A Rose For The Billionaire: Betting On You Series: Book Six

by Jeannette Winters

  When KJ touched her cheek, Rose winced. Then she winced again as KJ’s hand ran over her left thigh. She didn’t realize she’d been hurt there. Things had happened so quickly she wasn’t sure what hurt where.

  “What are you guys doing here?” Rose asked KJ who, understandably, was still in her wedding dress.

  “Sharma came rushing over and told us what happened. Drew and Trent went to assist Beckett, and we’re here to help you,” KJ said as she took a cool, wet cloth from Danielle and placed it on Rose’s cheek.

  Rose reached up and held the cloth in place. “I’m okay. He didn’t do anything.”

  “From the looks of you, he seemed to have done something. At the very least, he struck you,” Elaine said angrily.

  “God, I hope Drew and Trent can calm Beckett down. I’m sure he wants to kill that bastard,” Danielle said, her voice filled with fear.

  Rose looked at Doug. Without even having to speak the words, he understood her request. He nodded and slipped out the door. If he hadn’t come along, Toby could’ve—

  Tears began to pour down her face. All the emotions she’d been fighting were free to flow with Doug out of the room. She didn’t want him to see her like this. This mess was all her fault, and she was so embarrassed. Even though he had punched and demeaned her, Toby wasn’t on her mind. It was Doug and what she’d put him through. He almost killed a man because of her. A man that shouldn’t have been here in the first place. He’ll never forgive me for that.

  The sobs became uncontrollable, and even though she desperately wanted to be left alone, that wasn’t happening. Instead, she felt arms wrapping around her and holding her while she cried. Three women showing her the love she didn’t deserve, but so dearly needed.

  Closing her eyes, she sank into their arms and soaked up their comfort. I’ve ruined KJ and Drew’s wedding, and I’ve made a fool of myself. No wonder my family treats me like a baby. I’m an irresponsible person who never considered the consequences of acting on my pride. How will they ever forgive me?

  If felt like hours that they stayed with her. None of them left until they thought she was asleep . . . but how could she sleep? Her night was filled with guilt and remorse. Both well-deserved.

  Chapter Seven

  After everything that went down last night, he sure as hell hadn’t wanted to sleep on Beckett’s couch. Doug wasn’t going to let Rose spend the night in the nursing quarters. He’d wanted her in the suite close by him where he could be there for her. But the ladies decided it was their personal responsibility to care for Rose, so he’d stepped out to give the ladies some space. While Rose was in their good hands, Doug took the opportunity to make sure Gunny was well aware of what a fucking asshole Martin was. Gunny said, “This is going to be one fucking bumpy ride. One he’ll never forget.”

  He went back to the suite after handing Martin off to Gunny and was practically kicked out. The three women looked like mother hens all standing there, arms crossed and warning him. It wasn’t as though he’d been the one to hurt her, but being a man seemed enough for them. Trying to reason with them was impossible. Women.

  Danielle made it back home sometime after three a.m. He inquired about Rose then and was told under no circumstances was he to disturb her. Doug could only imagine the things running through her mind. Actually, he had a good idea what they were. He dealt with emotional trauma every day. Who better to support her through this?

  Danielle had returned to the bungalow and updated him on Rose’s status, saying she was fine and resting. When he’d tried to leave to go to see Rose, Danielle stopped him, saying Rose asked for a little time alone. He needed to respect her wishes, but how long wasn’t discussed.

  The house was quiet, and he couldn’t lie there staring at the ceiling a moment longer without seeing her. He needed to see for himself she was okay. Doug got up and folded the blanket Beckett had given him. As he opened the front door, Beckett came out of his room.

  “Not before we talk.”

  There were things that needed to be cleared up on both sides. “Not here.”

  Beckett agreed, and the two of them headed off to a common dining area in one of the main lodges. Only staff would be there at this time of the morning.

  Doug poured two cups of hot black coffee then walked over to Beckett. He handed him one cup and then took a seat across the table. This conversation could go many ways. There was only one thing he needed to know. The truth. That would require him to be honest with Beckett as well. What he had to say wasn’t going to make Beckett a happy man.

