Plain and the Billionaire's Seduction (Plain Jane Series Book 3)

by Tmonique Stephens

  He wasn’t pleased but shook her hand. “You can go to Bryn Co. with Sunny and Scotts as your primary bodyguards.”

  “Thank you for granting your permission.” Sarcasm dripped from each word. “But that’s a bad idea. Both have been seen guarding you. Two new guys. No one associated with you, though that won’t last long with us shacking up.”

  He nodded, seemingly agreeing with her. She didn’t miss the glint in his eyes. He was planning something. What? Well, she’d have to wait and see. For now, she leaned down and claimed his mouth in a slow, tantalizing kiss that quickly went off the rails. Their tongues glided, rolled, slipped, and slid together. She was horny again, as if she hadn’t orgasmed already. Horny and hungry for the stiff cock pressed between their bodies. For better or worse, ’till death claimed them or they claimed death, they were in this together.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “W

  ell, looky here.”

  Here we go. Calista braced as Laverne sauntered onto the terrace from her adjoining room. Her cousin paused, her hand on her jean clad hip, her head cocked to the side with that “I knew it” glare on her face. Without waiting for an invitation, she pulled out a chair and plopped her ass down and joined Calista and Julius for lunch.

  Calista could’ve skipped this episode, locked the screen door, pulled the curtain, pretended to be asleep, and have lunch inside the suite. Just her and Julius. Avoidance was another form of denial, her mother used to say. Plus, Laverne wouldn’t have bought it. She would’ve banged on the door, then demanded security open the door regardless of the bodyguards in the hallway.

  Laverne helped herself to a mimosa, an assortment of finger foods, and fruit, all the while eyeing Calista and Julius with a smug expression. “I thought I heard a cat wailing last night. Then I thought, ‘A cat? In the hotel? Nah.’ Then I looked into the hallway and saw two men guarding your room door, and I have to say, I’ve never felt safer.”

  “Good morning, Laverne.” Julius managed to say after he stopped chuckling.

  “I bet it’s a good morning to you. Had a nice night?”

  “Wonderful night.”

  “So”—Laverne waved a finger between Calista and Julius—“are you two an item now instead of baby mama and baby daddy, or was this a one-time hit for shits and giggles?”

  Calista had enough of her cousin’s mouth. “My, you are inquisitive.”

  “Always have been. Won’t ever change.” Laverne blew Calista a kiss.

  “Ladies.” Julius interrupted before Calista reached across the table and choked Laverne. “We have to wrap this up and return to New York.”

  “What? Why? This is the first vacay I’ve had in years.” Laverne complained.

  And for that, Calista felt guilty. “Someone’s taken a contract out on Julius and me. We’re going back to New York and going on lockdown until the threat is over. That includes you, Gerald, and the kids.”

  That knocked the wind out of Laverne’s sails and the sass out of her mouth. She slumped in the chair like she’d taken a punch to the gut. “But… But…What about their jobs? Gerald can’t go on lockdown. He’ll lose his job. H-How does he explain there’s a contract killer targeting his wife’s cousin and he has to go into hiding. He’ll lose his pension. And what about the kids? School? Jane and Jentry will lose their jobs too.” Full-on meltdown, that’s where Laverne went with no breaks halting her derailment.

  Calista scooted her chair back, the cushioned wrought iron chair screeching against the tile, and rushed and dropped to her knees beside Laverne. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything. You, Gerald, the kids, everyone’s job, none of you will have to worry about anything. What’s mine is yours, and I have more than enough to take care of everyone.”

  Laverne sighed, not appeased. “That’s all well and good but you know my husband isn’t going to let you take care of him. His pride won’t allow it.”

  “What does your husband do?” Julius interjected.

  “He’s a supervisor in patient records at St. Luke’s Hospital,” she said a bit defensively. “He’s a good man, a hard worker.”

  “I’ll speak to him and once things are normal again, I’ll make sure he comes out on the right side of this. You have my word on your husband and children. I will find them jobs in my organization. I give you my promise. None of you will suffer because of me,” Julius said.

