The Nightingale Trilogy: An Alpha Billionaire Romantic Suspense

by Cynthia Dane

  Monsters. Monica put her paper down and stabbed her scrambled eggs topped with spring onion. She would know something about monsters. That last lover – Jackson Lyle, one of the richest and cruelest men in the country – made sure she knew how many terrible people there were in the world. At least he didn’t have the chance to kill her. This poor man in the paper was dead. Killed by a stranger! What a way to go.

  “Ugh, I forgot where I was for a second.”

  Startled, Monica looked up and caught sight of a disheveled Henry standing in the dining room entryway. His suit was tussled, wrinkled in the wrong places and hardly pressed for an important business meeting. His shoes had smudges on them. His wristwatch – Rolex, of course – was upside down, and his hair… his hair! Where the hell was he sleeping? Those dark blond locks, once combed to perfection, now stuck up every which way. If Monica didn’t know him, she would guess that Henry was a vagabond lost without direction.

  “Mr. Henry!” She leaped from her seat, nearly upending the eggs. The newspaper with the awful story fell to the ground. “Are you all right? What happened?”

  He held up his hands before she could get too close. He reeks. Sweat. Alcohol. Possibly sex. All three were likely after a weekend night in the Château. “Please, I’m fine. I just need to sit down. I had too much to drink last night.”

  Hungover Henry sank into one of the dining chairs while Monica summoned a maid from the kitchen. A girl arrived with a fresh towel and a glass of water. Monica sent her back to the kitchen to get some oatmeal, bananas, something. “You certainly do not look all right. Did you fall asleep in the salon?”

  “I must have. I don’t remember it… the last thing I remember is playing charades with Sam and that friend of his… I don’t know where they are.”

  Probably in her room. It wasn’t unusual for weekend clients – let alone patrons – to spend the night. Monica had seen Mr. Carlisle slink his way through the Château an hour ago. “I can have someone find him for you.”

  Henry took the towel and water. “I appreciate it, but that’s not necessary. I’ll shake this off and be on my way in no time.”

  Still, Monica insisted that Henry use a guest bathroom to shower and freshen himself up. He was in there for a while, long enough for her to finish her breakfast and fret about the poor man left to pass out intoxicated on a salon sofa.

  How had nobody seen him? A maid or somebody should have secured him a proper guest room to sleep in. Somebody’s getting fired! Monica had that thought as Henry emerged from the guest bathroom, his suit not much better, but his face not as flushed and his hair much more manageable. “Thank you for the concern,” he said, sounding like the man Monica met yesterday. Henry joined her for breakfast, where both a grapefruit and oatmeal awaited him. “You’re quite the hostess… I’m sorry, what was it again?”

  “Monica.” Henry didn’t seem the type to be into calling her Madam or anything like that. The patrons liked that because it helped fulfill their fantasy. Henry, thus far, was devoid of that. “It’s my pleasure to be at your assistance. I don’t like the idea of one of my guests being passed out on a couch all night long.”

  “Must be in your nature, huh?’

  “Excuse me?”

  The man shook his head. “I mean… well… being subservient… never mind.”

  Monica couldn’t help but smile. “You can’t offend me, Mr. Henry. Not unless you mean to offend me.”

  “No, I certainly don’t intend to offend you. I find it fascinating, that’s all. How does someone get into this line of business?”

  She folded up the newspaper and left it on the other side of the table. “Not sure I follow you.”

  “Just a bit of curiosity. How does a woman as young as you become the proprietress of a place like this?”

  “Young? How young do you think I am?”

  “I wouldn’t dare actually guess your age.”

  “And you’re wise to not do so.” Monica was hardly old, but she was no spring chicken when it came to love and romance. Or sex. She definitely wasn’t a virgin of any kind. “To answer your question, there were a lot of strange circumstances that led me to this profession. I’ve been into the lifestyle since I was a girl. Things fell into place naturally after that. Well, that’s the short story.”

  “One of these days I should like to hear the long story.”

  Monica sat back, her eyes never leaving Henry’s watchful ones. He reminds me a lot of Jackson. It was those handsome good looks and the smell of old money. Oh, and the way he grinned when he thought he was being clever. Jackson’s hair was sandier, though. And he didn’t have the strong jaw that Henry did. Nor was he as tall. Monica fished for more ways these two men were different… she didn’t need reminders of her ex haunting her hallowed halls.

  Not like I get out of the house much as it is. It had always been that way. If there was a service she couldn’t get to come out to the Château, she didn’t use it.

  “I don’t tell the long story often. Too…” She searched for a neutral word to use. “Long. Much too long.”

  Monica was a master of manipulating her expressions. Queen Poker Face, an ex-lover used to call her. Most men didn’t want to know about her emotions. In truth, she didn’t want to share them, either. They are for me and me alone. The easier it became to push them down and put on a straight, pleasant face, the easier life became in turn.

