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

by Calinda B

  “Drew, they are going to search his home. They’re going to find his secret rooms, and they’ll be able to tell they’ve been used lately. I think this raid of his home is going to make them very interested in what he’s been doing in those rooms.”

  Drew’s eyes flew to his. “What if they find out I was there?”

  “If they do, we’ll tell them what happened and explain that you were frightened and didn’t want to go up against him. You won’t have to be involved in the investigation if you don’t want to. We can hire a lawyer to keep you out of it, but if you decide to, I’ll be right there with you. I promise.”

  “Is this ever going to be over?”

  “Hello? Anyone remember I’m here on the line?” Ramsey’s booming voice startled both of them.

  “Sorry. Go on.” Logan held her closer.

  “My sources say that Scott became increasingly volatile and tried to make a break for it. He had a fucking gun. Pulled it on the officers and started shooting as he ran for his house. He was shot for his troubles.”

  “What?” Drew sat forward.

  “According to my source, he’s been taken to the hospital. Doesn’t look good for him. We might have a better outcome than expected.”

  “Does your source know if anyone else was hurt? I’d hate to think of anyone being hurt or killed because of him.”

  “No, thank god. Neither officer was hit. Just the little prick.”

  “Listen, can you call us back if you hear anything else?” Logan felt sick to his stomach. Could Scott be dead? Right now, he was numb; he’d never been so close to anything like this before. “I’m taking Drew to her house right now, but we will both keep our phones on.”

  “I will.”

  “Is this over? Could it be over?” she whispered.

  “I hope so. Just don’t say anything to anyone other than the two of us. That is imperative.”

  “I won’t. Thank you Ramsey.”

  “You’ve got it, Princess.” Ramsey hung up, leaving Drew sitting there looking stunned.

  Logan grabbed her hand and said quietly, “Come on. We can take you home. The cab is going to be here any minute.” He didn’t want her to go home. He wanted her to stay with him forever. But she was safe for now. He swallowed hard. There was no reason for her to want to stay if Scott were dead. She’d go back to her life. Hopefully, all the progress they’d made wouldn’t revert their relationship back to the way it was. He couldn’t read the expression on her face as she nodded her head.

  30

  They pulled their coats on just as the taxi pulled up. She watched as Logan made sure the door was locked and hurried beside her to open the cab door then slid in beside her.

  “Morning, Gus. I thought you were taking the weekend off? This is Drew.”

  “Morning, Logan. Drew, so nice to meet you. I was but Henry got sick this morning so I came in today to cover his shift until they can find someone else to finish it. Where to this morning, folks?”

  Drew gave him her address and sat back, glancing around the cab.

  “Is it warm enough back there for you, Miss?”

  “Yes. It’s fine.” She glanced at Logan, one brow raised as she leaned closer to him.

  “So, Logan. It’s almost Christmas. Any big plans?”

  “Nah. How about you? I hope you’re off for the day.” She saw Logan smile and glanced at the rearview mirror. The driver’s eyes were looking back at him. They looked like kind eyes, all crinkled in the corners as if he was smiling.

  “Nope, just going to heat something up and watch some of those sappy Christmas movies. Oh, Sonny said to tell you hello. He drove you last week when I couldn’t pick you up. You made a big impression on him. He was bragging about you to everyone.”

  “Tell him hello for me.” He shrugged at the look on Drew’s face. “I’ll explain later.” He put his arm around her and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Relax,” he whispered in her ear.

  When Gus turned his cab into the winding driveway in the front of Drew’s mansion, she watched Logan’s reaction as his jaw dropped. “Wow. This is where you live?” He was leaning over, eyes wide, trying to take in the expanse of her mansion.

  “Yes.” She pulled away and turned to him. “Pretty obnoxious, isn’t it?”

  “No. It’s huge!”

  “Yeah, it’s embarrassing.” She felt so foolish in front of both of them at the moment. She flaunted her wealth all the time and had never realized how much until now.

  “No. It’s your home. Nothing to be embarrassed about.” The cab pulled to a stop and Logan paid Gus. “Thanks, Gus.”

  “You’re welcome. Nice meeting you, Drew. You sure you don’t want me to wait for you, kid?”

  “Nice to meet you as well, Gus.” She’d never talked to a cab driver before and was surprised that he was nice. What did she think, he’d be a brute?

  “Appreciate it Gus, but I’m not sure how long we’re going to be.” Logan waved as Gus pulled away.

