Twisted_A Billionaire Romance

by Stella Andrews

  She pulls back and smiles sweetly and then I watch as the man I thought I loved pulls her back to his side. I see a gentle expression in his eyes as he takes the hand of the woman he loves. Then he moves across and pulls me close into the familiar arms that I once craved around me.

  He says softly, “Welcome home, darlin’. You did good and we’ll never forget what you did for us.”

  I smile with a happiness that chases the shadows away. Suddenly, I feel free. There are no bad memories and no pain. This is where I’m accepted, warts and all and now I’m here I realize there’s no pain anymore.

  Looking back, I search for Sam and as I see the gorgeous eyes of the man I love watching me with such pride, it strikes a spark in my heart of unconditional love. Moving across to him I take his hand and turn to face my family saying loudly, “I think you’ve all met my husband.”

  Then they cheer for a different reason. The congratulations flood the room and the noise erupts as they welcome us home, Reaper style.

  One hour later and Ryder calls for silence.

  “Listen up. I think there’s some breaking news we’ll be interested in.”

  Sam takes my hand and smiles mysteriously as he pulls me beside him on the couch in front of the huge TV. Ryder sits with Ashton beside us and the rest take up their positions around the huge screen.

  The channel flicks to the news and my heart beats frantically as I see a picture of the President of the United States fill the screen.

  The news presenter fills us in on what’s happening.

  “Earlier today, President Fordham announced he won’t be re-running for office. This follows the recent scandals surrounding his closest allies in the Senate which caused such a political storm. He has cited personal reasons which only fuels the rumors surrounding reports of his shaky marriage. Never has an administration been rocked by so much scandal in such a short space of time.

  There was the damaging Internet video, allegedly showing the five most powerful men in the Senate engaged in group rape. This was found to be fabricated but many question the findings. Shortly afterward, there was the arrest of Grady Vincent after it emerged he preyed on young girls and endured them to sexual molestation and rape. He is currently serving a life term in a high-security state penitentiary after his trial concerning the rape of Judge Jefferson’s daughter. His wife Judge Vincent is quoted as saying she never knew what a monster she lived with all these years and hoped he would rot in jail. She has filed for divorce and stands to walk away with most of the considerable fortune he amassed during his term of office.

  Then there was the sex scandal involving Senator Preston Musgrave and his wife the model, Selene Duprey. She discovered his love of sexual violence and leaked a damning video to the Internet. It showed him enduring horrific scenes of sexual violence which caused a public outcry. Considering he was the Senator responsible for all aspects of domestic violence and violence against women, it caused his very public fall from grace, not to mention his marriage. He was stripped of his office and vilified in the press. Selene moved back to France and his divorce is set to cost him everything.”

  You could hear a pin drop in the room as we listen to the fate of the five men who got away with so much for so long. Sam squeezes my shoulder reassuringly and I note that Ashton is pale and still beside me as Ryder stares stonily at the screen. The broadcast continues.

  “As if that wasn’t a bad day at the office for the President, it emerged that another one of his close allies is enduring a similar fall heading their way. Scott Parker was found this morning in a compromising position by his wife Shelby Barrington. Friends of the socialite told WN that she is inconsolable after she discovered pornographic images of young girls in compromising positions on his computer. It appears he also likes to indulge in perverted sexual acts and has been using a government office to lure his victims and subject them to hours of sexual abuse. Shelby Barrington is said to be considering her options in what many say could be the costliest divorce ever.”

  I shake my head and look at the grave expressions on the surrounding faces. I know the men responsible for the breaking news are sitting with me watching the results of their hard work unfold. However, nothing prepared me for what happens next.

  I suddenly hear the newsreader stumble and watch as her eyes widen. Then she says,

  “Breaking news just coming in. It appears that Senator Todd Preston has been found dead in the woods near his home. Let’s go live to our reporter at the scene.”

  We watch as the image flicks to the reporter standing outside Todd’s impressive home. He looks at the camera with a grave expression.

  “Earlier today, Senator Todd Preston’s body was found in the wood behind his home. His gardener found him naked and hanging from a tree. Early indications are he took his own life after what appeared to be a severe misuse of drugs. His fiancé left town last month after news of his affairs became public knowledge. A neighbor is quoted as saying he was often spotted entertaining various women at the house since his fiancé left. She heard that he was drinking heavily and indulging in recreational drugs. Senator Preston was responsible for business and leaves yet another vacant position to be filled by a very troubled President. Can things get any worse for a President whose judgment must surely be called into question after his closest allies have turned out to be so corrupt?”

  The picture flashes back to the studio, and the presenter looks grave.

  “There has been no comment from the Whitehouse but as soon as it comes we will stream it live. We understand an emergency meeting has been called following news of Senator Preston’s death and we will bring you any news as soon as we have it.”

