My Beastly Billionaire (The Grimwood Legacy Series Book 1)

by Jackie Castle

  * * * *

  Elisa buried her face in her hands to hide the sight of the picture of her dancing with Duncan. “Why would he…? This makes no sense?”

  Her sister, Belinda, had spotted the magazine at the airport coffee shop and brought it along with her. She’d come right away when Elisa answered the phone in tears over being fired from her job. “I’ll lose my apartment. Kelly threatened to make sure that nobody would want to hire me if I messed up again.”

  Belinda, anger causing her voice to tremble, demanded, “You’ve done nothing to begin with, Lis. Stop acting like you deserve this. You don’t.” She took the paper out of Elisa’s view. “I must say, you were beautiful in that dress. No wonder he fell head over heels for you, Lis.”

  Elisa could only shake her head, her forehead still held up by her hands. “I was a…a diversion, evidently. He’s not even called me.”

  “Did you give him your number?” Belinda asked, holding the picture closer to her face.

  “I asked Kelly—”

  “Please, do not mention that snake’s name. She probably ate that paper for lunch. I’m glad you’re rid of her shackles.”

  Elisa finally straightened, her mouth hanging open. How could her sister say that?

  “Don’t look at me like that, Lis. I mean it. I’m not sure how, but it wouldn’t surprise me to find out she never gave him your note. I’m sure she was totally jealous that it wasn’t her who was stuck at that mansion.” She set the paper in her lap. “Stop pouting. You had a wonderful weekend and met a fantastic guy. And now your future is wide open.”

  “A guy who might have, have…how did they get that photo? He had to have….” She shook her head. “But he seemed so worried about trusting me at first. Margaret told me of how the family had problems with people selling stories about them to the press. He was so guarded at first.”

  Belinda tossed the paper onto the table. “Well, I’m not sure what really happened, but I think you’re right. It wasn’t Duncan Grimwood who passed that picture around or that story. I mean, the look on his face is…” her gaze darted toward Elisa as she smiled and shrugged. “I wish a man would look at me that way.”

  “You’re married.”

  “Yeah, well, after a couple of kids, the looks we give each other have slightly changed.” She made a horrified expression, then straightened up. “Besides, I know you. You do not shack up with men. This article is pure fabrication. The only truth was that you stayed there through Thanksgiving.”

  Elisa rubbed her hands over her face. “Do you think Mom and Dad will see this? Didn’t you say it was in several magazines?”

  “Eh, mainly those rumor rags. Don’t worry about them, they raised us right and will believe whatever you say.” She stood. “Let’s go collect your stuff from the office. I’m going with you, no arguments. Just let that hag try to say one rude thing and I’ll,” Belinda clenched her fist threateningly.

  “All the more reason for me to leave you here.”

  Her sister laughed. “I’m teasing, Lis. Come on, let’s get this over with, then you and I are going shopping, and we’re getting sushi and maybe even a pedi. On me.”

  Elisa made herself get up from her pathetic puddle of misery and collect the boxes she’d found by the dumpster. “That won’t be necessary.”

  “Oh, it is so necessary. I’ve been given a free weekend from the kids. I’m not wasting this little blessing. Let’s go.”

  * * * *

  One thing Elisa refused to do was to enter the office acting all hang-dog. So, she’d talked Belinda into shopping and stopping at the nail salon first. Not only did it put off the thing she was dreading, but at least when she faced her former co-workers, she’d look good.

  Elisa opted for the works: haircut and style, facial and her nails done. Belinda’s husband made good money, she could afford it. Elisa wasn’t worried too much about being unemployed, she had a good-sized nest egg to fall back on. If she was careful, she could get through the next six months at least.

  The big problem would be in figuring out what she should do next.

  “Okay,” Belinda coaxed in the elevator up to Stewart Décor’s floor. “Remember, you don’t need them. This is their loss, got it? You walk in there as if this is the best day of your life.”

