The Billionaire’s Valiant Rescue

by Nic Saint

  “The Baniwa tribe in Brazil. Another useless memory.”

  “Unless you’re an anthropologist?”

  “Something tells me I’m not.”

  I let my head rest back against Jack’s chest as I eased lower in my seat. The warmth and comfort of being this close to him did much to dispel the whirlwind of emotions raging through me since our arrival in Paris.

  What was I going to find here? What if I didn’t like what I discovered about myself? What if the real me was a truly horrible person? Worse, what if Jack didn’t like Valerie or Virginie or Veronique?

  The fact that there was nobody out there looking for me spelled the worst. What kind of woman disappears without a trace? Without her family organizing a search party? Only a person who is universally loathed, that’s who.

  I stared at my reflection in the tinted window of the limo. Was I some kind of horrible person that everybody hated?

  I closed my eyes and nestled closer to Jack. At least he seemed to like me. Perhaps that was all that I needed.

  “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all,” I whispered.

  “Why? Don’t you want to know who you are?”

  I shook my head. “I’m starting to think... not. What if I’m some kind of ogre?”

  He tenderly kissed the top of my head. “You’re not an ogre, Mel. You’re a truly wonderful person. Trust me on that.”

  The softly spoken words brought tears to my eyes and tugged at my heartstrings. Could this be... love?

  I swiped at my eyes. Angry at my own ridiculousness. Of course this wasn’t love. Jack was just being nice to me.

  “Thanks, Jack,” I mumbled. “You’re very sweet.”

  He tilted my chin and frowned at my tear-filled eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  I shook my head and averted my gaze. “Nothing. Just... confused, I guess.”

  He placed a hand on my cheek and lowered his face, then brushed his lips against mine, and murmured, “Soon you’ll be home, safe and sound.”

  In spite of my misgivings, I welcomed his lips, and wrapped my arms around him as he probed deeper. I felt so weak, so vulnerable, and Jack’s hot touch was everything I needed in that moment.

  I opened my lips to bid him entry, and he darted his tongue inside, playing hide and seek with mine for a moment, then, like a torrential wave, our embrace grew more heated as he crushed my lips with his, and took full possession of my mouth, taking me voraciously.

  Tears still rolled from my eyes as I gave myself to him, willing him to take me, to take all of me, before this unbidden affair was over.

  Chapter 15

  The more time Jack spent with Melanie, the more he felt himself falling for her. Never before had he been under the spell of a woman like this. She held a magic hold over him, and the strange thing was, he liked it.

  He wanted more—he wanted everything. Was this love? Of course not. This was simply lust, the carnal hunger for a woman he knew he shouldn’t have.

  For one thing, she didn’t even know who she was. For all they knew, she could well be married with three kids, her family eagerly awaiting her return while she made out with him in the backseat of his father’s limo.

  In spite of the overpowering urge to fill her flesh with his, he pulled back before he crossed the line. It took every ounce of self-restraint, but finally he managed to tear himself away from her.

  Though it was obvious she wanted him just as badly herself, it was wrong. Until they knew her identity, they simply couldn’t go there.

  In spite of his longings, he had to keep himself in check until she was home with her family once again.

  “Jack... Don’t stop,” she moaned as he pulled away. “I—I want you.”

  I want you too, Mel, he thought. God, how he wanted her. But it just wasn’t right. He squared his jaw and sat back against the limo seat. “We can’t,” he croaked.

  She trailed a finger along his cheek. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  He shook his head to fight the urge to take her into his arms again. “We don’t know anything about you, Mel. You could be married. Your husband—”

  She slung a hand to her face. “Oh, God. You’re right.”

  She held up a slender hand and checked her fingers.

  “No ring,” she murmured.

  “That doesn’t mean...”

  “Of course. They could have taken it off.” She cast him a pleading look. “But I don’t... feel married. Don’t you think I would know if I had a husband?”

  “I’m not sure, honey.” He felt miserable all of a sudden. Here he’d finally met a woman he deeply cared about, and she was off-limits.

