Billionaire: Billionaire Boss Romance: What the Boss Wants, He Gets (Bad Boy Alpha Billionaire Boss Romance) (New Adult Contemporary Older Man Romance)

by Tia Siren

  ''Michael, we've got to go far a walk again,'' she said.

  They wandered slowly down to a drug store and went inside. The old woman behind the counter gave her a tester kit and Cassy paid.

  Cassy didn't know what to think when the display showed: ''Pregnant.'' She wanted to cry. She was thousands of miles from home, and the father of her child was unconscious in hospital. She put her hand on her belly and closed her eyes. Suddenly she was overcome with tender feelings for Igor that were so strong, she picked up her cellphone and called Dima.

  ''Great timing,'' he said. ''I'm at the hospital. They called me and told me he'd woken up. Do you want to speak to him?''

  ''Oh yes,'' she said enthusiastically.

  ''Hello,'' he said.

  ''How are you feeling?''

  ''Okay. The doctor says I'll be out in a few days. They were a bit worried about me, but the swelling in my brain has gone down.''

  ''Thank God. Igor, when are you coming to London. I need to talk to you.''

  ''What about?''

  ''I can't tell you on the phone, but I need you to come here as soon as you can.''

  ''Are you okay?'' he asked.

  ''Yes perfectly. Michael is okay as well. It's just, I.........I need you.''

  Igor smiled. He was pleased she'd said that. He'd realized in the few hours he'd been awake that he needed her very much as well. When he thought of her, he knew his days of womanizing were gone. There was only one woman for him now. ''Cassy, Dima and I have one last task, then I will come to London.''

  ''What task?'' she asked.

  ''We have to finish what we started.''

  ''No Igor. You were almost killed. My God, you're lying in a hospital bed and talking about going out to fight. Are you insane?''

  ''Insane or not Hyka is going to pay. This time, we're going with our friends.''

  ''No Igor, I forbid it.''

  ''And who are you to forbid me anything? If you remember, I helped you when I didn't have to. Without me, Michael would be dog meat. Never talk to me like that again.''

  Cassy wanted to tell him about the baby. That's why she was so worried. She didn't want her child to grow up without a father. ''Sorry. Do what you have to do. But come to me in one piece and soon. Okay?''

  ''Alright,'' he said.

  When he'd hung up, Cassy called a friend of her late father's.

  ''Dennis it's Cassy.''

  ''Cassy. How's Michael after what happened to him?''

  ''Okay I think. There doesn't seem to be any bad reaction. Maybe in the future, who knows.''

  ''Margery and I were so sorry to hear what happened. But at least, he's home now.''

  ''Actually, we're in London, but it's a long story. Dennis, I need your help. I want to sell everything. The business and the house.''

  ''Wow. Are you sure?''

  ''Perfectly sure. I was never really interested in the toy business, and I don't think dad would have minded me selling it. What do you think it's worth?''

  ''About fifteen billion dollars.''

  ''Really?''

  ''Yes, really.''

  ''Can you start the procedure for me? I'll see that you're well remunerated.''

  ''Sure. Give me a couple of weeks; I'll consult the lawyers and get back to you.''

  ''Thanks, Dennis.''

  Cassy sat down and wondered what it would be like to have that kind of money in the bank. She didn't want to be a business woman; she wanted to be a good mother. With that kind of security, she could help her children become anything they wanted. She'd never have to work again, and she could buy Michael all the care he needed.

  Cassy had promised Igor she wouldn't call him for a few days. He needed time with Dima to correlate a plan for the extermination of the man who kidnapped Michael. Her sickness continued, and she often went to bed very early and dreamed about how Igor would react when he found out she was expecting his child.

  After a week, she started to worry. She called.

  ''Igor. What's happening? I'm worried.''

  ''Not now,'' he said and hung up.

  What the hell? She thought. She called back.

  ''Listen, I'm in the middle of something. Haven't you got any fucking patience?'' Igor said.

  ''Sorry,'' she replied.

  Perhaps she'd interrupted him in the middle of the task at hand, she thought. Still, even if she had, there was no need for him to talk to her like that. When he got to London, she would inform him of her displeasure at the way he spoke to her.

