The Obsessed Billionaire: Boxed Set (Complete Vols. 1-5, A Billionaire Romance Series)

by Camille Alexander

I rolled my eyes in exaggerated frustration, which made her laugh and shake her head.

  “Girl, I need your co-op-er-a-tion,” she enunciated crisply to me once I had joined her at the table. “I have one job: to keep you safe. I would rather do that while making you feel beautiful, but that’s a perk, not a necessity. We only have so much time together and, from what I understand, your ability to stay alive, and the ability for that man you love to stay alive, is 100% contingent on how safe we make you.

  “Either way, I go home tonight. I light a cigar, I have a cognac, and maybe I watch a little telly. Then I get up tomorrow and create this,” she waved her hand in the air indicating her face and hair, “fabulousness, all over again.”

  She stopped long enough to smile at me. “Depending on how long you travel,” she added extra emphasis to the word ‘travel,’ “you may be doing this ten times in the next, god knows how many years. Maybe more.

  “You gots ta figure out how to have fun with it. Enjoy the make-believe. Take on new parts of yourself.” She smiled and her teeth slowed pearly white, accentuating the brilliant glint of her sparkling eyeshadow.

  I let out a small sigh, let the tension of my shoulders ease a bit, and decided she made sense, though I wasn’t fully ready to dive in the deep end.

  “Your file says you are clinically brilliant. Where is that brilliance? Bring that side out. We all revert to our worst childhood behaviors when we are under extreme stress, and I don’t profess to know how bad that is for you right now. But I do know you get to drive this boat. Crash it into the rocks if you want to, but I recommend taking it out to play, instead. What do you say? Do we have a deal?”

  She grinned at me. I felt resigned.

  I suppose it was better I warm to this idea of trying out new ways to be in control of this process, rather than simply stomping my foot and demanding what I want even if I had not considered whether it was best for me.

  I shifted in my seat and realized I needed this person. The future was not stable without her help.

  “Deal.” I said quietly.

  Chapter 8

  After an in-depth discussion about wigs, and how difficult it was to hide large amounts of hair beneath them, particularly when under physical exertion, I finally acquiesced to a cut.

  But I did not like that the realistic dentures they had made, from the mouth impressions I had given them yesterday, because they were slightly yellowed and not as aligned as my own. Catching sight of myself in the mirror, the shorter, blonde hair, and imperfect teeth were almost too much, but it was the simple wardrobe options of used clothing being offered to me, that brought tears to my eyes. They made me look and feel ugly.

  I told myself that this was temporary, that it was a game, that it bought me safe passage, and any number of other self-soothing things that had been suggested, but all the change, combined with my lack of creature comforts, and wiping away the entire mirror of my normal looks, only seemed to add to my sense of fragility. Was this level of costume really necessary?

  What if Michael would no longer be attracted to me? I could not imagine a worse fate than being squirreled away in some remote destination where I had no guards and no resources with a man who no longer wanted me.

  Suddenly, I realized I was in an aggressive struggle with my ego; I was having a crisis of identity.

  How could I have not recognized it sooner? I wondered. No wonder I’ve been acting like a child.

  “Georgina?”

  “Mmm?” she murmured absently as she picked through the piles of makeup looking for the right shades.

  I stared at myself in the mirror, turning left and right, taking in the details of my new features. “Have you ever struggled with who you are, when you didn’t see the real you, looking back at you in the mirror?”

  I caught her eye and realized in an instant, how inadvertently sharp and painful that arrow must have been. Of course, she knew first-hand what I was going through; what drag queen didn’t? I was suddenly embarrassed at my lack of insight and self-control or reflection.

  Georgina paused, without judgment, watching me come to terms with my self-absorption and callousness.

  I nodded at her and quietly said, “I’m sorry.”

