The End of Book One
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The Billionaire’s Protection
The Billionaire’s Crush - Book Two
Lexi Summers
The Billionaire’s Protection
The Billionaire’s Crush – Book Two
Vance
“What do you mean there are no flights!?” This couldn’t be happening. Anger soared through my body as I slammed my hands down on the counter, scaring the worker. She flinched and offered an apologetic look, but I was too wound up to notice.
“I’m sorry sir… but due to the storm, all flights have been canceled…” Her voice was meek as she broke the news to me. I tried to remain calm, but my fingers were already running through my hair, ruining the efforts I had put into styling it in the morning. There had to be another way to get to California. I couldn’t let Allie suffer all alone. The snow wasn’t about to stop me.
“Is there absolutely no way to get out to California today? I’m willing to pay whatever it takes.” I said in an attempt to persuade her. The woman shook her head. I sighed in disappointment before moving away. As my fingers toyed with my watch, I tried to find answers. How was I supposed to get to California now? All of a sudden I whipped out my cell phone as I paced around the lobby, waiting for my secretary to pick up. Just as I was going to give up and try again, the phone stopped ringing.
“Hello?”
“Eliza. I need you to get the jet ready.” There was silence on the other end. As Eliza failed to answer me, I felt irritation boil in my veins. Allie was in a hospital somewhere and here I was, trapped on the East Coast. Sometimes I really hated Mother Nature.
“Sir… with the current blizzard… I wouldn’t recommend using the jet… it’ll be very dangerous.” Eliza’s voice was soft as she said the words, obviously anxious about my reaction. I tried to rationalize her words, but in my current state, it was impossible to think logically. I had one thing on my mind and if I didn’t get to Allie soon, I would surely go insane. “Get the jet ready.” My voice was icy as I issued the command.
“Sir…”
“Do it and don’t come into work on Monday.” The silence was heavy and I almost regretted my decision, but this was a vital matter and I wouldn’t settle for employees going against my judgment.
“Yes, sir…” She finally answered, sounding a little distraught now that she had lost her job. I sighed a breath of relief as I realized that I would be in my jet soon enough. Hopefully, it would get me to California safe and sound. Just hang on Allie… I’m coming.
***
After a very turbulent ride, I finally landed in sunny California. I quickly hailed a taxi and anxiously made my way to the hospital. It was swamped with people looking for care. I paid them no mind however as I made my way to the front desk.
“I’m looking for a Miss Allie Ulrich.” I declared. The nurse who was on the phone gave me a harsh glare. I wanted to retaliate, but at the same time, I reconsidered. I didn’t know who was on the phone and whether their situation was dire. I grew uneasy, however, as the phone call continued longer and longer. When I realized that the woman would not answer my question, I took out my cell phone and dialed another number.
“Hello?”
“Julie. Where’s Allie?” My voice was stern as I expected a prompt answer. There was silence and then the sound of footsteps.
“Room 507. Fifth floor.” I hung up and made my way down the hall, following the signs that led me to the elevator. As the elevator doors closed, I remembered the time spent with Allie in the Blue Venta elevator and smiled. She had been so nervous. I chuckled to myself as I reminisced about the events of that day. But as the elevator dinged and I reached the fifth floor, I got my bearings once more.
Quickly, I found her room and rushed inside. My whole world stopped for a moment as I saw her laying there, her body covered in cuts and bruises. With a heavy heart, I walked over and grabbed her hand. She was sleeping and I wished that she would open her eyes, just for a moment, so I could admire their beauty once again.
Julie, who was sitting on the other side of the bed, stared at me in shock. “How did you get here?” She asked, her voice revealing her awe. Her eyes kept searching my face and soon enough she was staring. I was no stranger to admiration so I paid her no mind. She was nothing in comparison to the woman who now laid on the bed before me.
“I flew in my jet,” I explained nonchalantly as her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
“You have a jet?”
“Yes.”
“And you know how to pilot it?”