  *****

  Michael was sitting in an armchair working out how many roses were on the wallpaper, and Cassy was lying on the sofa feeling queasy. CNN was on TV, more as background than active viewing.

  Cassy started to listen when she heard the words, ''Albanian and Russian.''

  ''There has been a shoot out in Brighton Beach, New York between what is thought to be a Russian gang and an Albanian gang. It isn't clear what the motive was, but eye witnesses report a group of about twenty Russians bursting into a well know restaurant that belongs to Murat Hyka, an Albanian businessman. The whereabouts of Mr. Hyka is unknown, but it is thought he was taken away from the scene by a group of Russian men. So far the police have made no comment, except to confirm that three Russians were killed in the shootout and five Albanians.''

  ''No,'' Cassy said. ''Oh God no, please don't let it be him.''

  ''Cassy okay?'' Michael asked.

  ''Yes darling, I'm fine,'' she sobbed.

  ''Don't look fine,'' he observed.

  ''No really I'm fine.''

  Cassy left the room and tried to call Igor. No reply. She tried Dima. Also no reply. Now she was frantic. If it was him, what would she do? No, it couldn't be. The reporter had said there had been twenty Russians, and only three were dead. The chances were, Igor wasn't one of them.

  Throughout the evening, she kept CNN on and saw the same report time after time. It was no comfort. The names of the dead weren't given. All she was doing was making herself more miserable, she thought.

  ''Bedtime Michael,'' she said at half past ten.

  When Cassy got ready for bed, she prayed that he was still alive. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but it was useless. An hour later she got up and wandered down to the sitting room. She turned on the TV and again waited for news.

  She felt a hand on her shoulder. ''Michael, go to bed,'' she said.

  ''It isn't Michael. It's me.''

  Cassy jumped up and threw herself at Igor. ''How the hell did you get here so quickly?''

  ''It's only five hours flying from New York.''

  ''I thought you were dead. They said on CNN......''

  ''Never believe the press.''

  He kissed her and lifted her up. ''There's only one place I want to go with you,'' he said.

  ''You'll have to be very careful with me from now on,'' she said. He looked at her quizzically. ''I'm pregnant.''

  ''What? How?''

  ''That's the dumbest question I've ever heard. I'm about five weeks.''

  ''So, it's mine?''

  ''Jesus Igor. What do you take me for? Of course, it's yours. You're going to be a father.''

  ''Oh my God. Really?''

  ''Yes.''

  He took her to the bedroom and made love to her. He was a passionate lover, but this time, he was gentle, tender and very loving. Cassy fell asleep more satisfied than ever in the knowledge that he was safe.

  When they woke, she rolled to him, and he put his arms around her.

  ''What happened?'' She asked.

  ''Dima, me and a few others went to his restaurant. We asked him about Michel. He told us to fuck off. He was very rude. A few of his men came out and started shooting, but we soon silenced them. Then we took the fat little ass-hole and threw him in the river. At the time, he was wearing a concrete sock.'' He squeezed Cassy to him. ''It's over Cassy. You and Michael are safe now. We can go back to New York.''

  ''I don't want to. I'm selling all my assets in America. I want Michae
l to have a happy home here. England is much less violent than the US. He's been through a lot. I'll pocket a few billion from the sale of the toy business, and we can live a happy life, without worry.''

  ''Okay. What do you think about us?''

  ''I don't want you. You are far too violent.''

  Igor sat up and looked at her face. She was laughing. ''Joke, right?''

  ''Of course, it's a joke. I love you. I was terrified you'd been killed. At that moment, I knew you were the one for me.''

  ''And I love you. So, let's stay here. I'll make some inquiries about a school for Michael.''

  Michael, I'm having a baby,'' Cassy said at breakfast.

  ''Baby,'' he repeated.

  ''You know what I mean. Don't you? We are going to have a baby in the house.''

  Michael looked at her and put his hand on her belly. ''Okay. A baby,'' he said.

