The Billionaire Next Door (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Collection)

by Angelo, Judy

  “Yes,” he said, nodding. “You mentioned her a few times.”

  “Well, when she heard your last name she came up with this crazy idea that you’re Ransom Kent, the billionaire construction tycoon. Can you believe it?” Solie’s grin spilled over into a laugh. “Kyra’s got an imagination that would put Walt Disney to shame.” Her body shook with laughter and she pulled her hand away to lift her napkin and dab at her eyes. “Poor girl, she even made a bet on it. Right now she owes me a hundred bucks.”

  Ransom drew in his breath and sat back in his chair. Shit. He’d meant to tell her about that but the time just never seemed to be right. Now everything was out in the open and he hadn’t been the one to tell her. How would she react when he confirmed her friend’s suspicion? She’d been known to fly off the handle for far less. Well, there was nothing to do now but spill the beans.

  He grimaced then sighed. “Sorry, Solie, but you’re the one who’ll have to pay up.”

  That got him an even bigger burst of laughter. “You’re just as bad as she is. You’re having fun with this, aren’t you?” Her laughter died to a chuckle as she shook her head. “You have a sense of humor, I’ll give you that.”

  Ransom tightened his lips. How to break this to her without embarrassing the heck out of her? When he spoke his voice was low but firm. “I’m serious, Solie. I’m the Ransom Kent your friend thinks I am.”

  The smile froze on Solie’s face. For a full five seconds she just stared at him then the smile faded from her lips. In quick succession her brow furrowed and confusion filled her eyes. “You’re serious.”

  Again, he grimaced, not enjoying this, then he nodded. “I’m serious.”

  Solie’s face fell. “But…how could this be? I…you’re a construction worker. I see you head off to work almost every day in your hard hat and vest. It doesn’t make any sense.”

  Ransom sat forward and reached for her hand but she pulled it away. “I’m sorry, Solie. I didn’t mean to mislead you. I was going to tell you. I just didn’t think it was that important.”

  “Not important?” Her brows shot up then fell right back down as she glared at him. “How could it not be important? You lied to me.” She shook her head. “I don’t even know who you are.”

  “But you do, Solie. The guy you see going to work, that’s the real me. That’s who I am.” Ransom struggled to find the right words. How could he make her understand? “I may have some money now but I’m no different from the guy who started out in a humble farmhouse in Iowa.”

  “Have some money? You’re a friggin’ billionaire.”

  “And so what? What the hell’s the difference? I can’t be with you because I’ve got money?” Realizing he was raising his voice, Ransom shut up. He drew in his breath then let it out slowly, trying to calm his nerves. The evening was not going as he’d planned. “Listen,” he said, forcing himself to stay calm, “can we just forget about all that and focus on us?” He reached out to take her hand again. “Only on us. Okay?”

  For just a second Solie hesitated but then the tension in her shoulders relaxed and the worry on her face gave way to a half smile. “I still don’t know if I should believe you. You and Kyra probably linked up to prank me, but if what you’re saying has an ounce of truth to it, you know what the worst part is?”

  Relieved she was smiling again, Ransom smiled back and shrugged. “What?”

  “I’ve got to pay Kyra a hundred dollars.” And with that, Solie gave a dramatic groan.

  Ransom could only laugh. Thank God she had a sense of humor.

  His fingers tightened around hers. “Now that we’ve put that behind us I’d like to get back to my question.”

  “Oh, yeah. Right. I cut you off, didn’t I?” She gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry. What did you want to ask me?”

  Ransom wanted to do this right. He was even contemplating going down on one knee but after the near-disaster that had just been averted the sensible plan of action might be to just get it out.

  “Solie,” he said, “I want you to look me in the eyes.” When he was satisfied he had one hundred percent of her attention he began. “I think you know how important you are to me.”

  “I do?” Her eyes widened, full of wonder, as she spoke in a breathless whisper.

