Without Warning: A Billionaire Romance (Playboys of New York Book 5)

by JA Low

  Rhys leans forward and kisses me, and my heart flutters. I know I’m falling for him, and it’s too soon, way too soon.

  “And if I win?” I change the subject.

  “That’s easy.” He grins.

  It’s probably butt stuff. That’s what all men ask for when given a chance.

  “We use your Turks and Caicos trip you won the night of the fundraiser.”

  Well, that was not at all what I was expecting him to ask. He’s caught me off guard.

  “Too soon?” he asks when I haven’t replied.

  “Oh, no…” I wrap my arms around his neck, “… I’d love to.” What girl is going to say no to sunning herself on an island?

  “For New Year’s? We can invite your friends if you want?”

  Wait. What did he say?

  “My friends?”

  “Yes, why not?” He shrugs his shoulders.

  “Because you’ve met my friends.” Raising my brows high, he smiles.

  “And I think it would be fun. Honestly, I would love to be able to start this new year with you by my side, and with fun, instead of dread like all the others that have passed for me.”

  “Okay,” I agree with a chuckle. “I think you are biting way more off inviting my friends than you realize, but it will be fun.”

  Rhys looks relieved that I’ve said yes. He leans down and kisses me, then a hand falls between my thighs and slips inside of me. Not fair. He’s playing below the belt. Rhys’ long fingers curl inside of me, and I hate that he’s mastered every single nerve ending inside of my body in such a short time. But I’m stubborn, and I don’t like to lose even though everyone is winning tonight.

  My hand wraps around his hard cock and slides over his velvety skin, my thumb running over the sensitive tip, which makes Rhys groan, and a smile falls across my lips at hearing his enjoyment.

  “Don’t think you’re going to win this, sweetheart.” Rhys grins as his thumb comes down across my clit, making my legs turn to Jell-O. He chuckles as a moan falls from my own lips this time. “I’m getting closer,” he murmurs into my ear, sounding pleased with himself. He’s right. He is getting closer.

  Think of anything else other than his thick fingers inside of me. I try and try to think of something else, but I can’t. I’m getting closer and closer to the edge. Fuck it, I want that orgasm. I want to fall right over that edge into the glorious abyss beneath it.

  He continues taking me higher and higher until I crescendo over the edge. My hand falls from his dick as I ride wave after wave of my orgasm. But the man doesn’t give me a moment of time to relax before he’s pulling his hand from me, turning me around, parting my cheeks to slide right inside of me.

  Both of us groan at the sensation of becoming one. Rhys doesn’t go easy on me. He’s so turned on that’s he gone mad. He wraps my hair around his hand, so he has control over me, holding me in the place where he wants and needs me to find his release, and I don’t care because it’s so damn good.

  It’s not long until he’s quickening his thrusts into me, pulling another orgasm from me, hitting me at just the right angle so we both can come crashing down over the edge together.

  We are a panting wet mess when we finally catch our breaths again.

  28

  Rhys

  I really needed that shower. The tension surrounding tonight’s phone call has had me on tenterhooks all day. Also, Ariana and I need to circle back about all these plans we made in the heat of the moment in the shower earlier. I want her to be sure she’s still happy for me to be her date to such big events in her life. It’s a big step. One that’s right, though. Honestly, I just want good news from this phone call tonight, so I can concentrate on moving on with Ariana. I want all this bullshit over with. I need a clean slate to move on with my, no, our life.

  “You seem nervous?” Ariana sits beside me. Her hand resting on my jittery knee.

  “It’s like my entire life is riding on this one phone call. I hope Jackson is as awesome as everyone says he is.”

  “No matter what, we will get through it,” Ariana reassures me.

  “God, I…” Looking into those chocolate eyes that are filled with such tenderness for me in this moment, I reach out and bring her lips to mine, letting her know how much I love her.

  Saved by the bell.

