Monroe: The Dynastic Collection: An Alpha Billionaire Romance

by Cynthia Dane

  “Holdings,” Lana supplied.

  “Oh, right! Very intriguing. We do hope that you’re considering some lovely venues where most of us could relax.” Mrs. Fraser shot Monica Warren a dirty look. Someone did not appreciate all the sex going on in the background. If I have another ally outside of Lana Andrews here, it’s Monica Warren. She’s not really wanted here either except for her husband’s prestige and money. If somebody didn’t want Lana Andrews, it was because she was boisterous and at times crude… but she knew she was both of those things, and owned them.

  Alice cleared her throat. “I am primarily interested in accessible lounges and restaurants, yes.” By accessible, Alice meant her new friends could come whenever they felt like – no nipple clamps or vulgar language required. “Still doing some market research before I decide which one will take precedence. Oh, and raising funds, of course.”

  “Yes.” Mrs. Fraser narrowed her eyes. Her peacock blue blouse draped lavishly on her wiry frame, curly silver hair bouncing with every turn of her head. “My husband mentioned that he heard on the grapevine that you have purchased quite a bit of the private stock in your husband’s company.”

  “We like to think of it as our company.”

  “Oh. Of course.”

  Nothing was sacred in this group, was it? Well, in that case…

  “Let me blunt as I do not have a lot of time to spare in my day.” Another Monroe trait Alice had picked up since saying I do. “I’m interested in joining this organization. But as I’m sure you will all start demanding my precious time, attention and money the moment I transfer the membership funds over, I’m also sure that I will expect something in turn.”

  More than one person perked up at the table. This is probably the most mental stimulus they’ve had at one of these things since Monica Warren joined.

  “What do you expect from us, Mrs. Monroe?”

  Alice knew her worth. She was in a position to make demands and offers that she could easily walk away from, but women like Mrs. Fraser would be hard pressed to turn down. What would her husband say if he found out they had access to my investment money but Charlene wouldn’t agree to my terms? That the others wouldn’t fall in line? Alice wasn’t Debbie Newcomer who had tripped onto some millionaire’s penis and crowned herself Beauty Queen of the Country Club. She was Alice Fucking Monroe, wife to one of the most influential billionaires in the whole damn country.

  They would at least consider her demands.

  “Nothing leaves this room, correct?”

  “Correct,” came a curious chorus.

  Alice straightened her shoulders. “Half of you in this room own shares of my company. You’re all going to sell them to me. Then I will join.”

  The only one at the table to respond with frivolity was Lana Andrews, who threw her head back and cackled. She would be the first to sell. With a quip about once fucking Alice’s husband, of course. By this point Mrs. Monroe expected – and demanded – nothing less.

  ***

  Alisha and Alice sat in a private corner of the country club, sipping complimentary iced teas that came with membership. Of course my husband is a member, even though he never comes. Alice might have to change that. There was plenty of business potential here. Her husband was too stubborn to come by and take advantage of it.

  “Everything’s been filed.” Alisha showed her boss the confirmation window on their shared work tablet. “Only caveat is that Mrs. Warren’s shares will take a while to transfer to your name. Perhaps a few days.”

  “That’s fine.” It would have to be.

  “You know what this means, ma’am.” Such a rhetorical question. Alice didn’t need her assistant to tell her what it meant. Hard work was paying off. As soon as Monica Warren’s shares transferred, Alice was looking at a nice percentage of her husband’s company in her hands.

  No rest for the weary, though. Alice had a sizable check to cut Mrs. Fraser to cover the cost of joining the association. Poor Alice. Her brand new bank account was already depleted with only twenty million left. Her most recent investment returns hadn’t come in yet.

  Alice shook Charlene Fraser’s hand once the check was handed over. “Such a pleasure having you join us, Mrs. Monroe,” the president of the society said. “There is some paperwork for you to still fill out, but everything should be in order by next month’s meeting.”

  “Moving up in the world, are we?”