  Ransom frowned. “You should. How many times have I said…” He paused, his voice trailing off into nothingness. Dammit. He’d never said it. He’d been loving this woman all this time and never once had he come out and said so.

  Time to get his act together. He’d messed up and now he had to make good. Real good.

  Ransom got up and walked around the table to take Solie by the hands. Still looking bemused she got up and stood before him, her fingers trembling as she held his hand.

  Ransom gave her a reassuring smile but when he spoke his voice was solemn. “Solie, I want you to know that I love you, more than you could ever know. I don’t want to live a day without you in my life.” He folded her hands in his and pressed their clasped hands to his heart. “Soledad Felix, will you be my wife?”

  Solie gasped and when her eyes met his they were wide and shimmering. “I’m sorry,” she said on a hiccup. “Did you…just ask me to marry you?”

  Ransom released her but only to cup her face in his hands. “I did, my sweetheart. I know this is sudden but I want you to be with me forever. I can’t be happy until I know you’re mine. I love you, Solie. Will you accept me as your husband?”

  Solie bit her lip. She shook her head. She sniffed then grimaced then her lips began to tremble. And then, looking like the words were trapped in her throat, she nodded. “Yes,” she croaked. “I’ll marry you. I love you, Ransom Kent.”

  “My darling.” Ransom drew her into his arms and then he kissed her and with his kiss he told her all that he hadn’t said before. He loved her with all of his heart and from here on she would have no doubt about that. When Ransom finally withdrew he found he had to turn away for a quick second. There was a sudden pricking in the corner of his left eye, forcing him to blink.

  Solie took his arm, pulling on it till he turned back to face her. Her brows were knitted but there was a huge grin on her face. “Are you crying?”

  “Who, me? Naah. Men aren’t sappy like that.” But then he spoiled it when he sniffed.

  Accepting defeat, he reached for her and pulled her back into his arms. “You got me, kid. I’m going soft, but only for you.”

  He was hugging her close when he felt the vibration in his trouser pocket. "Shoot. I thought I turned that off.”

  He released Solie then dug the phone out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. An unknown number. Never one to ignore a call just in case of emergency, Ransom tapped the answer button and put the phone to his ear. “Ransom here.”

  “This is Raul. Let me speak to Soledad.” It was the harsh, thickly accented voice of a man.

  Shocked, Ransom didn’t even challenge the request. He handed the phone to Soledad. “It’s for you,” he said. "Raul.”

  Solie gasped and her eyes grew huge in her face. Her hand that was holding the phone began to tremble. She stared at the device like it was a live grenade.

  What the devil was going on?

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “H…hello?” Solie’s voice shook as she spoke into the phone, her face flushed and her chest heaving in her agitation. “Raul?”

  She listened for a few seconds and then her face grew an even deeper shade of red. “No, I can’t do that,” she said. “I-” She stopped abruptly like the man had cut her off.

  Something was definitely wrong. Ransom put out his hand. “Give me the phone,” he said. “Let me talk to this guy. Is he harassing you?”

  “No, I…” Solie looked distressed but she shook her head and actually moved away, far enough where he couldn’t hear. Her back turned to him, he could see her shake her head again and her shoulders went rigid but she obviously didn’t want him to be a part of her conversation.

  A minute later she h
ung up then turned to him, a look of regret in her eyes. And there was something else. Was it fear?

  She came back to stand in front of him. Looking nervous she lifted the phone in her hand. “I’m sorry,” she said softly then waited for him to take the phone.

  Ransom stared at her for a few seconds longer before he lifted the phone from her palm. He looked at the offending device in his hand then slowly slid it back into his pocket.

  When he looked back at her he was frowning. “What was that all about?” he asked. “And who the blazes is Raul?”

  “He’s…um…someone I knew back in Panama.”

  Solie was stuttering. He could see she was lying through her teeth. She was looking him right in the face and telling him a friggin’ lie.

  Ransom felt the bile rise in his throat. What the hell was she hiding? “How did he get my number? Did you give it to him?”

