by Lexy Timms
“I wouldn’t be so quick to leave if I were you,” she said. “I know a way to save your wife.”
“Why would you want to help her?” he demanded. “You hate Allyson.”
Her hand lifted to wrap a lock of her golden hair around her finger. “I do. But even I have to admit she has her strengths. I can admire a woman who beats me at my own game. I really underestimated her. First, she married you, and then she got Prescott Global back for you. I used to think she was the lucky one for marrying you, but now I’m not so sure.”
“You thought she was the lucky one because you’re an unrepentant snob,” he said. “Anyone who wasn’t obsessed with money could see I’m the lucky one in this marriage.”
“Damn, you actually love her,” Katherine said. “It’s honestly nauseating. What is it with rich men and poor women? Nicky’s the same way.”
His body tensed. “You know about Nicky? And Francesca?”
“Do I know that they’re married? Yes.”
“How did you figure that out?” he asked, intrigued despite everything.
“I found Nicky’s will,” she said. “Right before she flew back to New York to testify, Fran had brought some of her things over to his place as some childish show that she had slept over at his flat. I think she wanted to show me that they were sleeping together. Weeks ago I had guessed that they were back together, but I didn’t realize that they had been stupid enough to actually get married until I found the will.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You flew out here from London just to tell me this?”
“The will is the evidence, darling.” She rolled her eyes, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“I don’t follow.”
“Simple. I have the evidence that can free your wife, and put Fran in jail for the rest of her miserable life,” Katherine said.
Dane leaned forward and gave her a hard stare.
She laughed. “Do I have your attention now?”
“You do. Now make it worth my while, Katherine,” he growled.
“Why should I help you?” She pouted, and he was almost tempted to punch her. Of course, he wouldn’t. But the woman was so… frustrating at times.
He shoved aside his annoyance. She was obviously toying with him. Dangling something she had no intention of handing over freely. “You’re the one who offered to help. Now you’re asking me why you should follow through?”
“You’re so tedious,” she grumbled. “You were so much more fun before Allyson showed up and stole you away from me.”
“I was never yours to begin with,” he said coldly. “Clearly, you want something in exchange for your help. Fine. What do you want?”
Katherine’s hand lifted again, and she wrapped his tie around her wrist. “If I help you get your wife out of jail, you have to help me in return.”
“I’m not going to sleep with you,” he said flatly. There was no way in hell he could ever be unfaithful to Allyson. He’d do anything to save his wife. Go to jail in her place. Even die if he had to. But he could never betray her by cheating.
“You think I’m going to go through all this trouble for one night of great sex?” She sneered. “It’s like you don’t even know me at all.”
“So what do you want, then?” he demanded. What on earth could a woman who had everything possibly want? Katherine had wealth, beauty, power, fame, and access to the most eligible bachelors on earth. There was almost nothing she couldn’t have.
“I want a promise,” she replied. “I want you to promise to owe me a favor. And you have to swear that when I call in this favor, you’ll deliver. You’ll do whatever it is that I ask you.”
“I’m not going to do anything violent or illegal,” he muttered. “So if you expect me to do anything that harms another person—”
Her mocking laughter cut him off. “Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to give up your first-born child. And you won’t have to kill or assault anyone. All you have to do is swear to do as I ask, and Allyson will be a free woman.”
Swearing to something like this was dangerous. There was no telling what Katherine would want him to do. Whatever it was that she eventually wanted would probably be unsavory at the very least. But he had to save Allyson. Even if the price was selling his soul to Katherine Handel. “I’ll promise to owe you a favor,” he said slowly. “But only if you can deliver on your end. The charges against Allyson actually have to be dropped.”
“I have evidence that implicates Francesca in all of this,” she said. “I found Allyson’s handbag with Francesca’s things. I recognized it because Allyson brought it with her on the day she toured Prescott’s London offices.”
“The handbag that Francesca stole from Allyson after she attacked her,” he said. “What about the bat?”
“I don’t have the bat.” She shook her head. “But inside the purse was Nicky’s will.”
He frowned, still skeptical. “You think that’s enough to implicate Fran?”
“Allyson’s blood was on the bag,” Katherine said. “I’ve spoken to my lawyer. She believes that’s enough to prove that Francesca attacked Allyson to prevent the truth about her secret marriage to Nicky from getting out.”
“And Nicholas having an heir means there’s proof the embezzled funds went into the heir’s trust,” he said, realization dawning on him.
“Exactly.”
“Why are you helping me?” he pressed. “What’s in it for you?”
“I’m not helping you. I’m helping me,” she answered. “The only person I hate more than Allyson is that witch, Francesca. She got her hooks into Nicholas, and I know she’s scheming to get her grubby little hands on our family’s fortune. So if I can destroy Francesca and get you to owe me a favor at the same time, that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Fran seems to have the impression that you’re the one who knifed her in the back.” He glanced at her meaningfully. “You have a habit of doing that.”