  “Want me to start?” Doug asked.

  “Let’s start with Martin and why he was here,” Beckett replied.

  “Rose invited him.”

  Beckett arched a brow. “Why? Did you piss her off?”

  Doug burst out laughing. It wasn’t funny. It was hilarious. How Beckett could be one of the best in his field, and so obtuse to his own sister was beyond him.

  “Something funny?” Beckett asked angrily.

  Doug nodded. “Did you think Martin wouldn’t tell Rose about your conversation?”

  Beckett shrugged. “I don’t care who the fuck he told. He got the point, or so I thought until his ass showed up here.”

  “What did you think Rose was going to do when she found out you threatened him?” Doug asked.

  He could see by the look on Beckett’s face that wasn’t what he expected to hear. “I what? Threatened him? What exactly did that little fucker say I said to him?”

  “That if he didn’t stay away from Rose, you’d make him disappear, never to be seen again.” It was Beckett’s turn to laugh, and Doug found nothing humorous about it. “Threatening a man’s life is not funny,” Doug said firmly.

  “This is coming from the guy who almost killed him last night?”

  “Two different scenarios. I was protecting her and yo—”

  “Cut the shit, Doug. We’ve known each other for almost fifteen years. There is no way in hell you really believe I called and threatened Martin. First of all, we’re not all talk. We’re action. Warnings are not our thing.”

  That was true on both their parts. It wasn’t good, but Beckett was stating facts. There was no way Beckett called Martin threatening him. That didn’t mean a conversation didn’t take place. It only meant it wasn’t as Martin stated. Something wasn’t adding up. He’d easily bowed out when he’d supposedly been threatened, but then came when she soothed him. What were they missing? “What was Martin’s agenda for lying to Rose?”

  Beckett looked as puzzled by this as Doug was. “I’m not sure. Rose said he was a quiet, shy guy, but my gut said differently. Given what took place last night, I was correct. The guy is dangerous, and my so-called threat will become a reality if he ever comes anywhere near Rose again.”

  “You’ll need to get in line,” Doug stated.

  Beckett looked at Doug long and hard before speaking again. He knew what was coming next, and Doug didn’t have any answers for him. Not because he was hiding anything, but because he wasn’t sure himself.

  When he’d heard Rose’s scream and came around the corner to find Martin with his hand in her hair pulling, dragging her, he saw red. If he’d had his Glock on him, he would have shot him. Instead, he used what was also trained as weapons, his hands.

  Doug was fighting an internal battle with what he’d done. He’d seen many battles and much loss of life. It was par for the course in war. This was different. It was personal, and his actions were out of rage, not in response to an order. He stopped the asshole from hurting Rose. He was aware if it hadn’t been for her begging him to stop choking Martin, he might not have stopped. That scared the fuck out of him.

  “I’ve never seen you like that, Atwood.”

  “I know,” Doug said softly, trying to process his own flashback.

  “You’re not going to like this, but I think you should stay away from Rose for a while.”

  Doug shot Beckett a look of astonishment. There were many things he t
hought he’d hear, but being warned to stay away from Rose sure wasn’t one of them. “Beckett, like you said, we’ve been friends a hell of a long time. That doesn’t give you the right to tell me who I can or can’t be around.” Especially Rose.

  “This has nothing to do with our friendship. It has everything to do with keeping her safe.”

  “And you think I’d hurt her?” Doug asked angrily.

  Beckett shook his head. “I think she has the potential of being collateral damage. I’ve had my men start looking into the names you gave me. Any one of them could’ve killed or had your father killed. I know you’re set on finding out what happened to Earl, but I will not let Rose get caught in the middle. There is no one in West Virginia to watch over her. If last night doesn’t show you how defenseless she is, I don’t know what will. If you care about her at all, you’ll walk away now before she gets hurt. Physically and emotionally.”