  When they walked up the steps, the front door opened. “Welcome home, Ms. Taylor.” The butler stepped aside and nodded. “Good morning, sir.”

  “Good morning.” He held his hand out. “I’m Logan James.” The butler glanced at Drew and stepped back without shaking Logan’s hand.

  “Come on in, Logan.” She turned and walked up the staircase. “The people in my employ are not used to anyone greeting them that way. They work behind the scenes, so to speak.”

  “They aren’t used to people being nice to them?” He caught up to her, snagging her hand in his.

  “Of course people are nice to them. It’s fine to address them but not to expect them to shake hands.” She smiled. “Now who is out of their element? You see how boorish and snotty rich people are? Why did that cab driver call you by your first name? He acted like you’re friends.”

  “We are. He’s the one who usually picks me up when I call a cab. How do you keep from getting lost in this place? It’s huge.” He followed her into her large, feminine bedroom that was decorated with mostly antique furniture. “Nice. I love all the antiques.”

  Drew turned to him. “Thank you. I noticed you have a lot as well. I have a wonderful connection if you are interested.”

  “Thanks. What I have belonged to my grandmother. I love them because they were hers. She had an eye for beautiful things.” He ran his hand over the intricately carved wood on the tiger wood dresser just inside her door. “Nice.”

  Drew sighed. “Most of mine were collected when I was designing the interior of the house. I bought them because they’d look nice.” She looked around her room. Even though she’d hand handpicked everything in it, it didn’t feel like home anymore. It felt cold and lonely. She sat down on her bed and covered her face with her hands as sobs racked her body yet again. Tension, fear, and anxiety had held her hostage for so long that now they bubbled to the surface. She couldn’t stand the thoughts going through her head.

  She felt the bed sink next to her as Logan sat down and put his arms around her, bringing her closer. “Let it go, baby. I have you.” She sank against him and allowed him to comfort her. When the sobs finally stopped, she collapsed against him. “Things are going to settle down now. If he’s dead, it’s over. If he’s not, it looks like he’ll go away for a long time.”

  “I don’t want to be here,” she whispered.

  “Drew, look at me.” Placing his fingers under her chin, he gently lifted her face so she could look into his eyes. “You can come to my house. It’s no problem.”

  Staring into his eyes, she blinked. “You want me to stay with you still?” The danger might be over, but he still wanted her with him? A man could be dead because of her.

  “Of course I want you with me. As far as I’m concerned, you can come stay for as long as you want. It doesn’t have to be temporary. But I don’t have a fancy house or servants.”

  “Your house feels more like home to me than this one ever has. To tell you the truth, the last few days with you have been
the best in my life. I don’t need all this stuff to make me happy. I never realized that before. This is all I’ve ever known. Since meeting you, I realized that I have had an empty, lonely life. How pitiful is that?” She felt tears roll down her face again. She swiped at them, angry that she couldn’t seem to stop crying anymore. “Someone could be dead. How can you look at me the same?”

  “Baby, don’t cry. Please. If being with me in my home is what you want, come on. We can move you in until you decide you are either ready to come back here or you want to sell it.” He took her hands in his. “I want you with me for as long as you want.” He pulled her against him. “As for that man, he put himself where he is, no matter how you look at it. If he would have just gone with the officer, he wouldn’t have been shot.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t know how I’m going to live with what happened.”

  “If he hurt other women like he did you, or worse, then he has done this all on his own. His arrogance and evil are what put him where he is. Look, let’s put this behind us for now. There will be plenty of time to speak later. Ramsey sent a text. He’ll meet us at my house later today. I’m sure he’ll have an update.”

  “I’m a pain in the ass, Logan. I can’t promise to stay this soft and mushy all the time. I can’t promise not to revert to my arrogant self sometimes.”

  “I wouldn’t want you to be soft and mushy all the time. You know what I want for us. The choice is yours to make.”

  She wondered for a moment if he would mind if she kept her chauffeur and her cook. Would he think her terrible, worrying about her cook and chauffeur with all that had happened? She touched his face with the palm of her hand. “Would you mind if I kept my chauffeur, Charles? Oh, and I would love to have my cook still.”

  Logan smiled. “I like Charles, he’s a good man. But I don’t have a room for a cook and a chauffeur. You’ve seen my house, right?”

  Drew laughed. “The chauffeur has a home. He just usually stays with me because I use him so often. But I am sure I could learn to be patient waiting on him to arrive. I could talk to him.”

