Twisted_A Billionaire Romance

by Stella Andrews

  The drive shields us from a conversation. The truck is old and rattles on the rough ground as the engine screams in protest. Instead, I look in wonder at the scenery we pass. Wide open countryside stretches as far as the eye can see and we are as far away from civilization as I have ever been.

  Despite the rough landscape and the even rougher ride through it, I fall in love immediately. So, this is freedom.

  It must take a good hour before we pull up outside a large ranch. A woman is waiting and smiles a welcome as she watches us exit the truck. She moves forward and grins. “Welcome, Katherine. Sam’s given us strict instructions to settle you in and make you feel at home. I’m Missy and this roughneck is my husband, Willie.”

  I laugh as she pulls me in for a hug. “Missy, huh? Tell me, does Willie call every woman he meets Missy.”

  She laughs and shakes her head. “Yes, he calls everyone Missy, me included. It’s been so long now I’ve almost forgotten my real name.”

  I grin. “What is it then?”

  She winks. “It was Agnes, but I hated it. I was named after my grandmother and I couldn’t stand the woman. Willie christened me Missy the first time we met and has called me it ever since. I think he does it because he’s so bad with names. All women are Missy and all men are sir or boy.”

  I roll my eyes as she pulls me towards the house. “Come inside, I expect you’re famished. We can get to know each other over lunch.”

  As I follow her inside, I instantly feel at home. Willy and Missy are the easiest people to be around and have made me feel welcome.

  Finally, for the first time in my miserable life, I can truly relax.

  26

  Sam

  When Katherine left it took everything in me not to follow her. It was only because there was such a mess to sort out that kept me in Washington.

  Once I had the evidence secured, I headed back to the office. I needed to wrap things up there and spent the next eight hours doing everything necessary to secure the contract and keep my business afloat.

  Cody was worth every dollar I pay him as he worked alongside me solidly and by the time the deadline was up, we had fixed the typo error and assured the Saudis of their investment.

  Now there’s just one more thing left to do before I can do what my heart is aching to and that’s going after my lady.

  I stare up at the name on the gates as I pass through them. ‘Rubicon’—The point of no return. The home of the Twisted Reapers MC and a place where normal rules are left at the door and the men within rule like the kings they are.

  I head up the long drive towards the clubhouse. Most of their business is done there and I’m sure today will be no exception.

  As I pull over before the great doors, I take the folder from the passenger seat and it strikes me how innocent it looks. I may as well be handling an atom bomb because the fallout from its contents will be every bit as devastating.

  I click the lock on my car and head towards the door. Then I ring the bell and wait. This place holds no fear for me, unlike many others who have stood here before me. Inside are my brothers and the people I trust above all else. I could have taken up Ryder’s offer all those years ago and become one of them. Instead, I chose my path and never looked back. Yet here I am ready to become part of their world again which proves you can never really move away from them.

  The door opens and I smile at the cocky expression of the man who greets me.

  “Looking good, Flash.”

  He grins and moves in and high fives me.

  “Good to see you, Sam. How’s life treating you?”

  I smile. “Very good as it happens.”

  He laughs. “Yes, I heard you had one of our own staying with you. One of our finest.”

  I frown and he laughs. “I’m happy for you, man. Kitty’s a good girl. You did well.”

  I push down the anger I feel at the knowledge he knows her intimately as do most of them I’m guessing. I’ll have to reason with myself over her past life because I won’t let my petty jealousies stand in the way of our future.

  He waves me inside. “I’m guessing you’re here to see Ryder. He’s through here.”

  I follow him into the massive clubhouse. All around me are decent folks versions of Hell. Massive bikers sprawl everywhere, drinking or pressed against a woman. The TV is loud and challenging and the air is thick with banter and expectation.

  These men fight hard but party harder. I try not to picture Katherine here as I watch one of them fondle a willing girl nearby. I swallow hard as the rage eats me up inside. Her words echo around my head as she told me this image would follow us through our future but I push it away. Our life begins tomorrow and everything that’s happened before ceases to exist.

  I wish I could push away the images of my own sordid past so easily. They come back to visit during my nightmares and work has always been my only salvation—until now.

  Then I see him watching me approach. My arch rival and the one I love the most. My closest brother who saved my life and the reason I’m here today. He also sent me Katherine so any pain I feel evaporates at the realization that without him I wouldn’t have such a promising future ahead of me.

  I look with interest at the beautiful woman sitting next to him. She has her hand in his and looks at me with a smile and I can see why he fell so hard. She’s beautiful and has a softness to her that instantly attracts. Whereas Kitty is dark and wild, she’s blonde and sweet. She’s the antitheses of Ryder but as they say - opposites attract and I see the truth before me. He looks relaxed and happy and for the first time since I’ve known him, he looks content.

  He nods as I approach. “Evening, Sam. What are you drinking?”

  I smile. “Beer, if you’ve got a cold one.”

  He raises his eyes. “Of course.” Ashton smiles as she stands.

  “I’ll fetch it for you. It’s the least I can do after what we’ve put you through.”