  She swallowed, then shook her head. “I’m sure if there was someone in my life, I wouldn’t be feeling this way about you, Jack. A woman’s heart always knows.”

  Hope surged in his bosom. She felt for him? But then he dismissed the thought. She was merely clinging to him like a drowning victim to a life raft. He was all she knew now, all her hopes pinned on him. He’d known it to happen before. The true purport of her feelings wouldn’t show before she regained the full command of her memories. The moment her original personality reasserted itself, she’d see him as the person he truly was. Would she still feel this way about him then? He doubted it. And as long as she was in this state of extreme vulnerability, it would be criminal to take advantage of her.

  He rubbed his eyes. “I can’t, honey. It’s just not right. You can see that, can’t you?”

  She fell back against the seat, and he could see the hope die in her eyes. “Yes. Yes, I guess I can.”

  He intertwined his fingers with hers. This was as far as he was willing to go. Even though his body ached for her touch, he resisted the urge with all the power of his being.

  The limo eased to a stop, and the door swung open. “We’re here, sir,” intoned the driver, a hint of amusement behind his eyes. He’d probably followed the whole scene, Jack thought. Drivers always did.

  He exited the vehicle, and helped Melanie out.

  Staring up at the brownstone he called his home, he was gratified to see her face light up with girlish delight. “This is all yours?”

  “Yep. Home sweet home.”

  “But I thought you said you had a little pad in Paris?”

  He gestured at the ornate oak door with the brass knocker. “This is it. My little pad.”

  “Will you be needing me any further, sir?”

  He quickly pressed a hundred euro bill in the man’s palm and said, “No, thank you, Rod. I can take it from here.”

  “Thank you, sir. Have a pleasant day.”

  Melanie turned to the driver. “Thank you, Rodney. Say hello to your brother, will you?”

  The sliver of a smile tugged at the man’s lips, and he gave her a brief nod. “I will, Mademoiselle.”

  They stepped inside, and Jack breathed a sigh of relief. Finally home. He hadn’t told Melanie but it was very rare that he brought a woman here.

  His housekeeper Magali, who must have heard the door unlock, came walking down the stairs. A middle-aged woman with sleek black hair and a perpetual frown etched between her brows, she nevertheless spirited a smile on her lips at the sight of Jack and Melanie standing in the center of the hallway, Rufus in their midst.

  “Monsieur Carter, such a surprise to see you. I thought you weren’t coming until the weekend?”

  “Change of plans, Magali.” He gestured at Melanie. “This is Melanie Harper. She’ll be staying with us for a little while.”

  “Bonjour, Mademoiselle.”

  “Bonjour, Magali.”

  “Miss Harper has been through a great ordeal and will need to recover. Did you get my message about the room?”

  “Oh, yes, sir. Everything is ready. Shall I show you to your room, Miss Harper?”

  “Just call me Mel. I’m not used to being called Miss Harper.” She directed a glance at Jack. “At least I don’t think so.”

  Jack had decided not to tell his staff more than they nee
ded to know. Not that he didn’t trust their discretion, but he was reluctant to share information about Melanie with anyone. As long as they didn’t know more about who she was and where she came from it was better to play their cards close to their chests. Especially with Linda Soakes and that goon of hers still on the loose.

  He watched as Melanie mounted the stairs after Magali, her lithe form moving light as a feather. A rush of heat passed through him again at the thought of her naked, in his bed, while he pounded the living daylights out of her, taking her over and over again.

  At once, his cock stood at attention, and he emitted a short groan of desperation. Soon Magali would leave, and he and Melanie would be all alone in this big house. The mere thought of her being here, ready to throw herself at his mercy, quickened his heart rate.

  He gritted his teeth and willed the image of Melanie naked in his bed to go away.

  Not yet, Jack.

  Or, more precisely, not ever.

