Tyler nods and pulls back, gathering his bravery around him for one last time. “Let’s do this, Sydney. Let’s lay this ghost to rest.”
Tyler
It takes every ounce of my willpower to enter that house. My home for all of my life until I became Tyler Donahue and funded my alternate life. My father used to think I was on business trips but in reality, I was forging a new life and identity to keep me independent of him.
I worked in the family business to learn everything I could about the business I sought to steal from them. I never knew how I could until Ryder gave me the knowledge I needed. Now I have everything and intend on leaving my father with nothing.
Sydney insisted on accompanying me. I didn’t want her to be exposed to the monster who calls himself my father but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. So here we are.
With a deep breath, I grasp her hand and say with determination. “Let’s go.”
I use my key for the last time and let us into the huge hallway. I shiver as the familiar surroundings draw me back to a place I want to forget. Our footsteps bounce off the cold, hard, walls as we go in search of the monster who lives in this gilded cage. Consuela, the maid, rushes out and gasps as she sees me. “Meester Tyler, oh my goodness, I never expected you.”
I smile at the small figure who was the only one who ever showed me any kindness in my life. I say with a warmth that I feel only for her. “It’s good to see you, Consuela. This is Sydney, my wife.”
Her eyes widen and a broad smile breaks out across her face as she claps her hands. “I’m so excited to meet you, Mees Sydney. I can’t believe it, I never knew.”
I shrug and then remember why we are here. “Where’s my father?”
She looks sad as she recognizes the hate flashing from my eyes. “He is in the dining room having lunch.”
I nod and say gravely. “Can you leave us in private until we leave?”
She nods sadly. “Of course.”
As she watches us go I feel a tinge of regret for her. She has been a good friend over the years and will be the only one I miss around here.
Sydney squeezes my hand. “Are you ok, honey?”
I smile and nod with determination. “Never better.”
I march toward the dining room and feel my heart beat in time with my steps. I need to get closure and now is that time.
As we enter the room, I notice my father sitting as usual at the head of the huge table that dominates it. It’s set for one and yet the food in front of him could feed at least five more. He looks up and his eyes narrow as he sees us watching him.
He barks angrily, “What the hell do you want?”
I sneer. “I’ve come to say goodbye - forever.”
He laughs hollowly. “Goodbye, now get the fuck out of my house.”
Sydney smiles at me and my heart settles a little. She stays behind as I march over to the table and say in a hard voice. “I just wanted to tell you that you no longer have a job with Emmerson Oil. This house is an asset of the company which we will be re-possessed by close of business on Friday.”
He stands and faces me with venom in his eyes. “You bastard. How dare you come in here and try to take what I’ve worked for all these years?”
I stand my ground. “Oh, and the cars in the garage are also owned by the company, I believe.”
He slams his fist down on the table and bellows, “You just try to take what’s mine and I’ll destroy you boy.”
I laugh and advance toward him menacingly. “You can call me boy all you like but it doesn’t change the fact I grew up. I’m no longer the boy you used to beat senseless and torture for nights on end. I’m no longer your punching bag both emotionally and physically. You are now obsolete in my life and I will never see you again.”
He faces me, his features contorted in a rage. “You think you have all the cards, don’t you? Well, let me tell you - you have nothing. Marshall will be free soon and challenge this stupid Will you think so binding. Then you’ll be thrown back to the gutter where you crawled from. Don’t think I’ll be around to pick up the pieces either. You’re on your own with the bitch you married. Marshall Emmerson’s biological daughter? Don’t make me laugh. I bet she’s some dime hooker you paid to play the loving wife.”
I reach back to take aim at his hateful face but Sydney catches my arm and says in a hard voice. “Hit him and you’re no better than he is.”
She turns to my father and says with disgust. “Look at you. Money and power have ruled your life and stripped you of everything that is good. You can’t even see the richest thing you owned cost nothing at all. Your children are worth more than any amount of money and yet you have chosen to treat them like they don’t count. Shame on you and shame on my brother for showing you how. You deserve to find out what it’s like to live with nothing. Maybe only then you will realize just what you missed out on all these years.”
He pushes forward and snarls, “Get the fuck out of my house you fucking whore and take my poor excuse of a son with you. You’ll get nothing from me, or your brother. Your father didn’t want anything to do with you for a reason. He hated you and your whore of a mother and turned his back on the both of you. He did everything he could to make you live in poverty like you deserved. You’re no different to your mother. The smell of the green stuff and you come running, dropping your panties on the way. You’re a whore just like your mother was and you’ll get nothing from your father’s estate, Marshall will see to that.”
I’ve heard enough and I don’t care if it does make me any less of a person as I do what I’ve wanted to ever since I can remember. It just takes one hard punch to his face to right a lifetime of wrongs. I relish the sound of bone shattering and watch his teeth spill from his mouth. I see the blood splatter across his face as his hand raises in slow motion to hold the nose that has been rearranged all over his face. Then I relish his screams of agony as he falls to the ground, clutching his face and screaming with pain.