  *****

  Cassy had a boy and a year later a girl. She and Igor were married when both children were old enough to walk down the aisle with them. Igor concentrated on buying and selling real estate and never again entered into dubious activities.

  Michael lived with Cassy and Igor. Their children loved him and looked after him as a brother.

  *****

  THE END

  SPORTS Romance – Game On

  Chapter One

  Faith Fisher stood in front of the mirror, running her hands down her sides and over her hips. Her new jeans fit very well. She could see herself walking next to Ethan Ronan, star halfback, at the next after game party. She straightened her glasses, then took them off to see what she looked like without them. But then she couldn’t see. She squinted to try and see better. It didn’t help.

  She sighed and slipped on her glasses again. She needed to ask her mother if she could get contacts. Or she could just buy them herself with her tutoring money. She brushed her fingers through her blond hair, pulling it down in its natural waves over her chest. It came down just below her breasts, which were not too big, not too small, one of the few things she was satisfied with when it came to her body. She didn’t want to think she was frumpy and heavy, but she was a tad overweight, and most of her clothes were not the best style ever.

  In fact, did she even have a style?

  Ethan wasn’t going to go out with her unless she figured out her style and dressed herself up a bit. She turned and threw herself on her stomach on the big bed, kicking her legs up behind her. She half-crawled on the bed and grabbed her cell phone off the night table.

  WHATCHA DOIN? She texted her best friend, Stacy Thorn. Then she set the phone back down and scooted down on the bed to open her laptop and scan Facebook. Her phone beeped almost immediately, and she grabbed it up.

  TALKIN’ TO MOM AND DAD. WE STILL ON FOR SPRING BREAK?

  Faith smiled and texted back that they were definitely still on. She and Stacy were planning on heading out to the beach with half the football team and some of the cheerleaders on a quick weekend trip. She hadn’t told Stacy about her crush on Ethan, but she suspected her friend new anyway. They had been best friends since grade school, and there was very little they could keep from each other. She didn’t see that they would ever be apart. College was coming up, and they would be attending the same school…just the community college for the first two years. They had both been given two free years as a scholarship because of their grades.

  CAN YOU COME OVER LATER AND WATCH A MOVIE? She texted. She held her phone in her hand and waited for the response.

  YEAH, MOM AND DAD SAID I CAN STAY THE NIGHT. I’LL BE OVER IN A HALF HOUR.

  She smiled. She dropped back down on her bed, looking up at the ceiling. The trip was coming up faster than she expected. It was finally this Friday. She’d been waiting for weeks. She wanted to make a good impression on Ethan. Stacy would help. She would make sure that Faith didn’t come off as some kind of geeky nerd. That surely wouldn’t attract Ethan.

  Stacy came over just as she said, in a half hours’ time. She lived fifteen minutes away by bike ride, but her father brought her over in his car. She came in Faith’s room and tossed her bag on the floor by the bed. She wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged her tight. “Faith! You’re looking so good, girl!”

  Faith laughed. “Better than I was yesterday when you saw me?”

  Stacy’s smile was wide. “Yes, of course, darling, yes, of course!” She faked a British accent and rolled her eyes in a haughty manner. “I know you’re as excited as I am about the trip this weekend! And guess what! We’re gonna leave on Thursday instead of Friday!”

  Both girls squealed and Faith bounced on the bed on her knees, clapping her hands. “No way! How did that happen and how come I didn’t know!”

  “You know now! The girls just called and told me.” Stacy was good friends with several of the cheerleaders. She had been on the team during the first two years of high school but gave it up for their junior year to concentrate on her studies. She was brilliant and beautiful at the same time. Faith always felt lucky to be her friend. She had no idea why Stacy remained friends with her despite her popularity.

  Stacy dropped onto the bed and leaned back on her elbows. “You know, Faith, they told me to tell you. They want you to come along.”

  Faith blushed slightly and bit her bottom lip. “Did you tell them about Ethan?” She suspected Stacy knew. She might as well come out with it.

  Stacy stuck her tongue through her teeth, smiling big. “Of course not, Faith. I know you. You don’t want your feelings broadcast all over. Besides, Heather would tell, and we don’t want that right off, do we?”