  “I…I don’t know how he got it. I never gave him your phone number. I never gave anyone-”

  “Then who is Raul? Tell me, dammit.”

  “I’ll tell you, Ransom. I will. But…not now.”

  There was that fear in her eyes again and Ransom would do anything to find out what had put it there.

  “It’s nothing, okay? Just trust me.”

  Ransom almost laughed. How could he trust Solie when she’d been so quick to lie to his face? And this was the woman he’d just ask to marry him.

  “Can you take me home, please? I’m tired. I just need to go to bed.” Shoulders sagging, she reached for her purse.

  Ransom’s lips tightened but he nodded. All of a sudden he didn’t mind this early end to the night.

  Right now he could do with some alone time. He had a lot to think about.

  ***

  When Ransom dropped Solie at home she couldn’t get inside the house fast enough. She had to get away, to be alone for a while so she could think.

  She said her goodbye and although she noticed he didn’t even try to kiss her she didn’t dwell on it. After what had happened tonight who could blame him?

  When she closed the door behind her she leaned her back against it, needing to catch her breath. Finally, when her heart slowed to a manageable pace she pushed away from the door and headed for her bedroom.

  After a quick shower Solie climbed into bed but only to toss and turn as she thought about what Raul had said. Months ago she'd threatened him and when he disappeared she’d thought she’d rid herself of him for good. But not anymore. Raul had gone into hibernation but now he was back with a vengeance. He wanted her back.

  The ringing phone startled Solie out of her rumination. She grabbed it up quickly. Maybe Ransom was calling to check on her. But when she saw it was an unknown number her heart went still. She didn’t need to answer the phone to know it was Raul.

  For a second she contemplated not answering but she knew she couldn’t avoid it. How else would she find out what he was up to?

  She put the phone to her ear. “Yes.” Her voice cold, she held her breath as she waited for her tormentor to speak.

  “Aaw, mi amor, is that the way you greet your long lost love? You’ve been missing me, no?”

  Solie’s nostrils flared as she sucked in her breath. “Why are you calling me, Raul? And how did you get Ransom’s number?”

  “Aah, you finally tell me his name.” The man chuckled in amusement. “You didn’t think I would find out, did you, novia?”

  “How did you get his number?” Solie sat upright in the bed, her voice rising with each word. “Tell me.”

  “And spoil the mystery? That would spoil the fun, nina.” His chuckle turned into an outright laugh. “Oh, it was so good to break into your little tête-à-tête. You looked so starry-eyed. What did he do? Ask you to marry him?”

  Solie gasped and almost leaped out of the bed. “What do you know about that? Where were you? Were you watching us?”

  Again, he tsked at her. “That’s for me to know and you to find out, sweetheart. Now listen.” Raul’s voice suddenly turned cold. “Like I told you earlier, I don’t want you seeing that guy anymore. If you don’t want him to get hurt you stay the hell away from him. You’re mine, do you hear me?”

  Solie didn’t answer. Each time he said the words, threatening to hurt the man she loved, it was like her blood froze in her veins. She didn’t know what she’d do if Ransom came to any harm.

  Raul’s voice broke into her thoughts. “There’s something very important I have to tell you. Something to do with that little friend of yours.”

  “Ransom? What do you have to tell me about him?”

  Raul laughed and it was a harsh and unforgiving sound. “If you want to find out there’s only one thing you can do. Tomorrow night you’re going out on a date with me.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Solie sat in front of the mirror, her face a study in worry. Within an hour she was supposed to be meeting with Raul at Timpano and she didn’t know what to do.

  She hated the idea of coming anywhere near the man, and having to sit at a table across from him? The thought made her shudder.

  But what else could she do? She had to know what was up his sleeve. He’d said he had important information, something to do with Ransom. No matter if she was putting herself at risk she had to find out what it was.

  She’d contemplated taking another recording device but this time, she was sure, he would check her when she got to the restaurant. Still, if she could manage it without tipping him off, she would use her cell phone.

