Venice Nights (The Billionaire's Girlfriend Prequel)

by Ava Claire

  Allegra popped the collar of her coat, giving him a look. "As long as you're good to Leila, I won't have any cause to."

  I beamed behind her, but as we inched closer to the house, I felt guilty. What if I were overstepping my bounds? What if I just made things worse?

  Allegra's cheery voice cut through my internal debate, forcing my smile to stay strong and not waver.

  "I know you've enjoyed your time here, but you must miss your family and friends back home,” she said.

  "I have," I said, surprising myself. I missed my mother, even as overbearing and nosy she could be. And I had so much to tell Megan, especially considering I had been incapable of sending her a message that was longer than ‘Hi’. Wrapping up Rachel Laraby, my first press bomb, the villa, and my famous boyfriend was too much for email or text—even though she had been lighting up my inbox. In person, it would be easier to lay it all out—and beg forgiveness for falling off the face of the earth.

  "It'll be nice to have a little normal," I finished, feeling Jacob's eyes land on me. I flicked my attention to him, and he gave me an uneasy smirk. Even though I had chickened out and wanted to use rock, paper, scissors to determine the person that would actually lie to Allegra to get her in the house, Jacob had vetoed that. He was willing to wait until they were ready to talk on their own, even though we both knew that could very well be never. Batting my eyes did not work—since it was my plan, I had to deliver the crucial fib that would actually make Al walk through the door.

  I drew a breath, letting the nerves fill my lungs. I channeled the anxiety into something good.

  I held out a shaking hand for Allegra to see. "I'm talking a big game, but I have no idea what kind of press will be waiting when we land in the states." I took a step toward the house. "Wanna come in for a glass of wine?"

  Her face hardened to stone and my stomach dropped. This was not going to work...she knew exactly what I was doing. Forcing a ceasefire. Trying desperately to mend a friendship that they obviously regretted losing, despite pretending their lives were better off.

  Jacob must have seen that I was drowning. He came forward, his voice smooth as sin.

  "Or at least a cup of coffee,” he added. “I think I owe you one after interrupting your afternoon with Leila.”

  Allegra blinked, looking at him, then me, her eyes still narrowed suspiciously. "I think you're both aware of my history with Isabella. I have no interest in stirring up the past."

  I was hoping I would not have to lie, but I had no other choice. Jacob and I were leaving tonight. I was not psychic, but I had a feeling that unless we gave fate a little nudge, the two of them would never roll away their stones; they would go to the grave with regret. Maybe I was off base and overstepping my bounds, but I wanted to do this. Jacob had very few people he trusted enough to see the real him, and fifty percent of his private circle could not even stand to be in the same room.

  Family was more than just the blood that runs in your veins; more than strands of DNA. Family was the people that saw you at your best and worst and loved you anyway.

  For better or worse, Allegra and Isabella were part of Jacob's family. Carlton showed Jacob all the ways family could destroy. I just wanted to help them find a way to rebuild and grow from the pain.

  I just had to tell a little white lie.

  "Isabella is gone for the day," I lied, knowing full well she was just inside.

  Allegra sighed with relief. "Okay. I'd love a cafe."

  My blood pumped a fevered beat in my ears as we walked through the courtyard, the home stretch within reach. The hard part would be walking through the front door.

  Jacob opened the door. I let Allegra walk first, following behind her in case she tried to make a getaway.

  Allegra stood in the foyer, taking it all in with a chuckle. "Feels like the first time." She flashed Jacob a smile over her shoulder. "You've done a great job here, bambino."

  When she turned back around, continuing toward the kitchen, Jacob exchanged a look with me. It was a look of regret and wariness.

  "It'll be fine," I mouthed and hurried after Allegra. I was lying—I did not know if it would be fine. I would not know until Allegra made her way into the kitchen where Isabella was helping Blanka organize the pantry.

  When Allegra did not let out some sort of screech, I knew that we still had a few more seconds. I followed her into the kitchen.

  Blanka had paused at the counter, mid-stack. There was a row of can goods on the counter. Her eyes registered surprise that ironed away when she saw me.

  Allegra extended her hand. "I don't think we've met. I'm Allegra."

  Blanka shook her hand eagerly, then slowed, working the name around in her mouth. All eyes shifted to the door of the pantry as an ear splitting boom filled the room.

  Allegra’s olive complexion went ashen.

  Isabella stormed from the pantry, plowing through a sea of overturned containers. Her skin was the opposite from pale. She was bright red, chest heaving up and down. Like she was a bull in an arena—and had a matador in her sights.

