Single Dad Billionaire

by B. B. Hamel

  Just as I’m settling into the couch with my drink, I hear something. It’s a thud. And then she screams.

  I jump to my feet. She screams again. I drop my drink on the floor as I run to her, all thoughts of anything but Everly banished from my mind.

  12

  Everly

  That kiss was better than I expected, and that actually scares me a little bit. I expected to like it, of course, but not as much as I did.

  By the time he let me go, I was dripping wet and ready to do whatever he wanted. If that raccoon hadn’t come along and scared the heck out of me, I would have given in to him. I know I would have let him do whatever he wanted right then and there, right in the park where anybody could have caught us. I wanted him that badly, and all just from a single kiss.

  That’s what scares me. Normally, I’m more reserved than that. I can control myself. But with Logan, I’m not sure I really can control myself at all.

  When we get back to the apartment, I head back into my room to unpack the stuff I brought. I get changed, used the bathroom, and then climb onto my bed with my laptop in my lap. I pop open the lid and just intend to mess around online before heading to bed. I still have to work in the morning, and it’s getting a little late. I don’t want the boss to think I’m shirking my duties by staying up until all hours of the night.

  As I check my email, something catches my eye. I haven’t been looking at my personal email for a few days, just because I’ve been distracted. But this is from someone I don’t recognize, and the subject line is pretty creepy.

  Pictures prove you’re a liar, Everly.

  I stare at the email before clicking on it. There’s a little text at the top, which I read first.

  I know you’re not telling the truth about you and Logan, but I don’t know why. I’ll figure it out soon, though. And when I do, you’ll be mine.

  A shiver runs down my spine and I can feel fear growing in my gut. I don’t know who sent this, but someone suspects that my relationship with Logan isn’t real. I’m already on edge from that creepy walk home, and now this is just shoving me over the edge.

  I scroll down and there are pictures of me, each one dated. And each one shows that I’m not pregnant.

  But what I find at the bottom of the email makes me scream.

  It’s a picture I took a couple of years ago, a sexy picture. I’m not usually the dirty selfies kind, but I was flirting with a guy back then, and it was fun. The picture isn’t naked, I’m covering the important bits with my hands, but it’s still very revealing.

  And I never showed it to anyone before. Not even to the guy. I took the picture and kept it on my phone but I never sent it.

  I don’t know why I scream. But I shove my computer away, horrified. I don’t even realize that I screamed until Logan pushes open my door, concern on his face.

  “Everly,” he says. “What’s wrong?”

  He rushes over to my bedside.

  “The email,” I say, pointing at my computer. “Shit, nobody should have that. Logan, how does he have that?”

  I’m babbling and not making any sense, I know, but I can’t think straight. I’m so creeped out and feel so incredibly violated. Logan picks up my laptop and scrolls through the message, reading it with a concerned look on his face.

  When he gets to the bottom picture, something flashes across his expression, but it quickly disappears. He closes the lid and looks at me. “What shouldn’t he have?” he asks.

  I take a deep breath, getting ahold of myself. “That last picture,” I say. “I took it for a guy two years ago. But I never sent it. I’ve just had it on my phone.”

  “Damn,” he says softly. “Do you know what this means?”

  I shake my head, but I think I already know.

  “Someone hacked your phone,” he says. “I don’t know who or how, but they must have.”

  “Why include that picture?” I ask him.

  “Whoever did this must want you to realize that he has access to your phone. I think someone is messing with you.”

  I take a deep breath again, trying to calm myself, but my heart is hammering in my chest. I don’t know why I’ve been so jumpy lately, but there’s just something about this situation that’s causing me a ton of stress. It’s probably because I’m lying to the whole world right now, including my own mother.

  I’ve never been good at this sort of thing. I usually pride myself on being a good person. Lying about being married to a man just to trick someone else into selling a property is so outside of my normal self that I’m amazed I’m even doing it.

  But there’s just something about Logan that I can’t deny. He frowns at me for a second before looking through the email again. I watch his handsome face, etched with concern, go through the whole thing again.

  It only occurs to me after he reads it a second time that he’s looking at that mostly-naked picture of me. I quickly reach forward and grab the computer from him. “Okay, that’s enough,” I say, blushing like crazy.

  He looks confused for a second then grins. “Come on, Everly.”

  “You don’t need to keep looking.”

  He laughs softly. “Not going to pretend that I don’t like that picture. But that’s not what I’m doing.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “You do look good, though. You can barely cover your breasts with your arm.”

  I blush even more. “Enough.”

  “I’m just saying. There’s something incredibly sexy about a woman that can barely contain herself. And you can barely keep it under control.”

  “I can control myself just fine, thanks.”

  “Tell that to your lips.” He smirks and steps closer to me. “They’ve been hanging open, begging to be kissed.”

  “Logan,” I say.

  He grins at me but doesn’t move. “Don’t worry. I’m going to take care of this.”

  I let out a breath. “How?”

