“What’s wrong?” Harden rushed over. “Do you need a doctor? Ambulance?”
Julius tapped her cheek. She knocked his hands away. “I don’t need an ambulance. Just some juice. Orange juice if you have it.”
Harden rushed over to the bar while Julius dropped to his haunches and captured her face between his hands. Clammy skin, glazed eyes, each blink sluggish. Chest tightening with fear, Julius asked, “Why do you need juice?”
“Blood sugar is low,” she murmured. “I haven’t eaten since the plane and that was only a snack.”
Harden brought over a glass of juice and rushed to the door. “Go up to the kitchen and bring anything that’s prepared. I don’t care what it is. The both of you go. Move it.”
Julius watched while Calista drank the OJ. By the time she finished the twenty-ounce glass, Harden’s men had returned with four pilfered dishes. Kobe steak, broiled lobster and baked potato, chicken parmesan with spaghetti, and lemon chicken on black rice. Calista chose the chicken parmesan and waved the rest away.
“This happened before?” Julius checked his anger when she nodded. “And you chose to not inform me?”
She chewed and swallowed before answering. “It was no big deal. It happened with Laverne. She’s had four kids and told me what was happening and what to do. It worked. Then I called the doctor and he said the same thing.” She fisted his shirt and brought him to her. Forehead to forehead, she looked into his eyes. “I’m fine. We’re fine. I would’ve told you if I weren’t.”
Julius nodded, believing her. “I still want to know, about everything.” Once he got her to the penthouse, in his home, this would not happen again. He’d make sure of it. He pulled away and motioned to the plate. “Eat.”
“Where’s Jentry?” she asked around a forkful of spaghetti, her attention switching to Harden who studied them. “Why isn’t she here yet?”
“Eat. I’ll worry about Jentry.” Julius watched her shovel another forkful into her mouth. “You have to take better care of yourself.”
“I know,” she said around a mouthful of food. “Sorry.”
He squeezed her thighs. “You’re going on a schedule. Three meals a day with snacks in between.”
Cheeks full, she grinned at him. “Yes, Mom.”
A knock and the door opened. Jentry entered first with Bruno on her heels. Julius assumed it was Calista’s cousin though he hadn’t previously met her. A crop top that barely covered her breasts and a sheer black skirt was better than a thong and clear heels, but he doubted that would appease Calista.
Jentry stopped short, glaring at Calista. “What are you doing here?”
Calista wiped her mouth on a napkin. “What the hell are you wearing?”
Hand on her hip, Jentry cocked her head in a perfect imitation of her mother. “My uniform. Why are you here fucking with my job?” She turned to Harden, defiance replaced with respect. “I’m sorry, Mr. Gage. I’ve no idea why she’s here or how she even knew where I worked. I didn’t break the rules.” Her voice wavered. Behind her, Bruno moved closer.
“Rules?” Julius stood. Every employer had rules for their employees, but this sounded different, ominous.
“Harden has rules against telling anyone they work for him. It’s to protect the worker, but primarily him.” Calista placed the half-eaten meal next to her on the sofa and stood.
“Finish that.” Julius ordered. Her winged eyebrows lowering into a frown, Calista picked the plate up and shoveled another forkful into her mouth. Julius turned back to Harden and Jentry.
Harden straightened his tie and took his seat behind his desk. “Those are my rules and I don’t deny it,” he said blandly. “Don’t worry, Jentry. You’re not in trouble. The scowling man isn’t here to hurt you. He’s your cousin’s—”
“Baby daddy. I know. I googled him when I heard she got knocked up, sir.” Jentry dipped her head, simpering at Harden like he was the king of New York, which may be accurate since he’d doubled his territory.
Plate discarded, Calista was on her feet again, gathering her coat. “Get your stuff, purse, and whatever else you have here, and let’s go. You’ve just quit.”
Attitude back, Jentry said, “No, I did not just quit. What the fuck are you doing coming here trying to wreck my good thing? I don’t have a rich daddy to support me and I didn’t get knocked up by a billionaire. I have a kid to support!”
“Not if you’re dead, and that’s exactly what will happen if you stay here!”
