Plain Jane and the Billionaire (Plain Jane Series)

by Tmonique Stephens

  Julius had a vision of the Mexican, bloody, near death, and dangling from a rafter. “Don’t threaten my brother. Ever.”

  A raised eyebrow was Harden’s reply.

  Julius turned back to his brother. “I’m not betting any of my shares, so if that’s your play—”

  “I want Dad’s watch.”

  Julius glanced at the Breitling on his wrist. It was the only thing he had left of his father’s, bequeathed in the will, otherwise Lynda never would’ve allowed him to keep it. If anyone else had asked, the answer would’ve been no.

  Julius removed the watch, placed it in the center of the table. “You hate your mother that much?”

  “I don’t hate my mother. I love her very much.” Joshua’s flat voice reminded Julius of himself when he had a lot to say, but couldn’t.

  “Then why betray her?” Julius didn’t understand, but he wanted to.

  Joshua frowned, looked away, then slowly returned, his cavalier smirk back in place. “I should ask you. Why do you want to bankrupt the company our father built?”

  No. That was the last thing he wanted. “That’s the lie Lynda told you to keep you and I at each other’s throats.”

  Joshua’s eyes widened and Julius knew he’d struck pay dirt before Joshua’s expression closed. “Besides, win or lose, the business stays in the family. Our father would’ve wanted that.”

  Slowly, Julius nodded. “Let’s play.”

  Except for a few hushed whispers and the tinkle of ice cubes striking glass, silence encompassed the room. They were the only table in play. The dealer served their two cards. Julius: four of diamonds and Jack of hearts.

  Was that Calista’s voice? Focus broken, Julius’ head whipped around, his gaze skimming the room for her. He couldn’t find her.

  “Julius.”

  Joshua’s sharp reprimand snapped his attention back to the game and the flop: Ace of spades. King of diamonds. Jack of diamonds. Three of hearts.

  So far, Julius had a pair. It was better than nothing, but doubtful to win this hand. A hand with everything he wanted riding on it.

  There it was again. Calista’s angry voice. What set her off? This time Julius turned completely around in his seat. It took a second, but he spotted her and Rhodes heading for a corner by the bar. All eyes were on him, and he was focused on the pair because the emotion on Rhodes’ face was one Julius recognized…unfulfilled hunger. Which made the man dangerous.

  “Mr. Morgan. The game.” The dealer’s voice yanked Julius’ attention back to the cards, though his mind was across the room, smack in the middle of the huddled pair. His head whipped around again.

  In the corner near the bar, he saw her and Rhodes, their heads together, deep in conversation or about to kiss. Hard to tell from his angle. And that wasn’t acceptable.

  In front of him, his father’s watch and control of his father’s company. Everything he wanted… Which included the woman on the other side of the room. Feeling territorial, he pushed back from the table, he couldn’t stop himself. Rhodes that close to her was intolerable.

  The turn: Jack of spades.

  Julius paused. With three Jacks, Julius’ chances went up. The river would make or break him. Either he’d win back the company stolen from him or he’d lose the only thing he had of his father. Time to find out.

  Until he heard Rhodes utter the word “whore.”

  Chapter 29

  Calista circled the room, studying all the egress and ingress points. She took particular interest in the kitchen. Nothing she could do about all the knives or the service elevator except station Edwards near the swinging doors. Any threat coming from that direction, he’d have a shot. The windows were uncovered. The view of the strip was fantastic and unobstructed on the right side of the room. The left side another hotel of equal height.

  She kept an eye on Julius and the game. He appeared relaxed but only a fool would believe that. She couldn’t imagine sitting opposite Erica, with all the lies and deceptions exposed and not wanting to throw up. One day it would happen, the meeting between siblings, a sibling Erica knew nothing about. Soon, Calista suspected. Harvey visiting her mother could only lead to one thing—total exposure. Which she didn’t care one way or the other. Erica knowing she had a sister didn’t change Calista’s life at all. She’d still be a bodyguard living in Queens, paying her bills, taking care of her mother.

  In love with a billionaire.

