“Absolutely, ma’am, which is why you were on a pleasure cruise that went into international waters, where it is legal.”
“I haven’t been on a cruise.”
“This paper says otherwise.”
“I still don’t understand.”
The taller man smiled patiently. “On Saturday evening, I personally witnessed you arriving with an older man. He started out on at the poker table, his winnings in the thousands. Unfortunately, as the night went on, your companion got into... riskier opportunities. You graciously offered to settle any debts you had.”
Her stomach roiled. “I wasn’t with anyone Saturday evening. Only my dad during the day.” How could he do this to her?
“Perhaps you should talk with him.”
She laughed bitterly. “Kinda burned that bridge on Saturday.”
“In any case, during your grace period, we won’t bother you or your family. However, we do expect prompt payment.”
“I don’t have that kind of money.”
“Again, we understand these things happen, but a debt is a debt, and if we can’t collect in cash, we’ll find other ways to work it out.” They stepped back, moving as one unit this time, but not before handing her a plain white card with a series of numbers printed on it. “Have it deposited into this account. I’ll be back in exactly fourteen days if it’s not, Ms. Holt, and I won’t be as understanding. Have a good evening.”
FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE hours, Faith stared at the paper with her name written on it. She didn’t move from her spot. She didn’t answer her phone either. She’d tried calling her dad, but his phone was disconnected. She called her mother, but she’d already left to meet her friends for a month-long vacation, where they would stay at each other’s homes all over the country.
As the day turned into night, she vaguely heard her door open and close.
“I thought you weren’t mad at me... “ Connor knelt in front of her. “What’s wrong?”
“I owe money.” She focused on him instead of the paper, finding comfort in his presence. “Apparently, I went gambling in international waters.”
“I take it you didn’t win.” He plucked the paper out of her hand, scanning over it, swearing viciously. “I’ll pay it off.”
That woke her out of her trance. She ripped the paper from him. “No.”
“You don’t have this kind of money.”
“So?”
“Don’t be unreasonable.”
“If I pay this off, he’ll keep gambling.”
“If you don’t pay this, you’ll get hurt.”
“Not if I fall off the face of the earth first.” Hot tears finally fell on her cheeks, scalding her skin. “You own a house on Mars? I hear it’s nice in winter.”
He gently wiped her tears away. “Don’t cry, Buttercup. I’ll take you to Cabo for the week.”
“I really can’t lose my job now,” she said, her tears like a rainstorm now. “I worked too hard for it.”
Connor sat beside her, pulling her into his lap and cradling her against his warm chest. “At least come stay at my place. You’ll feel safer there.”
He was right and she knew it. “I can’t move in permanently.”
“I wouldn’t mind if you did.” He stroked her hair, his touch exactly what she needed right now. “You could live with me for the rest of your life.”
“You’ll let my husband and kids live there too?” she asked, then immediately regretted it.
He sat back, staring into her eyes. “If it meant that I started every day with seeing you, then yes.”
Thirty minutes later, Faith walked inside Connor’s home. She’d visited him there, but had never spent the night. “You can sleep in here, or I’ll give up the master for you.”
She stood there, suitcase weighing her down because she refused to let him or anyone else carry it. “I’ll sleep here.”
He touched the side of her face. “I’ll be right beside you. Call, text, or email me if you need anything.”
“I’m hungry.”
“I’ll have something sent up.”
Dropping the suitcase, she hugged Connor. “Thank you for always being there for me.”
His arms went around her. “I have something for you.”
Sniffing, she asked, “You’ve done enough.”
“It’s an early birthday present.” He stepped back and reached in his pocket, pulling out a small box, flipping it open with his thumb. “Not a ring.”
She peered inside, gasping at the white gold necklace with a diamond and onyx pendant in the shape of two blackbirds in midflight. “That’s so pretty.”
“Hope you like black diamonds.”
Her gaze flew to his. “Black diamonds?”
He nodded. “I got matching birds, too.”
She looked at his neck, but he didn’t have a chain around his neck. “Where?”
Slowly, he turned, pulling his shirt up and over his head. His back muscles flexed and she swallowed hard. Then she made her gaze move over him, up to his shoulder blade where two birds, black in color with their wings spread, were inked. “Got it while I was in Paris, but I didn’t want to show you until after you opened your present.”
She traced the outline and his breath hitched. She let her hand drop. “I should get one, too.”
He turned to face her. “Matching tattoos is a huge commitment and you hate needles.”
“I don’t plan on going anywhere, and I can overcome my fear of them.” She bent her head. “Will you fasten the necklace?”
“Of course.”
She stared at his boots while he did, his fingers brushing her neck and making her skin tingle.
“Done,” he said.
She lifted her head, trying not to stare at his bare chest. He was muscular but lean and the hair on his chest was light, but it darkened as it tapered to a thin line that disappeared beneath his jeans.
Biting the side of her lip, she met his gaze head on. “Thank you for my early birthday present.”
