Billionaire Bad Boys: A Collection of Contemporary and Paranormal Bad Boys

by Calinda B

  “So, are you both Maji?” Ruby asked.

  The couple nodded, but Mrs. Becker frowned. “But you’re not.”

  “No, she’s not,” Lucian answered. “But she’s a very close friend and she’s always known everything about me.”

  Ruby’s heart thudded against her chest at his words and the warmth in his eyes when he looked at her. She blinked to get them back on track. She told the couple about what she’d uncovered, hoping they’d come clean and tell them everything.

  “Well first of all,” Mrs. Becker said, “I’m surprised that Lucian doesn’t know more. His aura is brimming with power. In fact, I believe his mother may have transferred her abilities to Lucian before she died. Something that can be done with strong blood relations. We’d actually been waiting for you to come to us for training after your mother died. We thought she would have told you about our world. But when you never came to us, we figured you didn’t know, or that you had no abilities and weren’t Maji.”

  “Now that you know that he is, will you tell us what you know?” Ruby asked.

  “There aren’t many of us left. Less than a thousand scattered around the world. Mostly in major cities, easier to hide. There was a time there were several thousands of us, but our kind has always been hunted. In the last hundred years, three craft workers resorted to the darker side of our gifts. They seek to increase their powers and prolong their lives with blood ritual sacrifices that takes the life force and majicks of other Maji. We’ve tried to find them and stop them, but so far everyone who’s challenged them have ended up being used as a sacrifice.”

  Mrs. Becker reached over and grasped Lucian’s hand. “Your mother was one of our most powerful Maji in the east, but she couldn’t take on the three of them. We were all supposed to do it together. That’s what we were training her to do. But the three became aware of her before we found them. They took her. By the time we tried to find her it was too late.”

  Mr. Becker took up the explanation. “So now we train other Maji to protect themselves, but mainly how to shield their abilities. The dark users are attracted to the majicks that we perform. The stronger the user, as well as the majicks used, the stronger the signature is to those who are sensitive to its use. We train others to shield such uses. But these three have been around a long time. They use their wealth to travel the world searching for Maji signatures of power. What makes it tougher now is they also use modern technology to track down the cause of any unusual occurrences in case it is a Maji. And they cover their tracks so other Maji aren’t even aware of what they’ve done. Innocents are framed for whatever murders they commit. So, it’s very difficult to track them by their kills.”

  “So, in Mrs. Reid’s case, they framed my father, and in Emma’s case, they framed her bodyguard.”

  “Yes, and there are probably others that we’ll never know about. There are about two dozen Maji left in New York City now and most of those have left the city. We suspect the dark Maji are in the area. Those who stay are shielding themselves and limiting their use of majicks,” Mrs. Becker said. “This is a safe place for them to train or practice. It’s well shielded. The building is on a ley line, lines of power, strong energies that run through the earth in certain places. Some more powerful than others. This building is directly over a powerful vein that we tap into to hide anything that’s done here.”

  “Wait a second. Are you saying that whenever Lucian uses his powers, it acts like a beacon for these Maji?” Ruby asked.

  “Yes. But we have never sensed him. And it wasn’t until he used his powers just now in front of me that I was able to see them and what he’s capable of. He seems to naturally shield himself,” Mrs. Becker stated.

  “That, or it’s his mother’s majicks protecting him,” Mr. Becker said.

  “Yes, I think you’re right,” his wife agreed.

  Lucian raked his fingers through his hair. “In truth, I don’t use my abilities much.”

  “Have you stretched them? Seen how much you can do? What kind of range do you have?” Mrs. Becker asked.

  Lucian shook his head. Ruby could see the sadness in his eyes. She remembered what he’d told her. How he’d rejected his mother when she’d wanted to teach him. Now to find out she’d died using her powers to shield him, she understood his pain and regret. She squeezed his arm. He glanced at her, giving her a sad smile.

  “Can you train me now?”

