The Angler, the Baker, and the Billionaire (Destination Billionaire Romance)

by Day, Amberlee

  “That day at the island. I’d promised Roger I’d tell you. And … it was time.”

  “But you didn’t.”

  “No, I didn’t. You said you blamed Peter Cohen for the loss of your business and even for your mother’s health. How could I tell you it was me until I knew for sure? First I had to convince you I wasn’t such a bad guy. Then … I wanted to see if you could like me for me.”

  Sophie put a hand on his arm. “I know you aren’t a bad guy. I knew Jamie wasn’t. I hope I would have listened.”

  “I couldn’t take a chance. I was just getting to know you. I didn’t want to hurt you, and I didn’t want you walking out of my life, either. Plus, what would Cathy have done to me if I drove her baking partner out of town?”

  When she smiled again, he took a chance and pulled her close to him. He warmed at how good she felt in his arms. A perfect fit.

  “So, Sophie Molina, where do we stand?”

  “I don’t know. First I need to know who I’m standing with. Is it Peter Cohen, billionaire businessman, or Jamie—I never did catch his last name—the angler?”

  “It’s both. I may have looked different, but I was always honest with you about who I am, Sophie. I’m being honest when I tell you I’ve fallen hard for you.”

  “Good. I like that kind of honesty. I think I might have a position for an honest, hard-working man like you.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Definitely.”

  Jamie leaned down to kiss her, but hesitated. “Do you think you could take off that lipstick, or whatever that is, first?”

  She shook her head no. “I kissed Kyle.”

  His heart plummeted. “You kissed who?”

  Sophie softly took his face in both hands. “I kissed you, with that awful beard.”

  “Oh, Kyle … Good point.”

  His chest filled with heat so fast, he had to catch his breath. If she kept putting him through this rollercoaster ride, he wasn’t sure he’d survive it. Her hands slid from his face toward the back of his neck, and this time when he leaned in to kiss her, he realized that those lovely baker’s hands did more than set his senses on fire; they also held his heart.

  If they’d been paying attention, Sophie and Jamie would have seen several residents of the Pioneer Home—including Great-aunt Constance—looking out their windows, cheering for the happy couple. A homeless goth girl kissing a handsome billionaire? If it might seem like an odd pairing in the lower forty-eight, in Sitka they just blended. True Alaskan pioneers and survivors don’t judge.

  The End

  Free Book

  Thank you for reading The Angler, the Baker, and the Billionaire. Read on to find out how you can receive a FREE BOOK from Gelato Publishing.

  If you’d like to be alerted when the next book in the Destination Billionaire Romance series is released and receive a free book, The Busy Woman’s Guide to Getting It All Done, click here.

  Check Out These Other Destination Billionaire Romances

  If you enjoyed The Angler, the Baker, and the Billionaire, you will love the other books in the Destination Billionaire Romance series.

  The Reclusive Billionaire by Lucy McConnell

  Shadows in the Curtain by Cami Checketts

  Almost Everything by Taylor Hart

  The Lucky Billionaire by Jeanette Lewis

  Hawaiian Masquerade by Rachelle J. Christensen

  Caribbean Rescue by Cami Chechetts

  Everything to Lose by Jennifer Youngblood and Sandra Poole

  Keep reading for a sneak peak at Caribbean Rescue by Cami Checketts.

  For the latest releases and information about Gelato authors, sign up for Gelato Books’ newsletter by clicking here.

  Excerpt from Caribbean Rescue

  Madeline Panetto rushed down the lower hallway of the yacht, praying she wouldn’t run into one of her father’s men. A hand snaked around her arm and pulled her to a stop. Madeline swung a fist and connected with a muscular shoulder. The man grunted and yanked her against his chest.

  “Don’t worry, la mia bella donna.” Bello breathed into her neck. Maddie cringed, wanting to punch him again. “It is only me.”