As if in slow motion, everything rights itself. All the pain of my past is transferred to him and I watch with detachment as he squeals like a pig on the floor at my feet.
Sydney stands silently beside me and as I turn to face her, I see the understanding in her eyes. I reach out my hand and as she clasps it firmly, I say,
“Goodbye, father. May you rot in hell.”
Then we walk from the house and never look back, leaving him broken and ruined in a heap on the ground.
Epilogue
Sydney
The nerves flutter inside me and I don’t know why. Tyler is also quiet beside me as he drives us on a rough, dusty road. It’s been three weeks since we left his father ruined and broken. True to his word Tyler evicted him and left him with nothing. I’m not sure where he went but Tyler made sure Consuela was set up for life.
He has spent most of his time settling the oil company he now controls. His days are spent there but his nights are mine. A delicious feeling spreads through my body as I think back to those nights. I have never been so happy and Tyler makes me feel like the most powerful woman on the planet when I’m with him.
I haven’t been complacent while he works. He arranged for me to have the use of one of the offices at the company for my own business. I have recruited a team of people to help me set up a chain of Danceazi’s across the country. It will run along the same lines as the one in Little Ridge and provide a safe place for disadvantaged kids to go for a few hours each week. I wanted to create something worthwhile out of so much hate. Use my fortune for good, not greed.
Almost as if he knows what I’m thinking Tyler says softly, “How are you feeling about returning to Little Ridge?”
The nerves bubble up inside me and I shake my head sadly. “Mixed feelings. It hasn’t been long since I left but it feels like a lifetime ago. I’m not sure what I’ll find when I return and that’s scaring the hell out of me.”
Tyler reaches across and grasps my hand. “You don’t have to worry, baby. You know we c
an deal with anything life throws at us if we face it together.”
I squeeze his hand and then see the sign looming before us at the entrance to our destination.
‘Rubicon’
Once again, I shiver inside and Tyler grins.
“The point of no return. The perfect name for the place we seek.”
I feel my heart sink as I worry about the place we are heading. The home of the Twisted Reapers MC. Ashton’s home with Ryder King. Tyler has spoken of this place and I feel the fear. What will I find?
After a while, we reach the end of the long drive. I see a huge compound before us and my heart starts beating erratically. Tyler stops before a huge wooden door and exhales sharply.
“Are you ready for this, honey?”
I nod and feel my heart beating a little faster as I unfasten my seat belt. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.”
We head toward the door and I swallow hard as Tyler rings a huge bell.
We hear footsteps and then the door opens and I sigh with relief. Bonnie stands before us, beaming a huge smile that takes away any nerves in an instant.
“Hey guys, welcome to our home. I’ll take you to find Ashton. She’s somewhere out the back.”
She links her arm with mine and chatters incessantly as we move through the huge barn-style room. I can’t register what she says though because all around me is the pit of hell.
Bikers lounge on every seat, against every wall and prop up a huge bar running the length of it. I feel their stares as they watch us move through them and feel giddy with it all. They are something else. Huge beasts, dripping in leather and menace. Women accompany them wearing not much more than the curiosity on their faces as they press against the men who surround us.
Bonnie carries on talking and Tyler just nods and exchanges greetings with some of the men.
Then I see Snake and I relax. He walks across and smiles his welcome.
“Hey, good to see you, Sydney. You too, Tyler.”
I smile and Tyler says, “Good to see you man. Thanks for looking after Sydney so well. I owe you.”
Snake winks and grins at me. “Pleasure. I’m happy to see things worked out.”
Tyler smiles and takes my hand in his. “Me too, Snake. Me too.”
Then we see Ashton rushing toward us with a huge smile on her face.
“Tyler, Sydney, oh my god, I can’t believe you’re finally here.”
She launches herself on her brother and squeezes him hard. I feel a lump form in my throat as I watch them. Despite everything they have each other. I am thankful for that at least.
Then we hear a child say loudly, “Daddy look. It’s Uncle Tyler.”
I look across and see Ryder walking toward us with an adorable little girl on his shoulders. She is beautiful with dark curly hair and big blue eyes. I can tell she’s his daughter even without her words. She’s his mirror image and the proud look on his face melts my heart.
He sets her down, and she rushes to Tyler who scoops her up and tickles her mercilessly.
As she giggles uncontrollably, Ryder approaches and slings his arm around his wife.
“Welcome guys. You sure took your time.”
Tyler grins and Ashton rolls her eyes. “I think they had rather a lot to sort out, honey. Don’t you?”
Ryder laughs and leans down and kisses her deeply. I feel as if I should look away but I can’t. They mesmerize me, all of them. This place reeks of power and strong individuals. I have never been in a place like this in my life and it takes some adjusting to.
Ashton looks across and smiles at me sweetly.
“Let’s leave the guys and I’ll show you around. I want you to feel at home here. We’re family now and I’ve always wanted a sister.”