  “Got it, coach! Now, will you stop?” Elisa wondered if the elevator would just keep going and never stop like the Willy Wonka’s elevator. Fly away…far away…. She shook her head. That wasn’t helping either.

  When the doors slid open, Elisa straightened her back and headed for the reception desk. “Please don’t say anything. You’re here to help me pack so we can go have that sushi.” At least she had that one thing to keep her mind focused on something to look forward to.

  Belinda pulled an imaginary zipper across her lips.

  That meant nothing. A zipper could be reopened. She glared one last warning at her sister, hoped for the best.

  Kelly’s assistant, Cari, sat at the front desk, a holiday coffee cup sitting at her elbow as she typed away on the computer.

  “Elisa,” Cari stood, smoothing the wrinkles from her skirt, her face a mask of sympathy. “Follow me. I was so sorry to hear about what happened. We’re going to miss you. By the way, Kelly said that I need to collect your phone. If you need time to clean it off, please do so. I’m sure I can find a spare jump drive? Unless you know how to….”

  “I'll figure it out,” Elisa said. She’d forgotten that Kelly had provided her employees with a company phone. She had several pictures that she wanted to keep, along with a couple of numbers.

  “Well, when you’re done, just leave the phone and your keys on the desk.” She stopped at the door of Elisa’s office. “I am sorry. But I bet you’ll find something quick. You’re really good. I always loved your ideas.”

  Soon as the door closed behind her, Elisa turned to Belinda. “Do you know how to reset a phone? I’d rather Kelly not be able to read through all my text or have access to my pictures.” Especially the last one. She shuddered, then paused. Kelly had seen that picture.

  Belinda was filling one of the boxes with her design books. “Yep and that’s a great idea. You should have had a private line, anyway, Lis. Let this be your lesson.”

  “Right.” She connected the phone to her tablet and began transferring the pictures she wanted to keep, along with her contacts. Maybe, if she did ever start up her own business, she’d have a list of potential customers to call. Plus, her family and friends were on that list. Doing a factory reset should take care of data falling into Kelly’s hands.

  By the time all the files had transferred, there was a soft knock at the door. Elisa had dreaded this part, the having to say goodbye, the sorrowful looks. She waved in the one person who Elisa would consider a friend at this place, Regan. She was a low-level employee and still in college.

  Regan closed the door behind her and came around the desk, wrapping Elisa in a hug. “It’s not fair. I know you wouldn’t have broken that vase, you’re too careful with customer’s belongings. Even if it was a hotel.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” Elisa patted her back, hoping she’d make this quick or the make-up job Belinda paid big bucks for would be ruined when the tears started falling again. “What’s done is done. Maybe this will be a good thing. I know God has me.”

  “I’ve always admired your faith,” Regan said, twisting a piece of paper between her hands. “Oh, I…well, when I found this it was crumpled up. I just hope it’s nothing important.” She looked over her shoulder one more time, then handed Elisa the envelope. “I…I was hesitant about giving it to you at first. Kelly will know I gave it to you, I’m the only one around here who empties the trash receptacles. I saw it laying in there a couple of days ago. I’d heard her talking to Lucy about needing to find a reason to get rid of you. After she left, I was cleaning up and saw it.”

  Elisa opened the flap of the parchment-like paper. Inside was an invitation. And a note.

  “I know you, E
lisa,” Regan said in a low voice. “I know what everyone is saying isn’t true. You might have gotten snowed in, but you…well, people can be so cruel sometimes. I’m not sure what I’m going to do without you here.” Regan grabbed her hands again. “If you ever do start your own company, and I so think you should, I hope you’ll think of me. I’d come to work for you in a heartbeat. So, would a few others.” She hugged her one more time, then said she needed to go. She had papers she was supposed to be copying.

  Belinda set the box on her desk. “What is it?”

  “An invitation to Duncan’s gala, along with his phone number.” The note simply said, Please call me. D.

  “Well,” Belinda asked. “Are you?”

  Elisa shook her head. “No. And I’m not going to that party, either.”

