Plain Jane and the Billionaire (Plain Jane Series)

by Tmonique Stephens

  “Did you love her? My mother. Did you ever love her?” she demanded.

  “…When I was with her, no. Not the way I should’ve. After I realized what I’d lost, yes. I loved her so much I gave her what she wanted. I left her alone.”

  For some reason that made Calista feel better, even though it meant she’d never had a father. “She never dated, you know. Well, not that I know of, but yeah, there was no one in her life after you.”

  He swallowed painfully. “I know. I wasn’t worthy of her love. I was too much of a coward to fight for it. Forgive me, Calista. Please.”

  It cost her nothing to nod and murmur three words, not her heart nor her soul, to the dying man on the bed. In the midst of dementia, her mother had found a way to forgive. So could she. “I forgive you.”

  Tears coursed down his weathered cheeks. “I don’t deserve it but thank you.” He sobbed.

  She ducked her head. His tears were a bit too much for her to handle. “I have to go. A plane is waiting for me.”

  “Where to, if I may ask?”

  “Germany. I’m meeting Julius Morgan there.”

  “Do you like working for him, as a bodyguard?”

  She nodded. “He’s a good…employer and there are some perks.” Oh boy, are there some perks.

  “I followed your academic career. I always thought you had a head for business. Like Erica.”

  “Yeah, well. Maybe there’s a Calista Coleman somewhere in the multiverse running a fortune five hundred company. That person ain’t me.”

  A part of her wanted to approach the bed and give him a hug. She couldn’t do it. It was too much of a leap over a river too wide. “Goodbye, Harvey.”

  The flare of pain in his watery eyes nearly killed her. “Goodbye, Cali. I love you.”

  She fled. And didn’t stop until she was back on the sidewalk, her phone in her hand, calling for the car to pick her up.

  Chapter 38

  “Danke,” Calista said to the driver who delivered her to the port in Magdeburg where the Chrysalis was moored. The briny scent of the river on the warm stiff breeze whipping her hair about her face filled her. Calmed her after the long plane ride to Germany and the two-hour car ride to Magdeburg. Getting out of the car, stretching her legs, feeling the sun on her skin, nice. Only after she did all three, did she turn her attention to the yacht.

  It was a beautiful beast, black and silver, state of the art, with a freaking helipad on the bridge deck. The thing was so sleek she expected it to launch into space.

  How much had the thing cost, she didn’t want to know. A lot of zeros, she figured and left it at that. How many rooms can we christen before returning to land? That’s what she wanted to know and had every intention of discovering.

  Damn, she missed Julius. Not just his body. She missed his wit, his wicked smile, the way the light glinted off his blond hair and burnish eyes, the scruff of his beard on her inner thighs. Okay, she really missed his body. But also, his laugh and his presence.

  Damn, she missed him. And she needed his advice. The visit with Harvey haunted her. The man didn’t have long. Both her parents had an expiration date approaching with the speed of a bullet train with no brakes. She was about to be an orphan in every sense of the word regardless of her thirty years. In their presence, she was Cali, their little girl seeking their approval, no matter how she denied it.

  She had a lot of alone time to think on the flight over. A lot of time to forgive. Her anger shouldn’t follow him into the afterlife. She was okay with letting it go and letting him find peace. At least that’s what her rational mind said until the little girl within her screamed how it was unfair. How she did nothing wrong and didn’t deserved to be shoved aside, discarded.

  She didn’t know what to do, how to feel, and she didn’t have a wealth of time to decide.

  A steward in a sharp blue suit and crisp white shirt walked down the gangplank and greeted her. “Ms. Coleman, I’m Sam.” He held out his hand. Dark hair, brown eyes, mid-forties with a SoCal accent. “I’m the head steward of the Chrysalis. Mr. Meckler informed us of your pending arrival.”

  What didn’t Meckler know? She shook the offered hand.

  Sam signaled a deckhand loading cargo into the belly of the yacht. The deckhand grabbed her two suitcases. She’d packed more than her standard work attire in the Samsonites. This time she packed the sexy underwear and never used lingerie. Plus, a few dresses and a pair of fuck me heels.

