Dangerous Deception (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series)

by Angelo, Judy

  ******

  “Are you being good over there?” Dani chuckled into the phone. "Remember, I’m not there watching over you so I’m depending on you to be responsible.”

  “Come on, Dani. I’m a grown man. I know what I’m doing.” Brian’s voice was tinged with amusement. “You can stop being a mother hen now.”

  “Never will,” she retorted. “As long as I’m your big sister you’ll have to put up with it. Even when you’re married.”

  Brian groaned then they both laughed.

  Ever since he’d gone away to university Dani hadn’t let a day pass without speaking to him. She knew she’d have to loosen the reins and let him find his own way but she wasn’t ready. Not yet. After being his sole caretaker for the past four years it was hard to let go of her kid brother.

  “Thanks for the money you put in my account yesterday,” Brian said. “It came just in time for me to pay for my uniform. We have our first game tomorrow.”

  “Cool. Wish I could be there to watch you cream them.”

  “Sis, such violence,” Brian reprimanded with a laugh.

  “That’s how I get by in life,” she said unapologetically. “You do what you have to do.” That had always been Dani’s philosophy. She was practical and focused and dealt with life’s issues head on.

  They chatted for another few minutes then she glanced at her watch. “Listen Brian, I have to go. I’ve got to be somewhere by five.”

  “How come you’re always running out in the evenings? Do you have another job?” Brian sounded concerned.

  “Don’t you worry your head about that,” she told her brother. “You just focus on getting good grades and being the best hockey player you can be.”

  “But Dani, I don’t-”

  “Leave it alone, Brian.”

  “Okay, but there was one more thing I wanted to tell you.”

  “Fine, but make it quick.” She glanced at her watch again. She could spare him three more minutes.

  “I’m getting a part-time job off campus.”

  “You’re what? Why would you want to do that?”

  "I heard about a student exchange program and I want to go. I need to get a job to pay the fee. Can you imagine spending a whole year in Europe?” Brian spoke excitedly. “There’s this guy who offered me a part-time sales job. I’ll start next week.”

  “No part-time jobs off campus,” Dani said in her strongest ‘sister in charge’ voice. “You’re at school to study, not to take on jobs on the side. A few hours of on-campus work is okay but no jobs that will take you away from your studies."

  “But the deposit is due next month. I really want to go.”

  "I’ll take care of it," she said with greater confidence than she felt. "Just send me the details.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure I don’t want you working when you’re supposed to be studying. Now you be good. I’ve got to go."

  She hung up the phone and reached for her chauffeur’s hat. As she stuffed her thick hair under the crown her mind raced. Another bill for Brian and this one would run in the thousands. Where the heck would she get the money by next month? Every time she thought she finally had things under control something new came along and then she was back in the hole.

  There was no time to dwell on that right now, though. She had a pick-up in half an hour and she could not afford to be late. When she got back she’d brainstorm. Her priority - how to make more money. Fast.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The week flew by too fast for Dani. Maybe it was because her three and four year old charges were particularly rambunctious that week, or maybe it was because Tony had overwhelmed her with pick-ups late into the night. Before she knew it Saturday had come around again and she was on her way to pick up her billionaire, Storm Hunter.

  As she drove along the highway her mind went back to her conversation with Brian. It had been four days since they spoke and she was no closer to a money making idea than she’d been then. She couldn’t take another job. There were just so many hours in the day and it wasn’t like she could go without sleep.

  If she couldn’t increase her income then she’d have to cut her expenses. She didn’t spend much on clothes and even less on entertainment. Who had the time to go out anyway? That only left one thing - housing. As much as she loved her apartment in Hyde Park she’d have to give it up and move to a cheaper place. She grimaced. She was not looking forward to moving farther away from Applewood School. She’d hate having to fight traffic to get to work.

  Dani was forced to drag her thoughts back to the present. She was now at the gate of the Vanderbilt residence and would have to identify herself before being allowed onto the estate. She put the car in park, hopped out and went to press the button of the intercom then as the gate swung open she ran back to the car then drove slowly up the driveway. A couple of limos were already ahead of her so she pulled into the parking area alongside them and waited.

  And waited.

  Dani looked at her watch for what must have been the tenth time then she leaned her head back and groaned. Ten forty-two. She’d been scheduled to pick up Storm Hunter at ten o’clock but he was nowhere in sight. A few more limos had arrived in the last forty-five minutes and they all sat there waiting.

  Finally, when it was almost eleven o’clock people began to exit and either head to their cars or their waiting limos. Dani ended up waiting another ten minutes before she spied Storm coming out of the front door, a voluptuous blonde on his arm.

  By this time she was not a happy camper. He was almost an hour late which meant she’d end up signing off way past midnight.

  As Storm and the woman approached, Dani tried to be professional and put a polite smile on her lips. It didn’t work. Her lips stretched across her teeth but it must have looked more like a grimace than a smile. She couldn’t help it. She’d never been good at playing the hypocrite.

  “Hey, kid. Ready to roll?” Storm was laughing with the woman, probably at some private joke, and he looked like he’d just had the time of his life. Or was just about to.