  Belinda narrowed her gaze.

  “No. Everyone there will think I’ve been…been…. Absolutely not. I’m done with all that. As you said, this is my chance for a new start.”

  “What if Duncan Grimwood is supposed to be your new start? You’re not even giving him a chance? At least call him.”

  Elisa thrust the phone at her sister. “I can’t. Please reset that. I have what I need. Let’s get the rest of my stuff. I’m starved.

  An hour later, they were waiting for a table at their favorite Chinese restaurant. Belinda was on her phone, talking to her husband and checking on the kids. “I’ll be home tomorrow, I promise.” Belinda glanced her way.

  Elisa was busy playing with her new phone, the one they stopped off to purchase after leaving the office. She’d need to call her parents tomorrow and let them know what happened if Belinda didn’t beat her to it.

  After they were seated and had placed their order, Belinda folded her arms and gave Elisa that same look she gave her kids when they were doing something dumb.

  “Don’t start with me about the party.” Elisa unrolled the napkin and draped it over her lap. “As I said earlier, God has me. If Kelly had anything to do with this, He’ll take care of her. You’ll see, something will happen.” Soon, she hoped. “Besides, I’d have to buy a dress. And then there’s a two-hour drive out there.”

  “You still have the rental and don’t you need to pick up your Jeep anyway?”

  “Monday. I mean, it’s ready. But I told them I’d be there Monday. I’ll have nowhere to stay the night.”

  Belinda rolled her eyes. “I have one word for you.”

  Elisa blew out a frustrated breath, wishing her sister would just let this go. “Okay, only one word then you need to drop it.”

  A smile pulled at her sister’s lips before she said, “Jehoshaphat.”

  Elisa’s brows furrowed as she slowly shook her head. “He was a king, from the Bible. What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Are you asking? Because that will take more than one word to explain.” Belinda’s smug grin annoyed Elisa. She had her. This she needed to hear.

  “Fine. What does Jehoshaphat have to do with my problems?”

  Belinda slowly unrolled her napkin as she explained. “He had three armies marching right to his front door and no military power to fight them. His people were doomed. So, like you, they turned to God for an answer. And God said—”

  Elisa recalled the story and finished, “The battle wasn’t Jehoshaphat’s but His. God said he would take care of their problem. That’s what I’ve been saying, Lindy.”

  “Right.” Belinda shook out the napkin and let it fall across her knees. “But first he had to march out to meet their enemy. No fear. But also, no sitting back and waiting for things to happen. Or waiting for the dust to settle. God will indeed watch out for His own, but sometimes we have to put on our marching boots and face our adversaries, show them they aren’t the boss of us. I think God wants us to march so that we’ll have a front-row seat when He starts to move.” She sipped at her tea, giving Elisa a wink.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Suzette came into the gym about the time Duncan was finishing his round of exercises. She stopped in front of the treadmill, resting her elbows on the monitor. She held an envelope in her hand. Flowers and butterflies adorned the front of the creamy paper.

  “Someone who writes as kind of a note as your friend did, isn’t someone who is devious enough to sell a story that could cause you harm. You should read how she wrote about your kindness and how talented she thought we both were. That God has blessed us both in such a mighty way. Then she thanked me for sharing my gifts.” Suzette flicked her wrist and walked over to the bike machine. Her raven hair was tied up in a messy bun on top of her head, but her face was made up and her workout clothes were still fashionable as always. “Nobody has ever thanked me for what I do. Have you ever been thanked for what you do?”

  Duncan was in the cool-down portion of his walk. He considered her question. “When I’ve made something personal for someone, then they’ve thanked me. But, you’re right. When I make a design to be put in the stores, all I ever hear is if there was an interest in it or not.”

  Suzette started pedaling. “Well, I don’t know who sold that picture, but I seriously doubt it was…what did you say her name was?”

  “Elisa.” He came to a stop and stepped down, wiping the sweat from the back of his neck with his towel. “Elisa Lucken. I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

  Margaret had her phone number the whole time.

