My insides twist. I know what’s coming.
“I don’t want to pry, but does he know who you really are?”
“What do you mean?” I keep my face blank, not wanting to give anything away. Maybe I can bluff my way out of this, like I have so many other times.
Jill moves her head and gives me the look. The mum one that says not to mess with her. “When I was in the army and away on exercises, there wasn’t much to do. We watched a lot of television.” She raises an eyebrow. “One of my personal favourites was Voice of Australia.”
“Ahh.”
“I’m not going to tell him, I just wanted to know so I don’t put my foot in it.” She nods and pats my arm. “You, my dear, have lost so much weight.”
I laugh. If I had a dollar for every time someone said that to me once they realise who I am. “Almost sixty pounds the scales tell me.”
“You are almost unrecognisable.”
“Well, I was going for completely, but thanks. You won’t tell him, will you? The time isn’t right for us, yet. We’ve only known each other a week. It seems a little premature to out myself when this could end tomorrow.”
“I doubt it.” It’s Jill’s turn to laugh. “That man is into you. It’s written all over his face. You tell him in your own time, but trust him, and don’t wait too long. He can take it, I’m sure.”
“He’s already aware I have something to tell him. I see him holding in his questions, but he went to the trouble of helping me change my look tonight so I could relax. I really will tell him soon. I’m just enjoying our time together with no pressure. Once he knows why I’m always looking over my shoulder, it could change things between us.”
DANNY
“Four thousand dollars.” Tina’s voice is loud and clear across the ballroom, quickly followed by Kent’s counter offer.
“Six thousand,” he shouts.
Another auction. How do I get myself into these things?
“I’d pay seven.” A woman I can’t see calls out her bid and the auctioneer thanks her.
Tina isn’t letting me get away that easily. “Eight thousand. He’s worth it.”
That gets a laugh but the woman at the back says, “Ten thousand,” and a murmur goes through the crowd.
I squint but the lights stop me from seeing who it could be. I hear Tina laugh and say, “I’m out.”
Kent guffaws and says, “Twelve thousand. That’s my final offer.”
I’m eager for this to be over. I’m the third man to be auctioned and so far, that’s the highest bid. I won’t lie—I’ll go home happy if the sale of my body raises the most money tonight. Who wouldn’t love that title?
“Oh, don’t make it so easy for me,” the mystery woman says. “Fifteen thousand. That’s my final offer.”
There are no more bids and moments later I hear, “Sold. Would the lady in the back please let us know what you’d like your victim, ooh I mean prize, to do for us?”
There’s laughter throughout the room before the woman calls out, “The Easter bunny just cancelled on the children’s ward. I’d like this man to take his place tomorrow, please. Ten in the morning until one o’clock if you don’t mind.”
I let out the breath I didn’t realise I was holding. An Easter bunny visit is the easiest thing I can imagine. The guy before me got the crap job of mowing every lawn on the site.
I love kids, I love chocolate, and I love a good cause. Wearing a costume and handing out treats for three hours is so much better than what I thought I’d end up doing. I leave the stage with a relieved smile on my face.
“Sorry, Danny. The bidding was a little rich for me.”
“Bullshit. You could have outbid whoever that was ten times over. A hundred times over.”
“Yes, but no point bidding against ourselves, is there?” Kent laughs and lets me stew for a few moments before he explains. “That was Merek’s plant back there.”
“Merek?” I look around. “But—”
“Not him. His aunt is back there, and he told her she had to win to save you, no matter how high the bidding went.”
Chapter Nine - Tina
Just before midnight the party winds down.
Everett left for a short time to take Jack home in Jill’s custom vehicle, but now he’s back and Kent puts in a call to the limousine driver that we’re ready to go. Jill, Kendra and I make a last visit to the bathroom, then we say our goodbyes.
“What’s with you women, and leaving the table together? Is that something they teach you in school?”
Everett earns himself a pat on the head from me. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“The car is outside if you ladies are ready? The driver says there’s quite a crowd of people milling around outside so he’s parked right at the front of the driveway. Go to the left when you leave the building. You can’t miss it—it’s the big black one.”
“Thanks, Kent.” Danny looks over the crowd, scanning the faces. “Just let me say goodbye to Merek’s aunt and then we’ll be out.”
We’re the last of our group to leave when he’s finally done. He says something funny in my ear and I’m laughing as the double doors open and we step into the cool night air. I spot the limousine parked right where Kent described, but before I take another step, a shout goes up from the group in front of us.
“There she is!”
“Trudy! Trudy!”
“Where have you been for the last few years?”
“Have you been overseas?”
“Trudy! Why did you disappear?”
They descend on us, and I raise a hand as a flash blinds me. Danny puts his hand out to shield me, trying to guide me toward the limo and through the crowd. They walk backward with us, not clearing a path. I dip my head, while my stomach threatens to send up my dinner.
How did they find me?
“Come on. Just a few words to tell us why you’ve been hiding!”
“Would you like to send a message to your fans, Trudy?”
“What are you working on?”
“Did you think changing your appearance would work?”
