House of Cards (Tech Billionaires)

by Ainsley St Claire

  “Excellent. Try to stay off the phones if you can, and in particular, don’t call your brothers this weekend.”

  “No problem. I already spoke to them.”

  “I understand you’re worried, but you’ve got this.”

  Strength rolls over me like a warm blanket. She’s right. I’ve got a wonderful team in place. “Thanks, Marci.”

  “We’ll talk soon, and if you discover any surprises, please call me. You have my cell number.”

  “I promise, I will. Thanks.”

  After we hang up, I go back to my book. I found one that finally grabbed me, and I settle in on the couch. I’m not sure how much time has passed, but I’m so engrossed in the story that when the landline rings, I jump. The caller ID confirms it’s Jonnie.

  “Hey.” I smile as I answer.

  “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

  I remember our time at Queen Diva’s, and my pulse quickens. “Really? Does it include fresh air?”

  “Nope,” he says. “But it does include company.”

  “Are you sure it’s a good idea? What is Jim going to say? I just promised Marci I’d keep a low profile.”

  “Relax,” Jonnie says. “Jim has a client in town for the poker tournament tomorrow, and he gave me the idea. Do you remember Nate and Cecelia Lancaster from Christopher’s wedding?”

  My brain goes a bit crazy. Nate’s listed as one of the richest men in the world. I met him briefly at the wedding and was so starstruck that I got cottonmouth and couldn’t do more than squeak. Hopefully he won’t remember that.

  I swallow my pride. “I do.”

  “Great. He and Cecelia will be coming up to the apartment for dinner. They don’t eat in restaurants too often since they’re so recognizable, but I offered them dinner with us, and they accepted. Cecelia requested salmon; I hope that’s okay.”

  “I love salmon, and it will be fun to have new people to talk to. What time will they be here?”

  “About eight. The catering company will bring dinner up about seven forty-five. I should warn you, Cecelia is always on time. I’ll try to arrive before them, but if I make it, it won’t be much before.”

  I have just over two hours. “I’ll be ready.”

  “Great. I think you’ll really like them.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “We’re going to have fun tonight,” he promises as he rings off.

  I can’t wait. I change into a sundress with a sweater to push back the bite of the air conditioning. I haven’t been wearing shoes since I arrived, and my feet aren’t very happy with me when I squeeze them into come-hither sandals, but they look sexy, and I feel a little more like myself.

  Once I’m ready, I return to my book, but when the front bell rings and it’s the catering company, the butterflies in my stomach begin to flutter. People. Conversation. And most importantly a distraction. In the back of my mind, that woman who works for Jim is putting her life at risk, pretending to be me and flying into the lion’s den.

  The chef who drops the meal off gives me directions on how to heat it when we’re ready. I can tell he’s unhappy—he’s an artist after all—but he isn’t serving us. We’re serving ourselves for privacy, and he’ll get over it.

  “This is your appetizer plate,” he explains. “It’s all antipasti. The wine is to be served with dinner, not with the appetizer.”

  He would never be the wiser if I did serve it with the first course, but I’m not going to tempt fate. He places the tray on the center table in the living room, and I study the liquor cabinet. We have a pinot gris for dinner, but I need to think of a mixed drink that won’t overpower the antipasti. I may not be the best cook, but I’m an outstanding bartender. My dad used to say, You can hire people to make your food, but being a hostess requires making drinks. I spot gin, triple sec, and fresh lemons. And then I know what will be perfect for us: a Chelsea sidecar—not too sweet, not too fruity, and the lemon will go well with our snacks. Plus, the most important thing, it’s easy to make a batch in a pitcher.

  I hear them before I see them. “Sweetheart, we’re here,” Jonnie calls.

  The timing is perfect, as I’ve just finished the drinks. I walk out of the kitchen, and Jonnie is standing with technology rock star Nate Lancaster and his wife, Cecilia. After a career in the military, Nate founded a company that makes high-tech artificial limbs. Jonnie told me Nate was Jim’s first security client, and they’ve been friends for a long time.