  He was exactly who she’d been hoping to avoid. Bello made her skin crawl with his insinuations that she should be into him. Where was her father when she needed him? Bello had been quick to tell Maddie that his name meant handsome in Italian as he gave her a leering wink. During the past week and a half, she’d worked hard to avoid his wandering hands and suggestive looks, but it was a full-time job. He was handsome, tall, and dark, but his soul was twisted and ugly. She’d figured out his true character within her first five minutes on the yacht and changed his name to Bello the Barbaric. It had a nice rhythm, and it completely fit.

  “I need to get dressed for dinner.” Maddie succeeded in pulling her arm free.

  “I could help you change.” Bello winked and trailed his fingers along her collarbone.

  Maddie shivered and backed up a step. “I’m a big girl; I think I can handle it.”

  “You are a big girl.” His eyes slithered over her body.

  Yuck. Maddie felt like she’d been dunked in a tub of manure.

  “You know, every time we … stop a boat …” He cleared his throat and grinned like they were sharing some secret, like she didn’t know what kind of vicious and despicable scumball he was. “The women beg for me to take care of them. I think you’ll find you enjoy the experience.”

  Maddie barely stopped herself from slapping him. Hands trembling with rage at what those poor women had gone through—what she might go through if she didn’t get off this ship—she scurried around him and ran down the hallway. Tripping on nothing, she righted herself quickly and kept moving.

  “See you at dinner. I hope you’re wearing something special for me.”

  “I hope you burn in purgatory!” Maddie screamed back, hating the smirk on his lips and knowing look in his eyes. He was going to force himself on her if she wasn’t very, very careful.

  Her heart rate didn’t return to normal until she reached her own room and locked the door. Dressing quickly, she secured the heavy diamond necklace around her throat; a graduation gift from her father. She wished she could avoid facing Bello at dinner, but she’d be safe if she stayed close to her father. Bello acted like a gentleman when his boss was within ear’s length.

  She checked her reflection, liking the floor-length, teal-colored lace dress. Teal worked with her dark hair and olive skin. She supposed she was a good combination of her Italian father and Spanish mother, but hoped she was nothing like them in moral structure. Maybe it was wrong to blame her mother for lying to her for twenty-four years. She had been a decent single parent and a good example of a hardworking, well-educated woman, but the lying … It made Maddie want to disown both her parents.

  The luxurious Sussurro Yacht swayed slightly, but she’d gotten used to that after a few days. If only she could get used to being around her father and the awful men he called friends, business associates, pirate mates, mafia connections. Which name fit?

  Maddie shuddered. Her father was a pirate. Didn’t see that one coming. She’d never thought of herself as thick-headed, but obviously she must have been not to have realized who or what her father was and then agree to sail around the Caribbean with him as a graduation present. Oh, to go back to the simplicity of college life. Her master’s thesis had been much easier than this ploy of a trip. Faking that she was comfortable around Bello the Butthole made her want to wear baggy sweats to dinner and pretend she was deaf. But that wasn’t possible. Instead, she’d have to dress appropriately in her diamond necklace and Bergdorf Goodman evening gown—which was ridiculous, considering the price tag was probably over seven grand.

  Loud bangs and thumps came from above. Maddie jerked and glanced at the ceiling as if it had the answer to the sudden disturbance. A gunshot rang out. Maddie ducked instinctively. Terror pricked at her spine as her hands grew clammy and her body trembled.

/>   Where could she go to be safe? They’d look in the closet, and the bed frame was attached to the floor. Could she jump overboard and hope she could make it to one of the many Caribbean islands? Oh, man! She’d been ticked at her father off and on throughout her life, usually because she wanted his attention and he wasn’t around, but at this moment, she truly hated him. Maybe she’d get lucky and her father’s employees would shoot each other and leave her alone. Maybe this was just another idiotic way these men passed the time. The only reason they hadn’t used her to pass the time was that her father would’ve slit their throats. Piece of dung pirates.

  Maddie grabbed a heavy picture frame off the table and crept toward the door. She wasn’t going to sit here and wait for somebody to come kill her. The walkie-talkie her father had given her to communicate onboard the ship buzzed as more shots and some loud thumps came from above. “Madeline,” her father panted out. “Meet me at my room. Now.”