“No, I hired someone of course. No more questions.” I commanded, giving her a fierce glare. She stilled her curiosity at my gaze. Biting her lip, she sat back in her chair as we sat there quietly, waiting for Allie to wake up. My thumb gently caressed the back of her hand as my hand reached out and played with her hair. She was so beautiful.
“Who did this to her?” I finally asked as my eyes focused on the bandages, wrapped around her body in various places.
“Chad. Her boyfriend.”
“You mean her ex-boyfriend. He’s never laying a finger on her again.” My voice was filled with hatred as I thought about the man who had done this to her. If I ever saw him, I would make him pay for what he had done to her. No woman should have to suffer like this. Men who acted in such manner deserved to be culled from the world.
I could have sued him but my distrust of lawyers was too much for me to consider. Either way, it didn’t matter because as my anger grew, Allie started to wake up. Her eyes started to flutter as she stirred ever so slightly. I noticed this stirring causing me to look down, our eyes locking together.
Allie
I gasped when I saw him. Vance? Was he really here with me or was this all some sort of dream? I stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out what was going on. Suddenly, he leaned down and kissed me gently. It took me by surprise and I was frozen in place as his lips pressed into mine. My heart started to beat in my chest, which resulted in a vicious amount of beeping from the nearby heart monitor.
When Vance heard this, he chuckled and pulled back. “Someone happy to see me?” He asked with a grin on his lips as my cheeks reddened in response. He smiled sweetly, before leaning down and kissing my cheek.
“How did you get here?” I asked, still shocked at his presence. “How did you even know what happened?” I wanted to ask a million questions as my mind began to throb with the effort.
“Julie told me.” Vance pointed to Julie. I turned my head and smiled at her, suddenly noticing her there.
“Thank you,” I whispered, letting the words make way to both of them. Vance smiled and patted my hand.
“You’re welcome. Everything’s going to be okay now.” He whispered, trying to comfort me. As he did, I tried to adjust myself in the bed, but a blast of pain radiated throughout my body, paralyzing me. Vance got up quickly, trying to do something to help me, but in the current situation, he was helpless.
“Careful… don’t strain yourself…” He finally whispered when he realized he could do nothing else. I slowly nodded my head, trying to recover from the sudden onslaught of pain.
“Here…” Julie whispered as she held a pillow in her hands. Vance and her locked eyes, and together they helped me move forward as they placed the pillow behind my back and propped me up. I smiled when I was finally in a sitting position.
“Comfortable?” Vance asked, his eyes full of concern as he looked at me. I nodded and looked down at myself. Chad had managed to mess me up pretty badly, but I had survived and that’s all that mattered. I would never be with him again. That was a promise.
As I thought about it, sleep slowly made its way over my body once again. I tried to sweep the cobwebs from my mind, but as my eyes grew heavy I knew I couldn’t fight it. Slowly, my eyes started to close. The last thing I felt was Vance’s lips on my cheek and his soft voice whispering, “Goodnight.”
***
T
he rest of my time in the hospital was spent with Vance by my side. I tried to convince him that I was okay and he could go back to the East Coast, but he was adamant about staying with me until I made a full recovery. Eventually, I stopped arguing with him and just accepted and enjoyed his company.
Now, with only a few days left until my discharge, I was feeling a little better. My ribs were still sore and some of the wounds still needed dressing, but other than that most of the pain was gone and I felt okay. I was sitting there, watching TV as Vance came in for the morning.
“Hello, beautiful,” he whispered as he leaned over and kissed my lips. I kissed him back, my arms wrapping around him gently as our lips danced together in perfect harmony. I smiled to myself when he pulled away and sat down, looking up at the TV. “What are you watching?” He asked.
“I’m not really sure. I’m trying to find something entertaining. What I wouldn’t do for a good book right now…” I whispered more to myself than him. Before I could say anything else, there was a knock on the door and a nurse walked in, carrying a tray of food. She placed it in front of me. Once she left, my face grimaced as I looked at the rubbery eggs and stale muffin they expected me to eat.
