Lindsay shook her head. Maybe this was good. This was playing into her hands. This was the flow of events going smoothly and according to her original plan of action.
"Well you haven't thought very hard Dale because I'm easy to please. You know what it is that a princess like me wants more than anything else in this world?"
He smiled and nodded his head. This was it - the flow of events going smoothly and exactly according to his plan of action.
"Sure I do and I've been doing my damndest to give it to you, but there's one thing still holding me back."
"And that is?"
He sighed deeply, leaned back to create a little space between them and then locked her gaze with his deep, dark eyes.
"It's Nena."
A shiver went through Lindsay. It was too close to the truth, but how on earth could he have figured out her plan? She hadn't discussed this with anyone. She had intended to put the squeeze on him by saying that she really liked him but that for Nena's sake this couldn’t continue unless she knew what had happened to Boyevik. When he told her she would demand evidence, but even if he wasn't willing in that regard it would make no difference. She was already wearing her 'wire' now. The device was a mini spy camera built into the discreet necklace she had hanging around her neck. The quality was grainy at best but it would have to do. The thing had cost her fifty-two dollars online, delivery included, and had served her well on a couple of other stories in the past. It would be enough for this one as well.
"What about her?" She asked, her heart pounding.
"I'm worried about what you're doing to her."
"You're worried about what I'm doing to her? You just rented Disney World for her; are you trying to turn her into most spoiled little brat in Washington DC?"
"It's only a small part of the park, but more than big enough for her and spoiling her a little should be the least of your worries. It's what you're doing to us and how it affects her that worries me most."
He was getting to close to home but maybe she could still turn it to her advantage.
"I'm not sure I know what you're talking about." She said. "I mean, sure it would make a difference to us if we knew exactly who you were. If you would finally just come clean about--"
"That's not the issue. I know you're still digging for your story Lindsay, I'm not an idiot."
"That's not true, not at all. Marco isn't interested so therefore, neither am I."
"Then why do you snoop around in my stuff every time you set foot in my home?"
"I do not."
"I can show you the footage if you want."
Shit. Her heart was racing, her chest heaving and the beginning of a pounding headache was threatening in her temples. She had given months to this accursed story, built up little Nena, the most important person in the world to her, for a huge disappointment and all the time this cold, calculating asshole had known been just stringing her along.
The pit of her stomach felt heavy, nauseous. Things could not work out like this. The world could not be so cruel.
"It wasn't for a story no matter what you're thinking." She said.
"Oh really?"
"Yes really. I know you think all journalists are snakes, but I've… I've really gotten to like you Dale it's just that… I just need to know what happened to that bottom feeding piece of crap before I take this relationship any further."
"You mean Boyevik."
"Who else? He kidnapped me and Nena, he threatened to kill us and then you just, just… make him disappear? For all I know you're worse than he is. Maybe you threw him and his crew out into middle of the sea over Point Nemo where no one would ever find them again. Maybe that's who you are and if that's the truth then I don’t care if Nena worships you or not, I don’t want any part of this."
She was shaking. It had gone beyond an act. It was true, she really was scared for the little girl and the strain was getting to her. Hopefully the genuine part of her reaction would add to the effect and convince him to tell his story once and for all.
"Please Dale." She put her hand out and touched his cheek lightly. "This is killing me."
Keep going Lindsay, he's ready to crack, just keep it up a little longer.
He pushed her hand to his cheek with his own and then put it back down onto her lap.
"So you're not just faking being interested in us to get a story - that's what you're telling me, right?"
She swallowed hard and nodded. In one way it was true; she really did like him. That part was true, but with this shadow hanging over them…
He leaned in closer and gazed into her eyes. God he was so hard to resist when he did that.
"Lindsay, look, I don’t care if you are faking it, do you understand me?"
She shook her head, no she did not understand.
"I know things haven't been easy for you and Nena and I know this is the way you need to be in order to survive. I respect that now. I understand what you do and I respect it, I really do, but you have to believe me when I tell you that you are never going to get a story out of this. Period. And if you do publish something then Ruben and Clay will dismantle Marco's organization in hours if not sooner. Hell, I'll help them do it myself if it comes to that. Make no mistake, we've got files, video, sworn statements, all the evidence we need to shut him and you down if we need to."
Lindsay felt weak listening to him. This was getting scary again.
"I don’t want to have to do any of that." He continued. "But even if I did, I wouldn't want it to affect us or especially Nena. Do you understand me?"
She shook her head again. This was too crazy.
"I just want you to be honest with Lindsay, just this once. This one time only and I will never ask you again. Are you or are you not putting together a story on me for publication? Just be honest and we can put it behind us forever."
"If I tell you the truth will you tell me what happened? What you did to Boyevik and his men?"
He sighed.
"Damn it, you never give in, do you?"
She stared at him, utterly confused. Did he want her or not? Did she want him or not? Was any of this even real? Would he really forgive her or was he just playing her?
