Leverage (Part Three) (Billionaire Romance)

by Andria, Alexx

  “That doesn't sound like Boston. Not the Boston that I used to know anyway. You did good in calling me. Thanks a lot man.”

  “You got it,” Laird said and waved goodbye.

  Vince climbed into the car and instead of driving to his house went to the penthouse. Now that Penny lived with Dillon, the penthouse was empty. And thank God the penthouse had an elevator. There was no way in hell he was gonna be able to drag Boston's heavy ass all the way up the stairs. He heaved Boston onto the bed and then left him there, alternately snoring and mumbling. “Sleep it off, buddy,” he said, locking the door as he let himself out. He’d be back in the morning to see what the hell crawled up Boston’s ass.

  The next morning Boston awoke to the mother of all hangovers, the need to vomit, and the realization that he didn’t remember anything past a certain point last night. Oh, and he had no fucking idea where he was. He rose, stiff from sleeping in his clothes, and stumbled from the bedroom to find his old buddy Vince Buchanan sitting in the living room, reading on his iPad while sipping coffee. It took him a few seconds to realize it was Vince who must’ve brought him here.

  Vince looked up and grinned. “You look like shit.”

  “Feel like it, too. Where am I?” Boston asked, wincing at the sunlight streaming in through the windows. “Is this your place?”

  “One of them. You're at the penthouse. There was no way I was dragging your drunk ass home to my wife. She would've fileted you and me alive. So what’s going on?”

  Boston closed his eyes. He didn’t want to remember. Vince sighed and put his iPad away. “All right, what's her name?" he asked, going straight to the point. “Don't bother denying it. I’ve been through this before in my own life and I recognize the misery. Only a woman can make a man look like you do.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” he said, feeling like squashed dog shit.

  Vince shook his head. “Naw, after dragging your ass out of my club, the least I can do is get a name out of you.”

  He supposed he owed Vince that. “Julianna,” he shared, wincing at even saying her name. “Julianna Holly.”

  “Nice name. What's the story?”

  “C’mon man, cut me some slack. I don't want to talk about it."

  “Too bad. You have to know that whatever you're running from isn’t going to get better if you don’t face it.”

  Boston gave him a sour look. “And suddenly you're an expert on love? The man who owns a sex club? Give me a break.”

  “That was the old Vince. The new Vince is a respectable monogamous guy. Who just happens to own part of a sex club.” He shrugged when Boston rolled his eyes. “It's an important distinction.”

  “Whatever.” Boston walked on stiff legs to pour himself a cup of coffee. “Look, I appreciate you going to get me. I didn't mean to get so drunk but I just couldn't seem to stop. Honestly, the idea of going back to my place was more than I could handle so I just kept drinking.”

  “Hey, I get it. So, tell me the story. Let it all out. That's the only way it's going to get better.”

  He barked a short mirthless laugh. “There's no making this better. She's never coming back and I planned it that way.”

  “Let me guess…you said or did something really terrible so that you couldn’t take it back.”

  Boston scowled. “Yeah, and what if I did?”

  “Then I would say you're not brilliant dude. And you sure as hell aren’t original. We've all done that shit. But if she's worth it and you love her, you will find a way to make it right. Let me tell you something — life without love isn’t worth living. I was living a half-life before I met Emma. And I wouldn't trade what I have with her for all the pussy in the world. And that's a fact.”

  “You don’t understand. It's a mess. I've messed it up so bad. And by the time I realized what I really wanted I’d fucked it up so bad there was no way I could go back.”

  “Trust me, there is nothing that can't be fixed. Unless you inadvertently killed her parents or you accidentally set her house on fire, I know there's nothing that can't be fixed.”

  “I did something really disgusting.”

  “I'm sure it's nothing I haven't done — twice,” Vince said, bored. “What could you have done that was so bad? For Christ sakes we used to call you Jiminy Cricket. Have you changed that much since we were kids?”

  “Let's just say I could've used a little of that conscience when I met Julianna. I don't know what came over me. All I knew was I had to have her and I struck a deal that I'm ashamed to admit.”