  And yet, when she put on that poker face now to not betray the terrible memories flooding her mind, Henry Warren still cocked his head to one side, rested his elbow on the table, and said, “Must be a terribly long story.”

  Perhaps Monica should have let it go. After all, most people would have interpreted Henry’s words as being merely supportive. Small talk. A final word before they let things go. I sense something in those words. An understanding that she hadn’t felt in years. She had just met this man, and God knew their interactions were limited to his innocent questions and being hungover, but in that short amount of time Henry came across as more empathetic than the thousands of men Monica had crossed paths with in her life.

  I need to get out more.

  They didn’t see or hear from Mr. Witherspoon until an hour later, when he sauntered down the grand staircase as hungover as the friend he forgot and left behind. The two men exchanged curt words, Henry admonishing his colleague for being so self-centered, and Mr. Witherspoon insisting that he thought Henry would have found a companion of his own.

  “And who would it have been, hm?” Monica heard Henry ask. “All the women here are spoken for. Unless you count Ms. Graham in the dining room.”

  “Who, her?” Although Mr. Witherspoon lowered his voice, Monica could still hear him. “There’s a reason she does so well in this business. She’s untouchable. You never touch the madam, sir, especially when the madam is the soiled goods of Jackson Lyle. You know, the Jackson Lyle.”

  “Jackson… wasn’t he the man recently bought out of his own business he founded?”

  “Certainly. The very one. Absolute smarmy little snot, but he was invaluable to a few investments going around and… well… I heard through my driver who heard from his brother who used to work at Lyle’s estate that Ms. Graham pulled a gun on him before leaving with a good chunk of his money.”

  “You don’t say. Well, woman is certainly gutsier than she gives off.”

  “You have to be to run a business like this, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Monica retained her poker face as the men entered the dining room, oblivious that she had heard either one of them speak so candidly about her. Everything they say is true. From the smarm, to the investments, to the gun… Monica had never shot a soul, and the day she held that gun between her and Jackson was the day she finally freed herself from the tyranny he fronted with compassion.

  Mr. Witherspoon stayed for breakfast, although Chelsea never came down to join them. Either he had left her to sleep or requested she stay in her room until he depart
ed. Patrons had a habit of showing up in love with their girls before turning a cheek the next day. As long they paid for the privilege, and as long as the girls didn’t come crying to Monica, she didn’t mind.

  Before the men left, Mr. Witherspoon pulled Monica aside and requested to leave a gift for Chelsea. Of course, such things were encouraged, and Monica held out her hand to take the check on Chelsea’s behalf. Ten-thousand dollars. Half would go to Chelsea. The other half would be split between Monica and improvements to the Château. There was a vase for the dining table she had her eye on. This would help.

  “Thank you for your patronage, Mr. Witherspoon. I will be sure to praise Chelsea for a job well done so she will continue to be happy here… and so you will continue to liven us up with your presence, of course.”

  “I look forward to my next visit. Perhaps in three weeks or so. I’ll let you know.”

  “And I’ll make sure Chelsea is informed.”

  “Do so. Coming, Henry?”

  The taller man remained still even as his friend began for the door. Before Mr. Witherspoon even knew he was alone, Henry extended his hand to Monica and said, “Pleasure meeting you, Monica. I’d still like to hear the long story someday.”

  She smiled, but she did not confirm she would ever do such a thing. Monica did, however, grasp his hand as an offer of civility… his warm, smooth hand that was twice as big as hers and covered her palm, her fingers, and nearly her wrist with one touch.

  Their eyes met in that second. Monica shook hands with and looked at many refined men since opening her business, but this was the first time – perhaps the second, since meeting Henry – that she felt something strange in the pit of her stomach and a flurry in her chest. What was it? She hadn’t felt something like that in years. Not even with Jackson had she ever felt such tenderness. That firm, yet gentle handshake was the kind of thing she had always searched for since she knew what this lifestyle was.

  For Monica was a woman who wanted it firm and strong, but tender and loving all the same. She dreamed of a man who would not relent, but still heed her wishes and desires. She had long figured that such men did not exist. To be sure, putting that sort of pressure on Henry within one day would be foolhardy, and Monica was not a stupid woman. Jaded, sure, but not…

  “Thank you for visiting, Mr. Warren,” she said, mastering the blush trying to overcome her cheeks. She dropped her hand from his and turned to the side. “Do take care. I hope to see you again.” Monica felt his gaze lingering on her body as she slowly ascended the grand staircase and went to check in on Chelsea and the other girls.

  Henry left the premises. He did not leave her mind.

  Chapter 3

  Her Gilded Cage

  The only time smoking was allowed on the premises was when it was done outside or in the one designated lounge on the second floor. Clients didn’t like being told they couldn’t smoke in the girls’ rooms, but they soon learned to be mindful of health and, well, the smell.