I ignore them all, even as a wave of emotion churns through me and I feel like turning around and screaming at them to leave me alone. Imagine how much they’d love to run that video on the evening news, though. Our driver waits until we’re close, then he pushes a photographer out of the way and opens the door, shielding us as best he can.
I flop into my seat, tears threatening, my dress twisted around my legs. The door slams shut and a minute later we’re moving off, the crowd now tapping on the glass and aiming their cameras into the car, hoping for a money shot.
“What the hell?” Everett says. “Why are they after you two?”
“How could they know about us?” Danny says, and for a second, I wonder what he’s talking about. The press can’t possibly know about him and I. “This is bullshit. There’s no reason for them to show up here.”
“Danny,” Jill says. “They weren’t chasing you. They were trying to get photos of Tina.”
“What?” The colour creeps back into Danny’s face. “That wasn’t for us?” He frowns. “The boys, I mean. We’re not outed?” He cackles, a ragged sound, filled with relief.
“Why are you laughing? This is bad. Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad!” I bury my face in my hands, unable to believe I’m here. The first time in years I drop my guard and agree to go to an event, this is the outcome. Flashing lights and people screaming questions at me. How did they possibly find me in such a short time? Especially after such a nice evening, when I even relaxed a little.
“That’s relief laughing you’re hearing,” Danny says, and a murmur goes around the limo from the men. “I thought the paparazzi was there for me.” He lets out another laugh and I look up at him, seething with anger.
“So, it’s okay, because it was for me?”
His face changes as he sits across from me and takes my hands. “Of course not. It’s just a shock, that’s all. Every one of us has kept
our ridiculous money secrets for years, now, and I thought it was all coming to an end.” He squeezes my fingers and it’s meant to be comforting. “I’m sorry this happened to you, but honestly, I’m glad it wasn’t us. I know that makes me sound like a jerk.” He slides his fingers over mine and says in a gentle voice, “Let’s talk about what happened when we get home.”
“What money secrets?” Jill’s question causes an immediate silence to fill the limo. My own awful situation fades into the background as I watch four of the men in the car glance at each other. Everett doesn’t glance at anyone. He’s full-on glaring at Danny, tipping his head to the side and widening his eyes, as if to say, ‘What the fuck, dude?’
“Errr.” Danny stares back at Everett, then rubs the back of his neck, his eyes skating to Jill, and then back to his friend. It’s fascinating to watch and any chance they had to pretend this isn’t something huge, skitters away with that look and the continued silence.
Finally, Cross clears his throat. “Well, I guess the cat is out of the bag.” He slides forward a little in his seat and turns his body toward Jill. “We have quite the resources between us, Jill. More than people should have, probably. We don’t talk about it and we don’t publicize it because we don’t want it to define us. Or to impact our lives.”
“You, too?” She’s staring across the car at Everett, who, to his credit maintains eye contact and nods his head.
“Me, too, in a fashion. You already know I inherited money from my father, but there could be more.”
“More? What does that mean?”
“There’s an inheritance from my grandfather.”
Danny interrupts. “Oh, let’s just cut to the heart of it.” He waves his hand as the others glare at him, then his words tumble out. “Everett stands to inherit a billion dollars.”
Jill’s mouth drops open and I know for a fact that my face looks just like hers. I’m staring at her, my own misery forgotten. “A billion?” She blinks, and I can see thoughts running through her brain at super speed. Her forehead crinkles and she narrows her eyes. “You told me your grandfather passed away four years ago.”
“He did.” Everett shifts in his seat, his eyes willing her to just let this go.
Of course, she won’t do that. “What do you need to do to inherit?” Her crisp words cause each of the men to groan.
“Jesus, you made that connection quickly,” Wyatt says, from beside the window. He’s fidgeting with his tie. It’s an almost mirror image of Everett’s own fidgeting to the left of me.
The breath that Everett sucks in echoes around the car as we slow for a red light. Jill stares at him, her eyes boring into his as she repeats in a steely tone, “Everett. What do you have to do?”
His shoulders straighten and he finally speaks. “I have to get married to receive the money.”
Jill’s exhale is almost as loud as Everett’s intake a moment earlier. “That explains so much.” She shakes her head and reaches for her seatbelt. “I have to get out.”
“Wait. Where are you going?” Everett reaches forward but she slaps his hand away.
“Don’t touch me.”
“Come on, Jill. Don’t overreact. I’m not going to take the money.”
“You’re not going to take a billion dollars? Sure, you’re not.” Her shaking hands reach for the door handle just as the car pulls to a stop. “At least this explains the super-fast proposal.” She opens the door and slides forward. “Two of them, actually!” Her voice is shrill as she piles out of the limo, Everett close on her heels. “Get back in the car, Everett. I’ll get a taxi home.” The door slams and I watch him follow her to the curb, the sound of their argument not penetrating the limo. We’re so lucky no one followed our car, or they would have stepped right back into the spotlight.
Wyatt knocks on the glass separating us from the driver and it slides down. “Can you pull over when the light changes, please?”
There’s a curt nod and then we’re moving, turning a corner and stopping half a block down.
“What now?” Cross asks.
“Give them a few minutes. Hopefully Everett can talk her around.”