  “Are Mr. Morgan’s guests still on board?” she asked.

  “Yes. The three of them arrived a few days ago.” Sam studied her. “You’re Mr. Morgan’s head bodyguard?” He hedged.

  “I am,” she affirmed.

  Sam nodded, clearly pleased he’d received the correct information. “The staff was instructed by Mr. Meckler to welcome the guests and not to ask any questions. All the staff are experienced in maintaining a yacht and servicing guests. We understand privacy and discretion is of the utmost importance.”

  “I will let Mr. Morgan know. Is he here yet?”

  “No. His ETA is five minutes. May I show you to your quarters?”

  Wherever Julius slept, that’s where she would be sleeping.

  “Or,” Sam continued when she hesitated. “I can show you to the main salon where you can lounge before Mr. Morgan arrives.” He pointed to the front of the boat where she spotted loungers in view. From there she’d have a perfect view of Julius’ arrival.

  “Has Mr. Scotts arrived?”

  “Yes.” Sam nodded. “He’s in the security office.”

  “That’s where you can take me.”

  Sam showed her to the set of rooms behind the bridge. The crew consisted of two men designated as security on the boat, regular guys with no real training. While Julius was on board, the two would man the monitors twenty-four hours, Scotts stressed, then dismissed Sam. Together, they went over the boat security, ingress and egress points, weaknesses and strengths. All the corridors were monitored, along with all the common areas. Plus, the weapons cache. Not sure if they were legal in Germany, but that wasn’t her problem.

  “The setup is adequate. I don’t foresee an issue protecting Julius,” Scotts said. He handed her a small radio, easily hidden in a pocket and a Bluetooth receiver.

  “Agreed. We’ll be off as soon as he arrives.” She slipped the radio into her jacket and hooked the Bluetooth in her ear. “Anything else noteworthy to discuss?”

  “Nope. First officer announced all of the supplies are on board and we’re ready to get under way when the boss arrives.”

  Distracted by the bank of cameras, she nodded absently. “The guests?” she asked.

  “The two heavy hitters, an old guy and a young guy, plus a female with them. Meckler and Newsome are expected by helicopter in a few hours.”

  Scotts wasn’t one to embellish. “Two heavy hitters? How so?”

  “Two straight up killers. Professionals. Not thugs. I wouldn’t want to meet either in an alley,” he said and added a low whistle.

  Who the fuck was Julius hanging out with? “Any idea who they are?”

  “The female called the older Hank. The younger, Emmet.”

  Emmet. That was the name of one of Julius’ friends. The one who needed the boat. She’d get more details from Julius later. “Staff count?”

  “Ten, not including the captain and first officer.” Scotts supplied.

  “We need to keep an eye on all the guests. Especially the two heavy hitters on the upper level.” She needed to get an eyeball on the two men.

  “Yeah, will do. I’ll set up a rotation once Sunny and Edwards arrive.” She started to leave when Scotts asked, “Do you know how long we’ll be here?” On the galley monitor, Scotts eyed a pretty sous-chef at the cutting board.

  “Keep it professional, Scotts,” was Calista’s automatic reply.

  “You’re giving advice now?” His head cranked her way and he leveled a stern glance at her. “We are all grown and consenting adults. If something h
appens, it happens. You found love. Don’t begrudge others the same.”

  The last thing she wanted was Scotts as an enemy. They’d been co-workers and friends for too long. “I didn’t—” What? Find love? I’m fucking Julius for shits and giggles? He’s just a stiff dick and I’m just a warm, available hole?

  One eyebrow raised, Scotts waited while she gathered her arguments…and failed. “You’re not wrong, Scotts. It—”

  “You don’t have to explain. It’s none of my business. As long as you’re happy and any fallout doesn’t cost me a good paying job, I have no issue with you and Mr. Morgan.”

  The awkward conversation had taken an unexpected turn for the better. Calista reached out and touched Scotts’ forearm. “Thanks for understanding.”

  “No problem. Also, I knew things would never have worked between you and Rhodes.”

  Surprised, she reared back. “You knew about us before Vegas?”

  “Rhodes was a bit territorial when it came to you. He made sure everyone knew you weren’t available.”

