by Tia Lewis
Wicked Paradise
An Alpha Billionaire Romance
Tia Lewis
Salted Pen Publications
Contents
Mailing List
Books by Tia Lewis
About the Book
1. Bianca
2. Bianca
3. Bianca
4. Bianca
5. Bianca
6. Bianca
7. Dustin
8. Bianca
9. Dustin
10. Bianca
11. Bianca
12. Dustin
13. Bianca
14. Dustin
15. Bianca
16. Dustin
17. Bianca
18. Bianca
19. Bianca
20. Bianca
21. Bianca
22. Bianca
23. Dustin
24. Bianca
25. Bianca
26. Bianca
27. Bianca
28. Bianca
Thank You
Tia Lewis & Penelope Marshall
FREE Bonus Book: Only One You
You and Me Series
About This Book
1. Amanda
2. Dawson
3. Amanda
4. Dawson
5. Amanda
6. Dawson
7. Amanda
8. Dawson
9. Amanda
10. Dawson
11. Amanda
12. Dawson
13. Amanda
14. Dawson
15. Dawson
16. Amanda
17. Dawson
18. Amanda
19. Dawson
20. Dawson
21. Amanda
22. Dawson
23. Amanda
Thank You
You and Me Series
Books by Penelope Marshall
About Penelope Marshall
Mailing List
Books by Tia Lewis
About Tia Lewis
Copyright
Copyright © 2017 by Tia Lewis.
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
First Published in June 2017.
First Edition.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please contact: [email protected]. www.AuthorTiaLewis.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of the book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the Internet or any other means, electronic, or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 (www.fbi.gov/ipr/).
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Published by Salted Pen Publications, Minnesota.
Wicked Paradise: An Alpha Billionaire Romance
Edited by: Charity C.
Beta Readers: Jackie & Vickie
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FULL BOOK CATALOG BY TIA LEWIS
Books by Tia Lewis
Redemption: A Bad Boy MMA Fighter Romance
Revived: A Bad Boy MMA Fighter Romance
Reckless: A Bad Boy MMA Fighter Romance
Restrained: A Bad Boy MMA Fighter Romance
Draw Play: A Sports Romance
Stadium of Lights: A Second Chance Romance
Draft Day: A BWWM Sports Romance
Threat: A Blood Riders MC (Book 1)
Reveal: A Blood Riders MC (Book 2)
Creed: A Blood Riders MC (Book 3)
Diesel: A Blood Riders MC (Book 4)
The Hitman’s Possession: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance (Book 1)
The Hitman’s Property: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance (Book 2)
The Hitman’s Duology Series Bundle
Naughty Prescription: A Bad Boy Medical Romance
Dirty Hacker: An Alpha Billionaire Romance
Dirty Money: A Dark Mafia Romance
Misled: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance
Only One You: A Second Chance Romance
Addicted to You: A Last Chance Romance
Bound to You: A Military Romance
Forever with You: A Contemporary Romance
Sinful Torment: A Romantic Suspense Novel
Tempt Me: A Second Chance Billionaire Romance
The Journalist: A Sexy Contemporary Romance
Zarak: Scifi Alien Invasion Romance (The Mating Games Book 1)
Konkrin: Scifi Alien Invasion Romance (The Mating Games Book 2)
About the Book
Billionaires have it all, right? Money. Earthly possessions. Women. You name it, we have it—until we don’t.
When my past threatens everything I've worked so hard for, I hire the best legal team to come to my defense.
I'd never guess that one act would bring Bianca Reed—my new lawyer—to my door. A goddamn captivating woman with fire in her eyes that draws me in like no other. Though, behind the ferocity, there’s an innocence and purity that excites me and makes me think past my usual one night stand.
Although her words deny it, her body language tells me she's drawn to my unconventional lifestyle. I need her to save me—in more ways than one—but will my way of life run her away before she even step foot in the courtroom?
Author’s Note:
Wicked Paradise is a steamy alpha billionaire contemporary romance novel. It's only recommended for audiences 18+. Standalone. No cheating. No cliffhangers. HEA.
***LIMITED TIME ONLY: Only One You: A Second Chance Romance with Penelope Marshall is included FREE!***
Bianca
I could barely hear myself think over the sea of clustered, honking cars all around me. “Why?” I asked aloud. A groan of frustration quickly followed as I banged my head against the steering wheel, my hands tightly clamped around it. “Why me out of everyone else at the office? It could’ve been someone that probably would’ve ended up calling out sick anyway.” The car in front of mine was as static as the next after that and the one behind me, irritatingly shoving its bumper dangerously close to mine.