She holds out her hand and pulls me to her side, linking her arm in mine. Bonnie takes the other side and we start walking out of the room.
By the time I’ve had the tour my nerves settle. Ashton and Bonnie are easy company and make me feel at home. They ask me many questions and make me feel so welcome any nerves I had are left firmly at the door.
We are staying here while we tidy up the loose ends of the share deal. We will stay with Ashton and Ryder in their house out the back. They live in a huge modern house set among the trees and it feels like the safest place in the world.
It must be an hour later that we head back to find the men. As we near the huge barn Ashton suddenly stops and her hand flies to her face. She turns to look at me and says, “I’m such an idiot. I completely forgot to show you the most important thing here.”
Bonnie laughs as Ashton shakes her head. “The men will have to wait. There’s someone much more important waiting to say hi.”
I look at her with curiosity and she smiles sweetly.
“Come on. It’s not far.”
We walk across the compound to another building off to the side. It appears to be made up of various apartments and I wonder who she wants me to meet.
We stop in front of one of the doors and she smiles reassuringly as she knocks loudly.
Then the door opens and my heart leaps. I stare in complete surprise and say emotionally, “Lucy.”
We cling together as the tears fall. I can’t believe it’s her as I hold her in my arms. So many questions battle to be answered but I can’t speak. I just hold my friend with relief at the knowledge she is safe.
Finally, we pull back and I see we’re alone. Ashton and Bonnie have left us to it and Lucy grins.
“Good to see you, Syd. Married life obviously agrees with you.”
I laugh happily. “I can’t believe you’re here. How… why?”
She laughs and pulls me inside the tastefully furnished apartment.
“It’s a long story, babe. Sit down and I’ll tell you everything.”
The End
Thank you for reading The Billion Dollar Baby
If you have enjoyed the fantasy world of this novel please would you be so kind as to leave a review on Amazon?
Follow me on Facebook where I would love to connect with you.
Stella’s Sexy Readers
Sign up for my Newsletter and be the first to hear about my New Releases.
stellaandrews.com
But what about Lucy?
Her story is next!
Books by Stella Andrews
The Highest Bidder
(Logan & Samantha)
Rocked
(Jax & Emily)
Daddy’s Girls
(Ryder & Ashton)
Twisted
(Sam & Kitty)
If you are new to The Twisted Reapers you can read on for a preview of Ryder & Ashton’s story.
Daddy’s Girls
1
Ashton
I hear voices. Low, angry whispers filled with an urgency that should fill me with fear. However, I don’t feel anything but the usual emptiness.
This was supposed to be the answer to everything. Just one evening in exchange for my freedom. How did I let it go so wrong?
I feel cold all over. From the inside out, I feel the shivers begin. I must be strong, don’t give into the fear. I just did and look where that got me—in a whole load of trouble that’s where.
The voices raise slightly and I hear them mention Donahue. It hits me hard as I picture his face, looking at me with disappointment and something else I can’t deal with right now.
Shakily, I pull myself up and swing my trembling legs to the side of the bed. I need to get it together. He will be here soon and can’t see me like this. My body feels sore and used. It aches all over and the pain is every bit as physical as it is mental.
So that was what it’s like. Nothing like the books and films. Then again, there’s no romance when you sell your virginity to the highest bidder. What did I expect? Not that anyway. Not to be used by more than just one man. Not to become the plaything of a bunch of powerful men who get off on ripping the innocence from a young virgin. I didn’t deserve that, not for all the money
in the world.
Once again, I shiver as I reach for my dress. This wasn’t supposed to be this way.
I hear somebody approaching and stiffen in fear. Not again, please not again.
The door handle turns and my heart thumps. I swallow hard and prepare for more. Silently I pray, please no more.
I look down as he comes into the room. I close my eyes as if it will make him go away. If I can’t see him, he can’t see me. Isn’t that what we believe as children? But I am no child and this is no fairy story. This is real life, brutal, hard and unrelenting. My life in every way.
I sense him approach the bed and stand there nervously. Now he is unsure, unlike before when he was sure of only one thing. Claiming my virginity while his friends watched and held me down. Then he tossed me to the pack like a used carcass. I hate him; I hate them!
He clears his throat.
“Get dressed, we’ve sent for Donahue. He’ll be here soon and then you can go.”
I nod, still looking down. I never want to see his face again.
He is silent and then says softly.
“You knew what would happen. You signed a contract and there was no going back.”
I just nod, saying nothing. I want him to leave, he disgusts me in every way. They all do and not just the five men that paid for my soul. I am just a prize, a bargaining chip for men to use and abuse as they see fit. How did my life end up this way?
He clears his throat.
“You know, you can never speak of what happened here—it’s for your own safety. Promise me that at least.”
What does he mean—at least? I owe them nothing. Yes, I signed a contract, but surely if you change your mind it should count? Obviously not.
The Billion Dollar Baby_A Billionaire Romance Page 16