  “Is everything—” she started, but he’d clicked off.

  Maddie clung to the walkie-talkie and the picture frame and slowly opened her door. There was no sound in the hallway. Hopefully all the action was upstairs, and she could make it down the passageway to her father’s room without being shot.

  Another gun discharged, and she jumped and screamed. Forget caution. She sprinted down the hall—not an easy feat in a tight evening gown. A rip of fabric informed her she’d damaged the dress. The only reason she cared was that she’d hoped to resell the gowns to fund some humanitarian trips.

  She banged through the door and into the suite at the rear of the boat. This yacht was massive. She’d never seen anything like it except on those television specials where they toured ridiculously wealthy people’s homes and yachts.

  Thankfully, her father’s room was quiet and dark. She didn’t dare flip on the lights, but called out softly, “Papa?” It wasn’t a term of endearment anymore, just what he’d expected her to call him during his infrequent visits. She’d taken to calling him father the past few years to tick him off, but in her terror, the old term came out.

  No answer.

  Maddie shut the door behind her and turned on a side lamp, not wanting the bright overhead light on. She set her picture frame down and crept toward his safe. He’d told her the combination when he gave her a tour of the ship and told her to take out the weapons, money, papers sealed in a waterproof packet, and the flash drive if there was ever an emergency.

  She wondered if they’d been attacked by another pirate ship; apparently there were a whole slew of them. Maybe his troops had started an uprising. Her father controlled them with an iron fist, and the fear in his staff’s eyes made her sick. Maybe they were finished being afraid.

  Quickly unlocking the safe, she pulled out a pistol first and inserted bullets into the chamber. Her hands only shook slightly. One of the few things her father had taught her when he’d visited—besides the fact he adored her mother, and Maddie was an unfortunate by-product of their romance—was how to shoot a sidearm.

  The door cracked open. Maddie whirled, her finger tightening on the trigger.

  “It’s me,” her father, Armando, whispered, sliding into the room. “Nice job getting the revolver.” He slid the deadbolt to secure the door, then pushed a heavy dresser in front of it.

  Maddie’s arm slackened to her side as she watched him. Finally, she found her voice. “What’s going on?”

  “Bello has made his play.”

  “I thought you trusted him. You said he was like a son to you.” Her voice escalated with her terror.

  “Lesson learned. Never trust anyone, my love.”

  He had no right to use terms of endearment. “What does he want?”

  “My money. My power.” He shook his head and strode past her to the safe, muttering, “And you.”

  Maddie’s entire body shuddered. She’d rather be ripped apart by a shark; at least she could retain her virtue and self-respect. “And you’re just going to barricade us in here and hope he changes his mind? Great plan, Pops.”

  “I’ve got a better one.” He pulled the flash drive that was sealed in plastic out of the safe and handed it to her. “This is the most important thing I will ever give you. Keep it safe until you can turn it over to Homeland Security. Hide it where you won’t lose it.”

  Maddie tucked it into her bra.

  “Good girl.” He entered a code and then yanked open a side door. Maddie found herself looking at a small boat. “Get in. Bello and I had planned to have you take the papers and flash drive to America when we dropped you off in San Juan next week and make us honest men, but apparently he has other plans. At least he doesn’t know about the escape boat. It’s nothing fancy, but should get you to the nearest island. Go west or south.” He actually smiled like this was funny.

  Maddie’s stomach dropped. How was she supposed to know what direction to go in the dark? “Me or us?”

  “Only you. I’ll hold them off as long as I can.” Her father shoved the sealed bag into her hands. “This is a paper copy of everything on the drive, some cash, and several different passports, social security cards, and birth certificates for you and your mother.”

  “What? Reverse a minute. Go back to why you aren’t coming with me.” She didn’t like her father, but she didn’t want Bello killing him, and she really, really didn’t want to be alone on the ocean at night.