  What!

  “Which was fine. Most had no problem with him staking a claim, especially since you were so damn unapproachable.” Scotts laughed and dragged his hand over his buzz cut. “But it was clear to anyone with eyes. He loved you, and you didn’t know he existed.”

  “It wasn’t like that.” She defended herself. “Of course, I knew he existed.”

  His gaze turned condescending. “The same way you know air exists. It’s all around you yet you can’t see it. On the other hand, the way you are with Julius, you need him like you need air to breathe. Everyone can see it and, if he’s who you want, I’m happy for you.” He turned his attention back to the monitors.

  That was the most she’d ever heard Scotts speak and was touched by his speech. Also, she couldn’t deny anything he said. Except, did Julius feel the same way? He said he loved her, but how deep did that love go?

  “Thanks, Scotts.” An outside camera showed a limo parking on the dock. Anticipation hummed through her blood.

  Meckler probably told Julius she’d already arrived, mostly informed through Sam. Yet, she still wanted to surprise him. More like ambush him the minute he came into view. How silly would throwing herself into his arms and kissing him senseless be? She wouldn’t do it, of course. It would be unprofessional…and totally worth it.

  The car rolled to a stop.

  No, she decided. She wouldn’t run and throw herself into his arms. She would walk right up to him and kiss him. A quick, not quite platonic kiss to tide them over until they were alone, and she could rip his clothes off his body.

  Yep, that was her plan as she made it to the lower deck in time to see him exit the limo. Heart double timing in her chest, her breath hitched when the rear car door opened. Edwards exited first and nodded at her, followed by Sunny climbing out of the driver’s seat.

  Next, there Julius stood, tall, broad, and impossibly gorgeous with the sun glinting off his blond hair and bathing his chiseled jaw. He’d shaved. The five o’clock shadow she adored was gone. While his jawline was impressive, her inner thighs and nipples wanted the scruff back.

  Had he spotted her? She couldn’t tell with the shades wrapped around his face, shielding his eyes. He seemed tense, even without a tie, his jacket and two buttons open on his button-down shirt, allowing a glimpse of his strong neck and collarbone. She had a remedy for his tension.

  About to dash into his arms, she slowed when Joshua climbed out of the limo. The gangly teen stretched, adjusted the plugs in his ears, and the leather backpack on his shoulder. A single, unimpressed glance at the boat, and he went back to his phone.

  So much for her special welcome. She strolled down the gangplank. In the process of scowling at something Joshua said or whatever he saw on his phone, Julius’ expression changed upon seeing her. Gone was the scowl replaced by a knowing smile, a seductive, sultry stretch of his mouth, a smile between lovers. Her insides warmed, behind her sternum and between her legs.

  She stopped a hair outside his personal space. “Mr. Morgan.”

  His brow quirked, confused. She’d used his surname because of Joshua, unsure of how Julius wanted to proceed in front of his brother. Hell, unsure of everything. This new terrain was rocky, chock-full of pitfalls and snares.

  Julius closed their distance. An arm around her waist. A finger tilting her head up. His lips covering hers in a kiss that left no room for any doubt.

  “Joshua, meet Calista, officially now that bullets aren’t flying.” The introduction was made after they broke apart for air. He kept his hand on her waist, the touch possessive.

  Joshua stretched out a hand with something like awe on his face. “I remember you. You were bad.”

  Been a while since she spoke teenager. “Thanks.” Joshua went back to his phone. She turned to Julius. “You two best friends now?” she whispered.

  “Possibly.” He shrugged, but his voice was hopeful. “He’s signing over controlling interest of his shares to me until he’s twenty-five. He’s agreed to work with me, not for me, as he learns how to run the business. I have my lawyers working on the paperwork. When everything’s ready, they’ll fly out and meet us.”

  “So, you’ve got your father’s company back.”

  Julius scowled, and said proudly, “His sons have got his company back.”

  “I’m happy for you.” They’d started up the gangplank when another limo parked on the dock. “Are you expecting anyone else?”

  Quickly, the driver exited and jogged around to the rear passenger door.

  “I had one more invite, though she took a raincheck.” Julius replied, and headed for the car.