The two faced off and the men backed away except for Julius and Bruno. Julius knew why he was there ready to haul Calista away. Why was Bruno behind Jentry prepared to do the same?
“There’s a contract on Julius’ life, by extension on my life, by extension the lives of my family, Jentry. Which means they may target you to get to me. So grab your shit and let’s go.”
Jentry gasped, her jaw unhinged, her chest heaving from reality setting in. She was in danger. “What? Who?”
“A Russian mobster. He has a long reach and he wants Julius dead. I can’t have him target you to get to me, to get to him. It’s called collateral damage. Your mom, dad, Allie, and everyone is hold up in Julius’ mansion on Montauk until the threat is over. You have to come with me.”
She nodded slowly, but she wasn’t agreeing, not by the anxious frown on her face. “The entire family, in one place, under one roof. This Russian mobster won’t kill us. We’ll do that ourselves,” she muttered.
Julius stepped in. “If that’s an issue, we can find someplace else.” The goal was to keep her safe. Not make things worse.
“She can stay with me.”
Everyone spun and stared at Harden.
“Well, not with me.” His tone defensive. “I own the top two floors in my building for myself and staff. There’s a vacant apartment she can utilize.”
“Really, sir?” Jentry asked in a cautious voice.
“Yes. You and your daughter can stay there and be protected. Not worry about your safety that way you can still work…”
Stunned, and Julius wasn’t the only one. Everyone in the room was stunned into silence.
“We’ll find a nanny for her. Vetted of course,” Harden added.
“I-I can’t afford a nanny,” Jentry murmured, clearly as confused as the rest of them.
Harden smiled tightly. “Well, I can.”
“You are not paying for my cousin’s nanny. You’re not paying for anything, including donating an apartment.” Calista planted her fists on Harden’s desk. “Your kind of help comes with strings. I’m not letting you trap her into anything. She’s coming with me.”
Jentry stomped over to Calista. “I’m staying and taking him up on his offer. For the apartment. Nothing else.”
“That’s not a good idea. Actually, among all the bad ideas you’ve ever had, this is the worst. Harden Gage will chew you up and spit you out.” Calista’s attention remained on the mobster.
“Awe. You say the sweetest things.” Harden pouted and rubbed the center of his chest as if her words were an endearment, not an indictment.
“He didn’t chew you up and spit you out.” Hands on her hips, head cocked to the side, eyes full of suspicion, Jentry was in attack mode.
So was Calista. “Because I’m smart.”
“And I’m stupid. Stupider than you and Jane, even stupider than Jesenia and Josette, and they’re in high school. I’m the biggest disappointment in the family and you want me to be stuck within two feet of them on lockdown for God knows how long. I don’t care if it is some mansion on Montauk.” She shoved away from Calista.
Julius caught her as she stumbled back into his arms, his protective instincts flaring though she was fine.
Jentry took Calista’s place in front of Harden’s desk. “Thank you, Mr. Gage. I accept your offer for the apartment, the nanny, everything. I accept.”
“Jentry, you don’t know what you’re saying! Doing!” Calista shouted.
“I’m getting the fuck away from you
and my family?” Jentry stormed out of the room with Calista on her heels.
Julius followed her to the exit and made sure Sunny and Edwards followed Calista. Then stormed back to Harden. “Why the offer?” He didn’t need to point out Harden was the least altruistic person on earth.
Gaze flinty, Harden sat. “I know I’m the boogie man, but the offer is sincere. With no ulterior motives. She’ll be safe here and at the apartment.”
“I’ll buy the apartment from you.” Julius threw out the offer hoping it wouldn’t be rejected.
Harden pulled a flask from a desk drawer. “You can’t afford the price.”
In other words, it wasn’t for sale. “I’m paying for the nanny.”
“You can’t afford her either.” He brought the flask to his mouth for a long drink.
They faced off. Julius braced his hands on the desk and leaned in. Harden wasn’t intimidated. Not in the least. That wasn’t Julius’ intention. “I don’t know why you’re doing this. Jentry Playne isn’t a toy you can play with and toss.”
Deadpan. Harden’s face gave none of his true feelings away. It rarely did. “I have no intention of playing with or tossing anyone.”