  “Yes, of course. We can teach you the extent of your powers and how to use it so the dark Maji don’t find you. But Lucian, your mother was one of the most powerful amongst us and I think you may be even more so.”

  “I hope I am. Because I’m going after the sons of bitches who killed my mother.”

  Mr. Becker clapped his hand together. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  A chill went down Ruby’s spine. She’d wanted answers as to what had happened to Lucian’s mother. Now that she had them, it gave her no ease knowing both Celeste and Emma died for some sick Maji trio who wanted power.

  She knew Lucian would put himself directly in danger to stop them. He’d make himself a target to draw the three out and take them on himself. She wasn’t about to let him do it alone.

  11

  Lucian sat back against the plush back seat of the Town Car and stared out of the window. He wasn’t at all focused on the motorists and pedestrians as they whizzed by. His thoughts were on the task at hand. He and Ruby were on their way to Teterboro Airport to board a plane to Russia. Ruby and the Beckers had located a clan of Maji in Bishkek, the capitol of Kyrgyzstan. The plan was to fly out of New York, refuel in Russia, and then travel to Bishkek.

  For the past three weeks, Lucian had been studying with the Beckers. In order for him to find his mother’s killers, he needed to perfect his craft. When he wasn’t working for his father, or running his own company, he trained. The Beckers were right. He was powerful. Not only could he manipulate matter, he’d discovered he could control certain parts of the atmosphere as well. Air. Lucian could control the air surrounding him. Maji could sometimes have some control over one of the elements. Tammy Becker told him, in rare cases, some even control two. A legend exists that there was once a Maji who could control them all. In time, Lucian hoped to be able to control two. But time was something he didn’t have.

  Guilt consumed him every time he thought of his neglectful misuse of the gift that his mother had given him. He had shamefully wasted his inheritance. He couldn’t go back in time, but he could make the best of his abilities going forward. He would use them to destroy whoever took his mother, and Ruby’s father, away from them. Also, to get justice for Emma.

  Without turning from the window, he held his hand out for Ruby’s. She placed her soft, warm hand in his and squeezed. Her touch was somehow soothing and rousing and the same time.

  “Lucian, are you okay?” she asked.

  She worried. He could hear it in her voice. He didn’t answer because he didn’t want to lie. Truthfully, he was not okay. Over the last three weeks, he and Ruby had been inseparable. He could count on one hand the nights he spent in his own bed. Selfishly, he always wanted her near. But his need to have her close wasn’t solely about carnal desire. They were tracking magical, homicidal, kidnappers. What they were doing could be putting Ruby in grave danger, and just the thought of something happening to her could cripple him. He had lost her once before, and he had absolutely no intention of losing her again.

  For the past week, Lucian had been pleading with Ruby to let him take the trip alone, but the woman refused. Flat out ignored him. To call her stubborn would be an enormous understatement. She wouldn’t even entertain the thought of allowing him to handle things on his own.

  In a way, he understood. Her father had been framed for murder, then subsequently murdered himself while in Riker’s. Ruby definitely had a horse in the race. She needed retribution and nothing, or no one, would stand in her way of getting it.

  “Lucian?”

  “Yes, Angel?”r />
  “Look at me,” she insisted.

  He turned to her, smiling when her beautiful face came into view. “Yeeeees?”

  She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and smiled. Lord, her smile warmed him on the inside. He never even realized before how cold he’d been before she came back into his life.

  “You know why I have to do this, right?”

  Lucian inhaled a deep breath.

  “I do,” he admitted as he exhaled. “I just–Ruby, if something ha–”

  “Nothing is gonna happen to me,” she interrupted. “I promise.”

  He raised a brow at her and smirked.

  “Given you have no magical abilities that I know about, how can you promise that?”

  Ruby scooted on the leather and placed her head on his chest. Unable to do anything else, Lucian wrapped his arm around her and held her tight. He kissed the top of her head and inhaled the minty, spa-like aroma, coming from her hair.

  “I’m waiting,” he prodded. “How can you promise that, young lady?”

  “Well, if I can survive the beginning of your training, I can survive anything,” she said through a giggle.