  Chapter 9

  Georgina patiently taught me several new methods for applying makeup in ways that masked my natural features. Next, an entirely new wardrobe was packed from her collection that included clothes, shoes, accessories, and toiletries. And, finally, Georgina bathed me like a mother hen in the beautiful tub, easing away most of my tensions without mussing my face or hair.

  An hour later, as Abda – not Perri – I walked out. Nothing could have made me feel like I had been under a transformation more, than the time spent in that room.

  “Mrs. Holloway, I’d like you to meet Tim, your husband,” Georgina said with a flourish and a curtsey.

  I took a step forward but could not process what I was seeing. Michael was completely … gone.

  In his place was a slightly balding man with one tooth kicked out a bit, wearing large tan glasses, a nose that had seen better days holding them up, and boasting the early stages of a potbelly.

  He looked ridiculous!

  Suddenly, I burst out laughing, and realized I had gotten the way better end of the deal! My “husband” would certainly be seen as having married up, when seen with me!

  Tim began to laugh too and before long everyone else joined us as well.

  Tim said, in a surprisingly odd Western accent, “Baby, I don’t know where you are under there, but you look very, very pretty tonight!” I laughed again and he leaned in for a kiss before I pushed him away and shook my head with my nose screwed up, causing everyone to laugh all over again.

  Chapter 10

  “We have to go back! We have to go back!” Abda was tapping on my chest but it quickly escalated to pounding, as her voice became shrill and agitated.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” I asked, my alarm growing.

  “We have to go back! Driver! Please stop! Turn around! NOW!”

  “Please, tell me what’s wrong!” I shook her slightly as the driver looked back and came to a stop.

  “I- I uh- I left something!” She was franticly glancing at the traffic and the driver as she seemed to will an opening to appear between the other cars, so theirs could swing around. She pounded the back of the front seat urgently.

  “Whatever it is we can replace it,” I said, trying to get through to her. We had to make our destination on time. Our continued enrollment depended on it!

  She looked at me, pleading with her eyes as she grabbed my upper arms, willing me to understand. “Mi- Mich- Tim! Tim! … I have to go back! … I left EVERYTHING!”

  I shook my head, not understanding. “We cannot go back. It’s all gone, sweetness. That was what we chose.” My reasoning did not reach her – she literally looked as if she was trying to shake my words off.

  “No! You don’t understand!” Exasperated, she finally blurted it out to him. “My belt! Under my clothes! I took it off when she bathed me but I forgot to retrieve it!”

  I blinked several times. First, I tried imagining the last moment we had seen Taylor – in the room when we had been told to quickly disavow themselves of all our jewelry and accessories; she hadn’t been wearing a belt.

  Then it dawned on me the type of belt she must mean. “You mean you had-”

  “Yes! That’s exactly what I mean! It’s back there and I must get it!”

  I leaned forward and pushed the strange glasses up higher on the bridge of my nose. “Driver! Please take us back right away. Please do so quickly!”

  “Monsieur, we cannot,” the driver said as he watched me in the review mirror. “We must keep to our schedule!”

  “I expect you to turn around, right this minute, AND keep us to our schedule! Now, GO!”

  The driver looked over his shoulder at me tensely, but I did not relent, so he nodded, turned back around, and maneuvered his way into a U-turn in th
e middle of the road as horns honked around them.

  Abda threw her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear, “Thank you!”

  I pulled her away from me and dipped my head so I could look into her eyes, then I lowered my voice to match hers. “How much did you have?”

  She bit her lip and looked away.

  I shook her, “Abda,” my voice demanding to know.

  She looked back at me, leaned in, and whispered into my ear.

  “Four million.”

  Chapter 11

  I jumped out of the car before it came to a complete stop.

  “Abda!” Tim yelled.

  I did not turn around. Instead I ran right to the red door, pushed it open, and rushed in. Tim scrambled out of the car and entered on my heels.