  That plan turned out to be fruitless. As soon as she sat down at the table Raul reached over and picked up her purse then, to her annoyance, he emptied its contents right there on the table. Covering the cell phone with his hand he drew it to him. “I’ll hold on to this,” he said. “You can have it back after dinner.”

  Solie glared at him but he smiled back, unfazed. With a hiss of annoyance she gathered up her lip-gloss, tissues, keys and pen and stuffed them back into the purse. “What did you have to say to me?” she snarled. “Get on with it so I can leave.”

  “My darling, I’m hurt.” He gave her a mocking grin. “You’re not looking forward to spending the evening with me?” Then he shook his head. “We aren't going to talk about it until we have dinner. Just relax and enjoy your meal. We’ll talk business later.”

  The next hour was sheer torture for Solie. In between bits of food Raul spent the time engaging in idle chit-chat, which nearly drove her up the wall. She felt like wrapping her fingers around his neck and squeezing till he begged for mercy. Instead, she gritted her teeth and gave angry mumbles in response to his attempts at conversation, her feet tapping impatiently on the floor as she waited for him to divulge the secret he’d used to lure her out on this date.

  When the server finally cleared the dessert things Solie looked at Raul expectantly. When he ignored her she cleared her throat. “Well?”

  He raised his eyebrows then, in no hurry at all, he took a sip of his coffee. “Well what?”

  Solie could have slapped the smugness right off his face. “You told me we’d talk business after dinner. It’s now after dinner, so talk.”

  He smiled. “So anxious. Worried about your little boyfriend?”

  She didn’t answer. She just glared at him, willing him to speak.

  It must have finally dawned on Raul that she was not amused because his self-satisfied grin faded and his lips tightened. He leaned forward and when he spoke his tone was cold and his eyes even colder. “I know who Ransom Kent is. He may be trying to hide, mingling with the common folk like he’s not loaded, but he can’t hide. He’s the low-profile type who’s good at keeping his identity secret but I did some checking around. He can’t hide from me.”

  That made Solie’s frown deepen. “So what if you know who he is? He’s got nothing to hide.”

  “Maybe not, but that could change…real fast.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Solie held her breath. Was this man planning to do something crazy?
/>
  “It means,” he said, his voice seductively soft, “it would be so easy to soil his good name. So easy.” His eyes took on the seductive charm of a snake. “Especially if his name is linked to a drug mule from Latin America.”

  Solie sucked in her breath. “My God. Not even you would be so evil…”

  “Oh, mi amor, it is so easy. It is tempting…very tempting. Lie or not, the media would pounce on that rumor and then ask questions much, much later. But you can prevent all that from happening. You can agree never to see him again.” He smiled. “And then we can pick up where we left off.”

  That was it. Solie shot up from her chair and grabbed her purse off the table. “You know what? You’re crazy. Totally insane. I don’t have to sit here and listen to this. I’m going to do what I should have done a long time ago. I’m going to the police.”

  And with that she whirled around and marched right out of there, not caring who heard or who saw her dramatic exit.

  She jumped into her car and sped out of the parking lot and when she pulled into her driveway she was still shaking with anger. The nerve of that beast. Did he think it was that easy to blackmail her?

  Now she could see that his threat to Ransom was not physical. Thank God for that. But he wanted to hurt him in another way. He wanted to use her to make Ransom look bad. Damned if she would let that happen. First thing in the morning she was going to the police.

  Her mind made up, Solie got out of the car and headed for the front door. As she fished in her purse for her front door key she was deep in thought, wondering if she should talk to Ransom before making her report.

  “Forgot something?”

  Solie jumped and looked up. There, at the foot of the steps, stood Raul.

  “You followed me.” It was a half gasp, half accusation.

  “No,” he said as he started to climb the steps, “I was simply returning something you forgot.” He held out his hand and on his palm sat her cell phone.

  Solie reached out to snatch it away but he quickly pulled it back. “Not so fast, mi amor. You owe me something, too. You forgot to give me a proper goodbye.”