  “Would he have a place to park your limo? You may have to downsize. As for the cook...” He shrugged. “Where would we put him? I don’t know that I would want to live here.” He stood and walked to her window and looked out over her garden. “It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that this doesn’t feel like...” He shrugged again and turned to her with the corners of his mouth turned down.

  “Home. It doesn’t feel like home. That’s how I feel too.” She walked to him and took his hands in hers. “I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves. We’ve just started this journey, and we have to see where it takes us. But for now, if you don’t mind me moving in, I’d like to try it.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Leaning down, he placed a kiss on her lips, a soft caress of his lips on hers.

  She felt the heat brush over her face. “Would you mind if I had my cook fix us lunch while I pack. I might be a while.”

  “I don’t mind at all. Listen, I’m going to make some phone calls, okay? Where would you like me to wait?”

  “If you don’t mind, you can sit there in the alcove. Oh, unless you need privacy for your calls?”

  “No, I want to let coach know I’ll be at the next practice. I don’t want to be a burden on you.” He gave her hand a little squeeze and walked to the alcove to make his calls.

  Drew picked up the house phone. “Would you mind making lunch for my guest and me? One of the special meals you usually make for me. Mr. James.” She laughed. “Yes, the wide receiver for the Knights.” She turned winked at him. His eyebrow was raised, and a crooked smile showed one of his dimples. “That’s perfect. Thank you.”

  Placing a suitcase on the seat in her closet, Drew started packing some outfits to take with her. She chose a few dresses and slipped them into the bag. She removed her bras and undies and placed them inside her suitcase. Closing everything up, she made her way to her jewelry box and placed some things that would go with her outfits and dresses in her carry case. Shoes were packed next. When she was finished, she glanced around her closet and marveled at how many clothes she had, some of which she’d only worn once. “Wow, I guess I really am a princess.”

  “Who are you talking to in there?”

  “Myself.” She made her way back into her room. “Look at what a princess I am. Look at this house and these clothes. Why do I need so much stuff?” She shook her head. “What is wrong with me?”

  “Nothing at all. This is all you’ve ever known. You were born to this. It’s not your fault that you think this is normal.”

  “Well, I don’t anymore. I want to experience more of your life. Can you show me those things? Can I go to one of your games? Could I bring my cook? He is so excited you’re here. He’s a big fan of yours, I was just told.”

  “Of course you can. I’ll make arrangements for the first game of the season. How would that be?”

  “We can ask him. I want to see his face when you tell him.” She put her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. “Do you think we can truly put this behind us?”

  “I do. We owe a huge debt to Ramsey and Charles. They are wonderful friends. You are lucky to have them in your life.”

  Drew blinked. “Friends? You really think so?”

  He nodded.

  “You are the most interesting man I’ve ever met.”

  Logan caught her in his arms. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  “Yes. This little thief is now retired. No more heists for me. I’m stepping out of the backroom club. And the only part of the Diamond Club I plan on visiting is the dining room.”

  Both dimples were displayed by the smile that spread over his face as his deep, booming laugh filled her heart. He caught her up in his arms again and swung them in a circle. “Look at me, I caught the great jewel thief and got her to retire! Let’s go see what cook made and start our happily ever after.”

  Drew stood on her tiptoes and pulled his mouth to hers. “Sounds like the best plan I’ve ever heard.”

  The Diamond Club

  Thank you so much for taking the time to read my novella from The Diamond Club!

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  All reviews are appreciated.

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  If you would like to read more from The Diamond Club series, please click on the link below:

  The Diamond Club Website

  About the Author

  National Best Selling Author Sharon Coady has been a reader her entire life. She started writing as a teen and after years of encouragement from her mother finally published her first book, a contemporary romance. She has since published a YA paranormal, a romantic suspense, two sweet Christmas romances, a Spicy Christmas romance and a new country music romance.

  When not writing or working as nurse you can find Sharon enjoying her husband and grandchildren.

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  Books by Sharon Coady

  Time Travel Romance

  Yesterday’s Memories

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  Romantic Suspense

  Broken Lies

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  Contemporary Romance/Country Music

  Last One to Know

  Last One to Hope – coming soon!

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  Sweet Christmas Romance

  Mavy’s Christmas Miracle

  Melanie’s Christmas Gift

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  Spicy Christmas Romance

  Christmas Choices

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  Young Adult

  Summer of Change: Eliza
beth’s Story

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  Note From the Publisher

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  After Glows Staff