Daniel Addington was asleep instantly.
Charlotte watched her father drawing a sigil in the air. There was a spark and a glimmer in the blank space before it slowly imploded into a gateway to another reality. In this case, it was another dream. The doorway became larger until it could allow the two of them to pass.
“Where are we going?” asked Charlotte.
“To find the culprit behind your accident.”
She grabbed the Dream Lord’s sleeves and followed in his steps. The scenery changed as soon as she walked across the threshold.
They were in a bar, and a shoddy one at that. The establishment was frequented by blue-collar folks winding down after a day of backbreaking work. Several men in work clothes congregated around a table. Some harsh-looking men in biker jackets played pool, accompanied by scantily dressed women.
Nobody paid any attention to Charlotte and her father because their presence was non-corporeal. The Dream Lord pointed to a man trying to woo a woman by the bar. Charlotte and her father glided toward them.
The man was dressed as a body-shop employee that hadn’t bothered to change even though it was already after hours. He seemed to be in his late twenties but was already showing premature baldness. He had beady eyes, too large of a nose and a scrawny frame.
The woman sitting next to him seemed to know the man. She was a redhead, rather comely and busty. If she weren’t an acquaintance, Charlotte doubted she’d give him the time of the day.
“Let me buy you a drink. Or twenty,” said the man.
“Oh?” The redhead arched a stenciled eyebrow. “Feeling generous tonight?”
“Just got me some dough today.”
“Whose wares did you fence?”
“Ouch.” The man pretended to look hurt. “It’s legit, Darlene. I got paid for doing some guy a favor.”
The Dream Lord turned to Charlotte. “Do you recognize him?”
She shook her head. “Not really. Is he the one who ran me over?”
The Dream Lord looked at the man and touched his forehead.
Suddenly, Charlotte could see a cinematic view of the man’s memory. His name was John Bettuci, and he was flat broke. When his former boss, a drug dealer in Compton, approached Bettuci with a job, Bettuci jumped on it without a second thought. The job paid ten grand in cash. Bettuci was given a burner cell and told to wait for instructions.
On the day of the job, Bettuci stole a truck from a train station parking lot and then spied on Charlotte. Bettuci was supposed to clip her when she was exiting the hotel. Bettuci couldn’t believe his luck when Charlotte decided to walk to a park. Bettuci did her in. It was easy. He’d done the same kind of thing before. Twice. Both of his victims had died instantaneously.
Charlotte shivered.
There was a knot in her stomach that seemed to be twisting her insides into a ball as she thought of how close she’d come to being his third successful kill. This scum had taken the lives of others as if it was nothing.
Her father’s expression darkened, but he said nothing. He flicked his fingers, and they were transported somewhere else.
This time, they were in the memory of the drug dealer who’d given the job to Bettuci. The man’s name was Raymond Vargas. He was a long-time offender with a rap sheet in multiple states. He’d made Las Vegas his current base, where he supplied drugs in Sin City. He was the co-owner of several nightclubs.
One of his silent partners had come to him with a problem and asked Vargas if he could solve it. The job was worth a cool hundred thousand dollars. Vargas gladly accepted and promised the man, Antoine Fielding, a satisfactory result.
The Dream Lord flicked his fingers again, and they were dream-walking into another cinematic memory—Antoine Fielding’s memory. Fielding was a stockbroker for a renowned firm in Wall Street. His clientele included several movers and shakers in New York City. Besides being employed by a respectable firm, Fielding was also running an illegal gambling circle. He dealt with money-laundering, prostitution, and he provided “special services” that his clients needed. Murder-for-hire was one of them.
So when Jeremy Addington, his biggest client, came to him and complained that he had a thorn in his side that needed to be taken care of, Fielding gladly suggested leaving the matter to him. He didn’t even bother to ask why. Having someone from the Addington family owe him a favor would secure his connection to high society in New York.
The Dream Lord snarled in disgust at Fielding’s revelation. Once more, he disconnected the man’s memory, and then dream-walked into Jeremy Addington’s mind.
