on you.”

“Jeez. You’re so dirty. I can’t believe you have an ego the size of Texas.” She turned on her heels and walked away from me.

I grinned as I followed her to the house. “Am I wrong?”

“Just shut up, you self-absorbed narcissistic.”

I was still smiling as I pulled her to me. “This self-absorbed narcissistic has taken you to heaven and back and given you the best orgasms of your life.”

“The last time I checked, my vibrator worked just fine. And the orgasms were okay, in my opinion.”

“I doubt that. Your dildo will never give you the same satisfaction, Vanderford.”

“I had orgasms, Cade. That’s what matters most.”

“So now, you’re saying you don’t need me anymore.”

“For now.” She jerked out of my embrace to get away from me.

“For now? So we’re good for later, baby?”

“Get your mind out of the gutter, Cade. I’m tired, and I need a beauty rest.”

***

I called my Dad the following day while waiting for the coffee to brew. London was still sleeping. I believed when she told me she was exhausted. As soon as she lay in bed, she fell asleep right away.

“Son, it’s good to hear from you.”

“Hey, Dad. How have you been?”

“I’m fine, Striker. I’d been meaning to call you, but I know you were having fun, and I didn’t want to butt in on your honeymoon. This can wait until you’re back.”

“What do you wanna talk about?”

“I know your father offered you a job.”

“How did you know?” I stopped pouring coffee into the cup.

“We met the other day. He wanted you to get involved in the family business.”

“Cade Premium is also a family business, Dad. What did you say?”

“I know this day would come. I think it’s time for you to learn and develop your skills and talent. You’re born for this. And you can’t run away from who you are, Striker. You deserve more as much as I would love you in my wings. Accept the job.” Of course, Dad would tell me to consider because he always had dreamed big for me, and everything he did was in my best interest.

“I don’t even know what it is yet. He mentioned it once, and I thought it was a consultant job, but I haven’t thought about it. Before considering working in the Hover, I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Don’t think twice.”

“Do you know what’s the job?”

“Research and Development.” Shit. I knew exactly why he wanted to put me there.

“R&D? Why in the hell would he want me to work there? I mean, I’m not complaining. The job is huge, but that’s too huge for me. I don’t have that kind of knowledge. I’m ID, for God’s sake. Now, I’m becoming a nepo after all.”

“You’re the son of the Chairman and the controlling shareholder. What do you expect? That you will be working in the factory?”

I took a sip of the coffee and sat on the stool. I wanted to roll my eyes. “That’s probably a good idea. And I just remember something, Dad, that I got my MBA at the camp. I want to work from the bottom and work my ass off to the top.”

“You’re twenty-eight. Stop complaining. R&D is good for your brain. You have so many ideas that need to be put out there. CZ made his billion-dollar crypto exchange without an MBA. So stop whining and take the job.”

“Fine.”

“How’s London, by the way? Has she talked to her father?”

“Yes, and they have a fallout. I told her to give Linus some time. He’ll come around.”

“Poor, girl. I feel terribly awful. I need to apologize to her.”

“Don’t worry. She doesn’t keep grudges against you.”

“So you and your wife are good?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Well, now that you know what we did. I expected London to hate me.”

“She doesn’t hate you, Dad.” I suddenly felt hands snaking around your waist. “You can talk to her. I’ll put the phone on speaker.”

“Who’s that?” London whispered.

“Dad.”

“Oh. Hey, Tate. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Hey, honey. You should enjoy your honeymoon. Where are you both right now?”

“At Rome’s private island. It’s beautiful here.”

“I’m glad you are having fun.”

“We are, Tate. And your son takes care of me, by the way.”

“He should be. London, honey.”

“Yes.”

“I wanna apologize for what I did, for getting involved in setting this marriage.”

“Please, no need to apologize. Cade is a good guy. You did me a huge favor for not dating many assholes. Sorry for the word. But I’m glad you did.” She looked at me. “And your son needs his ego to get in check. I think I gave him too many compliments.” She laughed out loud.

“Well, I’m a good guy, and compliments are coming from you. That’s a booster of my confidence.”

“Hear that? That’s what I’m talking about.”

“I’m pleased to hear that you both get along well.”

“Too well, Tate. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this big fella.” She poked my abdomen.

“I’m happy for both of you. You and my son deserve to be happy.”

“So do you, Tate. I want you to be happy, too. Maybe it’s time for you to go out there and have fun.”

“Too late for that, honey. As long as I see a smile on my son’s face, that’s my happiness. Anyway, I don’t want to take too much of your time. You better start your breakfast or go snorkeling.”

“I love you, Dad. See you soon.”

When the call ended, I turned to face my wife, cupped her head, and kissed her so hard. She groaned in annoyance. When I let her go, she was glaring at me.

“What? I can’t kiss you.”

“You’re like a rabid wolf.”

“So, you only enjoy this rabid dog in bed.”

“Jeez.” Then she just surprised me. Before she went to grab herself a cup, she grabbed my dick first, squeezing her buddy, and I could see the smirk on her face before she let my dick go.

“That’s what I thought. You’re fond of this rabid wolf.”