“It’s called business, darling. It’s nothing personal,” she said with a smile.
He narrowed his eyes. “All I know is this had better work. Because if you’re messing with me, or lying, I’m going to spend the rest of my life making yours a waking nightmare.”
The smile on her face disappeared. “I already know the price of crossing you. I’ll deliver. Just make sure that when I call in my favor you do exactly as I ask. Don’t be fooled by your momentary triumph over me. Because the only thing worse than crossing a Prescott is crossing a Handel.”
Chapter 19
The reporters at the police station were in a frenzy.
As Dane stepped out of the car, they shoved their cameras and microphones in his face. Ignoring them, he marched into the station. He had to see her. Had to make sure that this had worked.
When he walked inside the station he stopped by Allyson, standing beside Lester and a couple of police officers. His wife had been in jail overnight while Katherine had gone to the police with her evidence.
He hadn’t slept at all last night. Mostly he spent the night downing scotch and calling Lester to make sure he was working on getting Allyson’s charges dropped. Then late this morning, Lester had called to let him know that Allyson was getting out after the charges were dropped. Charges against Francesca had been filed.
Allyson looked so fragile. There were dark circles under her eyes, her face was pale. When her eyes met his a smile lit her face, her exhausted expression disappearing. She was practically glowing, she was so beautiful.
Dane rushed over, quickly thanked Lester, and then pulled Allyson into his arms. He didn’t give a damn about protocol. All he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and never let her go.
“I love you,” she said before pressing her soft lips to his. Crushing her mouth beneath his, he tasted her. Teased her mouth open with his tongue. There had been a moment last night when he wondered if he would ever kiss his wife again. And now that he could, he knew that nothing would ever taste sweeter.
Breaking the kiss, she stared deep into his eyes and asked, “How did you do this? How did you save me?”
He hesitated. The expectant look in her green eyes knocked the wind out of him. She was gazing at him with complete reverence and adoration. Like she thought he was some savior for getting her out of jail.
If she knew that he was in Katherine Handel’s debt, her happiness would melt away. After the hell Francesca had put her through, she deserved to be happy. Besides, if he could pay Katherine back in secret, Allyson never had to find out about his deal and she would never have to worry. He’d simply sign on to stay on as Prescott Global’s CEO for the foreseeable future to protect the company from Katherine, and nobody would have to know why he was staying on.
“It was all Lester,” he replied.
“Lester did so much, but I don’t believe it was all him,” she whispered. “Your parents know Judge Caldwell, don’t they? I bet you pulled a few strings—”
“I should’ve killed you with that baseball bat when I had the chance, you bitch!” Francesca’s screech filled the police station.
Cops were dragging her into the station. Her face was red with rage, and she struggled violently against the police who were shoving her forward.
Allyson held on even tighter to him, her lower lip quivering. “I know she’s horrible, but I understand what she’s about to go through. In a way.”
“I should have finished you off!” Fran lunged at Allyson, but the cops restrained her. “Next time you won’t be so lucky!”
They police pulled her out of sight, Fran’s angry shrieks getting fainter and fainter.
“I figured out what Nicholas sees in her,” Allyson said.
“What?”
“She’s exactly like his sister,” she said. “I know Fran hates Katherine, but it’s scary how alike they are.”
After witnessing Katherine’s dark, devious nature up close on the rooftop yesterday, he knew that she and Fran really were two halves of the same tarnished coin. If Katherine had been willing to destroy her own brother’s happiness for her own gain, she wouldn’t hesitate to crush him if he didn’t deliver on his promise. Owing Katherine Handel was a nightmare scenario.
He ignored the tightening in his chest. None of that mattered now. Allyson was free. They could start the next chapter of their lives together.
Taking her chin in her hands, he stared at her. Really took her in. His gaze swept over every line and arch of her face. Drank in her bright green eyes and her perfect mouth. She was so beautiful his heart ached at the sight of her. “I love you, Allyson.”
“And I love you,” she said. “My hero.”
Pushing aside the guilt he felt about keeping the truth from her, Dane offered her his arm and she took it. “Why don’t we get you out of here?”
“And then we can get back to us,” she said.
Together they headed out of the station. “What would you like to do now that you’re a free woman?” he asked.
She smiled. “I think it’s time we moved in to our new house.”
~~*~~
“You chose the perfect color.” She turned away from the blue wall to look at Dane, and let out a laugh. “You’ve got paint on your face. It matches your eyes.”
He grinned. “You’ve got some on your nose.”
Allyson giggled. “Who knew wall painting could be so much fun?” With the roller in her hands, she applied more blue paint to the wall of their home office.
Updates on their new house had been coming along nicely in the two weeks since she’d gotten out of jail. Working on renovations was tiring, but in a good way. It was wonderful to get back to doing normal things instead of worrying about going to jail. As long as she lived, she would never take her freedom for granted ever again. Even something as mundane as painting the house with Dane was a treasure for her.