  Harden’s arrival was a shock. He never left New York, his territory. Yet, he left now for a poker game. As he parked his ass next to Julius, her gaze circled the room. Was there a target here? Someone Harden had an interest in who wouldn’t make it to the morning?

  Her gaze didn’t light on anyone of interest, but she didn’t know everyone. Purposely, she minded her own damn business. She worked his clubs between clients, the two on the other side of the Holland Tunnel in Jersey and one underground club in northern Manhattan. Just because she didn’t spot anyone didn’t mean shit. But this was Davien’s place. The chances of Harden getting bloody here, in his best friend’s high-end hotel, was razor thin. She still kept her gaze floating around the room, lighting on everyone, everything. Damn, there were a lot of guns in the room, but everyone was cool, the atmosphere casual. The players had money to burn and no compunction about lighting the match.

  She stopped at the bar and requested a bottled water. Two hours in and the night wore on her. She cracked her neck from side to side. The effect of spending the night on the stairs, in her bed, on her back, on her knees, made itself known. How long did these poker games last? She grumbled to herself. In the two hours, the table had dwindled down to three men. Julius, Joshua, and Harden. The three had cleaned out the competition and had stacks of chips representing their winnings. Millions of dollars were on the table, trading hands. This was not the stock market. Less money, more prestige in an exclusive circle.

  Another scan of the room and she spotted Rhodes approaching from his spot at the other end of the bar. This wasn’t the place or time, but it was going to happen anyway.

  He stopped in front of her, blocking her view of the room and line of sight to Julius. Shoving him out of the way and causing a scene was out of the question. A quick sidestep solved the issue and lined her and Rhodes up, side by side. They didn’t need to eyeball each other to have this conversation. Maybe that would make it better, easier for both of them, not just her.

  “What are you doing, Calista?”

  “Excuse me?” She could play dense but that wasn’t Calista’s way. Glancing to her left, racking him with a hostile glare, she snapped, “My job.”

  Brows knit, mouth twisted in a scowl. “Really? And what exactly is your job?”

  “Protecting Julius.” She realized her mistake the second the words slipped out of her mouth. Two words and she’d outed herself as if it wasn’t the worst kept secret.

  His gaze speared her. “Julius, huh? Not Mr. Morgan anymore, huh?” He shook his head and gave a dry, humorless chuckle. “I thought I was seeing things. Thought I was overreacting, jumping to conclusions.”

  Her heart twisted in her chest at the hurt and accusation in his voice. Not because she did something wrong, but because she never wanted from him what he wanted from her. They needed to take this somewhere private. Too late for that. Instead, she opted for an empty space at the side of the bar.

  He followed her and the second they had a modicum of privacy, he let loose. “Knew something was up when he went chasing after you in London. I was there for you, asked you what was wrong, and you brushed me aside. But you had no problem when he chased you down. It was right there in front of me and I played Stevie Wonder.”

  There wasn’t much she could say when everything he said was true. It’s not like she planned on falling for Julius. It just happened. Not that saying any of that would ease the tension between herself and Rhodes. Tension that shouldn’t be there since what they had was casual. “Friends with benefits” didn’t exist anymore. She’d moved on. I
f he’d done the same to her she wouldn’t have a problem because she never wanted more from Rhodes. It was a dead-end relationship that she never took seriously.

  “How long you two been fucking?” Rhodes whispered.

  She froze, not quite believing he went there. Other than him showing up at her house a few weeks ago, their casual relationship had been strictly platonic for months. Yet here they were. Between clenched teeth, she gritted out, “This is not the time or the place for—”

  “How long!” he snapped, aggression rolling off him as if he’d been jilted. He towered over her, his posture meant to intimidate. The attention in the room shifted from the cards to their corner. Too late to do anything about that. They were both locked in.

  “None of your Goddamn business.”

  He stiffened as if she slapped him. Nostrils flaring, he reared back, shaking his head. “I’m…concerned, Calista. This”—he waved a dismissive hand at her—“isn’t you.”