Charlotte saw what she’d seen before—Jeremy’s jealousy of his stepbrother— and Daniel’s position as the pride alpha. Daniel’s massive wealth and power that he could never have. Envy and greed consumed him so deeply that he’d embezzled millions from the family coffers and schemed to usurp Daniel.
Charlotte had seen enough.
She was sick of watching this never-ending human greed. Tugging her father’s sleeve, she said, “I know what I have to do.”
The Dream Lord waved his hand, and they returned into the kitchen of her grandmother’s farmhouse. He stroked his daughter’s hair lovingly. “As much as I want our little family to be together again, now is not the time.”
Charlotte nodded. “I understand. But for you, a human lifespan must feel like the blink of an eye.”
“You could say that. I’ll be waiting, Princess.”
Charlotte hugged her father tight. “I love you, Dad. I have to go now.”
He saw her in the very spot where they’d first met. Only Daniel wasn’t in his car, and she wasn’t riding her bike. She appeared to be waiting for someone. Daniel broke into a run.
“Charlotte!” He grabbed her in his arms and held her until she protested from lack of air. “I’ve missed you.” He released her and scanned their surroundings. “Am I dreaming?”
“Yes, you are.”
The words made him uneasy. What did this mean? Had her soul departed from her corporeal body? No. It couldn’t be. “This isn’t a goodbye, is it? Please tell me. It’s not supposed to end this way. I’m doing everything I can to get you better.”
“I know. I thought you might need a little help.”
“Oh?”
Charlotte smiled prettily. “I want to show you something, Daniel.” She went upon tiptoes and kissed him on the lips.
The world around him melted into a kaleidoscope of color and turned into something else…
Daniel woke up with a start.
His first instinct was to check on Charlotte. He stared blankly at the frail body of the woman he loved as he gathered his thoughts.
What just happened? He must have dozed off. Then he dreamed about Charlotte. It felt so real.
“Babe,” Daniel called her hoarsely. “That wasn’t a goodbye, was it?”
In his dream, Charlotte had shown him who was responsible for her accident. His suspicion was confirmed. It was Jeremy all along. He’d paid some thugs to make it look like an accident. One thing Jeremy didn’t anticipate was that Charlotte would survive the attempt on her life.
One way or another, Jeremy would pay. Their agreement was off.
Daniel grabbed his phone and called Liam Ruska. He briefly explained the situation and ordered him to find out Jeremy’s whereabouts. Twenty-minutes later, Ruska reported that Jeremy was still in New York, but he heard rumor that Jeremy was planning to take a yacht to the Bahamas for an extended vacation. Daniel called his chief of staff to prepare his jet for a flight to New York. He planned to confront Jeremy and punish him in person.
What his stepbrother had done to Charlotte was unforgiveable.
Anika flounced in just as Daniel was about to leave the hospital room.
“I have something to tell you. It’s very important, and it can’t wait. This wasn’t an easy decision for me,” she explained.
“What is it?”
Anika gave him a folder.
Daniel sat back on the chair a
nd read the documents carefully. He furrowed his brows as he scrutinized the contents. He didn’t utter a word after he’d finished it. He stared at his stepsister accusingly.
Anika went fidgety.
The documents he’d just read were the results of Anika and Jeremy’s paternity test. It stated that Anika shared the same genetic material from his father and stepmother. Jeremy didn’t. It could only mean one thing: his stepmother was carrying another man’s child when she married his father. Jeremy didn’t have a drop of Addington blood.
“When did you find out about this?” asked Daniel coldly.
Anika didn’t answer immediately. “Eight months ago. It was my insurance agent who discovered it. I was due to renew the policy, and it was an added clause about organ donors that led me to find out that Jeremy has a different father.”
Daniel’s father had type O blood. His stepmother had type B blood. Jeremy had AB negative.
Coincidentally, Jeremy had the same blood type as Charlotte.
“Why did you bring this up just now?”
“I thought Jeremy could save Charlotte’s life.” Anika hesitated for a second. “Also, I beg you to spare his life. And my mother’s.”