  Lucian laughed too. When he started his training, his power was extremely unpredictable. He had absolutely no control. He had shit flying everywhere. In the beginning, Ruby, and the Beckers, had to run for their lives, ducking and dodging objects flying through the room.

  “Very funny,” Lucian scoffed, tickling her side.

  Thirty minutes later, the Maybach was pulling past the automatic gates, and into the private plane hangar at Teterboro. Once parked, Martin hopped out of the front seat and opened Lucian’s door. After helping Ruby out of the car, he escorted her to his private jet.

  “Dayum, Lucian,” she gushed, as they approached the Boeing business jet with the giant cigar painted on the side.

  “Oh, shit. Did I impress the lady?” he joked. “You like?”

  “It’s alright, just another luxury jet. I’ve been on a million,” she jested, ascending the passenger stairs.

  With the absence of shame, Lucian watched the rotation of the perfectly round globes of her ass as she walked up the stairs. Without a doubt, he would surely be utilizing the large bedroom in the rear of the plane.

  They were met by the crew once they boarded the aircraft. He’d seen the friendly smiles before, so he introduced Ruby to the pilot and crew, before escorting her to her seat. Since it was so early in the morning, he opted for the area designated for dining. She took her seat on the soft, leather, cream-colored recliner and crossed her long, uncovered legs. Lucian shamefully tried to look up her pencil skirt. She caught him and raised a brow.

  “What?” he asked, feigning innocence.

  She simply shook her head and placed her handbag on the seat next to her.

  “Pervert,” she muttered under her breath.

  Unrepentant, he grinned and took the seat across her. Between them was a small table for dining.

  “Mr. Reid, Miss Crane, may I offer you a mimosa before breakfast is served?” Lucian looked up to see Veronica, the inflight supervisor. The tall, attractive, full-figured wife and mother of two had been running the crew onboard his plane since he bought it three years ago. She had a beautiful onyx complexion and a sparkling, thousand-watt smile. Her personality was as beautiful as her appearance. She was professional, polite, and always on time. She also made sure that the crew performed the same.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Ruby responded eagerly before he could.

  “Very good. Breakfast will be made to order. So, what would you like, Miss Crane?”

  Ruby smiled. It was impossible not to suppress a smile around Veronica. She placed her breakfast order as Martin loaded their luggage on the plane. Another crew member placed his humidor on the table in front of him. As per usual, he ran his fingers over his family insignia before pulling out a cigar. He manually drilled a hole in the tip and retrieved the cutter from the inside pocket of his suit coat. He sliced the other end and handed it to Ruby.

  “Suck on that for me, Angel.”

  She smiled seductively as she took the cigar and sucked it into her mouth. There was no way she could have known what the simple action had done to him. His cock swelled instantly, stretching the fuck out of his trousers. The moment she wrapped those thick, juicy lips around his cigar, Lucian was aching to mount her. He shifted in his seat, ready to reach down and adjust his dick. Before he could, Veronica returned with two glasses of mimosa.

  “Mr. Reid, will you be having the usual, multi-grain toasted bagel and coffee?”

  Lucian nodded. His breakfast order never changed. Besides, he wanted Veronica to go away before she saw his massive hard-on. Thankfully, she did walk away.

  “How long is the flight?’ Ruby asked.

  “About ten hours.”

  “Good,” she replied with a smirk. “That’ll give me time to tame that beast.”

  Ten hours, forty-five minutes, and a whole lot of fucking later, they were debarking the plane. Waiting for them was a black, newer model Mercedes Benz. Standing in front of the driver’s side door was a short, older man, wearing a furry, squirrel hat. It was late fall in New York and a bit chilly, but in Russia, it was fucking cold.

  “Zdravstvuyte, Mister Reid,” the man greeted.

  “Hello. Please speak English,” Lucian insisted, knowing the man did. He required it, knowing Ruby didn’t speak the language.

  “Da. Please…come.”