  “What kind of deal?” Vince asked, curious. “You’ve got my mind spinning. What did you do?”

  “I bought her.”

  Vince did a double take and then, if Boston wasn’t mistaken, tried to hold back a grin, which Boston found really inappropriate.

  “What's so funny?” he demanded.

  Vince held up his hands. “Nothing although it is a bit ironic.”

  “I have a fucking hangover and zero sense of humor. What are you talking about? There's nothing ironic about my situation. It's just fucked up.”

  “It is totally fucked up, I agree with you. The irony is that I've done the very thing that you've done. Makes me wonder if it was something that we've all done. Weird. I'm thinking people with money are just, I don’t know, warped. At least that's what Emma says. And I'm beginning to agree with her.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Vince heaved a sigh. “Here's the thing, there was a woman, actually she's my sister-in-law now, long story, Nolan and I bought her for lack of a better word. We thought she could be our mistress of sorts. Sort of like a courtesan. Then Dillon came along and found out about our arrangement and it all went to hell because frankly, it was illegal anyway and you really can't help with who you fall in love with. So Penny and Dillon ran off and got married then had a baby and they're happy as clams and then Nolan inadvertently got a woman pregnant and they got married so they’re happy as clams and then I met Emma, and well, that's a really long story condensed in the most convoluted way. Any questions?”

  Boston stared. “Now wait a minute, are you saying you slept with your sister-in-law?” he asked, confused. To that Vince nodded and Boston grimaced. “How awkward does that make Christmas dinner?”

  “You know it's not awkward at all because we don't talk about it. It's in the past and we don’t live in the past because our futures are pretty damn awesome. And that's kinda the point I'm getting to right now. If you’ve done a lot of crappy stuff in the past, leave it there so you can provide for your future. I never thought I would say this but being monogamous with the right person is pretty damn awesome. And the sex… pretty damn awesome, too.”

  “You?” Boston's tone was incredulous. “The biggest man whore I’ve ever known in my entire life…endorsing monogamy?”

  “Hey, don't stereotype me. I was a manwhore until I found there were something better. And now I would rate breakfast in bed with my wife as just as awesome as a foursome with Playboy bunnies.”

  Before he’d met Julianna Boston would’ve called bullshit on Vince's claim but he knew exactly what his friend was talking about because that's how he felt about Julianna. Just being with her was worth it, was worth losing out on every supposed freedom he’d ever had as a rich, single guy. And he wanted to be there for every step of the way of her pregnancy and he wanted to be there at the moment his child was born but he knew there was no way Julianna would forgive him. Not for the world.

  “She's pregnant.”

  “Your girl?”

  He nodded. “And she hates me.”

  “I thought you couldn't have kids,” Vince said slowly. “The doctors were wrong?”

  “No, it was just a miracle. Likely this is the only child I’ll ever have. I doubt lightning will strike twice. But it's not just about the baby. Even if there wasn't a baby involved I'd still want her. She's unlike any woman I've ever met in my life and I don't know how I can possibly live without her.”
r />   “Then don't.”

  He looked to Vince. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean don't live without her. It's pretty damn clear to me that you’re useless without her. So quit whining like a bitch, quit drowning your sorrows like a pussy and go get your woman!”

  Was it that simple? Should he have stood his ground? Should he have taken his licks as he deserved and done whatever it took to regain her good graces? All signs pointed to yes. “But what if she won't take me back?”

  Vince looked disgusted. “Stop being a baby. That woman is having your kid but she already has your heart. You’re useless here. Go get her.”

  Boston shook his head. It would never work. “I can't strong-arm her. Not this time.”

  “Then put on some Boston Kincaid charm. I know you're probably rusty in that department but the Boston I knew could charm the pants off any girl. Just by being the good guy.”

