Bent to His Will: A Dark Billionaire Romance

by Piper Stone

  “I’m so sorry about that, but I’m not her. I care about you as well, Gregory. You are the kind of man I never expected to meet. But you don’t understand and you won’t believe me so why bother?”

  “I think I do understand more than you know. Go do the job you need to do, Valentina, just like I have to. Heed my warning. There won’t be another.” I gave her one last hard look, shutting down my feelings for now, even though every part of me ached.

  She knew there was nothing left to say, not a damn thing that would make any difference. As she opened the door, I could almost hear her beating heart.

  When I pulled away from the curb, I knew in my heart that I’d never see her again.

  The ugly realization was far too painful even though it was necessary.

  For her protection.

  Hell, maybe for my own.

  After all, she meant everything to me.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Autumn

  He’d tossed me away as if I’d meant nothing, as if our time shared together had been exactly what I’d been warned about. A game. A ruse to get me to tell him what the hell I was doing.

  Funny how I was no longer certain.

  As I’d done before, I retreated to the comfort and safety of my apartment, immediately securing my weapon before pacing the floor.

  Just as he’d done the night before.

  Gregory.

  I loathed the fact every time I thought about him, I was placed into a haze of desire, let alone the kind of fog that pushed hard against my rational thinking. Oddly enough, not this time. I was thinking clearly, knowing that the pieces were starting to fall into place.

  I’d seen the text on Gregory’s phone the moment my hand fell against it. I couldn’t get the wretched words out of my mind. However, at least I knew how to direct my investigation.

  I’d been right in my assumptions. This particular case was wrapped around someone’s very personal need to take down Gregory first, the club and the other brothers merely a consolation prize. I’d already begun to question the rationale why. The woman. It was always about a woman. I laughed at the thought before shifting toward the window, peering past the barely open blinds.

  The hair stood up on the back of my neck seeing a figure standing across the street for the second time. This wasn’t some coincidence. This was some bastard watching me in particular. Was the jerk searching to find out if Gregory remained by my side or prepared to take me out of the picture in order to get to him without issue? The asshole must think I was a fool, so green that I couldn’t put the pieces together.

  I took long strides into the kitchen, grabbing the phone I’d hidden with my notes and iPad, the small panel inside the cabinet the perfect location. I moved quickly back toward the window, opening the blinds enough that I could attempt to take a picture of the person loitering across the street. While I knew it would be fuzzy, it was worth a try. I snapped several, retreating when the person walked closer, as if he could see me.

  Why the hell was I trembling? If the asshole got close, I would shoot him between the eyes. I pressed my finger over the screen, finding the camera roll. As suspected, the photo was grainy. Trying to enlarge it was almost useless, although I could make out a few distinguishing items, including one very vibrant peach-colored shirt. However, that wasn’t getting me anywhere. I had to follow my gut, one that had been screaming from the night before.

  I knew my friend’s number by heart, a man I respected more than anyone else in my past.

  The very one who’d provided previous information regarding the Dunmores, as well as something much more personal.

  Making certain my father never contacted me again.

  As a long time officer of the law, he had connections that I didn’t. Perhaps he would be able to provide information I hadn’t been able to obtain.

  I had no hesitation dialing the numbers, praying the call wouldn’t go straight to voicemail. Perhaps luck was with me today.

  “Marty,” I said, an obvious tremor in my voice.

  “What’s wrong, kiddo? You sound like you’ve lost your best friend. The job not going so well?” Marty asked, teasing.

  “I need your help once again.”

  He sighed and I was able to hear the sound of a door closing. “What do you need, sunshine?”

  Sucking in my breath, I shifted back toward the window, peering down at the asshole staring up at my window. I knew it in my gut. “Information on certain important individuals in DC.”

  “You mean like the boys owning Club Darkness? Didn’t I give you enough before?”

  “I need more, including who Gregory Dunmore might have pissed off personally.”

  Marty huffed before answering. “Any indication of who we’re talking about?”

  “Nothing. Except it’s very personal.

  “Doesn’t give me a lot to work with.”

  I allowed the blinds to fall, fisting my hand. “Whoever we’re talking about has no issue dragging his brothers into destruction at the same time.”

  “All right. I’ll take a crack at it.”

  “I might be on a wild goose chase.”

  He chuckled. “I know you too well, Autumn. Once you get your claws stuck into something, you refuse to let go. And oddly enough, you’re usually right. Follow those instincts of yours.”

  It was time to adhere to advice Marty had given me a long time ago. He’d been my mentor going through the police academy, a tough taskmaster as a trainer but a man who cared about his students. He’d taken me under his wing, teaching me certain training techniques that others would have frowned upon. Now it was time to put them to good use.

  “You’re right,” I stated.

  * * *

  I’d come to learn I had little patience, especially when my nerves were rattled. I’d looked through my notes at least ten times, whittling down various snippets of information. What little Gregory had told me barely filtered into the mix; however, I now firmly believed that the basic accusations leveled against him and his two brothers had no real evidence to back them up. Personal vendettas weren’t always logical. Even the money issue seemed lame, although I had the distinct feeling that it would be the base for building a case against them.