  My computer starts buzzing, and we break away. I click a couple of buttons, and the background changes from blank to Jackson’s face.

  “Hey, guys.” He smiles. “I’m sure you’re eager to find out what I’ve learned.”

  “Yes,” I answer, unable to control my jittery leg.

  “Right, well…” Jackson leaves a long pause. “It’s a little more serious than we first thought.” My stomach sinks. The worst-case scenario has happened. “What we’ve found is your ex-wife’s brother was involved with the mafia.”

  Wait a damn minute. What? I turn slowly to look at Ariana, who’s just as stunned.

  “The mafia?”

  “Yes. He’s involved with the Russian side, but…” Jackson shuffles some paperwork around in front of him, “… your father is also involved with the Italian mafia.”

  What? No. That can’t be true. There’s no way in the world my father would be involved in anything like that. Surely?

  “Your father has racked up major debts to the crime syndicate for labor costs,” Jackson explains.

  I’m shell-shocked at the moment.

  “Are the two mafias connected?” Ariana asks.

  “At the moment, it doesn’t look like it.”

  “Can I pay off my father’s debts?” I ask.

  “I haven’t looked that far into it as information only came in late today,” Jackson explains. “I do know people who can find out more. I just didn’t want to say more on that until I have more for you.”

  “Do you know how much he owes?” I ask.

  Jackson looks through some more paperwork and finds what he’s searching for. “It looks to be around ten million… maybe more.” Jackson shrugs while staring at a piece of paper.

  “I can pay that.” I must admit, I am a little relieved that it’s not hundreds of millions.

  “It’s just not as easy as writing a check with these kinds of things, especially if they feel slighted in any manner,” Jackson explains. “I’ll look into it more, but least now we have some kind of lead,” he says brightly.

  “Is there more?” Waiting for more news to hit me, Jackson looks away, and I can tell there’s more, but he doesn’t want to tell me. “Whatever it is, please tell me,” I implore him.

  “Your ex and your father had a relationship.”

  What? I stare at the screen. Oh, for fuck’s sake, has my ex slept with my entire family? Who’s next? My sister. My fucking mother.

  “From what I can tell, it started a long time before she ever worked for you,” Jackson explains. “Your ex-wife has a colorful past, mainly being paid as a high-end escort.”

  And the punches keep coming.

  “An escort?”

  “Yes. She had a heap of high-profile clients, and most she didn’t stop seeing even when you were married.”

  Oh, shit! My jaw hits the floor with this tidbit of information.

  “Everyone must have been laughing behind my back,” I murmur while letting the new information sink in.

  “She was a deceitful cow,” Ariana states angrily. “I can’t believe she’s done this to you.” She stands and paces angrily around the room, grumbling something or other. I seem to have zoned out.

  “I’ll keep digging,” Jackson adds as my attention is pulled to where Ariana is pacing the room now, cursing.

  “Thank you.” I stare down at the computer. “It’s something, but it doesn’t put me at ease.”

  “I wish it was better news, but I can promise you that you’re safe.”

  Hearing Jackson say that does ease my mind somewhat. I mean, the man has been able to find out way more in one week than the previous private investigator has in mo
nths.

  “Look, I’ll let you go. I’m around on the weekend if you want to chat after digesting it all. Just know you’re not in any danger.” I think he is trying to be reassuring, but I’m not really sure.

  Once Jackson signs off, I close down my laptop and walk over to Ariana. Her eyes are glassy, as if she’s trying to hold her emotions in for me.

  “Come here.” Opening my arms for her, she walks into them.

  “I’m sorry, Rhys. I’m just so damn angry on your behalf. I can’t believe one person can be so unbelievably cruel to another.” She wraps herself tightly around me, giving me the strength to tackle this head-on, so I can start this new chapter of my life with Ariana. I place a kiss on the top of her head as she continues to hug me tightly. Her body shakes against mine while she muffles her cries into my body.