  "You."

  Allegra jerked back like Isabella had slapped her, looking back and forth between me and Jacob. The betrayal in her eyes made me want to run and hide, but I found an inner strength. I was in the crisis management business. I think this qualified as a crisis...and someone needed to step up and manage it—before Isabella dove to the counter, where the knives were glittering ominously.

  "Allegra, I'm sorry lied, but I think the two of you have some things to talk about,” I said calmly.

  Isabella let out a laugh that cut sharper than any blade. "What happened between me and Allegra is no concern of yours. You're a guest in this house. You think because you share Jacob's bed it gives you the right to mediate things that you can never understand?"

  I opened my mouth, but Allegra stepped in front of me, glaring at Isabella. "Don't talk to her like that. She's not some girl sharing Jacob's bed. They love each other. Even you must see that!"

  Isabella's dark eyes smoldered as she took a single step toward Allegra. "What do you know about love? You got Carlton, and when you were done, you dropped him like a child dropping an old toy for something new and shiny."

  The question Isabella refused to answer was all over her face. She had loved Carlton. I did not think she had ever stopped loving him.

  I leaned toward Allegra. "Maybe this is a bad idea—"

  But she moved forward. Panic rose in my throat because Isabella was all but baring her teeth. I had no idea what she was capable of if Allegra went any closer.

  "You think I just fell out of love with him, Isa?" Her voice changed, more vulnerable than I'd ever heard from the strong woman. "I fought tooth and nail not to love him because I knew that you cared about him...but I was weak. I betrayed you." She stopped, hanging her head. "I betrayed myself. We both deserved so much better. Lucia deserved better.”

  I gasped as Isabella lunged forward, grabbing Allegra by the shoulders. "Don't you say her name!"

  Jacob was a blur of movement as he dashed to them, ready to separate the two women, but Isabella did not shake nor choke her. She threw her arms around Allegra, the whole room going silent.

  And then the tears started.

  Both women sobbed, speaking in Italian, clutching each other as they finally took a step toward healing.

  Jacob looked at me, then Blanka, and we all left the room, giving Allegra and Isabella privacy. Blanka rushed off to her room, clearly overwhelmed by everyone, and Jacob pulled me in for a hug of our own.

  I peered up at him, a smile tugging at my lips. "Do you think they'll be okay?"

  He pressed his lips against my forehead, the warmth of his love filling me with a light brighter than the sun.

  "I think they have a chance at being okay, thanks to you."

  I locked my hands around him, my second question quieter than the first. "Are we okay?"

  His lips quirked into a smile. "I'm not going anywhere, Miss Montgomery.
" He planted a soft kiss on my lips, then started toward the staircase. "I'm gonna finish packing." He paused at the landing, his eyes darkening with lust. "Maybe one last swing?"

  I dashed up the stairs, taking two at a time. As I stood at the bookcase in his office, waiting for him to take me every which way before we headed home, I knew exactly what to say to Megan.

  I'm in love with Jacob Whitmore, and I know my life will never be the same—and that's okay. Change is scary, but sometimes it's beautiful.

  I don't know what the future holds, but I know that when I'm with him, everything makes sense.

  I’ll give you more juicy details than you can handle when I see you...I’m coming home!

  xx

  Leila

  Epilogue

  I lowered myself into the patio chair, pushing aside my last minute reservations. Jade Simone, a blogger with celebgloss.com, would be calling any minute for an exclusive interview—my first since the train wreck in front of Rachel Laraby’s hotel a few weeks ago. Jacob had his reservations about it, but I knew I needed to do something to warm me up for what was waiting after the Whitmore jet touched down in the States.

  My cell hummed in my palm, the vibration amplifying the rattle of my nerves. It was her.

  I brought it to my ear, gulping. "Hello?"

  "Hi Leila!" Jade’s voice sounded like cotton candy, sticky and sweet. It matched the picture on the website: bleach blond hair, deep brown tan, and freakishly white teeth. "Is it okay if I call you Leila?"

  I nodded, forgetting that she could not see the confirmation. "Yeah, Leila is fine."

  "Awesome!" I heard rustling on her end, like she was pulling up, ready to get to work. "Thanks for responding to my email. Ever since Jacob announced that you were a couple, everyone's been dying to sit down with you. I'm so glad you picked us for your first interview." She took a breath. "So—who is Leila Montgomery?"