  He opened the back door for them. Lucian waited for Ruby to enter the car, then entered behind her. Once the door closed, Ruby asked, “What are we doing?”

  “Well, I thought that we could sit down for a nice dinner while we wait for them to refuel the plane. Have you ever been to Moscow?”

  “Nope.”

  “Good. I want to share a lot of firsts with you. I’m gonna take my lady to dinner.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Your lady?”

  He slipped his arm behind her back and around her waist. He slid her across the leather seat until she pressed against him.

  “My lady,” he confirmed. “I’m taking my lady to dinner.”

  After a fabulous feast of red meat and stimulating conversation at the O2 Lounge, located at The Ritz Carlton, Moscow, they were back onboard his fully fueled jet. The flight from Moscow to Bishkek was rather short, which left them just enough time to get freshened up. Once they landed, there would be no time to do so. There was to be a representative at the airport, waiting to take them to meet with the Volshebnik clan. Lucian had used his money and international connections to find them. They had information about the dark Maji. At first, Lucian assumed the word identified a surname, but he later discovered that Volshebnik meant magician in Russian. Russian was the official language in Kirgizstan.

  Ruby was in the bathroom mirror, retouching her makeup, and Lucian was behind her attempting to tame his thick hair with his fingers when he heard a knock at the door.

  “Yes?” he answered.

  “Mr. Reid, we are just about ready to make our decent.”

  He understood that to mean Veronica wanted them to take a seat and fasten their seatbelts.

  “On the way,” he assured. He tapped Ruby on the ass. “We gotta go buckle up.”

  “Um-hm. I’m done. Let’s go.”

  As they took their seats, Lucian couldn’t take his eyes off Ruby. What his life had been without her was lacking. He merely existed. Frighteningly, it dawned on him he’d fallen in love with her. Again. The thought of loving her wasn’t very unbelievable. She was not a stranger. He’d loved her when they were children. Since her, no other woman had ever warranted such affection.

  Lucian felt an awareness of an unfamiliar need to be with her. When she wasn’t near, a sense of emptiness overcame him. It had to be love. For the first time in his life, he was in love.

  12

  As they walked down the stairs from the airplane, Ruby shivered from the blast of wind, glad they didn’t have far to go
. She could see the long black sedan waiting on the tarmac for them. It appeared they wouldn’t even have to go through customs.

  A man built like a linebacker in a dark gray uniform-cut suit got out of the driver’s seat. He walked around to the side to open one of the two side doors. Ruby found it weird to see him get out on the wrong side. At least, for her.

  Just as Ruby and Lucian got to the bottom of the stairs, a black heeled, booted foot had set down on the ground, followed by another until the entire body of a woman emerged. Ruby would bet a year’s salary the woman’s mid length fur coat was the real thing but wondered if she felt cold with her uncovered short, jet-black hair. She stood about Ruby’s height but with the thick coat on, it made it hard to tell her size. The woman waited in front of the open car door for them, so they walked over to her.

  “Dobriy den’, good afternoon,” Lucian began then held out his hand toward the woman. “I’m Lucian Reid, and this is Ruby Crane.”

  “Hello, Mr. Reid, Ms Crane,” the woman said in only slightly accented English, like she’d spent quite a bit of time in England. She shook Ruby’s hand too.

  “Welcome. I’m Alyona Volshebnik, but please call me Alyona.”

  “Ruby and Lucian,” Ruby replied, responding to the smile on the woman’s face. She had one of those timeless looks which made it difficult to tell her age, the blush of youth long gone, the lines of age few. Ruby wouldn’t call her “fashion model beautiful,” though. Her features were too square and too strong for that. Still, something arresting appeared in her dark brown eyes. No fool, this woman. She seemed to have assessed them both and found something she approved of. So when she smiled at Ruby, Ruby smiled back.

  “My father is looking forward to meeting you.” She glanced over at her driver and spoke in rapid Russian, none of which Ruby understood but the man in uniform moved past them. Ruby shifted to see where he went. He’d headed over to the plane and took their luggage from the crew.