“And you don’t do gifts with no strings. Not with girls who’s name you didn’t even know. Yeah, I caught that.” Something flickered in Harden’s eyes. Julius couldn’t tell what, but it was there. Julius didn’t have time for this. He needed to get Calista settled in the penthouse and in his bed. “Whatever your reason, don’t do it. Whatever fucked up shit you have rolling around in your head, don’t. For once. Don’t.”
Harden rose and planted his fists on the table. He leaned in. “Or what?” Neither said a word. Neither backed down. Surprise. Surprise. Harden flinched first. “Hurts, bro, you think so little of me. I won’t harm a hair on her head. She’ll be like a sister. You have my word.”
Which was good enough for Julius. He pushed off from the desk and extended his hand. Harden knocked it away. Julius extended it again and waited. “I don’t have all day. I’ve got a tired pregnant woman waiting.”
Harden gave in and slapped his palm against Julius’. They shook, did the chest bump thing with the table between them. “I’ll check in with you in a couple of days. Can’t say the same about Calista.”
Harden grunted. “She was a hard-ass when she worked for me. Pregnancy’s made it worse. Better you than me, bro.”
Julius exited the room. At the end of the hallway, circled by armed men, Calista and Jentry were locked in verbal combat. The dialogue was incomprehensible when punctuated with hisses and snarls. None of it mattered because they were out of here. Jentry made her choice and she’d be safe here. As safe as she’d be in Montauk.
Julius scooped the mother of his child off her feet. His ears nearly bled from her outraged screech and she did a good job pummeling him, her fists striking his shoulders, chest, and neck. She could’ve done a lot worse. Calista was more than capable. Instead, she settled, huddling into his chest when the cold air slapped them upon exiting the building. He held her closer. Even seated in the Maybach with plenty of room for both to stretch out, he kept her in his arms, on his lap, close to his heart.
“He wants her.”
Julius sighed. “I know.”
There was a long pause as the car pulled out of the parking garage and merged into traffic. “He hurts her, I’ll kill him. Pregnant or not, my trigger finger works quite well.”
“He’s not going to hurt her.” Not physically. Emotionally…all bets were off.
Chapter Twenty-One
“I hate your penthouse,” Calista said upon entering the suite. She didn’t wait for him to ask why and barreled on. “It’s too clean. Sterile. Chrome and glass and white marble. Your place is stuck in the eighties.”
His heat baked her back. “Tell me how you really feel,” he said dryly.
“I did. There’s no warmth in the place. You moved into a fully furnished home, didn’t you?”
“And changed nothing. Not even the panic room.”
“That’s the one room I like.” His gaze asked her to explain. “It has a back door to the roof.” She laughed at his surprise. “It’s not the first time I’ve seen that model. Pretty ingenious, but yeah, I don’t like the rest of the place.”
“We can change that after the contract is over—”
“And the danger has ended.” She knew that. “Sorry. Venting.”
He helped her out of her coat. “Kept it all the same because this is a place I lay my head. It was never a home until you came into my life.” He stroked her arms, sending tingles down her spine.
Nerves had her stomach fluttering. She eased out of his arms and headed in the opposite direction of the bedrooms, toward the gourmet kitchen. Something smelled divine. At the stove, a diminutive woman took a pan out of the oven and placed it on the stovetop next to its twin.
“Hello there! I’m Rebecca, the housekeeper and sometimes chef when my son is off, as he is today.” With stark white hair and warm brown eyes, Calista put Rebecca in her seventies, with a surprisingly strong grip. The woman should be in a lounger, not manning the kitchen.
“Do you need help with anything?” Calista scanned the spotless kitchen for anything she could assist.
“Oh no, miss. I have everything in hand. Can I get you anything? Something warm to drink? Perhaps some tea or coffee?”
“No coffee!” Calista said quickly. The scent still made her stomach heave. “Whatever you made smells delicious.” Absently, Calista rubbed her bump.
“A pot roast with roasted vegetables. The usual fare—carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and onions. It was the easiest thing to throw together when Mr. Edwards gave me the heads up and how many to expect.” She laughed at herself and the men joined in. “This rowdy bunch has been teaching me the lingo.” She winked at Calista and waved at a chair by the breakfast bar. “Sit. Sit. I’ll make you a bowl.”