His pouty lips parted. “I’d buy you the world if it would make things better.”
“I don’t want the world, Connor.” She rubbed her eyes. “I just want to be a regular girl, for once.”
“I know and if I could make that happen, I would.” He stepped closer, bending down a little to peer into her eyes, but it felt more like he was looking into her soul. “Get some food in you. Get some rest, and we’ll talk in the morning.”
“I’ll email you my list of pitiful assets. Maybe I can get rid of some.” She looked down at the diamond ring on her right hand. That would have to go first. “I hate being in this position.”
“We’ll fix it.” Connor hooked a finger under her chin. His hazel eyes were serious. “I promise you this won’t happen again.”
“You can’t promise that.”
His eyes darkened. “Don’t make me bet you, lass. Montgomerys always win.”
11
FAITH + CONNOR
THE NEXT MORNING
SUBJECT: LIST OF ASSETS
My immortal soul
Eggs
Car
Diamond ring
See #1
SUBJECT: NO
There isn’t enough money to buy that and I should know because I tried selling mine and could only get about a billion for it. Yours is worth an infinite amount more.
Did you buy chickens?
Your car is 12 years old
I’ll buy it from you
See #4
SUBJECT: I DON’T WANT YOUR MONEY
I was only kidding. Jesus already has dibs.
No, I meant the ones in my ovaries.
It’s a great, reliable car.
See subject line
I don’t know what else to do.
SUBJECT: NEW LIST (COMMENTS UNWELCOME)
My last name
My bank account
My Tesla
My house in Cabo
My apartment in NYC
SUBJECT: PASS
Your last name won’t stop these guys.
I’m not taking your money (END OF DISCUSSION).
See #2
SUBJECT: MY OFFICE
Now.
Also: Take the private elevator. The code’s 721 (yes, I changed it to screw with Drew when he gets back).
12
FAITH
CONNOR WAS WAITING for her as soon as the elevator doors opened.
“You’re not selling anything from your body,” he said without preamble.
“I don’t think you get a say in that.”
“I do when you’re not thinking clearly.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, ushering her from the conference room to his office. “Otherwise, I’d say you’re mostly right.”
She rolled her eyes at his high-handedness, but didn’t take offense at it. How could she when he was right? She wasn’t thinking clearly, because who could when they had to pay back money that didn’t even owe in a small amount of time?
“Your brother’s not going to like me being here.”
“Don’t really care.” He pointed to his desk. “Go sit. I’ll make us drinks.”
“I’m not sitting in his chair.”
“I bought a new one. Take it for a spin.”
“In that case...” She did exactly that, until her head was moving while her body wasn’t. “Why did you call me up here, which by the way, I hate being summoned by email. Your brother did that to me when he said it was you or my job.”
Connor paused halfway to her, drinks in his hand. “That son of a bitch.”
“Obviously, I didn’t listen.”
He handed her a glass, filled with ice and coke. “No Jack for you.”
“None for you either. It’s nine in the morning.”
He merely smiled. “But I can hold my liquor. You can’t.”
“That was one time, Connor. I swear.” She peered at him over her glass. “You can’t hold my twenty-first birthday against me forever.”
“You got drunk on purple passion. It’s literally three percent alcohol.”
“It tasted like cough syrup.”
“Another reason why I will never let you live it down.”
“Hey, it was in my budget,” she protested.
“We were in Vegas. You were drunk before I could serve you what was in my budget, which was champagne from—”
“Don’t care.”
“You wouldn’t.” He sat down in a chair directly across from her. “You look good in charge.”
She smiled brightly. “I could rule the world from up this high.”
“Too bad you’re afraid of heights.”
“I’m not afraid of heights. I’m afraid of falling.”
He made a face. “Most people are afraid of hitting the ground.”
“I’m afraid of never hitting the ground. It’s more terrifying to be aimless.”
“London would have a field day with you.”
Faith shook her head, warmth spreading all through her body at an unnatural pace. While she accepted the fact that she was majorly attracted to her best friend, he hadn’t done anything to warrant this kind of response to him, especially when they were discussing his little sister. “Don’t you let her profile me. She tried over email last month and I refused to answer her. Also, tell her I’m sorry for not replying the next time you see her.”
“Should have told me before now. We had dinner last Friday night.”
“Awwwww. How is she?”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“We had a subject?” she asked, all innocent.
“Mmm-hmm.” He leaned forward, resting an elbow on his knee. “I don’t see any way out of this, except with my help.”
“Then let me sell my ring.” She held it out, flexing her fingers and watching it sparkle. “I know how much it’s worth.” One hundred and fifty thousand dollars. She’d nearly choked on her own saliva when she had it appraised for insurance purposes two years ago.
“Like I said, you can sell it to me.”
“Can’t I solve my own problems?”
“Absolutely—when they’re of your own making. But this is not your fault and I refuse to allow you to take the fall.”