  Alisha tensed next to her boss. Alice, on the other hand, coolly turned around to see her father-in-law standing in one of the country club’s empty hallways. Wasn’t empty half an hour ago. How many polo players could this place pack? Alice wouldn’t know. Her interest in horses had ended when she was twelve. Now, interest in those athletic polo players… “Getting some work done. Turns out your son doesn’t care much for the country club.” Alice smiled. “I can see why now. This is apparently your haunt.”

  “A man goes where he is most wanted,” Russell quipped. There was nothing friendly directed at Alice. Of course not. This man would rather see me dead than married to his son and bearing Monroe babies. Alice put her hand on her stomach. Stay with me, little one. The bleeding had stopped after one stressful day. Since then, Alice had spent two mornings throwing up before laying out her husband’s things for the day. At first Monroe freaked out enough to try hauling her back to the hospital (yet again,) but Alice assured him this was normal pregnancy bullshit. I remember my mother throwing up constantly when she was pregnant with my brother. “A woman should do the same.”

  Alice would not flinch before him, even though her throat burned with bile. “I have felt quite wanted wherever I go, sir. By the way, Damon keeps talking about having you come to dinner. He wants to show you our new place and what we’re doing with the nursery.” Don’t come. For the love of God, keep turning down our invitations. Alice didn’t like the idea that avoiding this man could be the rest of his life, but what else could she do? She had no evidence that he tried to have her killed. As long as the people close to her believed her…

  Dee appeared in the corner of her eye. The bodyguard’s stance was casual, but her glare was firmly on Alice’s father-in-law.

  “Unfortunately, my schedule is filled up. Besides, I thought I had heard something… terrible, about the state of my grandchild. My utmost sympathies. I’m sure it was hard.”

  Fuck that twinkle in his eye. Alice could never stop thinking of what Julia Monroe told her about her ex-husband arranging miscarriages that he initially begat because he didn’t want illegitimate heirs running around. That’s what he thinks my baby is. Illegitimate, even though my husband will most definitely claim it as his heir. Son or daughter, it didn’t matter. Monroe had spent more than one night blabbering about how happy he would be with a brood of girls or a gaggle of boys. Of course, a mix of the two would be the greatest preference.

  “Whatever you’ve heard was misinformation,” Alice continued. “We had a little scare after my tumble down the stairs.” She narrowed her eyes. “You knew that, though.”

  “Why, I don’t know what you’re implying.”

  Their stalemate was short lived. “My baby is fine. With any luck, I’ll have a full doctor’s report for you. Choose the doctor if you like, but I am having this baby. Your grandchild.” God willing.

  Russell chuckled. “I do so look forward to it.” Another laugh. “Have I told you that you remind me of Clarise?”

  “A few times.”

  “Real bitch, my grandmother. You know what she did? As soon as my parents died, she swept in and took control of everything. I was sixteen. I was perfectly capable of taking over some things, but did she let me? No. I had to wait for the cunt to die. By then I was already my son’s age.”

  “I’m so sorry to hear that, sir. I’m sure you would’ve been a perfectly good CEO at sixteen.” What a narcissist.

  “Yes. I would have.” Russell approached, slowly, scaring off Alisha and bringing Dee closer. He did not touch Alice, however. “I worked hard
to build this company in my image. I have worked harder to make sure my son sees my vision and doesn’t fuck it up when I’m gone. Do you think I’m going to let you waltz in here and dismantle everything?”

  “I’m not dismantling. I’m building too.”

  “Christ,” Russell muttered. “Before you get in even deeper, Alice, may I suggest you finally take a look at that folder I gave you. Some interesting things in there. You still have time to go back on your decisions, after all.” He glanced at her abdomen. “I can be quite generous until I’m pushed to the end.”

  He had been pushed multiple times already. Alice pivoted on her heel and marched away, Alisha scurrying behind her. Dee was the only one who lingered between Alice and Russell.