Julius pulled out a chair at the counter and sat next to her. Sunny and Scotts occupied the remaining chairs at the breakfast bar while the rest took seats at the table extending from the island.
“How far along are you?” Rebecca asked, reaching for bowls in the cupboard. One of the men hopped up and took care of the task while another retrieved silverware and another glasses, leaving Rebecca the task of slicing the pot roast and filling the bowls. Everyone worked together.
“Twelve weeks and a few days.” No reason not to tell her when it wasn’t a secret.
“Morning sickness?” Rebecca had a quick and efficient assembly line going. In no time, Calista had a bowl, napkin, and silverware in front of her.
“It’s getting better.”
“Crackers and hot tea first thing in the morning. That worked for me.”
“I’ll try anything.” She was over throwing up every morning. She took a bite. The food tasted better than it smelled. By the slurps and groans, she wasn’t alone in her opinion.
Calista looked down the row of men lining the breakfast bar: Sunny, Scotts, and Edwards, the latter stood at the end giving instructions to the new guys, laying the foundation for a schedule. He’d stepped into her former role and assumed leadership, or was he assigned? She’d ask Julius later.
She missed her job. Rather, she missed having a job. The nine-to-five grind. She hadn’t punched a clock in months. No reason to get up now. She answered to no one except herself. Unfortunately, she couldn’t see her life this way, day in, day out.
Everything had changed so quickly. She went from busted to millionaire overnight. From living on her own to shacked up. From single and loving it to pregnant about to be someone’s—
“My mother!” Calista leapt to her feet, sending the chair clattering to the floor. “Oh God! I forgot my mother!” How could she! “I-I have to get to her!” She scrambled for her coat and purse. Julius wrapped himself around her, caging her flaying arms. “Let. Me. Go! I have to get to her.”
“Calm down. There are two guards with her right now.”
&
nbsp; “What?” She stopped trying to escape.
“I took care of it. Your mother is fine. I swear.”
Dumbfounded, she turned in his arms and stared. “You took care of my mother for me?” Her eyes watered.
“Come. Let me show you.” He clasped her hand.
Audience forgotten, Calista allowed him to tug her along behind him. Through the house they traveled, moving through the spacious suites with panoramic views of the city. She realized they were close to the master suite. There it was, the double doors at the end of the hallway. They stopped at a door two doors from the master suite. A twist of the knob and they entered a large bedroom with a sitting room attached. The full-size bed was adjustable, the head positioned higher than the feet, with customized bed rails. Also in the room, an over-the-bed-table, a walker, a wheelchair, IV pole, a monitor near the bed, and crash cart in the corner of the room.
The wallpaper, draperies, and even the furnishings were similar to the furnishings in her mother’s nursing home.
“Tomorrow we’ll bring her here with twenty-four-hour care. Alright?”
“You did this? When?”
“I set things in motion before leaving for the Cayman Islands. I told you I had someone watching her. Did you forget?”
Stunned, utterly stunned by his actions, Calista burst into tears. “I’m a horrible daughter. I forgot my mom and you remembered. You remembered her when I didn’t.” She sobbed and launched herself into his arms. “I’m a horrible daughter. How can I possibly be a good mother? I’m gonna screw it up. I know I am!”
He held her close, his hands on her back, soothing her with a gentle circular motion. “No, you’re not. You’re going to be wonderful.”
“I forgot my mother, Julius! What if I forget I have a kid and leave him at the park?”
“The only reason you forgot your mother is because she’s safe. She’s in an excellent facility that screens everyone that comes into the facility. While that won’t stop a determined gunman, for the moment, she’s safe. That wasn’t the case for Laverne’s family.” He tipped her head back with a finger under her chin. The confidence in his warm, burnish eyes calmed her as nothing else could. “And you will not forget our kid. I know this in my soul. You are going to be the best mother in the world. Our kid is lucky to have you. I’m lucky to have you.”
Plain and the Billionaire's Seduction (Plain Jane Series Book 3) Page 16