  “I know some people. I’ll make some calls.”

  “What am I supposed to do with this now, though?”

  “Keep it,” he says. “I’m going to need that email.”

  “But it had… that picture.” I blush again and look away. “People are going to see it.”

  “Maybe,” he concedes. “But I promise only people that absolutely need to see it will see it.”

  I sigh. “This is going too far. I didn’t sign up for this.”

  “I know you didn’t. And I promise, whoever did this is going to pay.”

  I look at him and I believe him. I don’t know why, but I do. “Who do you think it was?”

  “I don’t know,” he admits. “Could be a few people.”

  “How many enemies do you have?” I ask, exasperated.

  “I’m rich, Everly. When you’re as wealthy as I am, people come after you. It’s impossible to avoid.”

  “And I’m just caught in the crossfire?”

  “Maybe,” he says slowly. “But I don’t know. This looked targeted. I didn’t get anything, but you did.”

  “Maybe they think I’m an easier target.”

  He grins at that. “Maybe. But they’re in for a rude surprise.” He steps even closer to me and sits down on the bed, leaning toward me. “Because you’re mine now, Everly. And I’m going to take care of you.”

  I stare into his gorgeous eyes for a second before he reaches out, takes my hair, and pulls me toward him.

  I fall into his kiss again. His mouth opens and his tongue rolls against mine, sending shivers down my spine. I kiss him full and deep, wanting it so badly. I want him to make me forget all about this email. I want him to make me feel good again.

  Slowly we kiss like that, but finally we break apart. “You’re safe,” he says. “But I need something from you.”

  “Anything,” I say, a little breathless.

  His smirk is maddening. “I need your laptop.”

  I hesitate. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. I promise I won’t snoop. And I’ll get
you a new one.”

  I sigh. “Okay.” I push the laptop toward him.

  He takes it. “It’ll be safe. I’ll have someone look into this.” He stands up. “Get some sleep.”

  “Yeah, okay,” I say.

  He walks to the door and hesitates. “Look… you can back out of this. Whenever you want.”

  I blink at him. “I didn’t say I wanted that.”

  “I know. But I want you to know that the option is there.”

  “Thanks,” I say, a little surprised.

  “But I don’t want you to go. I just understand if this is too much.”

  “Okay.” I’m not sure what to say. I don’t want to leave, but I’m really freaked out by that email.

  He smiles at me before leaving and shutting the door behind him. I collapse back into the bed, conflicting feelings swirling inside of me.

  On the one hand, I kissed Logan twice now, and both times were incredible. But on the other, that email was one of the most horrifying things I’ve ever gotten, and I don’t know how to feel about it.

  I decide to go to bed and put this off until tomorrow. I’ll deal with all of this then and hopefully Logan is able to figure it all out. I have to trust him. I don’t know what else to do.

  13

  Logan

  “You should have seen the look on her face.”

  Richard frowns over his desk. “In the picture?”

  “No, you ass,” I say, but hesitate. “I mean, you should have seen that look too, it was—“

  “Logan,” Richard cuts in.

  “Right,” I say, gathering myself. “She was horrified. I mean, really, truly horrified. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone feeling so… exposed.”

  “Can you blame her?” he asks me.

  “Of course not. I’m fucking angry as hell about it.”

  “You should be. Sharing a woman’s private photographs like that is the lowest of the low.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” I say, leaning back in my chair.

  We’re sitting in Richard’s office again. It’s the day after we discovered the threatening emails on Everly’s account, and I’m trying to figure out what to do. Richard is the only person I know that really understands the situation I’m in, but more than that, he has certain connections.

  Richard is one of the best litigators in the city, and that means people are always seeking his services. Most of the time, they’re normal people and companies looking for someone with experience help them out. But sometimes, he deals with less than savory types.

  In fact, I know the mafia keeps him on retainer. I’ve seen some of his clients coming and going, and I know those aren’t normal guys packing heat under their Armani suits. He doesn’t go into detail about them, since it’s client privilege after all, but he hasn’t denied working with some of the underground before.

  Richard isn’t a corrupt guy. It’s just that, when you’re a lawyer of his standing, certain people are going to want things from you. The mafia is a powerful part of this city, and when they come calling, you can’t turn them away. It’s dangerous to your health to turn them down, even if they are violent criminals. They pay him well and he does his job, but I know it weighs heavily on him. But he can’t say no, or else things could get bad.

  “You know people,” I say to him. “People that can help.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “You know the same people that I know, Logan.”

  “That’s not entirely true.” I lean toward him, meeting his gaze. “You know people that can do things.”

  He sighs. “Look, just come out and say it.”

  “I need a computer expert to figure this thing out,” I say.

  “I still don’t know why you’d come to me for that.”

  “I don’t want someone… legal,” I say slowly.

  His eyes narrow. “You’re looking for a hacker?”

  “A serious one,” I say. “This isn’t some bullshit game. I know you have connections, even if you can’t talk about it. All I’m asking for is an introduction.”