  The news turns to other stories and Ryder flicks off the set and looks around him with a grim expression. I watch as he pulls his wife to his side and whispers something in her ear. She shakes her head and smiles through her tears. Then he looks at me and I flinch at the steel in his eyes. They are the cold, hard, eyes of a man with no mercy. Then they soften and I see the respect and gratitude in them directed at me and I swallow hard.

  He smiles a rare smile and says softly.

  “Well, what do you know? It just shows you can’t trust anyone, even those who rule our land and enforce our laws. Whatever next?”

  I hear the laughter break out as I see the determination in his eyes. Yes. I wonder what will be next because, by the look of him, he hasn’t finished with them yet. The President won’t escape with just the surrender of his office, I can see it in reflected in Ryder’s eyes. Whatever he has planned for Chester Fordham is not going to be for the faint-hearted.

  The guys all head back to what they were doing, leaving just the four of us on the couch. Ryder looks at us and smiles.

  “So, what now?”

  Sam smiles. “We get on with our lives and put this behind us. You’re about to become a father for the second time and I need to work on becoming one for the first.”

  I look at him in shock and the others laugh. He grins.

  “What? We’ve put in enough practice lately.”

  I pretend to frown and Ashton laughs,

  “Let’s leave these guys and catch up with your friends. I’m sure they’re all itching to hear about your new life. They’ve missed you and want to make the most of you while you’re here.”

  I smile at the guys and follow her toward the other women all sitting near the bar. As we walk something strikes me and I say with interest.

  “Whatever happened to your brother, Ashton? I know he was off to do something to set you free. Did he ever return?”

  She smiles and winks.

  “Come and take a seat and I’ll tell you all about it. His story is quite something and you may want to be sitting down.”

  As I follow the woman I once hated towards the women I love like sisters, I can’t wait to hear Tyler’s story.

  The End

  Thank you for reading Twisted

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  But what about Tyler?

  Coming soon

  The

  Billion Dollar

  Baby

  If you are new to The Twisted Reapers you can read on for a preview of Ryder & Ashton’s story.

  This sets the scene for Twisted and shows you what happened to drive the revenge.

  Daddy’s Girls

  1

  Ashton

  I hear voices. Low, angry whispers filled with an urgency that should fill me with fear. However, I don’t feel anything but the usual emptiness.

  This was supposed to be the answer to everything. Just one evening in exchange for my freedom. How did I let it go so wrong?

  I feel cold all over. From the inside out, I feel the shivers begin. I must be strong, don’t give into the fear. I just did and look where that got me—in a whole load of trouble that’s where.

  The voices raise slightly and I hear them mention Donahue. It hits me hard as I picture his face, looking at me with disappointment and something else I can’t deal with right now.

  Shakily, I pull myself up and swing my trembling legs to the side of the bed. I need to get it together. He will be here soon and can’t see me like this. My body feels sore and used. It aches all over and the pain is every bit as physical as it is mental.

  So that was what it’s like. Nothing like the books and films. Then again, there’s no romance when you sell your virginity to the highest bidder. What did I expect? Not that anyway. Not to be used by more than just one man. Not to become the plaything of a bunch of powerful men who get off on ripping the innocence from a young virgin. I didn’t deserve that, not for all the money in the world.

  Once again, I shiver as I reach for my dress. This wasn’t supposed to be this way.

  I hear somebody approaching and stiffen in fear. Not again, please not again.

  The door handle turns and my heart thumps. I swallow hard and prepare for more. Silently I pray, please no more.

  I look down as he comes into the room. I close my eyes as if it will make him go away. If I can’t see him, he can’t see me. Isn’t that what we believe as children? But I am no child and this is no fairy story. This is real life, brutal, hard and unrelenting. My life in every way.

  I sense him approach the bed and stand there nervously. Now he is unsure, unlike before when he was sure of only one thing. Claiming my virginity while his friends watched and held me down. Then he tossed me to the pack like a used carcass. I hate him; I hate them!

  He clears his throat.

  “Get dressed, we’ve sent for Donahue. He’ll be here soon and then you can go.”

  I nod, still looking down. I never want to see his face again.

  He is silent and then says softly.

  “You knew what would happen. You signed a contract and there was no going back.”

  I just nod, saying nothing. I want him to leave, he disgusts me in every way. They all do and not just the five men that paid for my soul. I am just a prize, a bargaining chip for men to use and abuse as they see fit. How did my life end up this way?

  He clears his throat.

  “You know, you can never speak of what happened here—it’s for your own safety. Promise me that at least.”

  What does he mean—at least? I owe them nothing. Yes, I signed a contract, but surely if you change your mind it should count? Obviously not.

  I nod and shiver as he drops to his knees before me. I recoil as he reaches out and tilts my face to his.

