The Billionaire's Big Beautiful Bride (BWWM Romance Book 1)

by Fielding, J A

  Tony came in just as he was coming to this conclusion. He had a frown on his face despite the earliness of the day, which to Curtis was never a good sign.

  “Good morning,” he said cautiously.

  “Good morning Curtis. How is it going?”

  “Well you’re definitely being robbed.”

  “Yeah? No kidding.”

  “And your accountant Crowley is definitely involved.”

  Tony stared at Curtis, “You’re sure?”

  “Positive.”

  “I see.” Tony said picking up the phone and calling the kitchen, “Vladimir, please bring up some coffee, make it Irish and some Danish’s or waffles. Whatever’s available.”

  “We have pancakes.” Vladimir told him.

  “Those will do. Have Charlie bring them up to us would you? Thanks.”

  “Irish coffee huh? In a Russian restaurant? Irony.” Curtis said, smirking.

  Tony smiled, “Oh, by the way, Sophie and I are getting married.”

  “Congratulations. You don’t think it’s all too soon?”

  “One would think so but…no. It’s not.”

  “Such certainty. I love that in a man.”

  “So does Sophie.”

  “She told you so?”

  “Actually, she didn’t have to.”

  “Wow, you have soul mate ESP as well. Aren’t you the lucky man?”

  “I really am.” Tony said with a smirk of his own.

  “To get back to the matter at hand…” Curtis said.

  “Yes. Crowley is stealing from me. Got it.”

  “I haven’t chased the money to its final destination, but give me a few days, and I will.”

  Tony leaned back in his chair the frown back on his face, “Yes I expect you will. Don’t know if I want to know though.”

  “Why not?”

  Tony sighed, then shook his head, “Never mind. Continue with your work. It will take you where it takes you.”

  Charlie the maitr’d walked in with a tray laden with breakfast. Curtis visibly brightened and Tony lost his frown. He set it down on the table and both men abandoned their work to tuck in. After breakfast Tony took his leave saying he had an errand to run. Curtis nodded his acknowledgment but he was already knee deep in work and didn’t look up.

  Tony made his way to the car park where Samuel was just pulling up. He nodded in acknowledgment as Samuel alighted from the car and he nodded back.

  “You got her to her office okay?”

  “Yes sir. Do you need me to take you anywhere?”

  “Yes. There is a jeweler’s shop I need to get to downtown.”

  Samuel smiled, “I expect you want to get something for Sophie?”

  Tony gave him a look, “Don’t tell me she has you under her spell already.”

  “I don’t know what you mean sir,” Samuel winked as he opened the car door for Tony.

  “Mmmhm,” Tony said cynically.

  They drew up outside the jeweler’s and Tony went in as Samuel drove off to look for parking. Mr. Humboldt, the owner was working behind the counter and he looked up with a smile when Tony walked in.

  “Mr. Romanov, good to see you again.” He said.

  “You as well Amos. How is business?”

  “Oh, you know, people are not exactly flush with cash these days, but we’re managing.”

  “Yes, well. Thems the breaks huh?”

  “Yes. So what can I do for you today?”

  “Well, I understand you have a master craftsman working for you. I’d like to see him about a very special project I have.”

  “Master craftsman?” Mr. Humboldt’s eyes almost touched his receding hairline at this news.

  “Yes. He was very well known in New Orleans before Katrina. Name of Elijah Devereux?”

  “Oh Elijah? Yes, he’s one of my hardest workers in spite of his age. You say he was a master craftsman?”

  “Yes indeed. I’ve seen some of his work. Superb.”

  “Really? It seems I had a treasure I wasn’t aware of,” Mr. Humboldt admitted.

  Tony’s hand swept through the shop, “Well, I guess it’s understandable what with so many?” Amos laughed and then excused himself to go find Elijah. His head was spinning at the news that he had a craftsman of repute working in his back room. If Anton Romanov wanted him specifically, he truly must be something special.

  “Elijah? Can I see you for a minute?” he called.