“You sound like your brother,” she grumbled.
“You have no idea how like him I really am.”
She waved a hand in the air. “Yeah, yeah, Montgomery’s are possessive, domineering billionaires with huge...assets.” Dear. Lord. She did not just say that. She examined her drink. “Are you sure you didn’t put Jack in this.”
“Vodka, actually.” He stood, reaching over to take her glass away and moving back to the bar. “Thanks for proving my point.”
She blinked. “At least I wasn’t getting turned on by a conversation about your sister,” she muttered.
“What?” he asked, returning with what she knew was nothing but coke and ice this time.
“Nothing.” She cleared her throat. “So I have a really crazy idea. Maybe even a bad one and I totally understand if you veto it, but it’s the only way I know to maybe get out of this and not really owe you money. But... it’s risky and it involves not only stealing but insurance fraud.”
Connor stared at her, not saying anything for a long while.
She squirmed in her seat. “I swear it could work. I saw it on a show last night, Good Girls or Bad Girls or something about women committing insurance fraud but with money stolen from a safe at work.”
“We don’t keep cash on hand.”
“I know... well, I don’t know, but I have access to something that very few people do, including your brother. I know how much it’s worth because I was the one to suggest insuring the book before it went on tour all over the world.” She traced a pattern on the desk, unwilling to look her best friend in the face now. “Your dad’s design book is worth a lot of money to this company. Like.... Millions and that’s what it was insured for.”
“Insurance takes a while to pay out.”
“Not if you hack into their system and make them pay out earlier than that... say in ten days to be safe? Then hack into this system and siphon the money into an offshore account that we can access and transfer.” She risked a peek at Connor and to her ever-grateful heart, he wasn’t staring at her in disgust. In fact, he looked oddly proud. “I have the short guy’s calling card with his account number on it.”
“Give it to me.” He held out his hand.
She pulled it out of her pocket and gave it to him. “What do you think?”
“I could do that, but you have to prove the book’s been lost.” He tucked the card away.
“You’ll help me?”
“Yes. I told you I would.”
“Even though it involves, lying, stealing, hacking, and embezzlement?”
He grinned wryly. “Took you long enough to let my vices rub off on you.”
“I plan on paying the company back.”
“Just miraculously find the book and you won’t have to,” he said. “I’ll help you hide it.”
“Really? I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet, so this really helps.” She sank into the chair, letting some of the stress that had built up leave her. “What if this doesn’t work.”
“It will.”
“But what if it doesn’t?” she pressed, sitting up straighter. “I mean, my idea came from a fictional show.” She groaned, putting her head in her hands. “Oh my God. This is such a bad idea.”
“Hey, hey, don’t talk like that.” Connor was at her side in an instant, turning her chair and kneeling. “What happened to my little confident rule breaker?”
She looked at him through her fingers. “She had an attack of conscience.”
He laughed. “Then let me be your conscience.”
“Okay,” she whispered. “What should I do first?”
“Go back to work. Take a long lunch. Then I want you to get the design book and email me when you do. I’ll come to you and we’ll go from there.”
“You make
it sound so simple.”
“Stick with me, kid. I’ll make bad so good.” He winked at her and this time she laughed.
13
CONNOR
AFTER HIS LAST MEETING, Connor headed down to the library to check on Faith. He’d known she wouldn’t be able to go through with her plan, but it was his job to support her... and he kinda liked the idea of a wicked Faith.
Emphasis on the idea part. In reality, Faith was anything but scheming or wicked—the perfect counter to his dark soul.
In fact, he planned on implementing his own plan to not only pay off the guys who’d shown up at her place, but also to make sure her dad stayed the fuck away from every potential gambling spot in and out of the country.
“Hey...” he began and stopped short. Books and magazines were strewn everywhere. Bookshelves were nearly bare and drawers were half-open. “Were we robbed?”
Stupid question, considering the security in place. Then again, they still didn’t have cameras trained on or positioned in the library. He’d change that right after Faith updated him.
Faith popped up from behind a bookcase, her eyes rimmed in red and her hair a riot of curls around her face. He loved the curls, but not the fact that she’d been crying.
“I can’t find the design book.” She sniffed, wiping at her nose with a tissue. “It’s not anywhere it’s supposed to be.”
“Was it delivered in a different package??” He moved closer to Faith, intent on helping her.
“No, this was the only one and it’s even on the packing list, but I’ve been through the entire crate and it’s not there.” Faith hiccupped, then blew her nose as he started picking up books. “What are you doing?”
“I’m helping you clean up this mess,” he said, placing them on the nearest table. “Start from the beginning and tell me what happened.”
“I decided not to plot against the company I work for, decided that I shouldn’t listen to vodka because I couldn’t live with myself if I stole from your family, but Jesus got so mad that he’s punishing me anyway.”
“Pretty sure Jesus is angrier at other things right now.”
Seducing the Billionaire's Brother Page 7