  “The good guy…” It’d been a long since he’d considered himself a good guy. Not since Gigi. Was it possible? Could he be the man he used to be? He looked to Vince and was suddenly very grateful for his old friend. The friend he’d always worried would end up dead of a venereal disease, and suddenly laughed in spite of the pounding in his head. “I can't believe I'm going to say this but, Vince, that was the best advice I’ve ever heard. Thanks man.”

  “Hey, don't mention it. Sometimes we fuck up. But the love of a good woman will always be what the doctor ordered.”

  At the mention of the word doctor, Boston scowled. “That reminds me there's a certain doctor who’s in the way.”

  “I hate to break it to you but it's your fault for leaving her wide open for someone to poach. You've got what it takes to win her back. So go do it. However, I'd shower first because you look like shit and you don't smell very good either.”

  Boston laughed. “I hear you. Can I use your shower?”

  “Please do.”

  Vince slid the key over to Boston. “Lock up when you're done. When you get things patched up with your girl, give me a call and we’ll do dinner or something. The wives love to have dinner parties. It's sort of their thing.”

  Boston smiled, unable to believe how the universe had changed when he hadn’t been paying attention. But you know what, he kinda liked this new universe where the Buchanans were decent people. They'd always been friends but the Buchanans had always walked on the wild side — a little too wild at times.

  Vince let himself out while Boston finished his coffee. He had a lot of work to do. But nothing was going to stop him from doing it.

  Like Vince said, time to man up and stop being a pussy.

  -9-

  Julianna closed her eyes to the warm sun and dug her toes into the powder-soft sand, desperate to find some kind of peace amidst the war zone of her mind. Miles had been so wonderful for the past few days, not only caring for her well-being but her emotional health, too, but she’d needed a break from everything and everyone. She appreciated Miles’ thoughtfulness but Boston was too stuck in her mind — and heart — to allow anything to blossom. Initially, her reluctance had seemed understandable as she’d been shell-shocked by everything that’d gone down but as the days wore on and nothing more than a friendly flutter had tickled her chest when she thought of Miles, she knew with a sinking heart that she couldn’t give Miles false hope that she’d ever feel anything more. Somehow, she’d have to find the way to break it to Miles and she wasn’t looking forward to that conversation.

  “I thought I’d find you here.”

  Lilah’s soft, friendly voice cut through her turbulent thoughts as she spread her towel beside Julianna as if they were besties, not that Julianna minded. She could use another girl’s perspective. She smiled in welcome and admitted, “I think this beach has magical properties because I always feel so much more centered when I just sit here and listen to the waves.”

  “Oh, it totally has magic,” Lilah agreed as if that were common knowledge. “My grandmother, who was a fish in another life, used to say that the water here was nothing short of total magic. Having a bad day? Go down to the water and splash around a bit. Mad at your husband, go for a long swim. Stuck in your own head, go wiggle your toes in the sand, which seems to be what you’ve already figured out,” she said, pointing at Julianna’s sandy toes.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re grandmother was right.” She heaved a heavy sigh, wishing she knew what the right answer to her problems was. Julianna looked to Lilah and wondered if the sprite islander had ever known a bad day in her life. On impulse she asked, “Was it always smooth sailing for you and your guy?”

  Lilah laughed. “Heck no. I left him when I was pregnant with our twins because his family —at the time — was atrocious and I suffered a real case of low self-esteem. Gosh, that seems like ages ago now.”

  Julianna stared, shocked. “Really? Wow. I didn’t expect that answer. I…wow.” She stopped a minute to digest the information. “But it worked out all right?”

  “Yep. But not without a lot of work and forgiveness on all sides. I was pretty stubborn and so was my husband but I’m so grateful neither of us bailed. Our life is pretty amazing, I’m not gonna lie.”

  “I can imagine,” Julianna murmured in agreement. How could living on a tropical island be any sort of tragedy? “How did you know that going forward with your husband was the right choice?”

  “Because it was the only choice when I really thought about it. I’ve never loved anyone like I love Justin. He is my soulmate for sure. But before you get the wrong idea, it’s not always seashells and boiled bananas. We argue, we get on each other’s nerves and sometimes we go to bed angry but none of that matters in the big scheme of things because we love each other more than anything we disagree about. I guess that’s what matters.”

