The Beautiful Billionaire

LINDEN

“Where the fuck are you?”

I cringed at the voice of Sax yelling from the other line. I just woke up because my phone kept ringing, and now the first thing I heard was his voice cursing me.

“Why should I tell you, asshole? You woke me up just to yell at me. Who are you? My mother?”

“Sorry, bro. I thought you were already up. It’s eight in the morning.” His voice calmed down.

Since the Firm became Osmium, he and Kye resigned as Adley’s details, and Osmium wouldn’t be complete without my brothers. Although Sax and Kye wanted some adventures and were bored protecting clients, I had trust in them that they could handle themselves, so they led Team Phoenix and Hydra.

“What do you want?” I got up from the bed, suddenly feeling empty. I already missed the soft and warm Estelle’s body, but I chose to ignore that longingness that it was impossible to fill.

“Well, we just came back from the assignment. It was successful, by the way. Then your office is empty except for Padilla.” Sax always annoyed my new assistant, who was half-Filipino, half-American, and he mispronounced her name Padee-ya pissed her off.

“It’s Padilla, dickhead.” I heard Hope yelling in the background, making me chuckle.

“Whatever. I’ll call you however I want,” he said to Hope.

“Well, how about I call you putot?”

“What’s that?”

“Like you,” Hope replied. “And you should grow some hair.”

“For God’s sake, Sax. Leave her alone. I need her. She’s good at what she does, and if you keep bothering her, I will ban you from that building. You haven’t told me the purpose for this call, Ryder.”

“Wait.” He sound offended. “You’re choosing her over your brother?”

“When my brother happens to be an asshole who doesn’t know how to treat a lady right, then yes. Why are you calling me?”

“You’re grumpier. You need to get laid, man. Your biological clock is running out. You’ve been working your ass off for years, and lately, I haven’t seen you going out and having fun. You know, the kind of fun you used to do.”

“Biological clock? Seriously? And you’re giving me advice now?”

“I love you, bro. Anyway, are you home? I wanna see you. I miss you.”

“I don’t miss you, and I’m not home.”

“Where are you?”

“Classified.”

“Really? Since when?” He laughed out loud. Unbelievable. “Declassified then. You’re not on assignment because that’s impossible. You’re the big boss here, brother.”

“I’ll be home soon. Now if you have nothing important to say, I need caffeine. Just report to Jasper or tell my assistant if it’s not urgent.”

“Okay, brother. But seriously, though. You need to have fun, loosen up, and get-”

“Fuck off.” I hang up the call.

After I showered, I went to my favorite coffee shop and bought the usual. I woke up late, and that never happened. I went to the beach, expecting to bump into Estelle, but I ended up disappointed.

I was torn between calling and inviting Estelle for dinner, but what was the purpose? She was already arranged with someone else. I didn’t think Gustav would appreciate me snatching his daughter from the aisle and his grand plan.

I would not deny that I liked Estelle. I really liked her like I never liked anyone. She was special, beautiful, kind, and extraordinaire, but she was not for me. I couldn’t see that asshole deserved her, but so did I. I just wished she wouldn’t jump into marrying someone like Klayton Weston.

I dialed Kye. He picked up immediately as if waiting for someone’s call.

“Boss?”

“I need you to dig into someone.”

“So it’s true then. You’re in your rendezvous.”

“Jesus.”

“News travel fast, brother. Just tell me the name.”

“I want thorough, and don’t tell anyone.”

“Consider it done.”

“Klayton Weston.”

“Weston? The Yacht Builder.” Of course, it always had to be mentioned.

“Yes. The son.” I wanted to roll my eyes.

“May I know what’s this all about?”

“No.”

“Okay then. I’ll keep you informed. See you soon, brother.”

I went back to my hotel, defeated, and worked on my laptop all day. I was still tempted to call Estelle. I missed her, if I was being honest. I could still feel the claw marks on my back, her breathing in my ear, and those tiny moans she made. I could still feel being inside her.

I had tons of sexual encounters with women, but something about us felt different. We had this requited warm that didn’t need so much talking- as if we understood what we wanted, and it was rare to have that kind of connection with someone.

At night, I went to the bar, hoping to get drunk. I just wanted to get her out of my head for a while then later on, I would face the consequences of my actions. The bar was crowded and noisier than the last time. A band played a classic rock song from Dad’s favorite rock band.