  He watches me for a second, and I have no clue what he’s thinking. I’ve never pushed against Richard like this before. I know his mafia connections are strictly off-limits for us, and that’s always been fine, at least until now. He’s doing so much for me, I feel bad asking for more, but I don’t know where to go.

  As backwards as it may sound, I don’t trust someone on the right side of the law. Whoever did this to Everly did an awful thing, and I want to make sure they pay. I don’t want someone to tell me steps to take to ensure that Everly will be safe in the future. I want someone who will go on the attack for me, hunt this bastard down, make him pay.

  Richard finally sighs. “I think I know a guy.”

  “Just a number and I can do the rest.”

  He shakes his head. “I’ll contact him for you, and if he’s interested, he’ll want to do everything through me. Is that okay?”

  “Fine,” I say. “Whatever needs to happen.”

  “Just for the record, I think this is a bad idea.”

  “I know you do. But I can’t let this stand.”

  “I know you can’t.” He sighs again and shakes his head. “You’re really digging in deep on this one.”

  “I know. Not exactly like me, is it?”

  “Just be careful, okay?” Richard looks genuinely concerned, though I don’t know why. “You seem like you’re getting too close.”

  He may be right about that. I’m definitely feeling more involved than I thought I would. When I came up with this idea, I figured it was going to be a short-term thing, and I’d barely see Everly anyway. She’d be like an actress that I hired.

  Instead, she’s living in my apartment and helping me raise my baby daughter. She’s quickly becoming a part of my life in exactly the way that she’s supposedly pretending to be. It’s bizarre, but it feels comfortable, like she belongs with me. And I do feel angry about this violation. I can’t let it stand.

  I protect the people that I care about. Maybe I work people too hard and push them as far as I can, but I also take care of them. I pay my employees exceptionally well, and our policies are always incredibly lenient. I think of my staff and my employees like my extended family, and I treat them that way.

  Which is why I’m going to pursue the person that did this to Everly. She’s my wife right now, even if it’s just some fake arrangement. I’m going to take care of her like she’s my wife for real, frankly because it makes me feel good.

  I stand up and nod at Richard. “Thanks again.”

  “I’ll contact you soon. Can you leave the laptop here?”

  “Sure,” I say. I pull it out of my briefcase and place it on one of his side tables. “Talk to you soon.”

  He waves as I leave his office, my mind occupied on my next steps.

  I know I’m taking a risk by hiring a hacker, but I have to trust that Richard wouldn’t put me in touch with someone truly malicious. Not all hackers are bad people, after all. True, they break the law and explore computer systems that they’re not supposed to have access to, but that doesn’t mean they’re entirely immoral. I’m sure that there are hackers out there that would be more than happy to help me with this issue.

  I get back to my office and have to force the whole hacker thing out of my mind. I have a work day ahead of me, and I can’t risk getting too caught up in distractions. But no matter how hard I try, distractions always seem to find me these days.

  About a half hour after getting back to my office, my secretary buzzes my phone.

  “Yes?” I say to her, wary already.

  “You have a call on line one. It’s Chester Winterfield.”

  I sigh to myself. “Okay, I’ll take it.”

  I hit the button that answers line one.

  “Chester, how are you?”

  “Logan, my boy, I’m doing great.” Chester sounds like he’s in good spirits. That means he likely doesn’t know anything about the email we got the night before
. Out of everyone in the world, Chester is the last person I want to find out, since he’s the whole reason we’re doing this.

  “Glad to hear it. We had a lovely time at dinner the other night. Everly keeps talking about it.” A little white lie combined with flattery never hurt.

  “Glad to hear that,” he says, sounding pleased. “You’re always welcome back, you know. That wife of yours… she seems sweet.”

  “She is,” I say with sincerity. “She’s a great person.”

  “I was thinking about what you said about her. About how she has a kid.”

  I take a breath. “Were you?”

  “I was. Seems like a big thing for a person to do, you know. Now, we don’t always approve of women having babies out of wedlock, it’s just not right.”

  “Of course,” I say quickly. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  “Good. But you marrying her and taking that baby in like it’s your own, well, that’s inspiring. It really is. I just wanted to call and tell you that.”

  I grin to myself. He really bought it, or at least his wife Muffie did. That could be good. Maybe they’re getting ready to actually sign the fucking papers.

  “Thanks, Chester. It’s been hard, you know, becoming a father. But I’m learning, and I love them.”

  “Well, listen, the wife and I want the two of you to come to a charity event we’re hosting. Since you’re all about the charitable cases, we thought you’d like this.”

  I decide to ignore the bit about being liking charity cases and all the implications that go with it.

  “I’d be happy to come. Get the details over to my secretary and I’ll make sure we’re there.”

  “Thanks, Logan, old boy. You’re a good man.”

  “Of course. And thank you for the invitation.”

  “We’ll see you soon then.” He hangs up the phone without another word.