  I shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I grew up in Douglas Heights—"

  "Douglas Heights?" she interrupted. "That...quaint neighborhood outside the city?”

  She said ‘quaint’ like she really meant ‘poor’. I grit my teeth. “Yes, that one.”

  “Wow,” she whistled. “I guess there's hope for us little people after all then, huh?"

  A slight warning bell rang in my head, but I ignored it. I had met people like her before. Absolutely zero tact. Completely oblivious of the power of their words.

  At least she didn’t ask if Jacob was good in bed.

  "I graduated with a degree in public relations,” I said, after taking a breath. “I’m the assistant to the CEO of Whitmore and Creighton."

  "An assistant to the CEO?” She parroted back, a frown running beneath the words. “You work for your boyfriend, right?” She did not wait for me to confirm the obvious. “That must be really awkward. Especially with all the rumors that you slept your way into the job."

  Our interview had taken a turn down a road I had wanted to avoid, but I kept my voice measured. "Well, I'm here to put those rumors to rest, once and for all. My professional life and personal life are separate."

  "But how is that possible?” she probed. “Your boyfriend is your boss. Isn't that kind of a conflict of interest?"

  My nostrils flared indignantly. "Ask me anything you want about my professional life, Jade. But my personal life is just that—personal."

  She chuckled, a haughty thing with an edge that made my stomach drop.

  It had been a mistake to answer her email.

  I had expected fluffy, easy questions about my hobbies or if Jacob was a good kisser. The front page of celebgloss.com was filled with stories about the latest Kim Kardashian sighting and red carpet fashion. I was not looking for hard hitting journalism. The fact that Jacob’s attraction played a role in my promotion from research aide to personal assistant still made me feel guilty.

  I clutched the phone, pulling my knees to my chest. Just drill the talking point home. "I'm not going to talk about my personal life. Period."

  There was a long, gut wrenching silence. It was so quiet that I made out the notes of the wind rippling across the pool. I felt the creak of the house behind me, like it was leaning in, waiting for what came next. Blood screamed in my ears as my pulse raced.

  "Well," Jade said, all cordiality gone from her voice. "I can assure you that no one cares about anything except why Jacob Whitmore is dating someone like you. Some people may call you Cinderella, but I'm not into fairytales. I think you're an opportunist."

  My hand trembled as the word hit me like a blow to the face. She got her soundbite.

  Leila Montgomery, the Opportunist.

  "This interview is over." I ended the call, slamming the phone onto the table beside me.

  How could I have been so stupid?

  The patio door swung open, solid steps moving toward me. I cast a look over my shoulder, locking eyes with Jacob and shaking my head.

  His voice was sympathetic. "That bad, huh?"

  I slowly rose to my feet. "Can't we just stay here? The local press seems to have found something more interesting than us." I roped my arms around his neck. "We can live off the land."

  He smirked, blue eyes sparkling. "As appealing as that thought is, we can't run from them forever." He leaned down and pressed a kiss against my lips. A kiss that almost erased all the worry in my heart. As delicious as his lips were, there was still no denying the fact that the Italian press were only a fraction of what I had to look forward to back in the U.S.

  He read me like an open book. "Just give it time, Leila. Once they see what I see, they'll love you."

  I melted into his arms, wanting to believe that so badly. As long as I had him—everything would be okay.

  It had to be.

  "All right, love birds," Isabella's sharp voice sounded behind us. She cocked her head toward the door, dark locks flapping in the breeze. "Your car is here."

  I moved back to the scene of my second press failure, picking up my phone from the table. The screen was illuminated with a text from Jade Simone.

  Your story will be live just in time for your return to US. Good luck, Leila. You'll need it.

  ****

  Thank you for taking the time to read Venice Nights. Please consider leaving a review, xoxo Ava

  ****

  Want to know what happens next? The Billionaire’s Girlfriend (His Submissive Series, Part Five) picks up after Venice Nights.

  If you want to read The His Submissive Series in its entirety, the box set is now available!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Ava Claire is a sucker for Alpha males and happily ever afters. When not putting pen to paper or glued to her e-reader, Ava likes road tripping, karaoke, vintage fashion, and searching for her own brooding billionaire.

  Connect with Ava:

  Blog: http://avaclaireromantica.blogspot.com

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ava.claire.9

  Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/xhR39

  Twitter: @avaclairewrites

  Next book: Before You Go (Megan and Cade’s story): Late January 2014

  Stay tuned to my blog for up-to-date information on my works in progress and release schedules!