  He says forcefully. “Look at me.”

  Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and look into the ones of the man I despise almost more than another. He is wearing a hard expression, and the fear grips me.

  He says darkly. “I mean it, honey. You speak one word of what happened here to anyone and you won’t live to tell another. There are consequences of playing with the big boys and you need to know what they are.”

  He grips my face hard and I feel him hurting me again. I look at him with terror in my eyes and just nod.

  He releases me and then traces a light trail down my cheeks towards my body. His touch sends feelings of revulsion through me as he brands my body with hate and disgust. He carries on touching me and I shiver inside. He says huskily, “You are so beautiful, Ashton. What man wouldn’t want to own this beautiful body? Your innocence is like the temptation of Eve to Adam and there is no man who could resist such a prize. I wish you would reconsider. I would treat you well and protect you as only I can. Your life would be filled with riches and you would want for nothing. Think about it because it’s not too late to change your mind. You could have it all, honey.”

  He touches my breast and caresses it reverently. I hear his breathing change as he leans closer and my heart beats so fast I can hear it. Oh, please no, not again.

  Then we hear voices outside and he pulls away. The moment is gone, and he says harshly. “Get dressed, he’s here.”

  As he makes to leave, he stops and turns to face me.

  “If you change your mind, you know where we are. You were every bit as delicious as I knew you would be. You’ve earned your freedom, Ashton. Just don’t screw it up.”

  He leaves the room and the blood pounds in my head. ‘I have earned my freedom.’ How little he knows. I will never be free. I have already screwed it up and now it’s up to Donahue to sort it out—again.

  2

  As I slip my dress over my head the door opens. I look down. I can’t see his face. I’m not strong enough.

  I feel him approach the bed and squeeze my eyes tightly shut. The tears are trapped behind my closed lids but I feel them find a gap and trickle down my cheeks. He doesn’t need this; I have to be strong.

  Like Todd, he crouches before me and then I’m pulled towards him. I bury my face in his chest and his arms fold around me. I battle hard but it’s a battle soon lost as the sobs wrack my body. He says nothing and just holds me as I let it all out. I am damaged in more ways than one and he is left to pick up the pieces – again.

  I don’t want him to let me go. He holds me and keeps me safe. Like he has always done. He didn’t want this and begged me not to do it. I pleaded with him and wore him down until he finally relented. I have no one to blame but myself. This is my mess and my cross to bear.

  He says nothing and continues to hold me. I am scared to see his eyes. They will be my undoing and I’m not ready to face the consequences just yet. However, we have no time for this and he gently pulls me back. I gulp for air as he wipes the tears from my face and says gently.

  “Come. I’ll take care of you. Let’s get you out of here. The rest we will deal with tomorrow.”

  As I look up into his eyes, I catch my breath. They are the hardest gray and pierce my heart with the steel flashing from them. His face is set in stone but I see the hurt within. He is angry, disappointed and broken. I knew he would be which is why I protected myself from seeing it.

  I allow him to pull me up gently and will my legs to work. He’s right, we need to get as far away from here as possible. There will be time to deal with the repercussions of what happened. Now is not that time.

  I take his hand and it closes around mine, hard, safe and comforting. He is my protector and my only friend. The one person I can rely on in life and the only man in my world who I love and trust. He is my rock and the man I will never leave. He is my brother.

  The hallway is empty and the silence deafening. We walk out of that house with no words spoken. I never want to see this place again. What happened here will haunt me for a lifetime. There is no changing it and now I will have to learn how to live with what I did. I sold my innocence for freedom. I needed the money to ge
t away and start again. How naïve was I? I will never be free. He will find me and I will be imprisoned for life. There is no parole on death row and that is where I’m heading. The only way out of my future is death. I hope that Donahue has a get out of hell card because once again, he is my only hope.

  The morning comes and with it the brutal reality of my situation. I wake up in the spare room of my brother’s apartment and know we don’t have long. I should be somewhere else and it won’t take long for the dogs to be on my trail. What happened last night will have to be shut inside that box in my head along with the rest of the bad memories. Maybe one day I will feel strong enough to unlock it and deal with what’s inside—but not now. I need to be strong.

  I quickly dress and head off to find my brother. I know he won’t have slept. He will have found a solution, I know it. It’s what he does. Like me, he has had to find a way to cope with the life we lead. This business of his is secret and only known to a select few. If it ever came out, he would be screwed. We need to work together and whatever he decides will be fine with me. I trust him and know that he has my best interests at heart. He is the only one that ever has.

  I hear his voice as I enter the room. He’s on the phone and silences me with a raised hand as I enter. He looks worried and disheveled. His eyes are tired, speaking of a night without sleep and I feel guilty at what I’ve put him through.