“Your mother is an adulterer. She knew very well what she was doing when she married into the pride.”
Anika dropped on her knees. “Have mercy, Alpha. I hope you weigh this revelation as my token of loyalty. I wouldn’t dream of betraying you. I held on to this evidence for my amusement. You know… to see how things played out.”
“That’s so very ‘you’. Stand up.”
His sister scrambled up from the floor. Her face was pale.
Daniel folded the report neatly and stowed it inside his suit jacket.
“Where are you going?” asked Anika.
“To deal with Jeremy. Do you know he paid someone to stage Charlotte’s accident?”
“He mentioned it jokingly a few days ago. I didn’t think he was serious. When I learned about the accident, I was surprised that he’d gone through with it. I wanted to tell you, but I had no concrete evidence. That’s why I brought you that report.”
Daniel grabbed his attaché case and his coat. “Watch over Charlotte until I return. Show your true loyalty to me. Those who are loyal will be greatly rewarded. Those who aren’t,” Daniel sneered, “will be crushed beneath my feet—including your mother. Not even my father can protect her now.”
His stepsister tried to put on a brave front, but he could see that she was silently shivering.
Forty-five minutes before dawn, Daniel and his entourage arrived at the marina in Riverside Park. Since he’d issued an order to detain Jeremy and anyone from his old pride, his whole Netherworlder network had been on high alert as they tracked and captured people associated with his stepbrother.
Jeremy himself had been intercepted as he was about to set sail on the family’s luxury yacht. He and the crewmembers were put on hold; they couldn’t sail or step onto dry land without Daniel’s permission. Daniel’s private line had been ringing off the hook since he left Seattle, flooded by Jeremy’s calls. He didn’t answer it. He intended to deliver the message in person—face to face.
The dock where the yacht was moored had been secured by Daniel’s men. The security cameras were turned off, and all human personnel had been sent home. What would happen this morning was a private affair for the Manhattan lions.
Ruska signaled his men to fetch Jeremy from the yacht. Daniel’s stepbrother strode into the boathouse twenty minutes later, looking harangued. His usual crisp suit was wrinkled, and his hair tousled.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Jeremy demanded of Daniel. “What the hell is going on?”
Daniel stared at him coldly. “Going somewhere?”
“I was going to if Ruska’s goons hadn’t ruined my fun.” Jeremy cast a dark stare at the lawyer. “Mind telling me what this is all about?”
“Where do you plan to go?”
“The Bahamas is nice at this time of the year. I want to party and celebrate my good fortune,” Jeremy sneered back. “Did you order Ruska to do this? Don’t tell me, you’ve changed your mind. You want to take back what you’ve given to me.”
Daniel narrowed his eyes. “Our agreement was that I gave you everything you wanted as long as you weren’t involved in Charlotte’s accident.”
“I wasn’t!”
“You’re the one who ordered it.”
Jeremy laughed dryly. “Can you believe this guy?” he said to everyone present. “My own brother accusing me of running over his fiancée. I would never do such a heinous thing.”
“Of course not. You just paid someone to do your dirty work.”
“That’s ridiculous. What proof do you have?”
Daniel fisted his hands. The urge to shift was unbearable. “John Bettuci. Raymond Vargas.” He stepped closer. “Antoine Fielding? Oh yes, I know all about it. It’s only a matter of time before I make all of them talk.”
Jeremy started to sweat. “Look, this is all a big misunderstanding. I’d never—”
“Ten thousand dollars.”
Jeremy blinked. “What?”
“That was how much Vargas paid Bettuci to run over my woman. Ten. Thousand. Fucking dollars!” Daniel grabbed Jeremy by his lapels and hurled him off across the boathouse.
Jeremy crashed on a stack of boxes.
Daniel began to change. Fury had overcome his senses as he gave way to his inner beast and fully shifted into his lion form. He closed the distance between them in several leaps and swung his sharp claws at Jeremy’s midsection. His jacket suit was torn and his skin began to bleed.
Jeremy growled and shifted too, trying to defend himself, but Daniel was far more aggressive and consumed by rage. He bit, clawed and thrashed the lion Jeremy until Jeremy was battered and bloody.