  “Jonnie, your apartment is amazing.” Cecelia gushes. “It’s like an oasis hidden in the back of your hotel. I bet the views during the daylight are spectacular.” She looks out into the blackness of the desert.

  “Thank you,” Jonnie says. “I do enjoy looking at the desert.”

  I approach with a pitcher of Chelsea sidecars, and Jonnie says, “Nate, Cecelia, please meet the woman I built and designed my hotel for, Margaret Reinhardt.”

  I’m stunned by his statement. It has to be hyperbole…doesn’t it? Nothing in my life makes sense right now.

  I place the pitcher on the table next to highball glasses I set out and extend my hand. “Please call me Maggie, all my friends do.” I gesture to the drinks. “I made some Chelsea sidecars to go with the appetizers. Please help yourself.”

  “So wonderful to meet you,” Cecelia says as she approaches me with her arms wide.

  And then I’m locked in an embrace with the Cecelia Lancaster.

  “You’re my new best friend,” she says. “You have drinks and food. I’m famished. I can’t eat in public with everyone having a camera in their pocket these days. They always get the worst picture of me stuffing my face, and I show up on the cover of some stupid tabloid.”

  My wits return. “Well, no camera here, and at least it’s a short walk to your suite if I tempt you to overindulge.”

  “Tempt away.” She covers her mouth and mock-whispers a comment. “I’ll tell you a secret. When I get tipsy, Nate tends to get lucky.”

  I blush at her openness.

  “Keep them flowing.” Nate grins at his wife. Pure love.

  We pour drinks and sit in the living room. I settle on the love seat with Jonnie next to me. His body is warm, and he drapes his arm around me. “You look beautiful,” he says, winking. He raises his glass to the Lancasters across the room. “I’m so glad you could join us.”

  They raise theirs in return, and then Nate says, “Please don’t be upset with Jim, Maggie, but he shared a high-level view of what you’re dealing with. We’re sorry.”

  I nod my thanks.

  “But then again,” he adds with a laugh, “we’re not sorry, because this way we can spend the evening with you.”

  I laugh too. The sidecar is helping me make light of my plight—at least for the moment. “I’m glad to be here, and I’m grateful Jonnie has been so kind as to offer me a place to hide while the lawyer helps me figure it out.”

  “If the papers report anything other than she’s been named chair of the Reinhardt Corporation board of directors, be assured it’s all lies,” Jonnie adds.

  “We’ve been there,” Nate empathizes.

  “I love Bullseye,” Cecilia says. “I don’t understand how anyone can escape without spending a hundred dollars every time they walk in the store.”

  She’s hard not to like, so genuine. I smile as I imagine the circus that breaks out when she shops at Bullseye.

  “I’ve seen big bills from Reinhardt Hudson’s, too,” Nate notes. “You’re spending all over the company.”

  “When you find I’m not looking my best, then you can complain about my bills,” Cecelia retorts.

  Nate and Jonnie start a conversation about tomorrow’s poker game, and Cecilia leans over. “What are you doing to keep busy during your sequestration?”

  “Not much,” I tell her, rolling my eyes. “My goal is to keep a low profile. I don’t want someone to slip and give me away, so we’re rarely even ordering in, and I stay here all day. Jonnie has a home gym, and I
read. Daytime television is worthless.”

  She nods. “When Nate’s business took off and we went from a man with an idea to being household names, the threats started. Our oldest daughter, Grace, was even kidnapped. She was only gone for three days, but I didn’t leave the house for over a year after that. I know it sounds like complaining, and this really is a one-percent problem, but I know it’s hard to stay within the same walls every day—day in and day out.”

  I’m so relieved to have someone who understands this. “It’s been less than a week, but already I’m feeling trapped. What did you do to keep your sanity?”

  “I read a lot of books, organized my closet, and eventually started entertaining myself by cooking.”

  That surprises me. She doesn’t look like she ever eats much of anything.

  “I learned to make macarons, roast the perfect chicken, and blend the best tomato sauce.”

  “She also started our foundation,” Nate adds.