“He really didn’t tell her he’ll inherit a billion dollars if they get married?” I’m stunned. Everett seemed so normal at the auction. If I had to guess I’d choose him as the most reliable and trustworthy of everyone I had dinner with tonight.
Danny sighs. “Not yet. It’s a bit more complicated than that. Everett insists he’ll never take the money, so there wasn’t really a reason to tell her.”
“They should still have discussed it.”
“Well, I’m sure he knows that, now,” Wyatt says, staring out the window.
I feel responsible for the whole messed up situation, so I apologise to each of them.
“What are you sorry for?” Danny stares at me, his hand squeezing mine as he waits for an answer.
I sniff. “Me being with you tonight has caused all this drama. I’m sorry for the attention I attracted. I should never have gone with you.”
“I wanted you there. I invited you.”
“I know, but I bet you wish you didn’t.”
Danny frowns and blows out a breath. “Tina. Trudy. Whatever your name is. Trust me when I say, I would not have traded tonight for a quiet evening.” He squeezes my hand again. “If I’d known ahead of time this would happen, I’d have still insisted you be my date.”
“Really?”
“Truly. You were my one and only choice. I thought I made that pretty clear.”
Danny’s reassurance allows me to feel a little better about the whole thing, but I know they’re wondering exactly what happened. No doubt I’ll have to explain at some point and I’m already dreading that. A rehash of the crappy events of my life is not what I want, no matter how understanding this new group of friends are.
Everett and Jill have moved into the street where we’re parked. I can see them through the back window, and they’re still arguing.
“You better get out and see if they’re okay.” I nudge Danny and point my head toward the door.
“Me? Why me?”
“Because you were the one who blabbed, big mouth.” Cross stares at Danny then repeats my motion, indicating the door.
Wyatt slides forward and throws it open. “Are you going, or am I? Someone needs to back Everett up when he says he isn’t taking the money.”
“Fine,” Danny snaps. “I’ll go.” He gets out then turns, his finger pointed at me. “You stay here. I don’t want you getting any ideas about running off, too.” His eyes slide to the others. “Decide where we’re going from here. We need to have a talk about what tonight means for all of us.”
“Okay, Danny. Relax.” Cross frowns at his friend. “Normally you’re the most chill of all of us.”
“Well, normally I don’t get auctioned to a stranger and then closely follow that with paparazzi chasing me into a limo.”
Chapter Ten - Tina
“I want to know everything right now, Everett. Do not tell me a single lie, or I will walk, and we are done.” Jill almost stamps her foot as she makes her demand.
Everett nods, a serious look on his face as he leads her to a table. “We aren’t done, I promise. I’ve never lied to you, Jill.”
We’re at Wyatt’s house, since they took a vote and decided the house with the big fence was our best destination. The ride here was silent and awkward, with Jillian and Everett staring out opposite windows the entire way.
“Omitting important details is almost lying, Everett.” Even if we couldn’t see how angry she is—so furious that her hair could almost catch fire—the repeated use of poor Everett’s name would give her away. She stares at him, a challenge in her gaze, as she takes a seat.
“I never meant to omit anything, either.” He runs his hand through his hair, and I can see he’s choosing his words carefully. “It’s a simple story.” He speaks only to her, as though the rest of us aren’t here in Wyatt’s enormous games room. “My gr
andfather promised me a billion dollars when I was eighteen. He made his fortune in mining long before I was born. The kicker was that I had to get married to inherit. He was a controlling man, who insisted that was his wish. Even at that young age I refused to let him dictate how I’d lead my life. So, I joined the army in my twenties, upset him and my mother, and resolved to never have any long-term relationships. That way I’d never be tempted to marry, and he wouldn’t be able to make me take the money. Or the ransom as I like to think of it.
“I know you wonder if I had a girl in every city.” Jill snorts when he says this. “But I never did. I spent time with some great women, but I never felt the pull to anyone that I do with you. I was never tempted to change my mind. As soon as I saw you—when I woke up in that bed—I felt it.” He stares at her and she nods ever so slightly. I’m totally rooting for him to win her over. So much so that I want to tell him to hurry up with the story. Instead, he smiles at her and says, “I never wanted to take that risk, before you. I didn’t want to test my resolve to reject the money. I didn’t want the challenge of explaining to a woman that I wanted her, and that it had nothing to do with the fortune I stood to inherit.” He blinks several times. “You might say I have some hang-ups.”
Jill laughs this time and a sense of calm comes over me. I relax, sure that this story, at least, will have the happy ending I crave for myself.
Everett takes her hand, holding it tight when she tries to pull away. “I have no plans to take the money. No one can force me to do it. Any plans I have involve only you, and Jack.” He steps closer and she doesn’t move away this time. “I want this to be something bigger, if you want me. I really do want to marry you, but not for the money. I don’t want any part of that money.” The last sentence is whispered as he stares at her. “You’re more than enough for me.”
We all hold our breath, waiting to see what Jill will say.
Come on, I think to myself. Forgive him. You’d ruin a great relationship because of one secret? If that’s a life rule, Danny and I are toast.
The Billionaire’s Treat: The Secret Billionaire’s Club Page 5