“Alpha, please don’t, I’m sorry…” Jeremy pleaded in mindspeak.
Daniel ripped Jeremy’s ear with his claw.
“Alpha, forgive me. We’re brothers!”
Daniel froze just when he was about to deliver a final blow. He quickly regained his composure. Halfheartedly, he let Jeremy go. He brandished his tail and shifted back into his human form.
“You’re not my real brother. We don’t even share blood,” said Daniel bitterly.
Jeremy also shifted back. He looked surprised. “How did—”
“Anika told me everything.”
Ruska stepped in and gave Daniel his handkerchief. Standing naked, Daniel wiped his hands of Jeremy’s blood. Their clothing was in tatters. “I’ll give you a final chance to repent for your sins, Jeremy, then you and your mother will be banished. Or you will be punished according to the law of our pride. Choose wisely.”
Epilogue
Nineteen months later…
Charlotte studied her painting job critically. The color she’d chosen for the nursery was lighter than the sample. She’d fallen in love with the color in the store, and after she painted it on the wall, it came out paler than she’d have liked. She sighed. For the time being, this would do. Her feet swelled if she stood too much. Since she’d entered the second trimester of her pregnancy, she got easily tired. Her back hurt. Her legs hurt. She felt exhausted all the time. But she didn’t complain. It was a miracle that she was able to carry a child.
It was a miracle that she was alive.
The recovery had been rough. Months spent in physical therapy just to walk on her own two feet. Initially, Dr. Huang told her that she might not be able to walk anymore. With sheer determination, and with Daniel’s support, she’d proved Dr. Huang wrong. One month after she was fully recovered, she and Daniel married in a small chapel in Burgundy, France. Three months later, she found herself pregnant. Daniel couldn’t be happier.
She ambled to the rocking chair and sank herself in. Daniel had wanted to hire an interior designer for the nursery, but she insisted on doing the work herself. She’d spent plenty of time of doing nothing during the recovery. She wanted to make
herself useful now that she was healthy.
Her mind strayed to Jeremy. Thanks to him, she was alive now. Jeremy had donated part of his liver and one of his kidneys to her. Who would have thought she and Jeremy shared the same rare blood type? She was glad Daniel had given him a chance at redemption. She’d learned that the punishment for betraying the pride was death. She didn’t want to think that Daniel had to dirty his hands with killing, no matter how justified it was.
After Jeremy’s plot to dethrone him had been discovered, Daniel did some house cleaning. He banished Jeremy and his stepmother, along with the pride members who were loyal to Jeremy. Anika was spared because she’d proven her loyalty to Daniel. Daniel’s dad—the former alpha of the pride—went into a self-imposed exile because of the scandal. Charlotte still couldn’t understand why losing face was such a big thing for lion shifters. As long as it ended well, she wouldn’t make a big fuss about it.
Arthur rapped on the door and entered with a tray of tea. “I hope you’re not straining yourself, Mrs. Addington.”
Charlotte cringed guiltily. The doctor had reminded her that she must take everything easily. She hadn’t been obeying her doctor’s orders. “I’m just finishing this off, then I’m done for the day.”
The butler placed the tray on the side table. He then proceeded to pour some tea into the cup. Judging from the aroma, Arthur had brought her a pot of Earl Grey, her favorite tea.
“Thank you, Arthur.” Charlotte sipped her tea with delight.
The butler adjusted his glasses as he eyed her paint job. “You’ve missed a spot,” he said. Arthur was more anal retentive than Daniel. Everything he did had to be absolutely perfect.
Charlotte noticed what Arthur was pointing out. It was only a minor flaw. “It’s fine. I can’t really see it from here.”
“But I can. It would bother me every time I entered this room.” Arthur picked up a small brush and carefully dabbed it in the pain tray. “May I?”
“Hey, knock yourself out.” Now that she’d sat down, she didn’t feel like moving at all. She might take a nap just here.
Arthur fixed the spot she’d missed. “There.”
Her Lion Billionaire Page 9