  She smiles sweetly, and it’s as if the sun lightens the darkest pit of hell. Ryder looks at her with such love I find myself smirking at the look in his eyes. He watches her walk towards the bar and then reluctantly tears his eyes away back to me. He frowns as he sees the amusement on my face and growls, “Don’t you have something for me?”

  I push the file towards him and just for a second, I see him hesitate. I know why because what’s inside will bring a harsh reality to his wife’s past. This will harder for him than most because where Kitty was rescued in the nick of time, Ashton was not.

  I can only imagine the hell she went through that night and know this will be a difficult time for them.

  As she returns and hands me the beer, Ryder looks at her and smiles softly.

  “I won’t be long, darlin’. I need to take Sam to the office to take care of business. You’ll be ok with the girls for a while?”

  She presses her lips to his and then pulls back and smiles softly.

  “Of course, go ahead. I need to discuss the remodeling of the nursery with Bonnie, anyway.”

  I watch with fascination as Ryder’s eyes soften, and he looks at her with such love it stops me in my tracks. I know how he feels about the woman walking away because I have that same look on my face when Katherine’s with me.

  Then he turns to me and growls, “Let’s do this.”

  As he stands he shouts, “Snake, put your woman down, we’ve got work to do.”

  I watch as the huge beast of a man untangles himself from another beautiful woman and heads our way. I look with interest at the woman who has tamed him and laugh at the impish grin she throws my way. She winks and turns to Ashton who takes the vacated seat.

  Then I follow the two men out as we head towards the office. This is gonna be hard.

  As soon as the door closes behind us, noise turns to silence. We hear nothing but the promise of a hard hour ahead heading our way. Ryder takes his seat behind his desk and Snake and I sit opposite him. I watch as he slides the contents from the envelope and studies them.r />
  The memory stick falls out and the photos stare up at us.

  Just for a moment, he stares and then passes them across the desk to Snake, who whistles as he sees the images in glorious color before him.

  Ryder taps the memory stick a couple of times before he sighs heavily and places it in the computer.

  Then we watch as the sordid acts of the men we seek to destroy fill the screen.

  As evidence goes, it’s pretty conclusive. Along with my technical contact, we’ve put sound to picture and captured every gesture, every act and every word of the five men who are going down. From the pool house with Preston to the theater box. The party highlights everything from the meeting to the inevitable conclusion.

  It’s only when we see the four men holding Katherine down with the President between her legs that Ryder snaps.

  Snake looks worried as he drives his fist through the desk. I see the anguish in his eyes as he deals with the tortured images of his wife not being quite so lucky. It must be the cruelest revenge ever because in doing this he’s unleashed the images of what happened to her. Snake looks as choked as I feel as we hear Katherine begging them to stop.

  Ryder stands up and paces around the room and I’m fearful of what he’ll do next. He must want to tear off and kill the bastards himself by tearing them limb from limb. I know I do and Katherine didn’t suffer the same fate.

  We leave him to deal with his torment and sit quietly until he calms down. For the first time in my life, I see that Ryder is broken.

  Katherine’s screams fill our ears, and it’s hard to take. I feel my heart thumping erratically and my blood runs cold. Even Snake looks as broken as we do and I see a rare glimpse of emotion in his eyes as we watch.

  Finally, it stops, and the office falls into silence once again. Then we wait for the hardest man that ever lived to get a grip.

  The minutes tick by as he sits with his head in his hands and stares at the photo of the five men before him. Then he looks up and I flinch at the hard-dead anger in his eyes.

  “Thank you, Sam. You’ve done well and now I owe you. I’ll always be in your debt because you’ve brought me the men I want more than anything. Leave this with me and go and find your woman. Remember, if you ever need anything you only have to ask. Kitty’s family, same as you and we look after our own. I’ll let you know when you can bring her back.”

  I stand up and look at the two men still seated. Two hardened warriors who have seen and dealt with the worst things a man can ever face. Both of them knocked sideways by one small envelope. I have no pity for the five men who have this coming. They are about to face a pair of very grim Reapers and I just wish I could be there with them.

  27

  Katherine

  I’ve been here two days already and yet it feels like a lifetime. Missy and Willie have been more like parents to me than my own and have made me so welcome.

  My days have not been idly spent. I get up early and Willie shows me how things work around a ranch. He’s been teaching me to ride a beautiful little colt called Starburst, who I fell madly in love with as soon as I first laid eyes on her. I’ve been caring for her and we’ve struck up quite a friendship.

  Missy has shown me the joys of baking and caring for a home. I find myself watching her spellbound in the evening as she sits on the porch and embroiders a beautiful tapestry. We talk about anything and everything while Willie listens and occasionally interrupts with a quip or two.

  The only thing missing is Sam by my side and then my world will be complete. The events that brought me here have faded like snow under a strengthening sun. Even my life with the Reapers seems but a distant memory now as I heal in this magical place.

  There’s no Internet and no television which suits me just fine. If they have a way of communicating with the outside world, I’m not interested in finding out how. This is the life I’ve always craved. Uncomplicated and basic and surrounded by the wonders of nature and the company of good people.