  Then who the fuck was it, because when she got up this morning, dragged on her underwear and clothes, and strapped on her gun, the person staring back in the mirror was her. Same hazel eyes, same dark hair, same squarish face. “Thank you for your concern, but like I said, it’s none of your business.”

  “I thought we had something, Cali.” He leaned in and whispered, his breath on her neck.

  “We did. It ran its course.” Unease tightened her muscles.

  “So now you’re the billionaire’s whore.” His breath was a soft caress though he’d spoken loud enough to carry his words across the quiet room.

  Slapping him would accomplish absolutely nothing. Yet, her hand itched to knock his teeth out the back of his head.

  “Oh, struck a nerve, huh? Go on and tell me it’s not like that. Tell me you’re not fucking him because of the money. Because it damn sure ain’t because he’s better than me.”

  She sighed. “No, he’s not better than you.”

  “Then what is it?” he growled.

  She paused. It wasn’t easy hurting someone you still cared about, especially when they’d done nothing to deserve it. Especially when the love isn’t reciprocated. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Rhodes. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  “Fuck. You.”

  Enough. She tried. “Step off, Rhodes.”

  He nodded and flashed two fingers in her face. “Deuces. I already stepped off.”

  Chapter 30

  “Julius!”

  “Mr. Morgan. You can’t leave the table.”

  “I fold.”

  Joshua lunged to his feet. His chair pushed back and tipped over with a soft thud on the plush carpet. “That’s it? You just gonna quit on me, bro? Walk away from the game?”

  Ah fuck! This wasn’t about a damn game. This was some daddy issue drama Julius had no idea how to address and didn’t have the time for. Yet this was his little brother reaching out in the only way he knew how with the middle finger and a stack of chips.

  “I’m quitting the game. I’m not quitting you.” Whether Joshua understood or not was out of his hands. Julius would deal with it later. “The watch is yours. That’s what you wanted, right?”

  “What about the company?” Joshua pressed, but Julius had already moved away.

  Murmurs circled the room as he took his time closing the distance between him, Calista, and Rhodes. He was in no rush, allowing himself to be waylaid a few times by a handshake and a quick hello, since the two hadn’t noticed his approach.

  Whatever they discussed was heated, intimate, with a thin veneer of civility. This wasn’t about work. This was personal. And he wasn’t the only one that noticed. Harden and Davien were off to the side, watching like they were at The Garden with floor seats.

  A slow burn ignited in Julius’ gut as he placed one foot in front of the other. He wasn’t a killer. Unlike Emmet and Harden, Julius would swear he didn’t have a violent bone in his body, especially after what he witnessed in the scrapyard.

  So why did he want Rhodes to bleed?

  If he touches her…

  His blood hummed, causing a buzzing in his ears that blotted out sound, leaving only awareness of her. Calista.

  Tension radiated from Calista’s stiff body as Rhodes leaned into her, crowding her though she held her own and didn’t budge. Rhodes didn’t see him coming, but Calista did. Her gaze shifted his way a second before he stepped to her side.

  “Problem?” Julius narrowed his gaze on Rhodes in challenge. The height difference was negligible. Rhodes had Julius on brawn and experience. Ah shit, who was he kidding. Rhodes could beat the piss out of him, which didn’t stop Julius from getting in the man’s face, multiplying the tension by twenty.

  Ten long seconds, the entire room held its breath. Then, he said, “No. I got no problem, man. None. At. All. She’s all yours.” Rhodes walked, and kept walking out of the nearest exit, effectively ending his employment.

  Julius watched him go, then hooked an arm around Calista’s waist and hauled her into his body. That lilac scent he would forever associate with her mixed with a perfume made his balls draw tight. Her gaze widened in surprise and her hand settled on the center of his chest. Then, as if catching herself, she glared holy hell at him and pushed away. A lesser man would’ve felt the burn from her laser eyes. He wasn’t a lesser man. His arm slid away in an equally possessive display as the arm was around her waist.

  Full lips pressed into a thin, hard frown, Calista locked her emotions down, her gaze now neutral. “Are you done playing?”