  Who was the she? Calista followed closely in girlfriend/bodyguard mode. She pulled up right next to him as the car door opened and a pale hand extended toward the driver. Then a gold bracelet dangling from a delicate wrist.

  Next, a shapely forearm.

  A pair of beige six-inch heels emerged, along with a set of killer legs. The reveal was agonizing.

  Then all at once…Erica Bryn emerged from the limo and practically fell into Julius’ waiting arms.

  Chapter 39

  She touched him. Her hands on his chest, her body leaning into his, her heart-shaped face tilted, laughing into the handsome, arrogant visage Calista loved. What an adorable picture, both blond and Hallmark card perfect. Erica was naturally slim with no muscle tone, probably from skipping meals and not working out. The boobs were store-bought but money well spent. Calista knew they were fake from the thousands of pictures the New York socialite posted on social media. Only one way a woman goes from an A cup in June to a D cup in July while remaining a size two.

  Erica gave her a cursory glance and returned her attention to Julius. Calista wasn’t a threat, so why give her attention, that one glance said.

  I’m a threat alright. Notwithstanding the gun on her hip.

  “Erica, this is Calista Coleman, my personal assistant.”

  His what? ...Oh, yeah. Calista had forgotten that’s what she was supposed to be. Because that’s not what she was. She was his bodyguard, his shield, his lover, bedmate, fuck buddy. She was none of those things if he could casually introduce her to Erica Bryn as nothing more than his personal assistant, regardless of what his very public kiss a few moments ago felt like.

  A plastic smile on her glossy lips, and Erica ignored her. That was okay because Calista drilled holes into Julius. She could excuse him for bringing Erica here for business. He didn’t know who Erica was to Calista. The way Erica clung to him… This wasn’t about business.

  “Take this, please.” Erica handed Calista a briefcase. Snake or crocodile skin, either way the briefcase probably costs as much as a car. It dangled between them like a poisoned rat until Calista took it. Erica wrapped her arm around Julius who had enough self-preservation to extricate himself from her embrace and guide her to the gangplank, his hand on her back. Between her shoulders.

  Erica’s phone chimed and she pau
sed to pull it out of her Birkin. Her breath hitched and her hand fluttered on her chest like a trapped butterfly beating against glass.

  “Everything alright?” Julius leaned close. Way too close for Calista’s liking.

  “It’s my father.” A dainty sob and her hand switched from her chest to land on his. Thin fingers tipped with nails polished in a neutral color, bare of any jewelry except for a diamond bracelet around the wrist.

  A brutal stab of jealousy tore through Calista. This was the second time she touched him, and yes, Calista was keeping a tally.

  “He’s at a clinic in Switzerland. It’s not good news.” Another delicate sob from Erica.

  Calista froze. Harvey. Her heart skipped. Dry-eyed, she had no idea how to react, what to say, or what to think. She’d said her goodbyes. There wasn’t anything left to say, yet she felt obligated to drop everything and run to his side even though she didn’t get a text. Losing him shouldn’t be this hard, not when she’d never had him. Great, she swore she was the one girl without daddy issues because she didn’t care. That lie had just burned to a cinder.

  Julius signaled to Sunny. “Do you need to leave?” he asked Erica. “We can postpone this meeting for another time.”

  A tear gathered in her green eyes and rolled artfully down her cheek. Erica seemed to consider the suggestion, then shook her head. “No.” She sniffed and dashed it away with an artful flex of her fingers. “He’d want me to stay.” She made a production of squaring her shoulders and pulling herself together. “Business first. I’ll make a trip to see him when this is over.”

  Erica patted Julius’ chest with a familiarity that had Calista seething. They—probably Errol—informed Erica, but not Calista. In the corner of her eye she caught Joshua’s concerned appraisal. Wisely, he backed up a step as Julius guided Erica up the gangplank.

  The crew had lined up to greet the owner and one by one, Julius shook their hands. The captain led the way to the bridge. They talked. The captain pointed out things to Julius and Erica, which Calista was sure had importance, but she couldn’t muster the interest. The boat could sink for all she cared. She hadn’t received a text about Harvey. Guess she wasn’t important enough to tell.