  “Because of us.” Calista clarified. When it comes to her family, she wouldn’t be on the sidelines.

  Laverne sniffed and nodded cautiously, her gaze on Calista. Not Julius. Calista understood. Laverne’s trust remained with Calista, and Calista wouldn’t let her cousin down. “How long is this lockdown?” Laverne asked.

  “As long as it takes.” Calista stressed. “Let’s get home and round everyone up.”

  “Are they in danger right now?”

  “We have people watching over them.”

  The trip home was shorter on a private jet and a lot nicer. Laverne met the team—Sunny, Edwards, and Scotts, plus a few new members to the protection team. Scotts scowled at Calista, clearly not pleased with her ditching him.

  Laverne greeted them, then proceeded to ooh and aah over every little thing. Once the plane was airborne, everyone was brought up to speed on the relocation and protection plan. A beach house on Montauk. Laverne was on board.

  Five hours later, they landed in New York as the sun settled behind the horizon on a cold October afternoon. Their entourage doubled with the arrival of more men on the tarmac, all strangers to Calista. “I want the resume of every one of them.” Julius made a call to his assistant and took care of it.

  They traveled to Laverne’s house in Rochdale. The menfolk had a heart-to-heart in the kitchen while Calista helped Laverne pack and get Allie ready to relocate. An hour later, they were in two separate cars heading toward Montauk. Wise move giving Gerald and Laverne some privacy to talk things over.

  “I didn’t expect Gerald to cooperate so easily. He’s a stubborn man. How did you make that happen?” she asked.

  “I explained the situation. He listened. Told him what needed to happen. He listened. Offered him three times his current salary and a job. Wrote him the check. Handed it over and promised to protect his family for however long it takes.”

  “Wow. Good pitch.”

  Julius angled his head, studying her. “Even with the check in his hand, he asked me why he should trust me with his life and the lives of his wife and kids.”

  Valid question. Gerald wasn’t easily impressed and rarely swayed. “What did you say?”

  “I told him I love you. And what you love, I love. You are my family. That makes Laverne my family. I’m here to protect all of you.” He clasped her hand and brought it to his lips. Her heart swelled. “We shook hands and that was it.”

  “What now?” she asked.

  “We round up the rest of the family, which should be happening right now. Gerald and Laverne are FaceTiming the older girls. Telling them the situation so they will go with the people guarding them. The two youngest were at a friend’s house and are now on their way to Montauk with their security detail.”

  Jane currently worked as a barista in the Village until she found a job where she could put her BA to use. Josette and Jesenia were in high School. They would hate it, especially Josette who was in her senior year. There were parties and homecoming, all would be missed. It was unfortunate, but unavoidable. They would be homeschooled with tutors if necessary. Jentry was a server at some restaurant downtown. Other than the teens, Calista couldn’t see any of them rejecting a seaside vacation in a mansion, yet there was bound to be one. “This almost seems too easy.”

  Julius laughed and squeezed her hand. “Yeah. It does, doesn’t it.”

  No sooner than the words were out of his mouth, Calista’s cell rang. “It’s Laverne.”

  “Jentry’s refusing to leave work,” Laverne shouted through the phone. “Said she can’t. Her boss won’t let her. She actually said he’d
kill her if she left and I don’t think she was joking.”

  What had Jentry gotten herself mixed up in now. “Who’s her boss?”

  “I don’t know. She wouldn’t even tell me the name of the restaurant. I found it on a napkin in her bedroom. It’s called Catalyst.”

  “Alright. I’ll get her.” She ended the call and turned to Julius, but he was on his phone.

  “Meckler, give me the number of the man protecting Jentry Playne… Thanks.” He ended the call and dialed again. Volume on high, she heard the ringing until voicemail kicked on. Julius ended the call. Voice grim, he said, “The man guarding her isn’t answering his phone. Damn it. I should’ve asked where she works. I’ll call Meckler back.”

  “Catalyst. That’s the name of the restaurant.”

  His head whipped around, a dash of fury mixed with a lot of concern filled his face. “What did you say?”

  “Catalyst. You know it?”

  He grimaced. “Yeah. It’s Harden’s latest business venture used to launder his money.”