  Such a smell Monica encountered when she stepped into the Cigar Lounge to take inventory. It was reserved that night by a few businessmen looking to have a private place to discuss their wares and maybe enjoy a show or two by an available girl. Finally, something for Yvette to do. Better than watching her sit on the balcony drinking wine because she refused to hang out with any clients. She would, at least, put on a demonstration as long as nobody expected to touch or directly talk to her. She makes a fantastic domme.

  Grace followed her into the Cigar Lounge to write down notes about what was missing. Ever since the trade embargo with Cuba was lifted, they didn’t hurt for those. Still, there was an air of the forbidden around them, and clients tended to dive straight for an old-fashioned Cuban above anything else. Monica made Grace order some anyway.

  “Madam Graham!” One of the maids appeared in the doorway, her chest heaving and her voice ragged with thick breaths. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s someone here to see you.”

  Monica turned with the swiftness of a fox. “Who? The police?” It was too early in the afternoon for most clients. The only people who came searching for her in the middle of the day usually had legalities to discuss.

  “No, ma’am. A gentleman. Henry Warren.”

  What? She hadn’t seen nor heard from him in a few days. Not since he came as Mr. Witherspoon’s guest. I never thought I would see him again. He must have forgotten something. Something so important that he couldn’t call and ask Monica to ship it to him.

  Sure enough, Mr. Warren was standing in the foyer, another maid taking his coat and checking his shoes to make sure he had no mud to track through the premises. It rained the night before, and sometimes the mud didn’t dry out completely until long after.

  “Mr. Henry,” Monica called, stepping down the staircase as fast as she dared. Between her stature and the shoes, it could be an arduous task. “To what do I owe this surprising pleasure?”

  He certainly looked more put together than he had the morning she last saw him. A new suit – demure beige that looked cheerful for the season, but still serious enough for a man of his station – clung to his body in such a way that Monica stopped and wondered about what he kept beneath. Now? At a time like this?

  “Good afternoon. I hope I’m not interrupting your business… or is it a day off for you?”

  Wednesdays were an odd day for a visit, but they weren’t closed. The girls had their weekends on Monday and Tuesday unless otherwise arranged, but Monica stayed busy with books or work every day. “We are open, if that’s what you’re asking. We’re not used to having such guests at this time. Did you forget something the other day?”

  Henry stepped back, as if her words were a club smacking him in the chest. Did I offend? “No, no. Everything is fine. If I could talk with you privately?”

  Monica shooed away the onlookers and escorted Henry into the front salon, the very one he slept in the other night. He turned down a glass of anything and instead perched on the edge of a chair, large hands folded in his lap. Monica took a seat on the sofa across from him and asked once more what she could do for him.

  “I suppose I should get right to it,” he said. “I was wondering if you could give me a tour of your premises and perhaps introduce me to some of your girls.”

  That was it? Why did he come here unannounced for something like that? Nevertheless, Monica would not pry. She didn’t want to scare off a new, rich client. “I hadn’t realized you were into this sort of thing, Mr. Henry.”

  “Perhaps I have a long story or two of my own, Monica.”

  Now there was a surprise. Monica retained her demeanor, but inside her brain whirled with images of Mr. Henry Warren tying up a woman and whispering filth into her ear. Monica had these thoughts about most of her clients. She had to, in order to anticipate what they might like and what she could do to ensure their satisfaction so they would keep coming back and paying more. But this was the first time since opening her doors that she felt… aroused?... by the act. These effects Henry had on her were starting to get to her in ways she couldn’t afford.

  “Upfront I have to be blunt that we currently don’t have any girls available to a patron.” I really need to hire more. There were two bedrooms she could rent out to as many girls. They would have to be cleaned and stripped, and then redone to the girl’s tastes, but as their business grew so too must the house. “You can of course patron them on an even regular basis, but only if they are available. And you wouldn’t receive any of the bonuses.”

  “Bonuses? Do I even want to know?”

  He knew what she meant, and yet she must deflect. Sex happens with regular clients too, Mr. Warren. Completely at the girl’s discretion, but it wasn’t some sacred act confined to her primary business relationship.

  “Taking her out on dates, dominating her time, giving her gifts of a greater value than a thousand dollars… there are many bonuses, but a girl may only have one patron at a time. Plus, even if you can�
�t visit her for a while, you must still pay for the privilege. It’s a part of what makes up their primary incomes.” Some girls were saving up for their dreams. Others had debt they were paying off and they didn’t mind doing it this way. Others liked getting paid to whip and be whipped. Some are all three She thought of Sylvia.

  “I see,” Henry said with a curious smile. “You’re intriguing me more and more.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. We cater to a very discerning and particular crowd. It only seems right to intrigue them.”

  “Oh? Am I a part of this crowd?”

  Monica finally smiled in return. “I pegged you as a member from the moment you walked through that door the other night.”