“Not a fan?” Vance asked, noting my expression. Hesitantly I picked up a bit of egg and forced it down my throat. Vance took the fork out of my hand. “Don’t eat it if you don’t like it.” With that, he got up. “Stay put, I’ll get you something else to eat.”
I watched him leave, thankful that he had offered to get me something else. As I waited for him to get back, I flicked through the channels. It wasn’t long before the sound of footsteps echoed in the room. I looked up, expecting to see Vance standing there, but instead it was Chad, a look of pure anger on his face.
“Who the hell is he?” He demanded stepping forward, his hand digging into my already bruised arm. I called out, trying to grab for the nurse’s button, but it fell out of my reach. I went for it again, but Chad grabbed my wrist. “Don’t you dare or I’ll break your pretty little fingers.”
I flinched as he got closer and closer to my face. He looked bent on destroying me with his look alone and I feared the worst. I tried to scream out, but my voice eluded me as I was rendered mute at this pivotal moment.
“Get away from her.” A harsh voice called out. Chad held on to me, but turned to see Vance standing there, his jaw clenched in anger. He chuckled and let me go, walking up to Vance with a smug look on his face. My eyes grew large as I saw the two men square off against each other. I knew this wasn’t going to end well.
The tension in the room grew as the two men stared at each other. Seconds dragged on and I held my breath, waiting for the altercation I knew was about to occur. Chad, feeling confident, suddenly broke the moments of inaction by pushing the taller man. Vance grinned with an almost diabolical look on his face.
“You’re going to regret that.”
Vance
“Oh yeah? What is a pretty boy like you going to do?” Chad taunted, a confident look on his face. I was bent to wipe that grin off his face. With that thought I lashed out at him, throwing a well-aimed punch at his nose. He fell to the floor, a dazed look in his eyes.
I stood there, my hands in my pockets and my lips crawled upwards as I saw the man who had hurt Allie at my feet. An urge to destroy him fell upon me as I stepped forward. Rage broke out inside me as kicked him as hard as I could. I heard him gasp for air as he clutched his stomach. I kicked him again and again until I thought I heard the audible sound of something cracking. The grin on my face deepened and my wish to hurt him increased. A small puddle of blood started forming on floor…
“Vance! Stop!” Allie’s distressed voice broke me out of my bloodlust. I looked down at the quivering man with disgust. I was tempted to spit in his direction, but he didn’t even deserve that. He took his chance and whimpered out of the room, as fast as his wounds allowed.
“Good riddance,” I said as adrenaline continued to course through my body, forcing me to clench and unclench my jaw as I tried to calm down. I hadn’t been that angry in a long time and it felt almost strange to have to resort to physical violence. Usually, my words and expressions were enough to make anyone bend to my will. “Did he hurt you?” My attention suddenly ricocheted in Allie’s direction as I once again felt her presence.
She shook her head, but I could see she was shaken up. She was scared, but I didn’t know if it was because of her ex-boyfriend or my own actions. I frowned at the thought of her being afraid of me but quickly dismissed it as I started to empty the bag I had held throughout the whole fight. How the contents hadn’t been destroyed in the fight was beyond me but I was nonetheless glad that her breakfast had survived. I placed a bottle of orange juice, some pop tarts, and a small apple in front of her. “I hope you like it… this cafeteria doesn’t have much to choose from… but I thought you might enjoy my own breakfast routine.” I chuckled and smiled at her.
I felt relieved when she finally smiled, opening up the pop tarts with glee. “I haven’t had these in forever!” She exclaimed, biting into one. “Oh and you got cherry too! My favorite.” She chimed nibbling on the pastry. I watched her, letting her enjoy the food.
Soon, she was finished and looked content. “Thank you…” She whispered softly as she leaned over and kissed my cheek. I smiled, but there was still a bittersweet look on my face. I couldn’t leave her here until the summer. What if her ex-boyfriend tried to find her again?
“I’m staying.”