“The last thing I need is to be late… C’mon… Don’t do this to me…” The hope slowly drained from me as signs the traffic would let up failed to show. I didn’t even have the energy to move the stray strands of brunette locks from my face. With a sigh, I reached over for my coffee, but my hand paused mid-motion. A vibrating smartphone with the ID named: “Mom” caught my eye.
In an instant, my heart sank even deeper down into my chest. Without picking the phone up, I already knew what I was in for. “Why haven’t you asked for a raise yet? You still wo
rking like a dog for pennies? Why haven’t you gotten anything big yet? Don’t you want to make us proud of you?” It didn’t seem to matter which one of them was calling. Eventually, both of them would join in for the conversation I was more or less witnessing rather than partaking in.
Working at a law firm hadn’t been everything I’d imagined it’d be. At first, I was thrilled because my parents were. They always pushed me to succeed, and law seemed like the best opportunity. A way to help people in tight situations get out of them. It came easy for me. The “system” being corrupt as it is—of course, people slipped through the cracks countless times. For people sitting in the defense’s chair, they had hardly anyone to turn to. With someone like me on their side, I could help people across those cracks so they couldn’t fall in.
It didn’t take long for reality to whip me back into shape. Dreams were what pulled me toward working in the law field. The dream that I’d be able to help people, but since joining the new law firm in town, the best I’d gotten were helping a few small-time clients for small-time crimes. There had to be more to it than this… I’d had the thought too many times to count.
The sound of the phone finally dying down brought my attention back to it. I knew there’d be a voicemail, but I’d force myself not to listen to it. A gentle sigh left my mouth as I grabbed my coffee gone a little cold from neglect, but still warm to the touch. Just as I tipped the cup and put my lips to the lid the car in front of me started moving.
Before I had a chance to take myself out of park, the car behind me bumped into me, making me spill some of my coffee over my dress shirt. “You have GOT to be kidding me!” I nearly shouted, caught between searching for napkins and moving ahead. The car behind me beeped frantically, so I made the decision to drive up, feeling the warm liquid seeping into spots I wish it hadn’t. I’m glad I had an older car, otherwise, I would’ve been worried about the car behind me bumping my bumper.
“Another perfect morning,” I remarked to myself, driving with one hand and reaching for some napkins in the cup holder with the other. Once I’d gathered enough of the cheap, brown napkins, I dabbed up as much of the coffee as I could. As I tossed the napkins to the bin in the backseat, I couldn’t help thinking about how different life could be.
Terry, Brenda, Jason, and everyone else I worked with didn’t have days like this. Whenever I overheard them talking, they were boasting about the weekend or what their plans were later on for the day. The best I had to look forward to was a stack of paperwork and an orange tabby when I got home. Since I moved out, I didn’t have to worry about anyone else, but at the same time… I wanted to.
Stewart, my cat, was hardly company. Things just seemed like they would be so much easier with people to rely on. I wouldn’t have to worry about impressing them or living up to some standard they’d set for me. I’d be able to make decisions about who I wanted in my life, and there would be a balance between business and stress, but also fun and relaxation. So far, the best I could say was that spilling coffee on myself was a “highlight.”
What I needed was something big. Desire carried my heart on as my fading hopes clung to the idea of the case to change it all. Something big enough to change my life forever—for better or for worse. A bigger name meant bigger clients and less stress on myself from the folks. It meant more time for myself and a life outside of work. Something…beyond it all.
As I neared the brand-new building built for us at the firm, the glittering windows on the multiple stories caught my eyes. I remembered back to my first time looking at the place. My eyes were so full of ambition then, but that was months ago. The transition from twenty-five to twenty-six made me realize where I was in life.
I parked near the entrance and gathered myself, taking a deep breath before getting out of the humble little car. My briefcase was packed with the files I’d filled out the night before, and despite the slightly stained blouse, I knew I was ready for the presentation. It was my first chance in a long time to make a good impression on the boss, and I wasn’t going to pass it up for anything.
“This time I’m going to let him know that I’m worth it. It’s time to give it all I’ve got.”
Bianca
“So, what did you think?” I asked in a voice feigning confidence. The man sitting across from me didn’t answer at first. He folded his hands together atop his desk and leaned forward. The little give of his comb-over fell as he tilted his head from one side to the other in contemplation.