  Her father grasped her upper arms in his thick hands. He was a strong man and had probably been good-looking before a life of thieving, lying, and too much alcohol robbed him of his youth and his daughter’s respect. “I’m dying.”

  Maddie’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

  “It’s all right, love. The liver’s gone. Cirrhosis. I’ll be glad to be done with all of this.” He gestured toward the door and the gunshots. “I’ll miss seeing your mother …” His eyes glossed over for a second before he focused in on her again. “And I’ll miss you.”

  Maddie knew that was a lie. Though he took her mother on extravagant vacations several times a year, he rarely came to see Maddie, and this was the first time she’d been invited to go anywhere with him. It was turning out fabulous.

  “But I’ve made my peace with God and man, and I’ll die protecting my beautiful daughter.”

  Maddie had to bite her tongue, not sure how a pirate who fed off others’ fears and misfortunes could make peace with anyone on heaven or earth. A banging on the door and a barrage of bullets into it announced Bello and his cronies. Maddie jumped but luckily didn’t scream this time.

  “The drive will explain everything, and it also has access to accounts that will make you a wealthy woman. Hold on to the papers if at all possible, but the drive is essential.” He bent down and kissed her forehead then gave her a brief hug. “You’re the best part of me, my love. Thank you for becoming so much better than I could’ve dreamed.” He directed her into the boat and sat her down. It wasn’t much bigger than a canoe, but it had a motor at the back. “When you get to land, follow the instructions. Someone I trust will come pick you up and help you create a new life and identity. Your mother too.”

  “But I just graduated.” Six years of hard work down the crapper because of her father. If he wasn’t dying, she’d be tempted to shoot him.

  He smiled that placating smile parents gave to two-year-olds. “You can pick whatever degree you want. Don’t go to Belize, Honduras, or Grand Cayman. Bello and the other pirate captains won’t stop looking for you until the Coast Guard uses that information to capture them. America should be safe. They’ll be more leery of the U.S. authorities.” He nodded to her. “Be safe and be happy, my love.”

  Another barrage of bullets came at the door. Maddie’s heart was in her throat. She had no clue how to say goodbye to a father who had caused her to doubt her worth her entire life. Yet she didn’t want him to die from cirrhosis or Bello’s gun. This was the first time in her life that he’d seemed to care, and now he would die protecting her from Bello.

  Her
father pushed a button, and before Maddie had time to say anything, the boat was lowered into the water. She clung to the sealed packet and the gun, watching her father’s face.

  “Start the motor,” he yelled. “There’s a pull cord at the back. Go.” The ropes released her boat, and it almost capsized from the force of the yacht’s wake. Maddie bit her lip to keep from crying out.

  The compartment closed and the yacht sped off, her little boat bobbing in the waves. She held on to the side and prayed. Maddie could see men on deck with guns drawn. Luckily, it was a dark night and they didn’t notice her. Soon the yacht was pinpricks of lights in the distance.

  We hope you enjoyed the excerpt from Caribbean Rescue. To continue reading, click here.

  Also by Amberlee Day

  Sitting in a Tree

  Sweet Penny Cove Romances Book 1

  Jolie Kearsley, a dreamer, hopeless romantic, and checkout clerk at the Sweet Penny Cove Library, has big plans for her future. Those plans have been on hold while she helps at home, but the chance for her big adventure looks like it’s finally just around the corner…she hopes. The only thing Jolie’s wanted as much as leaving town is getting the attention of Ian DeLuca, the boy next door, who’s been off following his own adventures and who, let’s face it, never noticed her anyway. When Ian returns home, will Jolie’s new reality measure up to her fantasies?

  A Wish in Her Hand

  Professor Miri Keeler's life is perfect, and she knows just the sort of man she wants to share it with. When she meets a genie who's willing to grant her a favor, she uses her wish to get the attention of her crush, poet Jamison Arbor. But has the genie's magic missed its target? Miri suddenly has the attention of both Jamison and Alex, an attractive maintenance man. How will she know which is the right match for her, or what's real and what's magic?