  Given how quickly the events of the last few days had made changes to his life, he hadn’t had time to assess how pursuing his father’s killer, if there was one, could affect Rose as well. Until seeing her again, he hadn’t considered there could be anything serious between them. They’d crossed paths several times before, but this time, they spent some one-on-one time. He wasn’t sure where it was headed, but he knew he wanted to explore it.

  Until Beckett delivered that blow. He sucked in a deep breath, his gut feeling like he’d been stabbed, because Becket was right. Everything in him wanted to be there for Rose, help her recover from a brutal attack, but the best thing he could do for her was put some distance between them. He still needed to know she was going to be okay.

  “I hear you loud and clear. Now I need you to do me a favor.”

  “What do you need?”

  “You need to find a way to keep Rose here on Marpe-Agape.”

  “She won’t stay. I’ve asked her many times. Her answer is always the same. No.”

  Rose had told him why. There wasn’t anything Beckett could do to change that. It was going to take someone else. Someone she might listen to. “How about Trent? Or KJ, or even Danielle?”

  “Doug, I know you want her safe, but she won’t stay here.”

  Nothing was impossible. It was only a matter of finding the one thing she wouldn’t be able to resist. Doug thought about Danielle and the kids. If she needed someone, Rose’s parents would step in like they did for all their children. That would mean Rose was still free to leave.

  “I’ll stay with her,” Doug said, without even thinking it through. He knew if he couldn’t find a way to keep her here and safe, he’d just have to stay here with her until he did.

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea either.”

  “Why? Don’t you think I can protect her?” Doug asked.

  “From others? Yes. From you? No,” Beckett said plainly. “She’s my sister, Doug. I’m not going to sit by and let you break her heart. I was wrong asking you here. I’ve seen how she looks at you. I . . . don’t like it. You’re not the settling-down type, and she’s not the screwing around—”

  “You don’t have to tell me what she is. Rose is an amazing woman. Did you hear that word, Beckett? She’s a woman. Not a little girl, needing you to control every aspect of her life. If you don’t stop, you’ll put a wedge between you two.”

  “And you know this how?”

  He wasn’t going to break a confidence Rose had shared with him, not even to Beckett. He’d given him the only warning he could. “It’s my professional opinion.”

  “There isn’t anything professional about how you view my sister,” Beckett said snidely.

  “What goes on between Rose and me is none of your business.” Doug couldn’t believe he was drawing a line with Beckett. Never had there been one, or a need for one. He wasn’t doing this for himself. He couldn’t care less about what Beckett thought. This was for Rose. She needed to know if anything happened between them, it would stay that way. His friendship with Beckett would not impact anything.

  “Your feelings for her are that strong?” Beckett asked. “Because you’re treading on thin ice, Atwood. You’d better consider what you want with Rose before you go any further. We might be friends, but that won’t play into it if you hurt her. Got it?”

  Anyone else talking to him like that would’ve ended on a different note. Beckett’s warning only made him respect him more. Doug wasn’t sure about his feelings for Rose; that needed to be sorted out. The only way to do so was with time. He’d had every intention of calling for his chopper to pick him up today and head back to the States. He couldn’t bring himself to leave her. For now, Marpe-Agape was where he’d be.

  Doug wasn’t walking out of Rose’s life, but he’d planned on keeping it casual. Beckett was right. Rose didn’t deserve that type of relationship. Could he give her what she was looking for? Hell, I’m not even sure what that is. All I know is she’s got me tied up in knots, thinking of her.

  “Trust me, Beckett, Rose’s feelings and well-being are first and foremost in my mind.”

  “I’ll like to second that,” Trent said as he pulled up a chair at the table and joined them. “I’m assuming you were discussing what happened last night with Martin.”

  Beckett never took his eyes off Doug as he nodded. “Yeah. Doug and I were just clearing the air on what’s best for Rose.”

  “Good. Elaine was really shaken up last night. She told me what Rose said about you,” Trent said to Doug. “How if you weren’t there she could’ve been—”

  “But she wasn’t, and that’s what matters,” Doug said.