  Faith shook her head, hiding her grin behind her hand. “No. I want to try to talk to him myself before anybody finds out.”

  Stacy turned over on her stomach and hunched her shoulders. “You’re gonna talk to him? What are you gonna say? Do you know? I bet you’re gonna need to drink a beer before you do that!”

  Faith shook her head. “Oh no! I hope they aren’t gonna be drinking!”

  Stacy laughed loudly. “Of course not! Those guys don’t drink. Their dads would kill them, every last one of them! If one dad didn’t, another one would. Imagine that! Ruining a perfectly good football career by drinking alcohol and getting all messed up. I can’t imagine.”

  “I think it’s one of the only reasons the team is as good as they are.”

  “You mean cuz they don’t drink?”

  “Yeah. I think that’s why they win so many games.”

  Stacy nodded. “I would put bets on that, Faith. Now let’s see. What are we gonna do? Mom says I can stay the night. We got lots of time.”

  “Awesome!”

  Thursday morning, Faith woke up to the bright sun streaming through her open window, letting in a cool breeze with it. She slid out of bed and closed the window, pulling the blinds so she could get dressed without thinking the entire neighborhood was watching. Her mother often came in and opened the window while she was sleeping because her room was always the hottest in the house.

  She dressed quickly. Stacy would be there to pick her up in her dad’s car by 9, and they would be meeting the rest of the group at the school by 9:30. She was as excited as she’d ever been in her 17 years of living. She could see herself swimming with Ethan and splashing him and going for a piggy-back ride on his back, playing chicken with their friends.

  She took a shower, got dressed as quickly as she could and was standing outside waiting when Stacy pulled up. Her friend leaned over and yelled through the window.

  “Let’s go, girl, we don’t have all day!”

  “I’m not the one who’s late.” Faith grinned wide as she threw her duffel bag in the back seat and climbed into the front. “What happened? I figured you’d be here early.”

  Stacy shook her head. “It takes time to look this good, sweetie.”

  They both laughed, and Faith responded, “Really? It didn’t take long to look this good.” She looked up and pressed one index finger under her chin. They both laughe
d again, and Stacy pulled out into the street.

  “We are going to have a great time, Faith.”

  “I know it!”

  Faith rolled down the window and put her hand out, letting it ride on the wind. “It’s such a beautiful spring break week. It’s too bad we couldn’t go earlier in the week, but I’m glad we get to go now.”

  Stacy nodded, glancing over at her. “Yeah, I don’t think everybody’s parents would have gone for having us all gone that long. Not enough supervision. You know they all grew up back in the ‘80s when Freddy Krueger was all the rage.”

  The girls laughed again and Faith pretended to be scared.

  “So did you bring along any books to read?” Stacy asked in a teasing voice.

  Faith flushed but smiled back at Stacy. “Maybe.” She had brought along a couple of books. It was always good to be prepared if she was left sitting on the beach alone. She planned to do plenty of swimming and volleyball and talking to Ethan, but there was always a chance she wouldn’t be able to do at least two of those things. She couldn’t help thinking what if she was stung by a jellyfish and couldn’t go back in the water or what if she twisted her ankle and couldn’t play volleyball? She didn’t even want to think about not being able to talk to Ethan. She pictured him in her mind and knew her face was flushing even more.

  “Good grief, your face is all red, Faith. Whatever are you thinking about?”

  Faith just gave her a look. Stacy burst out laughing.

  “Ethan!” She said. “Well, I wish you luck, honey. He’s a tough nut to crack.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Stacy shrugged. “I don’t want to be the one to burst your bubble, but you’re not exactly his type.”

  “What’s his type? And what type am I?”

  Stacy raised her eyebrows. “Well, you aren’t his type, at least, not that I can see. He doesn’t go for the brainy beauties. He goes for the brainless beauties. You know, the ones who don’t care whether he cheats or not or goes out with his friends more often. Or doesn’t introduce you when you go out and meet someone new. Or…”

  “Okay, okay, I get it. You sure don’t make him sound very attractive.”