“Hmm…” he hummed to himself, his brown eyes looking down at the oak wood top. Out of everything in his rather sizeable office, the desk stood out the most. Its craftsmanship was nothing like the other artifacts around the room. Congratulatory gifts of past winnings given to him by his clients and their families alike. Not long ago, I’d dreamed of having an office just like it.
As he drew out the time he took to respond, I felt my unease growing. My hands couldn’t stop fiddling with whatever they found in them: a pencil, sheet of paper, or even cloth from my skirt. To distract myself, I trained my eyes on the clock, watching the seconds hand tick away. Without a word, he pulled out a file from the cabinet beside his desk.
Before I could inquire, he started to say, “Bianca, you’ve been with us the longest so far.” He adjusted his tie, and my eyes shot back up to give him my full attention. “You know with a new firm like this, interns tend to drop like flies. The first few months are chaos, but somehow… You’ve managed to make it a little easier.”
“Thank you, sir!” A small smile worked its way onto my face. However, in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help wondering if it might be the moment that I’d been waiting for.
He nodded in acknowledgment and put a finger on the folder. “That’s why out of everyone—anyone—here I think you deserve this case the most. Have a look.”
Oh my God! My smile grew wider and wider as I opened the file and looked through the documents. Naturally, my eyes searched for information that’d already been gathered around the case, but something else caught my eye. The photo attached at the top stole away whatever thirst I had for information in an instant.
His icy blue eyes lured me in, but the captivating smile on his face kept me there. Jet black hair kept neatly combed atop his head to accentuate his lightly tanned skin. Something about the look in them stirred me. It went deeper than a shiver but took me out of reality for a few seconds. This can’t be my client… I thought, lost in his smile. His tailor-made suit looked amazing on him, hugging every inch of him as he hosted what looked like a corporate event.
“That would be Mister Dustin Baldwin. Even if you haven’t heard of him by name, you’ve undoubtedly noticed his…influence.” I came back into reality, latching onto my boss’s words. My eyes scanned the documents as he spoke. “The self-made billionaire is young, daring and full of vigor. I know the type pretty well, but along with that knowledge, I know they have a tendency to get into trouble.”
“What sort?” I asked.
“Money laundering,” he replied just as I read the words myself on the next page.
“That’s it?” I asked, my head slightly tilted.
“Oh, don’t worry. It’s never as simple as that. Just because we’ve uncovered one part, there’s usually a lot beneath it. It’s our job to gather some more information so that we can present the case appropriately.” He pulled out another file that was bright red in color. “Unfortunately, I don’t think things will be easy. The prosecution seems to have it out for Baldwin as so far, he’s kept his record squeaky clean. There’s nothing they love more than tarnishing a record.”
“Sir, are you certain that you want me to…?” I had to ask even if I feared the response.
“I couldn’t ask anyone else, Reed. You’re the only one here I can count on for this case. There’s just one last thing I’d like to ask you before it’s officially assigned.”
“What’s that, sir?”
“How would you feel about traveling?” There was concern un
derlying his words, but I could hardly tell through my excitement.
It took everything in me not to immediately blurt out how happy I was. Instead, I took a deep breath and replied, “I don’t think that’ll be a problem at all. Where am I going?”
“Mister Baldwin is in Brazil currently. He’s taken an official leave from the city for a while to relax. Whereas in reality he’s most likely trying to avoid the media and any mention of the case altogether. He’s only willing to tolerate the case if it means talking to his lawyer. Someone that’ll get him out of the scrape.”
Brazil?! There’s no way this can be happening! It’s like a dream come true! Someone pinch me. Wait a minute… “But sir, I’m not a lawyer, I’m only an intern?”
“I need you to be a decoy. You are the best intern we have and are great with research. There is a lot going on here that we just can’t see. I need you to present yourself as his lawyer to gain access and gather information for us. You think you can pull it off, Reed?”
“I’m more than sure that I can, sir. I’m glad to take the case.”
“Then it’s decided. You’ll need to get packing and soon. You’re getting shipped off in a few days, I was thinking Saturday. That sound good?”
“Sounds great. I just need to find someone to take care of my cat and… Wait, how long am I supposed to be gone?”
“If I recall you return flight should be in a month. That should give you enough time to gather more information. Don’t forget anything, every last bit you can find counts. You understand?”
“Yeah, I understand. Thank you so much for this opportunity. You don’t know how much this means to me!”
“It should go without saying, but honestly you need to thank yourself. You put in so much hard work. If I went on to ignore it, I really would’ve been a fool, eh?” He chuckled to himself a little and leaned back. “Good luck, Reed.”