  “For fuck’s sake!” Alice flung open the door to the women’s restroom and stopped in front of the nearest sink. Alisha followed her in. Dee stayed outside. “That man is the absolute worst.”

  Alisha was still pale as she joined Alice in washing her hands.

  “What’s wrong?”

  The assistant looked away before Alice could further comment on her mood. She wasn’t acting like this until Russell showed up.

  “What has he done to you?”

  Alisha dropped the work tablet onto the marble floor. She hurried to pick it up, dust it off, check for cracks, and slip it into her bookbag. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She shot Alice a harsh look of warning. “He hasn’t done anything to me.”

  Alice upped the water pressure coming through the faucet. The pounding of water in the glass sink almost drowned out their conversation. Just what she wanted.

  “He makes you uncomfortable. That’s enough.”

  “Of course he makes me uncomfortable,” Alisha snapped. Her cherry red nails scraped the counter as she quickly turned around and checked her immaculately done braids. “He makes everyone uncomfortable.”

  “Has he threatened you?”

  “He threatens everyone.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  Alisha stood back up. “If you’re asking if he’s touched me, no. Fuck, no!” The way she recoiled made Alice feel sick too. “He’s asked to, though. Do you know how grateful I was that I didn’t have be his assistant? When your husband told me that I was being reassigned, I was… God, I wasn’t sure if I would have to quit. You know why your father-in-law doesn’t have his own official assistant? Because they all quit.”

  “The Clayborns do work for him all the time.” A fact Alice didn’t like to think about.

  Alisha laughed. “The Clayborns? They’re a trip. Nigel is such a loser. He’ll pull down his pants and beat it off if you tell him to.” When Alice made a disgusted face, her assistant continued, “Okay, maybe not literally.”

  “And Ms. Clayborn?” Alice had spent weeks thinking the woman was shy and retiring. Now she wasn’t so sure. “What’s her deal?”

  That was the most harrowing frown Alice had ever seen on that countenance. “There’s something not right about her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Dark eyes shifted back and forth before finally settling on Alice again. “She and her brother have been working for Mr. Monroe for a couple of years. The first year, everything was about what you would expect. They were reserved but diligent. Good assistants, I guess. I didn’t talk to them much except to go over daily appointments. But then… shit, I shouldn’t say it.”

  “Say it.” Water still poured into the sink.

  “Fine.” Alisha breathed in deeply. “About a year ago, Sarah started acting strange. She took a few sick days. Fine. Whatever. Her brother got really uptight. Mr. Monroe became super frustrated with them both and almost fired Nigel. Then Sarah showed up one day looking like she had been carjacked. Just really fucked up looking. She only stayed long enough to ask for some personal time off. She took a whole month. When she came back, she was like a stone wall. She hasn’t gotten much better since.”

  “Shit.” Alice turned off the faucet. “Any idea what had happened?”

  “No. Nobody ever asked. But since then Nigel is usually the one who does things for Russell Monroe. It used to be about 50/50 between them. Sarah won’t go near him.”

  Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  Alice thanked her assistant for all her help that day. It certainly gave Alice a lot of food for thought… and confirmed more than one shitty suspicion about what was going on in her supposedly happy new family.

  I’m not bringing a baby into this world as long as that man is up to no good. Those shares couldn’t be transferred to Alice soon enough.

  ***

  “Am I hurting you?” The gruff voice in her ear only made Alice more aroused. Why was he talking about pain when they were making love? Damnit, Damon. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “The only way you’re hurting me is by teasing me until I go crazy.” Alice’s legs wrapped so tightly around her husband’s waist that she felt more than a little pain course through her thighs. “Fuck me, damnit.”

  Monroe let himself go, hips undulating against Alice as his cock slipped effortlessly in and out of her. It was their first time having intercourse since her scare a few days ago. I took more than a little care of him since then, though. Alice was no stranger to attacking her husband’s zipper the moment he had some down time. Nor was she a stranger to him demanding she do something about his zipper.