  “Georgina!” I called out and moved toward the room we had shared. Just as I reached for the doorknob the door swung open and Georgina popped her head out. The cobbler, Jeté, and Tim’s drag queen transformer, Carmen, entered from the kitchen to see what the fuss was about.

  “Oh, thank goodness!” I pushed past Georgina, everyone watching as I frantically searched the room. “Where are my clothes?” I asked, panicked, as I tossed items from drawers, rummaged through the clothing racks, and knocked things off shelves.

  “Oh honey, those always get burned straight away.”

  I stopped, and the color drained from my face. Then, I realized that at least the gems would survive a fire. My pause did not last long. “Where?! Where!!”

  Jeté piped up, “The cleaners just left. Wiped the place of your prints, scrubbed the tub of DNA, and took everything.”

  Tim looked at me as I took in all their faces and it seemed as if the world was spinning and I would soon faint. This was bad.

  “Just left? How long ago?” he asked.

  “Just walked out, actually. You would have seen them on your way in.” Carmen replied.

  Tim dashed back to the front door, all of us in hot pursuit.

  Just as he opened it, he caught sight of his cab driver, headed straight toward him, a trash bag in hand. The driver lifted it and said, “Is this what you’re after?”

  Chapter 12

  A brief, congested skirmish between me and the cabbie ensued when I grabbed the bag without warning and threw the cabbie off balance, causing the cabbie to first hold on tight to keep from falling and then suddenly let go. I fell back into Abda, the tension from the tugging suddenly missing, and righted myself against her. Then I pulled her back toward the cab while keeping her from opening the bag, after she’d grabbed it out of my hand, all of this happening in plain sight.

  I couldn’t believe how blind she seemed to be to the dangerous attention she was bringing to us and to the belt’s contents. The drag queens and Jeté talked over themselves, trying to get her to leave the bag behind. Somehow, Abda and I finally got away, bag in hand, the three characters on the street now fading behind us.

  As we our cabbie drove us along the bay before turning toward the hills, Abda rooted through the bag with one hand without pulling anything out that could be seen by a passerby. The longer she searched the more alarm her face registered.

  I watched, growing more and more concerned. Finally, she opened the bag enough to stick her blonde head in and rummage desperately.

  Then she stilled, inadvertently elbowing me in the ribs when she seemed to have found something. I felt helpless, and, knowing she could not have pulled off something like this without Taylor, wondered how he could have kept this from me.

  Before the thought gained purchase, I remembered I had charged Taylor with caring for her in any way that would ensure her safety.

  I sighed, realizing that arming her with what would make her feel safe would help make her safe, especially knowing how volatile she was when she felt cornered, without power, or trapped by circumstances.

  But four million dollars’ worth?? That in and of itself was a dangerous amount – even if we weren’t trying to appear middle class. But, if in that small of a package sat four million, then it had to be large, high-end gems. What if we had been caught with them somewhere? Someone could steal your wallet with a few hundred Euro and be on their way; this kind of currency would make the thief want to tie up loose ends.

  Abda pulled her head out, hair mussed, and grinned a yellow-tooth grin, which made me want to chuckle in relief and at her ridiculousness.

  A growing fear at her readiness for all this was what stopped me.

  Chapter 13

  Almost an hour later we pulled up to an ornate set of wrought iron gates. There had been no conversation during the drive. Every of us seemed lost in thought as the city and then mountainside swept by. The property we pulled up to was surrounded by very high, unbelievably thick, lushly landscaped, stone walls. The driver entered a code into the call box and the gates began to open.

  “I’m afraid this is where I leave you.” He turned around to face us and continued. “No one can enter this space except the two of you, although every inch of the property’s exterior is protected by an army, and more intelligence than Buckingham Palace and the Pentagon combined. No drones, aircraft, or outside electromagnetic devices work within a half-mile of this place. Even the plumbing and electricity are monitored heavily. The only area of exposure is the terrace, but that is a trade-off for the freedom folks need during these last few hours before things begin in earnest.” He smiled, and added, “Treat the home as yours. Food, beverages, all the spaces. You will never be more alone or more protected than you will be tonight as you complete your adjustments. Please, find a way to enjoy yourselves.”