  Chapter 16

  Jeannine Müller and her reluctant partner in crime Rainer Jarnoff sat in a beat-up maroon Renault out in front of Jack Carter’s house near the Quay d’Orsay. Jeannine still lamented having had to leave her trusty Peugeot in Brussels. And as if that wasn’t enough to sour her mood, there was the exorbitant expense of having to book two tickets to Paris so they could keep track of the Lorgnasse girl.

  Good thing Seth had his contacts and had sent them Jack’s address just in time for them to see his limo arrive and the little wench to exit the car on the fat cat’s arm.

  If only that driver hadn’t looked so formidable, or the Carter guy for that matter, Rainer would have simply walked over there, picked her up and carted her to the car.

  Now all they could do was wait until the twosome emerged again, and hopefully the odds would be more in their favor then.

  “I think we should simply barge in there, snatch her and be done with it,” argued Jeannine.

  “Like we did this morning you mean? Yeah, that went really well.”

  Jeannine snapped her head around. Sarcasm was not something she responded too well to. “If you had kept a leash on the bitch, we wouldn’t be in this mess now.” She shook her head. “I should never have involved a weakling like you. Never ask a boy to do a man’s job is what my father used to say.”

  “And see where that lead him,” murmured Rainer.

  “My dad wasn’t to blame for that botched bank robbery. If everyone had done their part, he would still be with us today.”

  Rainer rested his head on his hand. If he’d heard the story of the fabled Müller bank robbery gone wrong once, he’d heard it a hundred times. And still he couldn’t shake the feeling Jeannine’s dad had been as crazy as his offspring. Why, oh why had Seth ever married into that nutso family he’d never understand. With all the woman in the world, his cousin had to marry this specimen.

  “Tonight, when they’re both asleep, you and I sneak into that house, knock out the guy and snatch her.”

  “I don’t think—”

  “That’s right. You don’t, and that’s your problem right there. I’ll tell Seth to join us. Then it’s three to one. Do you think you might manage at those odds?”

  Rainer sighed deeply. “I guess. I still think—”

  “Just shut your trap, will you. You’re not paid to think. You’re paid to do as you’re told.”

  Fat lot of good the ten grand his cousin had promised him for this ‘operation’ would do him if it landed his ass in prison. On the other hand, if he’d never have to set eyes on Jeannine again, it might be worth it. And in prison he could probably paint as much as he wanted without being disturbed by deranged would-be kidnappers.

  For a few blissful moments he mused on the roseate picture of devoting his life to his art, the burden of his livelihood generously taken over by the state.

  Then he thought better of it. With his luck, he’d probably have to share his cell with Seth, and knowing his psychologically unbalanced cousin, he’d never let him live it down.

  He directed a pleading look heavenward. Oh, God, he thought. Why have you forsaken thy humble servant?

  Before the good Lord could put in a reply, Jeannine intruded on his musings. “Yes,” the crazy bitch croaked. “One good blow to the head should do the trick. Make him think twice about poking his nose into our business.”

  “What about the dog?”

  She shrugged. “Get rid of the mutt.”

  His eyes went wide. He liked dogs. “You mean… permanently?”

  “Off course permanently, bird brain.” A cruel grin spread across her hideous features. “And perhaps we can extend the courtesy to Jack Carter as well. That way he’ll never bother us again.”

  Rainer slowly turned his head. Was she serious? Judging from the vicious glint in her eye, she was.

  “Look, I didn’t sign up for this, Jeannine. Kidnapping? Fine. But murder?” He shook his head adamantly. “That’s a whole other business altogether.”

  Jeannine gave him a mean stare. “You’re not just short on brains, you’re a lily-livered piece of chicken-shit as well.” She tossed her gray mane. “Fine. I’ll do it. So you don’t have to get your delicate little hands dirty.”

  He shrugged. He was used to her vile tongue by now, and as long as he didn’t have to get involved, she could do whatever she wanted.

  “Fucking billionaire,” she raged. “We should string him up on the highest tree for all the world to see, along with the rest of his parasite breed.”

  Rainer frowned. Billionaire? Then it dawned on him. “Jack Carter is the Jack Carter? The billionaire?”