  “Just give me a moment,” she tells me, hugging me tighter. So, I give her that moment, and we both hold each other in silence. Eventually, she looks up at me, and her eyes are red-rimmed. “So, mafia, huh?”

  “Guess so.”

  “This is going to be a shit show,” she tells me, and I couldn’t agree with her more. “I’m still not going anywhere,” Ariana reassures me.

  “Neither am I, sweetheart.”

  “Good. Now let’s work out a plan of how we’re going to get you out of this mess.” Ariana looks at me with determination set in her eyes.

  “You still okay with me coming as your partner to the wedding?” I ask because now is the time for her to back out, and I won’t be offended.

  “Hell, yeah. I want to see you in a tuxedo again.”

  “Do you like me in a tuxedo?” I ask, amused by this information.

  “Gosh, yes.” She groans. “Lady porn at its finest.”

  Well, well, well.

  “Is that why you jumped me that night at my mother’s fundraiser?”

  “Yeah, pretty much.” She giggles, then shrugs her shoulders.

  “Well then, I can whip it out tonight if you want? I’m happy to role play.” Wiggling my eyebrows, her face lights up with a smile.

  “I think that’s something I could get on board with.”

  29

  Rhys

  I’ve decided to talk to my father directly about his involvement with the mafia. The fact that I’m talking to my father about this is like I’m in some ‘80s Godfather movie.

  “Just listen to what he has to say.” Stirling strides through the doors of my father’s building beside me.

  “Do you think he’s the one behind all this? Is he trying to take my business to pay them off?” I ask my best friend.

  “Honestly, no,” Stirling adds, which slows my angry steps. “This seems a little more sophisticated than something your father would put together.” This is true, but I don’t trust the slimy bastard. I actually hope it’s him because then I know who I’m dealing with, because if it’s not, then I don’t know how I’m going to fix this mess.

  “Go right on in,” Linda, my father’s receptionist, tells us when she sees us walking toward her. We both nod our head in acknowledgment and step into his office. Stanford is there right by my father’s side. He has a sneer across his face. My father’s eyes widen when his eyes go to Stirling.

  “Long time.” My father holds out his hand to Stirling, and they shake.

  “Yes. It’s been a very long time,” my best friend greets him before taking a seat. I do the same. The both of us ignore Stanford, who’s sitting in the corner.

  “So, what can I do for you, boys?” My father looks between us. I can see him trying to work out what could possibly require the two of us to be here in the room with him. “Please tell me it’s good news about Montauk?” He grins.

  He fucking wishes.

  “Actually, it’s more of a personal matter,” I explain.

  My father stiffens for all of a split second before leaning back against his chair and placing his hands behind his head as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. “Okay then, shoot,” he tells us cockily.

  I turn and look over at Stanford, who’s trying to copy my father’s relaxed gait, but he isn’t as narcissistic, so he fails horribly.

  “I know you slept with my wife.”

  Stanford’s face pales, his eyes dart over to my father’s, then back to me.

  “Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Stanford’s voice rises gruffly.

  “I know Madison was a high-end escort and that you paid her a lot of money to fuck her over my desk.” My eyes narrow in on him. He squirms in his chair like the coward he is and glances over to our father for support. But he’s chuckling away as if it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard. “I also know… dear old dad… that you were fucking her, too.”

  My father’s hands drop from his head, and he sits up abruptly. “What the hell, Rhys?” he questions me.

  “I know a hell of a lot, and I’m just getting started.” I look between my two family members. “What I don’t understand is why?” Not that it really matters why, I guess. “Do you both hate me that much?” The stabbing feeling in my stomach over my family betraying me like this is still there.

  “I don’t know what that slut told you, but it’s simply not true,” my father answers angrily. “Why would I sleep with my daughter-in-law? That’s sick.” He shakes his head while making gagging sounds. I knew he would try to weasel his way out of it, so I reach into my bag and pull out the pictures of him fucking my wife in his office. I threw up when I saw the images and videos of my father and Stanford fucking my wife all over town.