  Elijah was knee deep in work, but he lifted his head, eyes still absent and fixed them on Amos, “Yes boss, what can I do for you?”

  “There’s a man outside, asking for your particular expertise. He’s an important client so give him whatever he wants.”

  “Oh? He asked for me especially?” Elijah asked curiously, removing his eyepiece.

  “Yes come on, we don’t want to keep him waiting.”

  Elijah hustled forward completely gobsmacked. He pushed aside the curtain that separated the back room from the shop and his eyes fell on the customer standing casually across the counter, studying rings. He almost burst out laughing when he saw who it was but managed not to.

  “Hallo sir,” he said, eyes twinkling, “I understand you are in need of my services.”

  “Yes,” Tony replied, “I need to formally ask for your granddaughter’s hand in marriage and I also need for you to make the rings.”

  Elijah’s head went back and he studied Tony for a while, “Well, young man, this is all very sudden. When would you require these rings?”

  “As soon as possible.”

  “Any specific instructions?”

  “Yes, I want a Belle Epoque antique Russian Diamond ring, 21 diamonds, approximately 0.83 ct TW set in silver over 14k gold. Furthermore, I want the ring to be chased with symbols of clover leaf similar to that on her engagement ring and an emerald set in the centre. Can you do it?”

  “Does water flow downstream? No blood diamonds of course?” he paused for Tony’s nod, “Do you need the stones to come from Russia?”

  “I have the stones that you can re-cut.”

  “This is delicate work. It might take more than a day or two.”

  “Take the time you need. Not too much though. We wouldn’t want to give Sophie any time to change her mind would we?”

  “Apparently we wouldn’t,” Elijah laughed. “As for my permission, I believe the expected form is for you to present for her hand in her presence. So be at the house promptly at eight tonight for my answer.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Well, I must get to work. I expect you and Mr. Humboldt can hammer out terms.”

  “Indeed.”

  Elijah gave him a mock salute and disappeared into the back. Amos watched him go with his mouth open in shock. He realised his mouth was open and closed it and then turned back to Tony to talk price. He had just opened his mouth to do so when Tony beat him to it.

  “Do you have a piece of paper?” He asked.

  “Of course,” Amos said and reached for the writing pad, sliding across to Tony.

  “You can pick up the necessary jewels at this address,” he said writing it down, “This is how much I will pay, as long as Elijah gets 20% commission for actually doing the work,” he continued writing down a number.

  Amos picked up the paper and studied the number for a moment. Then he looked up with a smile on his face and said, “You have a deal Mr. Romanov. And congratulations on your upcoming marriage.”

  “Thank you Amos. I will see you soon., Tony said as he left the shop. He fished out his phone to call Samuel to pick him up.

  “Where to now Mr. Romanov?” Samuel asked as he settled Tony into the back seat.

  “Vera Wang.”

  “Shall I call ahead to let her know we are on the way?”

  “Do that,” Tony said as his own phone rang. It was Curtis, Tony saw with trepidation. Was this it?

  “Hello,” he said.

  “Tony. I have some good news or bad news depending on how you see it.”


  “You found the final destination.”

  “I have.”

  “And?”

  “It’s a bank. In Russia. Registered to a co-operation.”

  “What is the name of this co-operation?”

  “It’s called Anastasia Aleksandrova”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “And what does this co-operation do?”

  “It has a P.O box number registered to it, but that’s all I can get.”

  “I see. Thank you Curtis.”

  “Would you like me to notify the authorities?”

  “No. Just plug the leaks, I’ll do the rest.”

  “On it.”

  Tony hung up and then called his chef.

  “Vladimir, I’ll be needing you to prepare a wedding feast sometime in the next two weeks can you do that?”

  “Is a cat fond of licking its privates?”

  “Wonderful. I will give you exact dates as soon as I have them.”

  “Vonderfyul. May I ask whose wedding I am catering?”

  “Mine.”