  On the third morning, I wake to the sunlight streaming through the blind, waking me with its gentle touch. I stretch out with contentment and enjoy the prospect of another fabulous day stretching out before me.

  I don’t linger long and head to the small bathroom we share on the landing and allow the trickle of water that passes for a shower bring my body to life and wash away a night well spent.

  Pulling on jeans and a t-shirt, I brush my hair before securing it in a ponytail. No make-up is needed here. I no longer feel the need to hide behind a mask and pull on the cowboy boots that are now my pride and joy.

  Grabbing the plaid shirt from the chair, I head off to help Missy prepare breakfast.

  As usual she’s up already and smiles as I wander into the kitchen, the satisfying smell of coffee and bacon frying stirring my taste buds into life.

  “Morning, Katherine. It’s a glorious one.”

  I look outside and nod. “It always is here, Missy. You are lucky to live with such riches.”

  She nods. “We sure are. I wouldn’t swap it for the world.”

  I reach for the towel and start drying the gleaming dishes on the side.

  “You know, I always knew I would love this life. Even though I know little about it, I always had this notion it would be for me.”

  Missy smiles. “I know what you mean. I’ve never had anything else, but I never wanted to. It’s everything I ever wanted, a good man and a loving home.”

  I look at her with curiosity.

  “What about a family? Do you have any children?”

  She laughs. “I have a son, Beau and a daughter Vanity.”

  I look at her with surprise and she winks.

  “They live in the next town. We don’t see them much. I think they craved the lights of the large town after living in the sticks all their life.”

  I smile and probe further. “What do they do?”

  She shakes her head and looks a little sad.

  “Vanity works in a fancy office somewhere and Beau…”

  Her words trail off and I see her blinking back the tears. I drop my towel and take her arm looking concerned.

  Then she shakes herself and smiles through disturbed eyes. “Let’s just say, Beau gets along and does what makes him happy. He’ll come good in the end.”

  We are interrupted as Willie enters the small kitchen. His eyes narrow as he sees his wife’s expression as she turns to crack the eggs in the pan, saying loudly,

  “Wash your hands and take a seat. It won’t be long.”

  I smile at Willie who looks thoughtful. He moves across to his wife and squeezes her shoulder and she laughs softly.

  “I’m fine. Just talking about Vanity and Beau.”

  I see his eyes narrow and his lips tighten into a hard line as he does as she says.

  I wonder about their children. If there’s any sadness in their lives, it concerns the two of them - Beau in particular.

  As we take our seats I try to move things on.

  “So, tell me how you know Sam.”

  Missy smiles. “We’ve known Sam a while now. He served with Beau in the military. He stayed here often when they were on leave and we grew close.”

  I look at them with interest.

  “So, your son’s a SEAL?”

  I wish I hadn’t said anything when Missy’s eyes cloud with pain and she shakes her head.

  “No, Beau didn’t last long. He left after only a year. Sam went on to become a SEAL long after Beau decided it wasn’t for him and took a different career path.”

  Something in her eyes stops me from asking more about her son. There’s a pain there that’s all too evident. Willie scrapes back his chair and says gruffly,

  “I’ll saddle up Starburst. She needs a ride so if you want you can take her down to the creek.”

  I nod and a smile breaks out across my face. I’ve developed a new love for horse riding and Starburst is a sweetheart.

  As soon as Willie leaves the room, Missy smiles at me ruefully.


  “He doesn’t like to dwell on the path our son took. For the most part, he tries not to think about it. It worries us though.”

  I look at her with sympathetic eyes. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Her eyes fill with tears and almost for a moment I think she’ll brush it aside. But then she sighs heavily and speaks in a shaky voice.

  “Beau was always a strong character. He has a stubborn streak and always appeared restless with the life we lead. He wanted to experience a life we have no understanding of. He was always in some scrape or another and we put it down to growing up. When he joined the military, I think we both breathed a sigh of relief. Despite now having another kind of fear we thought he was on the right path. The trouble is, he couldn’t hack it. He stuck it out for a year and then one day left and moved to the city. He loves the bright lights and the excitement that goes with them.”

  She stands up and starts gathering the dishes and looks wistful. “We hoped he would settle down and find a nice girl. The trouble is, he found his calling and went from strength to strength. Much like Sam really when he discovered his talent. But Beau’s business is very different to Sam’s and takes some getting used to.”

  I’m intrigued and can’t help asking. “Why, what’s his business?”

  She shrugs, “He owns a club in the city. It’s quite popular I believe and attracts all sorts. I’m not sure how successful it is, but he appears to want for nothing. We rarely see him these days but when we do, he looks even more successful than the last time.”

  I look at her with a reassuring smile. “Well, that’s good, isn’t it? I mean, he’s obviously doing well for himself.”

  Missy just smiles weakly and says with a bravery I can she doesn’t feel. “Yes, of course, it’s good to see him succeed.”

  She laughs and waves me away. “Anyway, you head off for your ride. You don’t wanna waste such a beautiful day talking about matters that shouldn’t interest you. Take care out there, it can be quite unforgiving if you don’t know your way around.”