  “You’re right. But we were all busy celebrating, and you still watched out for her. I . . . we owe you. This morning could’ve been a hell of a lot worse if you hadn’t been there. You ever need anything at all, just ask. It’s yours.”

  “I appreciate that,” Doug said plainly. He wasn’t someone who’d ever go to Trent for assistance, but he’d hold that in his pocket, just in case.

  “In the meantime, care to explain your arrival in a chopper with LaPrade on it?”

  Surely it’s too early in the morning to open up that conversation. Hell, there isn’t a good time. “Listen, Trent. It’s a long story.”

  “Good thing we all got up early then. So start talking before I decide to do my own digging.” Doug shot him a warning look, which Trent shrugged off. “What can I say? I’m a nosey prick,” Trent said, leaning back in his chair.

  Among other things. He respected Trent as Beckett’s brother, but his reputation in business was more questionable. Doug knew it was much more than being nosey. Why Trent wanted to know wasn’t clear, but Trent always had a motive. One that suits his needs. He had wanted to change the subject from Rose, but onto Earl wasn’t much better. Either way, Trent would find out. The man had enough money to bribe just about anyone. Of course, so do I now. Damn, that’s not something I’m used to.

  “He was my father.”

  By the stunned look on his face, Trent wasn’t expecting to hear that. It was Trent’s reply that caught Doug off guard, though.

  “Wow. Must have sucked being raised by that bastard,” Trent said coldly.

  So much for offering sympathy. Guess that’s why you earned the reputation of being a prick. If there’d been any real connection between them, Doug would’ve taken offense at Trent’s choice of words and would’ve probably knocked him on his ass. “Wouldn’t know. Didn’t know the man.”

  Trent arched a brow and peered at Doug. He could tell Trent had a lot of questions running through his mind. Instead of asking them, he offered some information.

  “I heard he married a couple years back. She’s a real winner. Did you hear what happened to her first husband?”

  Didn’t know Dad wasn’t her first. Interesting. That piqued Doug’s interest. From the look on Beckett’s face, he’d also caught that last remark. “No, I didn’t.” Candi wasn’t even thirty, and Earl was already her second husband. What a track record. He knew the only reason Candi had marri
ed his father was money. Money she’s not getting. It was possible her first marriage was for love, and it didn’t work out. It was a very slim chance, but he would give her the benefit of doubt . . . for the moment. “What do you know?”

  “She was married to some guy on Wall Street named Pelletier. Like Earl, he was an older guy, using his money to get young women. Not sure what happened, but it was rumored he had a heart attack and died while they were on their honeymoon. The guy was in his sixties, and she decided to take him on a hike up Mount Kilimanjaro.”

  Doug didn’t have any fond memories of his father, yet he didn’t like hearing Trent speak ill of him either. Before he could respond, Beckett chimed in.

  “She must’ve been left a rich woman,” Beckett said.

  Trent shook his head. “Nope. Pelletier only looked good on paper. I hear he was so far in debt she was left with nothing.”

  Candi needed another sugar daddy. She’s collecting rich husbands, just not planning it all the way through, because two down, and she’s still broke. And if I find out she had anything to do with my father’s death, she’ll add jail to her list of accomplishments. His father was one hell of a savvy businessman. Marrying her seemed so out of character now. Was it possible his father didn’t know who he was marrying? Were you blinded by lust? Because I can’t believe you didn’t check into her first. Then again, you did know enough to cut her out of the will. But not enough to keep you alive.

  “What happened to your father?” Trent asked.

  Doug met Beckett’s gaze. He wasn’t sure how to answer that. Beckett did for him. “That’s why Doug’s here. I’m helping him find that answer.”

  “Murdered?” Trent asked.

  “We don’t know. Nothing is ruled out at the moment,” Doug answered reluctantly.

  “He’s made a lot of enemies along the way. Hell, I’m on that list, but I didn’t kill your father. His business dealings were not always aboveboard, and he screwed a lot of people over. Nothing illegal, but in this type of business you can still piss people off, even if you follow every letter of the law. Anyway, don’t cross his wife off that list yet.”