  Are they that desperate for pussy that they would betray me like this?

  My father grabs the photographs and looks at them. His face pales. Then I hand Stanford his images, which he snatches from my hand, not believing they could be real.

  “Is there not enough women in Manhattan for you both?” Staring at them, I sigh.

  “She came onto me,” Stanford answers weakly.

  “So?” My voice raises.

  My brother looks up from the photos, and I can tell he’s genuinely remorseful for his reactions, which surprises me.

  “I refused her at first.” He shakes his head. “But she wouldn’t stop pursuing me.” He looks up at me. “She came to one of my parties. Things turned a little crazy when she pulled out the coke. Next thing I know, she’s on top of me, fucking me. I blacked out for a little bit and came to with her there.” He shakes his head. “I was fucked-up. She told me if I told you, she would kill me.”

  I look over at Stirling, who looks equally confused.

  “She told me you liked it. That it was revenge.”

  “She blackmailed me into continuing it. Said that she would tell the police that I raped her.”

  I’m confused.

  I don’t understand.

  “She said the same thing to me,” my father adds, swinging my attention back to him.

  “You going to use the drug defense, too?” I ask angrily.

  “It’s not a defense, son. It’s the truth,” he replies quietly.

  I stand abruptly and run my hands through my hair. This is not at all the way I thought today was going to go. I pace back and forth, trying to work out what the hell is going on.

  “I hired some girls to have fun with,” my father starts. “Things turned a little wild. One of them blindfolded me, and then one thing led to another.”

  “That doesn’t explain you fucking my wife,” I reply, thumping my hand against my chest.

  “When I pulled the blindfold off, it was Madison on top of me.” I stare in astonishment at my father. “The other girls had gone,” he explains. “I was furious, of course. I pushed her off me then cursed her out. I threatened her,” he tells me angrily. “But she simply laughed at me. Told me that she would kill me if I did anything.”

  I begin to pace again because nothing is making sense.

  “Why did you both keep fucking her?” I understand the first time, but anymore and there is no excuse.

  “
She was incredibly persuasive.” My father’s unable to look at me. “Madison is a beautiful woman.”

  “But you paid her.” I stab my finger into my hand. “I saw the bank statements.

  “I gave her money to keep her mouth shut,” Stanford pipes up from the corner. “That’s what she requested.”

  “You are both sick fucks, you know that?” Screaming at them both, I point my finger in their direction.

  “I’m sorry.” Stanford gives me a pained sniffle.

  “I’m sorry, son. It was a fucked-up situation, and I didn’t know how to get out of it,” my father explains.

  “You don’t fuck my wife. That’s what you do.” I don’t understand how the two of them didn’t get that.

  “She drugged me a lot of the time,” my father states quietly. “I was ashamed that a woman could take me like that.” He lets out a heavy sigh.

  “You saying she raped you most of the time?” My eyes slowly blink at my father’s accusations.

  “I wouldn’t say that.” He shakes his head. “She prayed on my weakness, which was to be better than you.” My father looks up at me, and there it is, written all over his face. She tapped into his revenge and was able to use it to her advantage.

  “You got off on the secret?”

  “Yes,” my father agrees.

  “I’m disgusted with the two of you. I don’t understand why you both hate me this much. I’ve done nothing to you. Nothing.” Pointing my finger at the two of them, my voice is raised.

  “All the girls wanted you. They were never interested in me unless it got them closer to you. All my life, I played second fiddle to you, Rhys.” My brother thumps his chest. “Living in your shadow was debilitating.” His words are like a hard slap to the face.

  “How is that my fault?”

  “Of course, you’d never understand what it’s like to be rejected over and over again. To being a cheap knock-off of the golden child, Rhys Davenport,” my brother hisses.

  “And because of some petty childhood grievance, you fucked my wife.”