  “ Zhelayu vam vsego nailuchshego v zhizni!” Vladimir said.

  “Thank you for the good wishes Vladimir. I appreciate it,” Tony said and hung up. He sat back and sighed. Perhaps getting the wedding dress would be overstepping he thought. He leaned forward to address Samuel.

  “Change of plans Samuel. We need to go to City Hall.”

  “Sir, it’s almost lunch time. Don’t you have a date?”

  “Er, yes I do. Thank you for the reminder. You are so clearly not under Sophie’s spell. Let’s go pick her up; she’ll need to sign for the marriage certificate too anyway.”

  “Shall I call ahead to have her waiting?” Samuel asked.

  “No. I’ll do that. Thank you Samuel.”

  *****

  Samuel increased the volume of the music in an attempt to drown out the goings on in the back. The partition was not completely soundproof and they were being particularly loud. He thanked God that it wasn’t always like this. And Miss Sophie was Mr. Tony’s wife to be after all.

  Sophie pulled back a bit from Tony’s lips, causing him to make incoherent protest.

  “Listen,” she said, cocking her head with a huge grin on her face.

  “What?” Tony asked, eyes on her lips.

  “The song Samuel’s playing,” Sophie said, laughing as Tony’s wandering hands began to snake into places they really shouldn’t.

  Tony cocked his head to listen and then laughed too, “Partition; by the Queen Bee. How appropriate. Come here.”

  Sophie came but she was giggling so much that Tony couldn’t kiss her properly. Her soft breath on his face made him grin too, and before they could resolve their problems the car came to a stop. Sophie looked out of the window at the tall building before them.

  “What are we doing here?” she asked.

  “Getting a marriage license. What else?” Tony replied, “Now get off my lap so I can open the door.”

  Sophie slid off without protest, but her heart beat had begun to escalate again. Well, it was already going pretty fast what with Tony’s fingers doing unspeakable things to her insides, but still; this was a different kind of excitement. More akin to fear. Was she doing the right thing here? His father clearly hated her, and she couldn’t just leave her grandfather alone.

  Tony leaned in to take her hand and help her out. She hesitated, then took it, alighting from the vehicle with her head down.

  “Sophie? What’s wrong?” he asked.

  She looked up at him and he saw the fear in her eyes.

  “Do you love me Sophie?” he asked softly.

  Sophie stared at him, wondering that she’d never asked that question of herself, or him. She had just assumed…it went with the territory. Of course she loved him, how could she not? Did she doubt that he loved her? Looking into those ice blue eyes of his she couldn’t really deny the feeling she saw there. How strange.

  “Of course I do,” she said.

  “Then we’ll work out the rest. Okay?” he said staring her dead in the eye. She nodded as if hypnotized. God damn those eyes. Who could resist them?

  As they left the City Hall forty five minutes later, Tony turned to Sophie, “I almost went to Vera Wang and got you a wedding dress this morning before I remembered it’s not done.”

  “Woah, dodged a bullet there didn’t you? Vera Wang does not flatter my figure.”

  “I can’t imagine anything that wouldn’t flatter your figure,” Tony replied with an appreciative look at her behind. Sophie rolled her eyes. “I prefer Chanel anyway. If that’s okay with you, of course,” she replied a bit snidely.

  “Wonderful, shall we go now?”

  “We aren’t going anywhere. I’ll get my own wedding dress thank you.”

  “Don’t you want company?”

  “If I want a second opinion, I’m sure grandpa or Curtis would be glad to give it.”

  “Not to be nosy, but…how come you don’t have a gaggle of gossiping female friends?”

  “Wow. What a way to put it,” Sophie said, rolling her eyes again.

  “You know what I mean.”

  Sophie sighed, “One word. Katrina.”

  “Ah. So you haven’t made new friends since you moved here?”

  “I haven’t had time to make those kinds of friends. I mean I say hello to my neighbors when I see them in the corridors and Curtis kind of pushed his way into my life but…well. It’s been hard.”