  Finished, he stepped out of the car and headed to the trunk. Abda and I looked at one another and I reached out to caress her face. Abda flinched, remembering what she looked like, but I did not let her resist.

  “This is what we chose. This is what I chose to ensure you are safe. I can handle any danger thrown at me, but I will not let you be in harm’s way.

  “I want you with blonde hair and funny teeth, I want you in grey hair and dentures. I want you in all the ways you are and all the ways you will someday be.

  “None of this, changes you; none of this, changes us. You are perfect. We will get through this.” She smiled at me and pressed her hand to mine as it cupped her cheek.

  “Now,” I grinned as my eyes twinkled, “let’s go have some fun!”

  Chapter 14

  We pulled our well-worn, rolling suitcases over the rough stone drive, Abda also managing her trash bag that she would not relinquish to me. I let my eyes search through the foliage for signs of security equipment but was surprised when I saw none.

  Rounding the third curve of the drive we came upon, gave us our first glance of where we’d spend the night.

  It was a stately house, though low slung, as if it hugged the ground, suggesting it likely disguised a much-desired view of the Nice valley on the opposite side. By my estimation, we should be able to see Baie des Anges, and beyond that, the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean Sea.

  There were two, grand, red doors, flanked by potted topiaries, which in turn were framed by regal white columns, with a beautiful outdoor chandelier over the doorway that I assumed must be cleaned daily to maintain its beautiful gleam.

  Abda was grinning, and I noted she seemed much more welcoming of this particular red-door abode.

  I spied the bright yellow envelop on the doorstep first and headed toward it. I let my bag rest upright and reached down to retrieve it. Our portfolio had included instructions to watch for such an envelope at each new stage of their journey and indicated they would always be some sort of neon color.

  I opened it, noting its weight, as Abda sidled up next to me to look on.

  Inside was one sheet of paper, typed, and two wristbands. I read the letter aloud.

  These wristbands are the only electromagnetic devices that work within the confines of this property and are to be worn by each of you for the duration of your stay. They will monitor your pulse an
d temperatures. They are also pressure-sensitive, so please tap or press them if you feel in danger at any point and we will be alerted.

  Please put them on and test them now.

  I looked at Abda and she searched my eyes, her expression telling me she seemed to find humor in this next step of our Big Mysterious Adventure.

  I looked down at the bands and handed her one. Once on, we tapped them in unison, wondering what would happen, or if we would even know if something occurred.

  The front doors suddenly swung inward, opening for them without a key or touch.

  We looked at the doors then at each other, grinning. Abda bounced and clapped, gleeful at this new twist in the game.

  Secret tricks appealed to her, it seemed. I chuckled and made a mental note of that fun detail.

  I returned to the letter and continued reading.

  This is your home until 0700 tomorrow, when you will be collected again, with your bags, at the end of the underground passage. You will find an entrance to it in the basement. From there you will be escorted up and out to the heliport.

  Please do not bring attention to yourselves in any way. This is a time to be hidden and to relax into your new identities. Enjoy your new selves as completely as you can. This is your time to ensure that the adjustment is complete.

  Other than appliances, tapping your bands will open any cabinet, drawer, or door you need to access if you are within five feet of it.

  Respectfully, Your Service Team

  Chapter 15

  Once inside, Abda dropped her bags and went running through the rooms to check them out. I headed forward to the terrace. The front doors closed on their own a moment after we had stepped past them fully. I tried to open the sliding wall of a window, that overlooked the outdoors and appeared to be the only access to the terrace. When it didn’t budge, I looked down and fumbled for some sort of lock or latch on the handle. When I found none, I remembered the wristband and tapped it twice. Sure enough, the door slid open easily as I marveled at all this gadgetry.