  Chapter Twenty

  J ulius called ahead. Didn’t say much. Just said he was on his way. Couldn’t be too careful when talking to a mob boss. Never knew who was listening, which didn’t put Calista at ease.

  They entered through the rear. Not only did it have a guard outside and a cipher lock on the door, another guard waited inside. They all greeted Julius with deference and her with not even a glance. Good, that’s how she liked it.

  Then she remembered her bump. Okay, no ass kicking. Good thing she borrowed a spare gun from Scotts. Her cousin was leaving this place tonight, so help her God. Harden had mentioned a new place, six, maybe seven months ago. Never said if it was a dance club, restaurant, or spa, and she never wanted clarification. One didn’t seek information from Harden without gaining suspicion.

  The scent of chlorine and the splash of water caught her attention. This place was more than a restaurant, and no one had a pool in a club. The journey through the establishment continued. The place was huge, a converted warehouse with plenty of space for activities. Calista seethed. To hell with finding Harden. Where the hell was Jentry?

  The clippety-clop of heels on tile had her pausing and backing up, which caused a bottleneck of the men behind her. She peered down a hallway they’d just passed. At the other end, a woman rounded the corner. Red thong, pasties, and clear heels. Lipstick, blood red. Eyes, smoky. The red wig was long, brushing her ass and swaying in time with her hips.

  Oh. Hell. No. Lord help Harden if Jentry wasn’t fully clothed, every inch of her skin covered when Calista lay eyes on her. “I want to see my cousin, now,” she snarled at the nearest club guard.

  It was the wrong play. One didn’t come into a mafia stronghold making demands. But she wasn’t no one anymore and wasn’t ashamed or afraid to use her new association to her advantage. Also, by the confusion that danced across the guard’s face, he hadn’t a clue who she referred to and she’d shown her hand to the wrong guy.

  “Where’s Harden?” She demanded.

  “He knows you’re here.” A different guard spoke. He was Hispanic with midnight hair and eyes, skin as dark as hers, and accent subtle, yet unmistakable. Was he a transfer in? Harden had taken over the Mexican’s territory. It would be like him to merge rather than destroy when possible. Harden, the equal opportunity employer of the underworld. Good practice, hopefully it wouldn’t get him killed.

  “I want to see him right now.”

  “Calista.”

  The command in Julius’ voice snapped her head up. He was right by her side, a protective shield, but his brown eyes were flat with disapproval. She got it. She’d been in the business long enough to understand his silent glare. He was Harden’s best friend, and while she had worked for the criminal in a similar position as the men surrounding her, manners had to be observed. A public challenge to Harden’s authority would be answered with violence. It had to be for him to continue to hold his position. And they needed him, especially with Karpovilov sending them into hiding.

  Not to mention it made Julius appear weak. Not a good look when the pond you’re swimming in was small and filled with sharks. One drop of blood…

  “Sorry. It’s the hormones.” She rubbed her bump, drawing attention to it. The feminist in her balked, but it wasn’t far from the truth. She was hormonal and had a right to be. Plus, she was starving. If she played the weak, hormonal little woman who had to stay in her place, she’d win a damned Academy Award.

  Testosterone appeased, “This way,” the Hispanic said, and led them to an industrial elevator. Still, it was a tight squeeze. Julius wrapped an arm around her waist and tucked her to his side. His cologne teased her. The hand subtly stroking her side calmed her when that was the last thing she wanted.

  They stepped out the elevator into a short corridor. The overwhelming scent of fresh paint choked her. Good thing her stomach was empty. Want to see men scatter? At the first dry heave, they’d be gone.

  The door at the end opened as they approached. Dark room. At first, she thought the lights were off. She didn’t realize the room was painted black until she entered. Then she saw why.

  The fucking place was a dungeon. Half of the shit belonged in a museum. Oh, wait. No. Nothing was old. Everything was nice and new. Guess she should be happy he hadn’t raided The Met. Her gaze darted around the room until it had to focus on the last thing she wanted to see.