"Okay." He said. "You win. It doesn't make any difference anyway. You'll never be able to prove any of this so none if would be worth publishing."
This was it, he was finally going to reveal the missing piece of the Boyevik puzzle. She hoped her cheap little microphone wouldn't let her down.
"But when I tell you this it changes everything between us. There will be no more obstacles, no more excuses. Agreed?"
Her heart was pounding harder than ever. How bad could the truth be if he was really going to tell her? Surely this was real - he must be feeling something for her.
"What do you mean it changes everything? Exactly what will change?" Her voice quavered with pent up emotion.
"It means we take our relationship to the next level. No ifs or buts. You know I like you Lindsay. Hell you've known it since the moment I saw you on that runway on Ruben's island. Now I know it's been a long road to get here, but I'm very serious about this, once you hear what you need to hear then that's it, you become mine in every way that a man has a right to."
His meaning was absolutely clear and her body was responding whether she wanted it to or not. She was already wet and would have been ready to chalk up submitting to him as one massive, massive perk of the job if only her feelings hadn't been so strong as well. Why couldn't he just be a hot as hell love God whose pants she wanted to get into? Just enjoy the good times - good clean fun with no strings attached and then feed him and his dirty, lying crew of arrogant friends to the lions afterwards.
No way. It wasn't that simple. She was beginning to believe he really felt something for her and that he would do anything to get next to her. And then there was Nena - he was so good with her and the little girl adored him.
Oh my God. I can’t do this.
Lindsay Day just hadn't been raised
that way.
No. She would have to hear the story first. It all depended on the story. If he was a monster and a murderer then that would change everything, but if somehow, someway they had figured out a way to take care of Boyevik in way that wasn't morally reprehensible then what?
That was the billion dollar question.
She leaned in towards him, her lips dying to meet with his, ready to promise everything to him but the car had come to a halt.
"We're here Mr. Hargrave." The driver's voice came through the limo's PA system.
"Don’t answer yet." Dale said. "I've got a little surprise for you."
She went to speak but he held his finger up to her lips.
"Come on Lindsay, don’t tell me you didn't want to be a princess too when you were a little girl, because that's one lie I won’t believe."
"Dale, please, let's just clear the air before--"
He opened the door of the vehicle and two rows of fantasy court attendees were lined up either side of a red carpet. It was over the top, screwy, ridiculous and even though the memories were buried deep and almost forgotten they were still there. Hardnosed investigative journalist or not she had also once been a little girl and dreamed of being a princess and of going to Disney World, but nobody had ever taken her. Reasonable or not a lump came to her throat. She felt like a wide-eyed innocent little girl again, like the little girl she had been before she learned what a cruel place the world could be and long before she had ever made the decision to fight to make it a better place by telling the truths that people didn't always want to hear.
"Just let go Lindsay, for once in that uptight life of yours listen and learn. You saw how easy it was for Nena, come on, you can do it to."
Music was playing and there was fairy dust in the air.
She looked into his eyes and saw Prince Charming in a whole new light. If he had ever looked like this in a fairy tale it would have been banned. No princess ever fantasized about fucking Prince Charming the way she was doing now and clearly this Prince Charming had more on his mind than taking her to the ball.
Introducing her to his balls would have been more accurate.
What the hell…. She thought. Nena is on cloud nine somewhere, I'm about to get my story, save my job, save Marco's business and keep a roof over our heads. I can be a princess for an hour or two in this screwed up life of mine.
She took his hand and they stepped from the car together to walk to the enchanted castle and for just a while, reality melted away behind them like a dream.
********************
One couples' massage and pampering session, private fireworks display, ballroom experience, and Victoria and Albert's Disney Grand Floridian fine dining romantic meal later and the happy pair were ready to join back up with their little one again. Lindsay didn't want it to end, but still there something gnawed at her insides throughout. Dale refused to be drawn on anything of substance and instead spent the hours wheedling details about her childhood from her and making her talk about things she had forgotten existed inside her.
No wonder the bastard was so good with kids - he seemed to have an instinct for everything childish.
For her part she was able to glean just a few additional details about him and his family. They had lost their father at an early age and their mother as well a short time later. He seemed to brush the events off as insignificant but it was clear he identified with Nena, even if he was too blind and messed up to be able to connect the dots.
As time wore on the guilt she felt about ultimately betraying his trust intensified. She wouldn't only be tearing herself away from Dale, she would be tearing Nena away from him as well, and for what? One stupid story about a Mafia kingpin who probably got no more than what he deserved.
If the story was the other way round and Boyevik had made Dale disappear then she would have gone to the ends of the earth to expose it, but just maybe the ethics of this case were stacked in favor of keeping things buried instead of exposing them to the cruel gaze of a perverse and unsympathetic world.
When Nena rejoined them the little girl was near incoherent as she described the adventures she had had with all of her favorite storybook and movie characters.
Then she noticed the makeover and change of clothes Aunt Lindsay had undergone.