  Julianna nodded, wishing she and Boston only had simple quibbles to argue about. Their entire foundation was built on sand and then when she’d tried to imagine living in that beautiful sand castle, the tide came in and washed it all away as a reminder that it’d never been built to last. Tears stung her eyes before she could push them down. Lilah rested a gentle hand on her shoulder and said with gentle conviction, “He loves you. He really does” which only served to break the dam open and Julianna could only sob openly. Lilah folded her into a hug and just held her while she cried.

  “He doesn’t love me,” Julianna said between watery hiccups. “He never did. And then he cheated on me just to drive the point home. I’m an inconvenience that he’s tired of and that’s all I’ll ever be. I was stupid to hope for more and now I’m stuck with him for the rest of my life.”

  There was a frown in Lilah’s voice as she said, “Well, I can’t say that I’m happy to hear that he cheated on you but men do things for convoluted reasons that they regret later. I’m willing to bet he really regrets hurting you.”

  Julianna drew away and wiped her nose with her towel, confused. “Why would you say that?”

  “I guess because I saw the anguish in his eyes when he left the other day. He also threw down a lot of cash so that you don’t have to worry about staying for as long as you like.”

  “He did?”

  “Yeah. He also told me to call him if you need anything. Night or day. Does that sound like the man who wants to be rid of you?”

  It’s all for the baby, Julianna realized, squashing the spark of hope the minute it sprang alive. “It’s because I’m carrying his baby. That’s all he cares about. Not me.”

  “I don’t think so. I saw pure anguish in his eyes. He loves you. But maybe he doesn’t think he deserves you? I don’t know…I’m just throwing out my two cents. You know him better than I do but I know what I saw.”

  Why would Boston crush her so cruelly if he truly did love her? “I don’t understand,” Julianna said, wishing she had the answers. “Why would he say what he said if he still cares about me?”

  Lilah sighed and dug her own toes into the sand. “Who knows what goes through a man’s head at any given moment.
Sometimes they make such bonehead moves that they don’t even know how badly they’re digging themselves into a hole.” She brightened. “That’s why they need women — to save them from themselves.”

  At that Julianna smiled a little. “You’re pretty wise. How’d you get so smart?”

  Lilah sighed, the sound reflective. “Well, I grew up with a very wise grandmother and two sharp sisters. I picked up a few things here and there. And now that I’m a mom, I tend to see things more clearly.” She gestured to Julianna’s stomach. “That little precious bundle is going to change a lot of things for you. And for Boston, too.”

  Julianna allowed her gaze to drift to the subtle swell that most people would miss but she’d begun to notice. Soon enough, she would really start to show and there’d be no hiding the fact. Not that she wanted to hide it. Actually, she’d started to warm to the idea. A wash of tenderness followed as she remembered the tiny heartbeat fluttering inside her. “Do you want a boy or a girl?”

  “I don’t care as long as it’s healthy,” she answered, smiling. “That’s enough for me.”

  “How about Boston?”

  Julianna thought for a moment, then said, “He won’t care either. A healthy baby will be gift enough.”

  “How far along are you?’”

  “Ten weeks.”

  “And everything is going well in the pregnancy?”

  “Yeah, except for the constant nausea. I could do without that.”

  “Oh, girl, try being pregnant with twins — twice the nausea, twice the weight gain.”

  “But double the fun when they were born, right?”

  Lilah grinned. “You could say that.”

  Julianna sighed, glad that Lilah chose to sit with her this morning. “Thanks, I appreciate the girl talk. I haven’t had someone to really talk to since everything happened with Boston.”

  “I understand. I’m lucky in that I have my sisters, particularly my twin sister, Lindy, to talk to when I’m stressed out. It’s important to have someone you can lean on.”

  “So Miles tells me that he knew Lindy back in Los Angeles? Can you tell me a bit about Miles?”