  “He’s alive. He’ll need some dental work and plastic surgery.” Harden cleaned the blood off his hands with a baby wipe. A fucking baby wipe. Because…why shouldn’t his skin be soft after leaving a man bloody.

  Never too late to be a hypocrite. She had worked for the man, would probably still work for him if Harvey hadn’t given her millions. But she wouldn’t be here, in this basement, about to get her hands dirty. Or clean up a mess.

  J ulius didn’t push Calista behind him. Even if he wanted to, he didn’t think she’d let him. Side by side, damn, he was a lucky man.

  “Was beating him necessary?”

  “Yes. First, he refused to tell me who he worked for, which automatically earned him a beatdown. Second, when he told me it was you sixty seconds before you walked in here, that earned him a few more love taps because he should’ve told that shit earlier.”

  “You’re telling me I should broadcast our loose association?” Julius flipped it back on Harden rather than admit he’d screwed up. In his defense, things were fluid like diarrhea after word of the contract. Newsome hired and assigned the new bodyguards. This poor schmuck must’ve followed Jentry from her home to here, did a piss-poor job of staking out the place, and got caught. Julius would take care of his medical bills, but, effective immediately, he was fired.

  Harden grunted and signaled to his men. “Take him to Doc.” Two peeled away from their posts on the wall and hauled the man away. Harden rolled his sleeves down and pulled on his jacket. Black on black to hide the blood splatter, except for his red tie. “Explain why you had a man staking my place. And it had better be good.”

  “He wasn’t staking out your place. He was guarding Jentry Playne,” Julius answered.

  “Who?” Harden retrieved a gun from the lone table in the room and returned it to his shoulder holster.

  “My cousin.” Calista interrupted.

  That got Harden’s attention. His head jerked up. “Your cousin works here? Since when?”

  “Yes.” Her tone was caustic. “And I don’t know since when.”

  “Jentry. That’s the black chick with the fat ass and freckles.” Someone volunteered behind them.

  Harden’s brow furrowed at the same time his mouth widened a fraction. “Oh.”

  Calista spun. “Who said that?” Silence. “Which one of you POS’s said that? What do you know about my cousin?”

  “Calm down. She’s fine. She works the bar. Not the back rooms.” Harden pointed to a man on the right. “Have Bruno bring her to my office. We’ll be waiting.” The men cleared a path for
Harden. Julius nudged Calista ahead of him.

  Back to the elevator, this time only Julius, Calista, and Harden took the ride. The rest hoofed it. “You two look good. I’m not talking about you, Julius. You’re as ugly as ever.” He pointed at Calista. “You and the bundle of joy.”

  Her hand went to her bump. “Thanks,” she murmured with a smile she couldn’t contain.

  Jealousy was an icepick in Julius’ heart until her smile turned his way. Her hand reached for his. Shit, they had the same number of calluses. There wasn’t a damned thing dainty about her, and he loved her for it. Over her head, Julius met Harden’s stare. Loneliness stared back at him, the last thing he’d ever expected to see. Then it was gone, replaced by Harden’s patented cockiness, as if it never existed. Yet it did. A lonely mobster. How dangerous was that?

  They exited the elevator and traveled down a carpeted hallway. They passed a few girls dressed in more than a thong and pasties. He swallowed a snort, remembering Calista’s stunned fury.

  Harden’s office was a bit opulent for Julius’ taste. Leather sofa in blood red. Chairs in black velvet. Carpet matching the sofa, which matched the drapes to a mirrored window that overlooked what? Who was Harden spying on?

  Calista paced back and forth. Her arms folded. Her arms loose. She took off her coat and tossed it on the sofa. Her body hadn’t changed much. Three months along, she’d changed clothing for the cooler temperature. The loose sweater and palazzo tweed pants hid her bump. But it was there, growing daily, getting bigger every second. His child.

  Julius had enough of her pacing. He stepped into her path. She drew up short, surprised at his appearance. “Sit.” She started to argue. He wasn’t having it. He backed her up until she bumped into the leather sofa and plopped on her ass. She seemed jittery, not only from being angry. Sweat popped out on her forehead and her eyelids fluttered. “Calista? Calista!”