  I’ve been ready to roll for over an hour, she thought sourly. Still, she didn’t give voice to her thought. With a brisk nod she opened the limousine door and held it wide for the smiling couple.

  Storm helped the woman inside then just before he got in he looked directly into Dani’s eyes. “What’s your name? It’s getting kind of old to keep calling you kid.”

  “Dani,” she said, averting her eyes from his gaze.

  “Danny. Cool. Let's get going then.”

  He slid in and Dani closed the door with a click.

  Let’s get going, he said. Not even a word of apology for being late. That was probably one of the perks of being a billionaire - never having to say you’re sorry.

  For this journey Dani made sure to keep the tinted glass rolled up. She had absolutely no desire to play voyeur or to even hear what her passengers were up to. But, like last time, half way through the journey there was a tap on the glass and she was forced to roll it down.

  “Chauffeur,” the blonde said, “can you make a detour, please? Storm needs to make a quick stop at the nearest drugstore.”

  Dani glanced in the rear view mirror. Storm was looking comfortable, his long frame stretched along the seat, and he was stifling a yawn.

  “I’m good, Chrystelle,” he said through the yawn. “No detours necessary.”

  The woman turned to him with a frown. “Are you sure? I thought you’d run out-”

  “Nope, I've got some. We just need to get home. It’s been a long night.”

  “Okay, whatever you say.” She leaned back against the seat with a sigh.

  Dani didn’t wait to see any more. She jabbed the button to close the window and shut them out of her sight.

  What was that all about? Her mind told her it could only be one thing, something she didn’t even want to think about. But there it was. The thought crossed her mind and she could not get rid of it. They’d run
out of condoms, or at least that was what the woman thought, and she’d wanted Dani to take them to replenish their stock. The nerve of her.

  Dani gritted her teeth, angry that the insensitive couple - Storm and the woman both - had dragged her into their private affair. But there was another reason for her anger, a far more frightening one if she dared admit it to herself. She scowled, fighting the thought with every fiber of her being. Then after several minutes berating herself she gave a sigh of resignation. It was no use. Who was she kidding? Storm Hunter was with his date for the night, probably his lover, and she was jealous.

  She could have kicked herself, she was so mad. How stupid could she be? She had absolutely no right to be jealous. She was only the chauffeur, for goodness sake, and one who was supposed to be a man. At least in his eyes. What made it worse, even if he'd known she was a woman she knew without a doubt that he’d have absolutely no interest in her. Why would he? He was a playboy billionaire with women falling at his feet and she was nothing more than a struggling schoolteacher with a brother to support. Why would he even give her the time of day?

  Stupid to even think about it but that was how the mind worked. Her crazy brain had a mind of its own.

  By the time they pulled into Storm’s driveway Dani had regained control of her wandering thoughts and had stifled her wild emotions. She was back to her old self - solid, practical and calm. She went and opened the door then stepped back, confident that her face was expressionless and bland.

  She had the hard task of staying serene when Storm got out of the car and held out his hand for the woman he’d called Chrystelle. She giggled and leaned into him so that he was forced to put his arm around her to prevent her from falling.

  “Oh, Storm,” she crooned, “you’re such a gentleman.”

  He only gave her a crooked smile then looked at Dani. “Thanks, kid…Danny. You’re on duty next weekend?”

  “Every weekend, sir,” Dani answered stiffly.

  “Hey, no need to be so formal,” Storm said with a laugh. “That’s what you’d say to my old man, not me.” Chrystelle began to sag and he wrapped his arms tighter around her. “Have Tony book you again for my pick-up.” He was turning to go when he paused. “In fact, I’m heading to the airport early on Monday. I don’t feel like driving so you can take me. I’ll have my assistant arrange it.” As he turned away he said, “See you then, kid.”

  Dani did not answer. He’d forgotten her name already. So if she was of so little consequence to him why did he insist on asking for her? It didn’t make much sense. All the other drivers had been with the company for years. He probably knew them all, so why not ask for them? There were only two things that made her unique. She was a woman, which he knew nothing about, and she was the youngest on the team. That must be it. He must really enjoy calling her ‘kid’.

  As soon as she’d slammed the door shut she got into the car and started the engine, studiously keeping her eyes on the roadway ahead. She had no desire to see them go into the house together, no wish to prolong the torture. She’d had enough for one night.

  As the wheels crunched on the graveled driveway she breathed a prayer but it was not a happy one. Dear God, why did I have to meet Storm Hunter? Why did I have to be attracted to him, and why does he keep requesting me?

  She got no answer except the thought that she’d better get over this crush in quick time or else she would be in a heck of a lot of trouble. She’d been scared that she’d looked forward to meeting Storm again but things were worse now. The fact that she’d admitted to herself that she was actually attracted to the man was positively terrifying.

  ******

  “Here you go, Chrystelle. Just take this and you’ll feel better in no time.” Storm walked over to the sofa where his guest lay like a daintily withering flower. “You’ve held up pretty good so far but there’s no use torturing yourself any longer.”

  Chrystelle gave a soft groan and straightened up slowly. “It’s so hard to put on a brave face all the time. It’s exhausting.”

  “As long as you’re here you don’t have to,” he said and sat down beside her. “Now here. Take this.”