  “Well, that’s true,” she says. “We didn’t feel our kids needed all the money we were making. They need to be productive members of society, and a generous trust fund was more than enough for them, their children, and grandchildren. There are so many people in need out there, and we know we’re incredibly lucky. A lot of good ideas never reach fruition due to funding.”

  I nod. “I oversee our family foundation. It feeds your soul to give back some of your good fortune.”

  “Exactly,” she says. “You’re launching a project we gave some money to last year—with Brighter Future?”

  I light up. Cecelia and I spend most of the rest of the evening talking about our causes and enjoying a fantastic dinner. Their foundation is significantly larger than Reinhardt’s, but it inspires me to do more. And she invites me to hang out with her again tomorrow, once she’s a poker widow.

  It’s midnight when Nate and Cecelia prepare to leave. “Should you have one more drink before we go?” Nate teases.

  She grins and places a chaste kiss on his lips. “I’m sure I’m tipsy enough.”

  “Then what are we waiting for?” Nate exclaims. He turns to me and extends his hand. “Maggie, you were pure delight tonight. I hope we see you again soon.”

  “Thank you, I hope so, too.”

  They pick up their team outside the door, and Nate turns and waves. “I’ll see you tomorrow at three, Jonnie. I’m ready to win a small company this weekend.”

  Jonnie laughs. “Who’s betting a small company this time?”

  He shrugs. “Who knows. Someone always puts one on the table at some point. That’s how I got Syllabus last year. They went public a few months ago for three times their market projection—after I made a few tweaks, of course. Landon thought it was dead. I sent him a magnum of Cristal to celebrate.”

  “You’re bad.” Jonnie laughs and shakes his head.

  “I’m going to show her how bad I am.” Nate hooks his thumb toward Cecelia.

  Her eyes light up. “Bring it on.”

  We close the door behind them, and Jonnie steps in close. “That was fun.”

  “It was. Thank you.”

  “I’d love to take credit, but it goes to Jim. Clear Security got started because of Nate, and he knows what happens when you can’t leave your home for extended periods of time.”

  “Yes, Cecilia and I discussed that a little. This was a nice change. Good to have new people to talk to.”

  I give him a hug and walk into the living room to clear the used glasses. “Why did you tell the Lancasters you built the Shangri-la for me?”

  “Because I did,” he answers.

  “How is that even possible?” This seems a bit extreme.

  His arms circle my waist. “You’re right. I didn’t look at you when I was fifteen and think, I want to move to Vegas and open a hotel for her. But I did know I wanted you in my life, and I spent years figuring out how to make it happen. It was little things. Christopher and I stayed here in Vegas one spring break in college, and I really liked the place, from a business perspective. I wanted to be self-reliant, so I could take care of you. So this is the perfect world I’ve created for you. This is our Shangri-la.”

  Wow. I don’t really know how to respond, so I lean in and kiss him. It quickly becomes an aggressive tango of our tongues. “Thank you for telling me. I don’t quite know what to say. I… Like always, I wish things were different.”

  “We’re working on that, okay? Speaking of which, did you talk to Christopher or Bella today?

  “I talked to both my brothers this morning, and I got a text from Christopher this afternoon. He wished me luck. And then Bella called while she drove from Berkeley to The City.” I’m normally a vault when it comes to secrets, but I have to tell him. “I’ll tell you what she told me, but you have to act surprised when they tell you.”

  He smiles. “I think I have an idea of where this is going.”

  “They had an appointment with the OB/GYN this afternoon—and she’s pregnant.”

  “I knew it! That’s fantastic. Christopher must be so excited. They’ve wanted this for a while.”

  “I know, it’s still early, but it’s fantastic news.” I sit on the couch and put my feet up on the coffee table. I glance at the time and think about all the things probably going on by now in Minnesota. How many times has my mother called my phone?

  Jonnie sits down next to me and pushes the hair from my face. “You can’t worry about what’s happening elsewhere. You’re perfectly safe here.” He kisses me, and I wrap my arms around him. “I heard you make plans to meet Cecelia tomorrow.”