“What?”
“I’m staying here with you until you finish your spring semester.”
“What? What about Blue Venta? You can’t just abandon it because of me.” She pleaded with me, her brown eyes imploring my reconsideration. I shook my head.
“No. I’m staying and I am keeping you safe.” My voice was firm in its conviction. She looked at me and sighed, torn between relief and anxiety.
“I don’t want to be a burden…” She whispered softly, looking down.
“You are never a burden.” With that I kissed the top of her head, pulling her close. She gave up and nuzzled her head into me.
***
When Allie was finally discharged I picked her up at the hospital in my new car. I held her hand and led her to the passenger side as she stared at it in amazement. “Did you just buy this?” She asked a little shocked. Most people would spend years paying off such a car, but I had paid for the Bentley with a single transaction.
“Yep,” I answered as I helped her sit down, careful not to hurt her. She smiled and got comfortable as I made my way around the car and into the driver’s seat. With a push of a button, the car purred to life and we were off. Allie didn’t ask where we were going, but looked out the window, her face suggesting she was deep in thought.
After a short drive, we pulled to a large duplex home. She looked at it curiously as I got out of the car and opened the door for her. “Welcome to your new home,” I said, looking proud as she stood there in confusion, as if not certain what exactly was happening.
“What?” She stuttered, trying to figure out what this meant. All of a sudden, Julie emerged from the house and smiled.
“Allie! Welcome home!” She giggled as she ran up to her friend and wrapped Allie in a warm embrace.
“I bought this house so we could live together on one side and Julie could live in the other half,” I explained.
“You’re new boyfriend is amazing! Do you have a brother?” Julie eyed me, a look of excitement in her blue eyes. I chuckled and shook my head. She pouted. “Darn! But c’mon let’s show her the house! It’s absolutely fantastic!”
Allie nodded and numbly as she allowed Julie to lead her inside the house. I chuckled a bit seeing her reaction. I could see Allie was overwhelmed by the experience, but it seemed like, beneath it all, she was excited. Finally, Julie left us alone, moving to her side of the home.
Now alone, I wrapped my arms around Allie and pulled her close. “Welcome home.”
&nb
sp; Allie
The days passed by quickly in the new house. The spring semester was off to a good start and my wounds had finally healed completely. I felt like a new person. Each day I would hold my head up high and smile. Vance had done wonders for my confidence and I no longer suffered from the plague of low self-esteem.
No matter what would happen, I knew Vance would be at home waiting for me. He had decided to work remotely and it was working out well thus far. As for myself, I spent more time at home than I did at the library. Previously, I would lock myself away in the school libraries thinking it would keep me safe from Chad. Now, however, home was somewhere where I wanted to be.
I smiled to myself as I unlocked the door and stepped inside. To my surprise, Vance didn’t seem to be home. Everything was dark, so I turned on the light and looked around. Maybe he was sleeping. I ventured into the bedroom but to no avail. He must be on a walk or something.
With this thought in mind, I brought my things into the room where I did my homework. I placed my bag down before moving into the bedroom once more. I undressed slowly, taking a moment to allow my body to feel the freedom of being naked. As the chilly winter air wrapped around me, however, I quickly grabbed comfortable clothes and put them on. I looked in the mirror and smiled. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t ashamed of my own reflection.
After that, I went downstairs, turned on the radio, and grabbed an apple from the kitchen before making my way back upstairs. The music sounded through the entire house and I hummed along as I did my work, focusing on the problems I had to finish for Organic Chemistry.
As I launched into my last problem, I was oblivious to Vance now standing in the doorway. He was watching me with a grin on his face as I leaned forward, trying to figure out the elusive issue. “Why can’t I get this…?” In my frustration, I bit the end of my pencil. My brows knitted together as I tried to analyze the task in depth. We had definitely not covered this in class.
ROMANCE: Paranormal Romance: The Valley (Book One) (Fun, Sexy, Mature Young Adult Vampire Shape Shifter Romance) Page 54