  “I’m not sure why I didn’t think to ask Margaret. She and Elisa got on splendidly together.” He signed and went to lift a few weights. “Except, when I called the number she gave me, it went to the company voice mail.”

  “I saw the other pictures Marg took, Dumkins.” She stopped pedaling and leaned forward on the handgrips. “I saw the way you were looking at her. Deny that you’ve already fallen in love, and I’ll call you a liar.” She winked her darkly lined eye.

  He said nothing but was sure his grin told his sister everything she already suspected. Yes, he had been starting to fall in love. When he’d first seen the pictures and read the article, he’d been so devastated to think she’d do such a thing. But after thinking over all that Elisa had said and done, he simply couldn’t believe it. There had to be an explanation. Hopefully, she’d come tonight, and he’d finally have a chance to see her.

  Barbara was trying to track down Elisa’s address, but she was swamped with other things to do.

  First things first, anyway. He had to get through tonight.

  After that, he’d find out who leaked that story and make sure they regretted it.

  * * * *

  Music played in the background. Security guards stood at every entrance to his house. Glass display cases had been set up in the library, food in the formal living, and dancing in the main foyer by the tree. People seemed to be enjoying themselves. He’d allowed Barbara to invite no more than fifty guests. And only those who were in the jewelry business, with the exception of a couple of extras.

  Duncan had spotted Elisa’s boss, Kelly Stewart, but when he made is way over to welcome her, and ask about Elisa, she’d somehow managed to get away from him. The second time it happened, he chalked it up to coincidence. But the third and fourth time raised his suspicions.

  His guests were gracious and complementary to his face, but Duncan had caught a few conversations passing through clustered groups, questions about his mental state. Why was he alone this time? Was he still the eligible playboy he’d always been?

  And of course, there were those few women, single and not, who wanted to find out. They sent him on the run to another room whenever they started to swoop in. He was glad for his sister who acted like his guard dog when possible. She had a way of dealing with gold-diggers and those looking to get a quick picture with the elusive Grimwood that usually sent them storming off in a huff.

  “Do you think she’ll show?” Suzette sipped at a glass of champagne as she scanned the main room. Several men had asked her to dance, but she rebuffed them as quickly as she’d snapped at those after Duncan.

 
; “I don’t need a man to enjoy myself, I wish they’d get that through their stony heads,” she’d growled after the last man had tucked tail and ran.

  “Oh, you’ll fall in love someday, Sis.”

  “No, I won’t. I’m in love with life and my work. I’m glad Daddy encouraged us to find our passions and go after them. He never wanted us to sit and stew in our wealth. He always stressed the importance of having a purpose and a vision for our lives. I’m perfectly complete in what I’m doing. Nobody to answer to. No worries of being stabbed in the back or…cheated on. I’m done with all that.”

  What she said was true. Father didn’t want any of them to take their lifestyle for granted. Thus, the reason for his trust provisions. Earn a profit in five years or lose your portion of the inheritance.

  “Right. Time will tell.” His breath caught as a woman with long brown hair entered wearing a white dress, almost like something a bride would wear. A shudder went down his back, along with a sense of relief that it wasn’t Elisa. Still, he’d need to make sure to stay away from that one.

  “Where is Barbara, have you seen her? I’m ready for this night to end. Nobody has been interested in the pieces I’ve presented.”

  At least, with the help of his best jewelry makers who worked for his stores, he’d been able to finish the designs he’d came up with. The special snowflake one, he’d finished on his own, though there were still a few minor details he’d want to add later.

  Suzette looked around. “I saw her and her hunky man in the living room by the serving tables. Oh,” She pointed to an older gentleman in a black suit. “Isn’t that the man who wants to buy your stores?”

  A beautiful blond that was old enough to be the man’s youngest daughter, hung on his arm. From the way she was acting, Duncan was doubtful that she was a daughter or niece. He shook his head. His reclusive life was starting to look more appealing at the moment.