  “Yes, she’s having a few friends over during tomorrow’s games. We’re meeting in her suite for spa treatments—massages and I think some nail techs are coming. She mentioned that Emerson Healy and Caroline Arnault will be there, and she told me Jim signed off on this. Are you okay with me going?”

  Jonnie nods. “Jim ran it by me. The women have been briefed, and they’re his clients, too. Jim’s team will escort you down, so no wandering or going anywhere without your guys. Promise?

  I kiss him softly on the lips. “I guess I should show you my appreciation for taking such good care of me.” I unbutton his pants and can feel the bulge growing more pronounced.

  He flips me onto my back. “Not until I show you my appreciation first.”

  Chapter 26

  Jonathan

  Maggie has a spring in her step this morning, which I’m thrilled to see. Our adventures the past few days seem to have pulled her from the brink of feeling too confined. Now I just have to keep her from panicking about all the aspects of her life that are up in the air.

  I take a sip of orange juice and catch her peeking at her burner phone. “Any news?” I ask.

  “No, and it’s making me nervous.”

  “I can understand why. It’s making me nervous, too. Let’s check in with Jim.” I pull my phone from my pocket, and he answers on the first ring. I greet him and tell him I’m putting him on speaker. I set my phone on the table between us.

  “You must be psychic,” he teases.

  “Maggie is sitting here, and we’re a little nervous that things seem so quiet. Is there any word?”

  I reach for Maggie’s hand and kiss her delicate fingers. She takes a deep breath and gives me an encouraging squeeze.

  “It’s been an exciting night and morning,” Jim says. “The police just left Christopher’s home.”

  Maggie drops my hand and sits up straight. “Is everyone okay?”

  “Christopher and Bella are up in Stinson Beach, north of San Francisco.”

  Maggie nods and smiles. “He told me when we spoke that he’d be at a friend’s beach house.”

  “Correct. As predicted, the men watching your brother’s home started to multiply about eight thirty last night, and once it was dark at ten thirty, they wandered around the front of the house and jumped the fence in the alley to access the backyard. We have on tape that they knocked on the door. My team was watching from both the street
and on closed-circuit TV.”

  “They didn’t see you?” Maggie asks.

  “No. We were in the park across the street hiding in a homeless encampment we created. We notified the police as soon as they put a pick in the lock. San Francisco Police arrived eight minutes after they gained access to the home and caught them in the middle of their search. Nothing was taken. They were arrested, but they’re not saying anything.”

  “I’m so glad Bella and Christopher weren’t home.” Maggie presses her hand to her heart.

  “Agreed,” Jim says. “We also tracked my employee who traveled on your ID. We spotted someone at the airport who we were fairly certain was following her. Thankfully, her tail was a man who couldn’t follow her into the ladies’ room. He waited for you to exit, but instead Lindsay did, and she walked right by him. He didn’t recognize her and didn’t follow. He waited thirty-five minutes before he asked someone to go in and look for his daughter. When they reported her not there, he looked around the terminal, and forty-eight minutes later he called a number—which we were able to capture on a security camera—to report her missing.”

  I give Maggie a thumbs up. She’s all smiles.

  “My team made contact with your brother Steven in Key West,” Jim tells Maggie. “We moved him and his girlfriend to a safe house. Christopher and Bella will remain where they are through tomorrow, and then they’ll go on a boat tour that will move them to a safe house farther north in Mendocino.”

  “What about Bella’s family?” Maggie asks.

  “We’re keeping an eye on them. We’re also watching Alex. The guys following him pulled him out of a sex club shortly after midnight. They talked to him on the sidewalk out front, so my team was able to hear the exchange. He denied knowing where you were, and they left him there. He left two hours later with a friend and went back to his place.”

  “Is he safe?” Maggie asks.

  “We think so. The good news is what we observed at your family home.”

  Maggie and I move to the edge of our seats.

  “Herbert Walker joined your mother at eleven thirty last night. By midnight, six more cars had arrived. We photographed their occupants. We didn’t have access to their cell phones when they spoke, but we did have parabolic mics working and could hear half the conversation. They’re looking for you, and they’re panicked.”