“Bourbon. Neat, please.”

The bartender seemed to recognize me. “Neat it is.” He was preparing my drinks when I heard a laugh- that distinct laugh that I would never forget.

When I turned to my left- there she was, so fucking gorgeous in a tiny black cocktail dress. She hadn’t seen me yet. My jaw locked tight, wanting to rip off the arm around her waist. Then the tattoo looked so familiar.

Son of a bitch.

“That’s-”

“Siciliano.” Motherfucker. What the fuck is he doing here? With Estelle.

I groaned louder, rising from the stool and making my way to them.

Quinn saw me first, tipping his chin to Estelle. The element of surprise was gone. She saw me before I could get closer, and so as the son of a bitch Terzo.

“Look who’s lost?” Terzo showed his signature cocky smirk with arms wide open. “Gabe Linden in the house.” He pulled me into a hug. Even if he was a murderer and God knows what other crimes he committed, he had a code when it came to family, and he never broke promises. I was still grateful for what he did to London and her father.

“Siciliano, good to see yoe, man.” I had to show him some respect. Not everyone could choose to be born into a certain family. He respected his father, and so did I. He valued his family, and so did I.

“This is Gabe,” he introduced me then he realized that the two were not surprised. “So you’ve met my friend from the States.”

“Linden.” Quinn shook my hand firmly.

“Gabriel.” Estelle smiled. For a moment, I thought something strange had passed over her eyes. I swore it almost looked like a bit of surprise and excitement in her eyes.

“Good to see you again.” I leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.

“Do you?” Her smile faded-something in those words that had a deeper meaning than what it meant to be.

“Drinks on me,” Terzo announced.

“Thanks, man,” Quinn said.

“Siciliano,” I called him, and I turned to Estelle. “I’ll be right back.”

“I hope so, Gabriel. Don’t waste the free drinks from Terzo.”

I walked past the crowd towards the door.

“What’s up, Linden?” Terzo was following me out of the bar.

I stopped when I was in front of the vehicle I rented and grabbed Terzo in front of his shirt, and slammed him against the Jeep.

“What the fuck, man?” Hands up, he chuckled, even if he was already assaulted. What a dick.

“What the fuck are you doing with Estelle?”

He sighed exaggeratedly and smirked. “Why is it that the Braddson family always takes every beautiful woman I want?”

“Tell me now, Siciliano?”

“Or what?” His challenge was only to piss me off. I couldn’t see the deadly counter in his eyes.

“What are you doing here?” I released him. At the corner of my eye, I saw three of his men.

He smoothened his shirt and gestured to his men. “Just having a drink, like you, and this is Italy if you have forgotten where you are.”

“Don’t me look dumb, Siciliano? You don’t go to this low-end bar. You have your own nightclub. Did my boss ask you to check on me?”

“Bingo.” He beamed.

“Seriously?” I sounded offended.

“Something is going on between you and the blue-eyed pretty lady?”

“She’s my assignment,” I replied blankly.

“You’re kidding.”

“Why didn’t you ask my boss?” I asked firmly.

“I do as he asked, man. And no talking when it quickly reflected in my bank account.”

“Asshole,” I grunted, my jaw still clenching.

“Business is business.”

“What did he exactly ask you to do?”

“Keep an eye on her. That’s all. I know you’d come. He said you’re here. I’m surprised you didn’t give me a call, Linden. I can always arrange a good accommodation for you, unless.”

“Yeah. I’m under a low profile.”

“You’re playing with fire. I noticed how she looked at you.”

“She’s to be married, Siciliano.” I had already prepared myself for the stab of turmoil in my chest, but it still hurt.

“Too bad. You two would look clingy and cringy good together. How’s Segnora?”

“She’s fine.”

“I’m happy for them. I saw London once. She looked cute with a baby bump.”

“Yeah, she is.”

“By the way, keep an eye on her bodyguard. He went back to work, and there’s always a catch when he was AWOL for weeks, all of a sudden, his company just took him back without repercussions?”

“How did you know?”

“Your papa number 2.” He was referring to Moses. “Hunter will bring your girl back home by the end of this month.”

“Fuck.” I groaned louder than necessary.

“Yeah. We should get inside.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute.”

I stayed out for a couple of minutes to calm myself. I took a few breaths before I turned around, only to almost bump into Estelle.

Shit.