  “You were wounded.”

  “We are wounded. We just got better at hiding it.”

  “I’m sorry. I wish I could make it better,” Tony said taking hold of her hand and squeezing hard.

  “You are,” Sophie said, smiling at him. She was surprised to realize that it was even true.

  *****

  Roman Petrov walked into the shop and triggered the bell which made Cara look up. She didn’t smile as she had when his son had walked in that same door a few days earlier, but she stood and opened the partition so he could pass through.

  “Where is Mikhail?” he asked without preamble.

  “In his workshop,” Cara told him, avoiding his eye. He stepped past her and walked into the back room and down the stairs to the basement workroom in which his brother Mikhail conducted most of his business.

  “Mikhail,” Roman said as he reached the bottom step.

  A shaggy gray-haired man turned around to look at Mikhail with identical steely gray eyes.

  “Roman,” he said, with a movement of his lips that could be taken as a smile, “What can I do for you?”

  “My son, who I left in your care, is acting even more like a fool than usual.”

  “And what do you expect me to do about it?”

  “Find out what he is up to with this so-called audit.”

  “What do you care what he is up to? It is after all, his own business.”

  “He is my son. His business is my business.”

  “Is that so? Well, it’s not my business so....” Mikhail said, turning his back on Roman.

  Roman grabbed his arm and turned him back, “I don’t have time for this. Are you going to do this for me or not Mikhail? You owe me.”

  “I do not owe you this,” Mikhail said shaking his head.

  “You owe me whatever I say you owe me.”

  “I can’t help you with this Roman.”

  Roman stared at him, narrowing his eyes, “You can’t help me with this? So what can you help me with?”

  “Anton was here recently. He was looking for someone; a boy,” Mikhail informed him.

  “A boy. And what did he want with this boy?”

  “He didn’t say, but it was an extreme priority for him.”

  “Who is this boy?”

  “His name is Solomon Devereux.”

  “Did you find him?”

  *****

  The April Shower had been rearranged with garlands of fresh white and yellow flowers everywhere. Cons
idering the season this was quite a feat to pull, off but Elijah had described Sophie’s parents’ wedding to Tony and he wanted to get as close as he could to that. Cleo and Abel’s wedding had been in the bayou in the middle of summer and the only decorations had been flowers. Lots and lots of flowers. But here, they were on the tail end of winter in Boston and so flowers everywhere was not exactly practical. Still, Tony had gotten as close as possible. White rose petals carpeted the floor of the restaurant and vases of flowers dotted the room. It was a small crowd; a few of Sophie’s workmates including Curtis, Anton’s uncle Mikhail and his aunt Cara, his employees at the restaurant and Samuel. Elijah and Sophie were upstairs in Tony’s office preparing. Sophie was applying the finishing touches to her make up as Elijah sat waiting in the rocking chair. Tony already stood at the front of the room with the Orthodox priest awaiting her descent. Next to him was Vladimir, his chef and teacher smiling from ear to ear. He had liked Sophie ever since she’d walked barefoot into his kitchen slightly drunk from Black Russian. He had especially liked her for Tony, who had been alone for too long. A man needed a companion he could rely on, and Sophie was definitely that – Vladimir could see that.

  Sophie could hardly see to put on her makeup she felt so dizzy. Her hands were shaky and so were her knees.

  “I never dreamed I’d get married,” she confessed to her grandfather, “Scratch that. I never thought I’d fall in love. And yet here we are.”

  “I always knew you would. Your heart is too big not to attract love,” Elijah said.

  “Aw, G-Money, you have to say things like that. I’m your only known living relative.”

  “Ha! That shows how much you know. I have a cousin twice removed in Louisiana and an aunt in New Jersey.”

  “Oh really? An aunt? How old is she, like a thousand years old?”

  “Ageism, mmhpm! Actually she’s younger than you.”

  Sophie turned to stare incredulously at her grandfather, shook her head and finished applying her makeup, “I expect they’re waiting. We gotta go.”