"Aunt Lindsay, you 're dressed like a princess!"
In fact she wasn't, it was elegant evening wear that she had selected from a vast array after her pamper session, but Nena had never before seen her tough, dress-down aunt look so delicate and feminine.
Then the little girl looked up at Dale.
"Uncle Dale, you're Prince Charming!" Her mouth hung open.
He put a finger under her chin and clicked her mouth shut.
"Ready for a hot air balloon ride?" He said with that adorable, irresistible smile of his.
"A hot air balloon ride!" Nena started squealing and jumping up and down, holding Lindsay's hands and pulling her around in crazy circles.
Lindsay looked at 'Prince Charming', half in awe, half in desperation. He was burying her, that was for sure. How could she possibly say no this?
She sighed and shook her head.
You win for now. She thought. But this isn’t fair and you know it.
One day of happiness for the little girl, then that would be it, this game would be over no matter what it took.
Chapter Five
One hot air balloon ride later and Nena was finally ready to crash from the excitement and exhaustion. The three jaunted along together through their private wonderland in a horse drawn carriage, the little girl's head resting on her Auntie's lap her legs on Dale's.
Lindsay looked at her two companions. She had ignored the last three texts from Marco but he was getting more insistent. Her boss knew they were in Disney World so he might do something crazy like calling their offices and sending out a search party if she didn't respond. She took out the phone and began to tap in a short text.
"I'd love to know who it is who messages you every hour on the hour." Dale said.
"It's just work stuff. Don’t worry about it. Look, Dale, this has been wonderful, more than wonderful, but we have to talk. You know we can’t ignore this."
The carriage pulled up in front of the Floridian Spa and Resort and the concierge opened the door for them.
"It's been a long day." He said, gathering the child into his arms. "Let's get this little one to bed first before anything else."
"I need to be back in DC Dale. I'm not like you, I can't just take time off like this whenever you feel like it. I live in the real world where people have to show up at work in order to keep their jobs."
"Don't you think I have to work to do as well? Clay is all over me like a dirty shirt these days wondering what I'm doing with my time and I have to keep making excuses because of you."
"Because of me? What's any of that got to do with me?"
"It's got everything to do with you. I'd have no problem telling Clay where I am and who I'm with if I could be sure I knew what it is you really want from me."
"Okay." She said. "We'll put Nena to bed and then you can tell me what happened on that island. That's what I want. Nothing else. You'll know by tomorrow if you can trust me or not."
And I'll know if you're worth breaking all of my principles for.
He stood there holding Nena looking like a magazine image of the perfect male super model dad. It was almost infuriating just how desirable he could be on so many levels at the same time. There was still a huge part of her that felt like jumping him as soon as he turned his back and dragging him into a utility closet to have her way with him.
He nodded his head and lead the way.
They reached the suite and put the exhausted little mite to bed, smiling in her sleep with dreams of all the magical adventures of the day. The two adults went to the living room where Lindsay kicked her shoes off and installed herself on the couch. Dale went to the kitchen and then returned shortly with a small tray of hand craft
ed Belgian chocolates, a bottle of chilled Champagne and two slender Champagne flutes.
"If this is ugly truth time we can at least enjoy the refreshments." He said.
He seemed so calm. How bad could his story be?
He kneeled down on the floor and poured the Champagne. He had seen Lindsay a lot in the last six weeks but he had never seen her dressed so elegantly.
This was it.
One way or the other he was going to peel off that dress tonight and get the feisty, sexy little lady under him. He would tell her anything she wanted to hear to make it happen.
"Drink up." He said, handing her a filled glass. "Here's to honesty."
She raised it up.
"To revealing the truth." She said, feelings of guilt stabbing at her heart. And yet if she didn't tell the story then there was no reason to feel bad - she still had that choice to make.
"So come on." She said. "Let's get it over with. Tell me what happened. Do Nena and I need to be afraid of you and your family?"
"I'm going to tell you everything you could possibly want to know Lindsay, but like I said, this is a two way street. I need a guarantee from you that this relationship will get to the next level if I'm completely honest with you."
Her pulse began pounding again. The 'next level' obviously meant being fucked. And not just by anyone, but by the most gorgeous man she had ever laid eyes on. And not just a gorgeous man, but one who had been denied intimacy with her for over six weeks and who she was longing to take to bed herself. She imagine the giant case of billionaire blue balls he was having because she was scarcely better off herself. If ever she had suffered green G-spot or crimson clit or whatever the female equivalent was, this was the one to crown them all.
If they did it together tonight then it was either going to be epic or it was going to be an epic fail. They could wind up physically hurting each other, never mind about the emotional fallout.
"What if I don’t like what I hear?" She said. "What if I really do need to be afraid of you? If that's the case then you can forget about any next level. If you're the bad guy in all this, I don’t care who you are or how much I want to--"
His Strict Requirement: Billionaire Secrets - Book Five Page 7