  My stomach continued to churn as I grabbed my phone for the tenth time, praying to God Marty would call back. While I could be wrong, I had the distinct feeling that something was going down today. Gregory had even received another phone call as he was driving me home and from what little I’d gleaned, it hadn’t been a pleasant conversation.

  Still angry, I glared at my watch, snickering as I thought about punching in the button. Would anyone actually come to save me? I couldn’t go off halfcocked, not without real evidence.

  If any existed.

  Maybe I was simply praying that Gregory was innocent.

  I had to make a secondary plan if Marty wasn’t able to find out anything. Damn it. I hated this. I was like a wild animal in a cage.

  Just thinking the words created a shiver. A cage. Exactly where Gregory wanted me. I rubbed my neck, almost missing the leather collar. A laugh bubbled to the surface. How could I miss having nothing more than a dog collar with a tag? I was such a freaking fool. I’d only been playing a game, nothing more.

  Right?

  I prodded my little voice to answer as I walked into the kitchen to retrieve a bottle of water. When she didn’t answer, I gave her a mental middle finger, refusing to buy that I’d actually enjoyed being treated like a pet. The buzz of the intercom downstairs sent both a chill down my spine as well as a thrill straight into my pussy. What if Gregory had returned?

  Barely a few inches from the door and far too eager, I yanked back my hand, half laughing. What the hell was wrong with me? I hesitated before pressing the button, uncertain of what to expect. “Yes?”

  “Ms. Foster?” an unknown voice asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I have a package here for you. Do you want me to leave it here or would you like to co
me and get it?”

  A package. My hackles weren’t just raised. They were on fire. “You can just leave it at the front door. Thank you.” I rushed toward the front window, carefully peering outside, able to see a young man walking away from the door and getting into what appeared to be a delivery truck of some kind. Still, I didn’t like this on any level. I doubted Gregory was the kind of guy to be sending me presents. But if not him? Who the hell knew my address other than the captain?

  I shifted my gun into my jeans, pulling my shirt over my waistband before unlocking the front door and cautiously looking outside. There was no one in sight. As I crept down the stairs, I listened for any sounds of intruders. There was almost no sound, with the exception of music blaring from one of the units.

  After opening the door, I noticed the plain brown package leaning up against the exterior of the building, far too thin to house some kind of bomb. I laughed nervously as I retrieved it, fingering the lettering and hissing at the fact there wasn’t a return address. Taking the stairs two at a time, I locked myself in and proceeded to peel away the multiple layers of tape when my phone rang.

  This time, I jumped, my nerves almost getting the better of me.

  “Marty. What did you find?”

  “Someone has been investigating Gregory, asking a lot of pointed questions about a death that occurred a few years before. And no, I have no clue who it is. They were very careful about covering their tracks. I will say this, whoever this person is, he or she must have powerful friends.”

  “Meaning what?” As I pulled out a group of pictures, a cold chill shifted down my spine. I’d been right. We’d been watched last night. Another indication this was very personal.

  And photographed.

  While the majority of photos had been taken at the restaurant, the one that horrified me was the one on the boat. Not from the night before.

  From the morning just before we’d left.

  As well as the red ‘X’ marked through my face.

  “But I did secure information that I think you might find helpful,” Marty continued. “Be careful with this, Autumn.”

  “I’m always careful,” I retorted.

  “No, you’re a bulldozer.”

  While I heard what Marty had to say, I could barely concentrate on the words, especially since I noticed the piece of paper that had fallen from in between the pictures.

  Turn on the television

  The bold block lettering gave no other indication of what I was looking for, but I obeyed the command, my hand shaking as I attempted to find the remote. Immediately, the screen was filled with what appeared to be a vicious crowd of reporters who’d cornered the movie star, Bart Frederick, the man I knew as the son of one of the most notorious kingpins up and down the East Coast.

  “Wait a minute, Marty.” I turned up the volume, struggling to understand what was going on, the channel five reporter standing barely thirty feet from the front of some posh residence and one very angry Bart Frederick.

  “In breaking entertainment news, Universal Studios has just dropped their leading man from the Men of Action movie franchise for a breach in his contract. While the studio listed the reason for dropping Bart Frederick as an egregious breach in contract terms, in unsubstantiated reports, sources note that anonymous tips were sent in regarding Mr. Frederick’s various heinous acts of a sexual nature involving the infamous Club Darkness.”

  “What the fuck?” I half whispered. This was no freaking coincidence.

  “What is going on?” Marty demanded.

  “I’m not sure, but I think I might have just found Gregory’s enemy.” I wasn’t certain whether to be excited or confused.

  As I turned away from the television, I was forced to suck in my breath. What in the hell was going on?

  * * *

  Gregory

  Threatened.

  I’d searched my memory banks in an attempt to figure out who had the most to gain from threatening me. One man came to mind. As I drove toward his house, I could barely contain my rage. I cut the engine, jerking open the door, issuing several hard pounds against the thick wooden surface.