“You know, when we have kids they’ll probably ruin these walls,” he said. “I remember drawing all over the walls of our homes with markers and crayons when I was a kid. That was a nightmare for my mother. And it drove the maids crazy.” He smiled. “I can’t wait to work in here while our kids are growing up.”
“It’ll be wonderful to be able to work from home and be close to them,” she said.
“I’m just happy you’re here,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
She tilted her head and looked at him. It wasn’t like him to show his emotions like this. “I’m happy to be here. Thank you for saving me.”
“No thanks needed.” He quickly averted his gaze to focus on painting more of the wall.
The past two weeks had been such a happy blur that she hadn’t felt the nagging feeling that she felt now. Dane had renewed his contract to stay on at Prescott Global, despite his reservations. Plus, he had talked to her about plans he had beyond Prescott Global. He was interested in sports media or sports cars. It all sounded so exciting, but she couldn’t help the uneasy sensation that was now making her stomach knot up.
“Is everything all right?” she asked.
“Absolutely,” he said. “We’ll have the place looking brand-new in no time. Then we can have that house-warming party you wanted.”
She smiled. “I’m so happy you’ve decided to give Gordon and Martha a chance. What made you so eager to have them over?”
“They make you happy,” he said. “And what makes you happy, makes me happy. Happy wife, happy life.”
“Are you happy?” she asked. “I know staying on at Prescott Global wasn’t easy, but I’ll be here to help you with all your new ideas. Your sports car idea sounds incredible.”
“Are you still going to be saying that if I actually buy a sports car?” he asked.
“Do I get to ride up front with you?”
“I wouldn’t have anybody else up front with me,” he replied.
Her smile widened. “Then I promise to love your car.”
They returned their attention to painting the walls.
“You know,” Dane said after a stretch of comfortable silence, “I’m not one for decorating, but I can’t wait to get my hands on a grill.”
She gave him an incredulous look. In their more than six months of marriage, he hadn’t learned enough to do more than boil an egg. “Dane Prescott can grill?”
He chuckled. “I can learn.”
“I think we’ll be learning all kinds of new things in this house,” she said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy,” he told her.
She paused, and turned to look at him. Before getting arrested, her happiness had terrified her. She had spent six months waiting for the other shoe to drop. The truth was, there was always a chance that things would go sideways again. Always a chance that there would be hardships ahead. But she wasn’t going to be so afraid of her own happiness that she ran away from it. Not with Dane by her side.
He was her hero. Her protector. Her knight in shining armor. “Every day with you is happier than the day before,” she said.
He dropped his roller and wrapped his strong arms around her.
“Dane, you’re going to get paint all over my blouse!” she shrieked.
“How about we get you out of this blouse, then?” he asked in a low voice that was already seducing her.
Laughing she let go of her roller, flung her arms around him, and melted against him as he kissed her like she was the only woman in the world.
THE END
Fake Christmas - Book 5 Novella
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B077CXGLG2
Faking It
Book 1
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B073X8QYH3
Temporary CEO
Book 2
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B073X9368J
Caught in the Act
Book 3
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0759GSWQ8
Never Tell a Lie
Book 4
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B075Q3B2M7
Fake Christmas
Bo
ok 5 Novella
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B077CXGLG2
Fake Christmas Blurb:
"Better to be slapped with the truth than hurt with a lie."
Dane Prescott has everything. He’s a 35-year-old billionaire, owner and CEO of Prescott Enterprise, and married to the most gorgeous, sweetest woman in the world. He loves her even more than the day they got married. Lately though, this is a distance growing between the two of them and Dane is terrified Allyson might have had enough of high class society.
When a thunderstorm in New York forces them to change direction of their private jet, Dane hopes the unexpected Christmas weekend south will rekindle the hot-passion between them.
Except is Allyson keeping secrets from him?
Will their love be strong enough to survive the secrets she’s been hiding?
More by Lexy Timms:
From Best Selling Author, Lexy Timms, comes a billionaire romance that'll make you swoon and fall in love all over again.
Jamie Connors has given up on men. Despite being smart, pretty, and just slightly overweight, she's a magnet for the kind of guys that don't stay around.
Her sister's wedding is at the foreground of the family's attention. Jamie would be find with it if her sister wasn't pressuring her to lose weight so she'll fit in the maid of honor dress, her mother would get off her case and her ex-boyfriend wasn't about to become her brother-in-law.
Determined to step out on her own, she accepts a PA position from billionaire Alex Reid. The job includes an apartment on his property and gets her out of living in her parent's basement.
Jamie has to balance her life and somehow figure out how to manage her billionaire boss, without falling in love with him.
** The Boss is book 1 in the Managing the Bosses series. All your questions won't be answered in the first book. It may end on a cliff hanger.