  She took the aspirin from his hand and popped it into her mouth. Then she reached out a delicate hand for the glass. When the last drop of water was gone she pushed the glass back into Storm’s hand and rested her head against the plush cushions. “Thanks, Storm. I needed that.”

  “I know,” he said and patted her hand. “Now close your eyes and try to get some rest till Jack gets here.”

  The words had hardly left his mouth before a soft sigh escaped Chrystelle’s lips. She’d fallen fast asleep.

  Storm smiled and went to the kitchen where he put on a pot of coffee. They'd both had enough to drink for one night. He would just sip a steamy cup of the brew while he waited for his friend to come and pick up his wife.

  He’d known Jack and Chrystelle since college and, from freshman year, he’d always known they would be a pair. Where Jack was a spontaneous adventurer Chrystelle was generally level headed and calm. They were the perfect complement to each other. When they told him they were getting married he wasn’t the least bit surprised. It was like they’d been made for each other.

  Tonight Jack had had to rush off from the party early to do an emergency C-Section at Chicago General, leaving Chrystelle in Storm’s care. She was used to this kind of thing. As one of Chicago’s top surgeons he was called on at all hours of the day and night. Tonight was just more of the same. Storm had readily agreed for Chrystelle to chill with him knowing that Jack would come by as soon as his magic hands had done their thing. He was quick, he was efficient and he was the best.

  As Storm sipped his black coffee his mind wandered to the young chauffeur who’d taken him home for the second time in the space of a week. Danny, he’d said his name was. He frowned as he thought about the kid. There was something about him, something he couldn’t put his finger on, that was needling him but what it was he couldn’t tell. And that was why he’d asked him to take him to the airport on Monday. He had to get to the bottom of his unexplainable interest in this young man.

  As a kid he’d always pestered his parents for a little brother and was more than pissed each time they produced a girl. But that couldn’t be it, could it? He was almost thirty years old. He must have gotten over his ‘kid brother’ obsession by now.

  He took another sip of coffee then shrugged. By the time Monday came around he was sure he’d figure it out. With his baby face and huge dark eyes Danny probably reminded him of one of his younger cousins. That had to be it.

  Storm nodded in satisfaction. Mystery solved.

  ******

  Today was going to be a great day. Dani was sure of it. How could it not, when she’d received such a wonderful surprise this past weekend?

  After leaving Storm Hunter’s residence Dani had driven the limousine back to headquarters and she was fuming. Midnight had long gone and now she had to make her way home, another twenty minute drive. She wasn’t going to make it to bed until after one o’clock in the morning. Dani groaned just thinking about it. If there was one thing she loved it was her sleep and she was getting less and less of it each day.

  She was surprised to see Tony still in the office when she went to drop off her key. She'd expected to see the night manager on duty.

  “Ben called in sick,” he explained, then he handed her a check.

  “What’s this?” she asked with a frown. “It’s not pay day.”

  “No, but it’s like pay day for you,” Tony said with a smile. “That’s from Storm Hunter. He told me to charge his account for the amount and write you a check. It’s his tip for the two times you dropped him home.”

  Dani stared at the check then at her boss. She glared at him. “Is this a joke? Because if it is I’m not amused.”

  “No joke,” he said, putting up his hands and backing off in mock fear. “The check is as real as the one you got last pay day.”

  “Are you
serious?” Dani said with a gasp. “This is more than I make for a week.”

  “I know,” Tony said with a grin. “Now aren’t you glad I assigned you to a big tipper? Although he seemed to have gone overboard with you. I’ve never seeing him tip quite so generously.” Then his grin disappeared and his eyes narrowed. “Did you tell him you’re a woman?”

  “Of course I didn’t,” Dani retorted. “How could you even think that?”

  Tony waved his hand. “Forget I said that. Just take the money and be grateful. I’m sure it will come in handy.”

  “Will it ever,” she said with a grin and tucked it into her pocket. This would be the first installment on Brian’s trip to Europe.

  And that was why this fine Monday, although it was only five o’clock in the morning, she was in a good mood. She was beginning to see light at the end of her tunnel and it was all because of Storm Hunter. Just for that she would ditch her serious face and be especially nice to him. He more than deserved it.

  This time when she pulled up in front of his door he was ready. She would deposit him at the airport and he’d probably make his way to an exclusive lounge and then head off on a private jet. Then she would do a quick turnaround, get the limo back to base then dash home to change so she’d be at Applewood school by eight thirty on the dot.

  After giving Storm a cheerful good morning which got her a sour look from an obviously still sleepy Storm, she opened the door for him then went to deposit his luggage in the trunk. That took some doing. There were only two full sized suitcases and a carry-on bag but the second suitcase felt like he’d either packed it with lead or had stuffed a dead body in it. While he lounged inside the car she pushed and shoved till she got them in, almost giving herself a hernia in the process. Still, she did it without a murmur of complaint. Whatever this man put her through, overweight bags or no, it was worth it.

  Storm seemed to wake up on his way to the airport. With the glass partition down there was nothing to stop him from carrying on a conversation with her and for the first time since they’d met he seemed to take a genuine interest in her.