  When it was opened, the expression on the woman standing in a cleaning uniform was one of obvious concern. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m here to see Senator Busfield,” I said, attempting to keep my voice down.

  “I don’t think he wants to be disturbed. He’s in his office.”

  “As if I give a shit.” I slammed open the door, my patience completely gone.

  “Sir. Sir! You can’t go in there,” she yelped as she backed away.

  I took long strides past her, ignoring her pleas. I was going to get to the bottom of this shit now and I knew the man who had the answers. Without hesitation, I burst into Senator Busfield’s office, yanking the phone out of his hand and ending the call.

  James Busfield was many things, including a notorious liar.

  He lied to his constituents, his wife, his golf buddies, and even his children. A greedy son of a bitch, he and my father had made millions together by blackmailing and sabotaging other club members. And the motherfucker wanted my brothers and me to slide right into my father’s shoes, using the same tactics. When I’d rebuffed his overtures, finally refusing him outright, he’d decided to take matters into his own hands by destroying the very organization that had made him a wealthy, powerful man. Granted, he’d been nothing more than a lowly attorney then a judge while my father had been alive. I wonder how my father would feel that James made senator?

  “What the fuck?” Senator Busfield demanded, his eyes opening wide.

  I charged toward him, my hand immediately wrapping around his throat mere seconds before I shoved him against the wall. “You are an asshole.”

  “Ba... ba...” His face turning red, he clawed at my hands, sputtering as he spit saliva.

  Squeezing, I growled at the cleaning girl when she dared enter the room, giving her a hard glare. I could tell that good ole James was trying to wave her away. Of course he wouldn’t want his secrets revealed to a member of the staff who cleaned his home, likely the only woman in his broad circle that he hadn’t fucked in the last few years.

  “Now, I’m going to let you go and you’re going to tell me the truth or I swear to God I will snap your neck. Are we clear?”

  James managed to nod.

  I dropped him like a rock, wiping my hands while I walked away.

  He coughed, making choking sounds for a full minute. “What... What the... hell?”

  “You tell me.” I shifted my hard gaze in his direction, remaining unblinking. “Why were you attempting to frame my corporation?”

  “What?”

  “Monies deposited from unknown sources into our accounts. Pricks tipping off the police that we’re selling underage girls to the highest bidder? Does that sound familiar?” When his face turned red all on its own accord, I knew the bastard had betrayed us. As I stepped closer to him, he threw up his hands.

  “You don’t understand, Gregory.”

  “What’s there not to understand?” I asked as I eased my weapon from my pocket, holding it casually.

  Swallowing hard, he glared at the cold steel, beads of sweat already forming along his hairline. “I wouldn’t do anything to you or your brothers. I respected your father. You have to know that.”

  “What I know is that business is business. Now that he’s gone, you want all of his.”

  James shook his head several times, the sweat increasing. “That’s just not true. Your father was my friend. Why the hell would I do that?”

  I shifted the gun from one hand to the other before walking closer. “And you’re lying. What I want to know is why?”

  “There are things in this town you don’t understand.”

  “Oh, in what way?” I asked, taking another step closer.

  He backed away, almost tripping over one of his plush leather chairs in an effort to get away from me. “The-there are people who are dangerous in this
town.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “You mean even more so than the horrible Dunmore family?” I could swear the sweat had already stained his crisp white shirt.

  “Hell, yes, son. My God. Open your eyes. I’m not your enemy.”

  “Which is why you attempted to pull me into a business deal?”

  This time, he had a difficult time swallowing. “I thought that by enticing you to work with me that maybe... I was trying to warn you because no one can be trusted.” He backed further away until there was nowhere left to go. He smacked hard against the wall, terrified of his own actions.

  “No one, huh?”

  There was an air about him that reminded me of the truth. Still, I closed the distance.

  “Na... na... no. You have to believe me. I do know they want you taken down.”

  “Why and what is your role in this?”

  “You and your brothers are too powerful. You know too many things!” he exclaimed.

  I laughed once again. “The same old bullshit. All right. I can see I’ll have to play like my father did. You didn’t answer the question, James. What was your role, because I know you had one?”

  As I released the safety on the weapon, he slumped against the wall, his lower lip quivering.

  “I coordinated the money drops. Okay? That’s all. I swear to God. That’s it. Please don’t hurt me. I have a wife and children, even grandkids.”

  I hated a man who blubbered. I placed the barrel of the gun at his temple, giving him a huge smile. “I believe you, James. I actually do; however, you need to tell me who is behind this and I’ll be happy to leave you alone.”

  “Please. I don’t know.”

  “Then why the fuck would you follow orders?” When he said nothing, I pressed the steel with enough pressure he gasped.

  “Because of the threats. He’s blackmailing me!”

  The words seemed to echo, and I almost fell into a fit of laughter. “Well, well. What did you do, James?”

  He took a gulping deep breath and narrowed his eyes. “You haven’t looked at your father’s ledgers. Have you?”

  Why should I answer?