  This, though? This was long overdue. Alice’s hormones were so far off the charts they were in a different filing cabinet. While they both agreed it was a good idea to refrain from rough sex for a little while longer, Alice was so wet for him that every time he opened his damned mouth to ask if she was okay… I know I should appreciate how much he cares even when his cock is the size of my head, but come on!

  “Someone’s eager,” Monroe grumbled, holding his wife’s arms above her head. She closed her eyes and rolled against his thrusts. “Good to know you missed me too, my pet.”

  My pet. Shit, it had been too long since she heard that. Didn’t matter how much she wore her collar. More and more it felt like a mere necklace. To think, he wanted me to be his submissive housewife in the beginning. Alice had transcended that moniker. She had quickly risen in the ranks of controlling interest shareholders. Not to mention the whole Mrs. Monroe thing that commanded more than a little respect wherever she went.

  Sometimes, though, she just wanted to be his pet.

  Monroe nipped the ring hanging from her collar. “I can’t wait to get you in our new sanctuary.”

  That’s what they called the two-bedroom apartment they purchased for the two of them. It was a pretty place, located a few blocks away. Monroe was overseeing most of the remodeling of the bedrooms. Alice would have her chance to remodel the rest of the small place when she had time. Whenever that would be.

  Their sanctuary. The one place they could go for peace and quiet – and lots of kinky play, of course – when business was too much and when this penthouse was crawling with noisy, demanding kids and their nannies. Sounds like a faraway dream. Alice would have to be content with writhing against his hips for now.

  “You coming for me already, Alice?” Monroe buried his face against her throat. “Your pussy’s so tight I can’t pull out.”

  “Uh huh…” Orgasm quickly shot through her, and a whine was quicker to vibrate against his forearm. “Fuck, Damon. You feel so good.”

  He moved with shallow thrusts that served more to help her ride out her orgasm than to claim anything for himself. His tender kisses to her cleavage and his sucking of her nipple had her coming again right away. It was then her husband decided to join her in carnal bliss.

  Afterward, when she lay wrapped around him, their naked bodies exposed to the air conditioner humming above them, Alice drew circles around his navel and toyed with the curly hairs of his happy trail. His cock had softened between his legs, but was still a joy to slowly stroke while he closed his eyes and dozed.

  “Damon,” Alice said, resting her chin on his chest. “
Tell me you love me.”

  He opened his eyes, hand clutching her shoulder. “I tell you all the time.”

  “I want to hear it now. Please.”

  “I love you.” Monroe kissed the top of her head. This kiss followed the line down her nose as Alice gradually sank back against her pillow, husband looming over her. I love it when we’re like this. I want him wrapped protectively around me every day. She drew her fingers across his hardened chest, wishing they could stay like this forever. The only time she truly felt happy anymore was when they indulged in the sanctity of their marriage. “I’ll do anything for you, Alice.” Monroe’s lips went down her cheek, her throat, her chest, her stomach. They lingered on her abdomen, hands massaging her tender breasts. “I’ll do anything for us.”

  He meant the other person in the room, the one existing between them, a passive spectator who still knew nothing of the world beyond its mother’s womb. Now, more than ever, Alice believed what she had been telling people for days. I’m pregnant. I’m still pregnant. Russell could poison her, light her on fire, or push her out of her high-rise window, and Alice Marie Monroe would still find a way to survive and bring her child into the world. We’re both fighters. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Monroe never noticed them. He was too caught up in covering her stomach with loving kisses.

  “I can’t do it alone. You promise me you’re going to be a good father.”

  His kisses stalled. “I’m going to do the best that I can.”

  “That’s not good enough.”

  Monroe finally noticed the tears on her face. “Precious,” he said softly, coming back up to kiss those tears away. “If anyone could inspire me to be a good father and husband, it’s you. I hope I haven’t given you a reason to believe otherwise.”

  Alice couldn’t bear that thought. “Shut up and kiss me, husband.”

  He did.

  Chapter 18