  Jeannine cackled. “Welcome to earth, bird brain. Of course he’s the Jack Carter.” She rubbed her hands together with obvious glee. “Let’s kill us a billionaire tonight, shall we?”

  Rainer shivered involuntarily. Killing Jack Carter would open up a huge can of worms, he just knew it.

  “I don’t think—”

  “Shut up! You know what?” She jabbed at the door handle, and shoved open the passenger door, then gave him a vicious push. “Get the fuck out of my car. If you’re not gonna cooperate, buzz off.”

  “But—”

  “I don’t care if you’re Seth’s cousin. My God. I’ve never met anyone like you for whining and moping and generally pissing me off!”

  Shaking his head at so much vileness, Rainer finally shifted his bulk so he could exit the car. Jeannine’s boot in his rear did the rest, and five seconds later he was standing on the sidewalk while Jeannine slammed the door shut again and gave him the finger.

  Morosely but secretly happy, he started down the street, his hands shoved into his pockets and his head down.

  When he’d reached the corner, he glanced over his shoulder at Jack Carter’s house, then decided to put the whole sordid business out of his head, and walked away.

  Chapter 17

  Magali Chambers, Jack’s housekeeper, let her gaze drift across the kitchen, only to find its gleaming surfaces, neatly arranged cupboards and polished hardwood floor returning her scrutiny and meeting her expectations. Even the shelf with Jack’s Disney figurines, presiding over the window, was spotless, as was Rufus’s placemat with his water and food bowls placed near the kitchen door.

  In Jack’s absence she never allowed the house to gather a single mote of dust or sliver of dirt, keeping the place as clean as her own small apartment on the outskirts of Paris.

  Taking care of a place this size demanded the work of three, and luckily Jack didn’t stint on hiring all the help she needed. The cook hadn’t come in today but would do so tomorrow if Jack decided to stay the weekend, and the maid had helped her prepare the guest bedroom in time for Jack’s arrival.

  Working for Jack for going on ten years now, she’d come to appreciate the young man’s quirks and demands. Fresh flowers in every room was not something one usually associated with a bachelor, but it showed that Jack was his mother’s son. Mrs Carter, for whom Magali had worked before taking over Jack’s ho
usehold, had been an avid fan of floral splendor throughout the house, even if her husband seemed too busy to notice.

  When Mrs Carter had passed away, Magali had felt as if she hadn’t merely lost a fine employer, but a personal friend.

  Going to work for Jack, therefore, had been something of a mission to her. Taking care of the young man now that he’d so suddenly lost the most important person in his life.

  Jack had been close to his mother, and when Mrs Carter had passed beyond the veil, Jack had had a couple of very tough years.

  What the boy really needed, though this sentiment certainly wasn’t shared by Jack himself, was a woman in his life. And not just a girlfriend, but a wife, who would turn this house into a real home in ways a mere housekeeper never could.

  For Magali knew her place. Though she loved the boy dearly ever since she’d come into the Carter family employ twenty-five years ago this spring, she could never take the place of a good woman at his side.

  She’d eyed Melanie Harper with curious interest, therefore, knowing full well that she was the first girl Jack had brought into this house in ages. If Jack wanted to fool around with the fairer sex, he always did so in Brussels, where he had a running tab at the Carlton. Magali didn’t know if he did it out of respect for her or simply for reasons of discretion, but she did appreciate not having to clean up after one of Jack’s hussies when they spent the night.

  And now this Melanie. At first glance, she’d pursed her lips appreciatively. The girl was beautiful, albeit it a bit on the thin side. But even though she could use some fattening up, she was clearly not one of Jack’s usual photo model types. This one had a head on her, and spoke and behaved in a way that had led her to believe she’d enjoyed an excellent education and a fine upbringing in a fine home.

  She could but guess at the reason Jack would bring her here, though the fact that he put her up in the guest bedroom, and had her put the doctor on call in case Melanie needed medical help, had her tingling with curiosity.