  He wasn’t sure if she meant the cards or with her. The answer to both was, “Yes.”

  One winged eyebrow quirked, and her mouth pursed into a frown. “Did you win?”

  “No. I lost. A lot.”

  She shook her head and rolled her eyes. Maybe he should tell her he tossed away a winning hand because of her but doubted he’d score any points.

  “Are we leaving?” Arms folded, she waited for his answer.

  “Yes.”

  Rubbing her hand behind her neck, she nodded. “I’ll be at the door.”

  Julius watched the angry swish of her hips as she walked away. Was she pissed at Rhodes departure? Did she want to go after him? Bring him back? Shit!

  Unfamiliar doubts ate at him, doubts he’d never previously experienced with any woman. Doubts morphing into obsession when the only thing he’d ever felt obsessive over was the company his father built and handed over to Joshua and by proxy, Lynda.

  Which he shoved aside and folded a winning hand, a hand that would’ve given him enough stock to take over his father’s company and regain his heritage. He’d folded instead of letting the game play out because of Calista. Unwarranted resentment curled in his chest.

  “And that’s why I’m single.” Harden snorted and punched Julius’ shoulder.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Julius snapped. He didn’t have time for Harden’s bull.

  Rocking on his feet, Harden laughed. “Bruh, you don’t even realize it. The hook is already in your mouth. You’re already landed, fish out of water, sucking in air.”

  “I must agree.” Davien piped in. “You got it bad.” He picked up a tumbler of bourbon from a circulating tray and pressed it into Julius’ hand. “How much did you lose?”

  “A-fucking-lot. Over a woman.” Harden doubled over, cackling.

  “And?” Julius asked, the humor lost on him.

  “And?” Harden gasped and pointed his thumb at Julius. “Bill Gates Jr. over here walked away from a controlling interest in his daddy’s company. Baby brother put up his stock options.”

  Davien whistled low. “Controlling interest in a forty-billion-dollar company.”

  “A company he’s lusted after since his daddy died and gave it to the evil stepmother,” Harden said ominously, and shook his head, disgusted. “I like Calista. She’s talented. Got skills.” His voice deepened. “I hope she’s worth it. You know what I mean.”

  A flash of anger seared him. What the fuck did t
hat mean? Was she worth losing the money? Yes. Was she worth his time and attention? Yes. Was she worth not gaining the stock options?... “No. I don’t know what you mean.”

  Harden sighed and his mouth made like an asshole and puckered. It was hilarious. Not known for choosing his words, yet that’s exactly what Harden attempted. “Look. Don’t try and pigeonhole me, alright. Black. White. This ain’t that discussion because I ain’t that person. This is about the bottom line and my bottom line is all about the money. You leaving that table with all you’ve worked for on the line was ballsy. And stupid.” His lips curled in a scorn. “I wouldn’t’ve done it. And that’s all I’m saying.” He shrugged, letting the proverbial chips fall where they may, and sipped his drink.

  Leave it to Harden to point out the obvious and make it seem like a revelation. Julius did not need a reminder of what he walked away from. Damnit, and just when he was feeling chivalrous.

  “No woman is worth that.” Harden tacked on.

  “You’re an asshole,” Julius said.

  Harden nodded in complete agreement. “Yeah. But you knew that already.” Harden’s gaze cut to over Julius’ shoulder. “Incoming.”

  Julius spun to see Joshua stomping toward him, his face beet red. In his hand, two cards. “You folded? When you could’ve won! Why? Over some split tail.”

  Without a second thought, Julius snatched him by his expensive jacket. “You will never call her that again.” He shoved Joshua away before he planted a fist in his face.

  Joshua stumbled, his gangly legs failing to lock until the last second. He tossed the cards at Julius’ feet. “You threw away your chance of running dad’s company over a girl. Billions of dollars gone. Over. A. Girl.” He stormed away, back to the poker table on the other side of the room.

  “That boy needs an attitude adjustment, which I’d happily supply.” Harden offered and Julius was slightly tempted to accept. However, any attitude adjustment for Joshua would come from him and not the sadistic mob boss.