Protecting Her: A Billionaire Secret Baby Romance

by Kira Blakely

  She nodded and picked up her tablet, followed me into my office, and closed the door.

  “Okay, before we get into business, I have some things for you to do.” She nodded and was ready to tap a list on the tablet’s screen. “Cell phone, get the best and put it on my account. I want tracking software on it, but it’s not to be obvious. The reports come to me daily, and I want instant access on my own phone. Her name is Elspeth and you can call Mary… you know who that is?”

  She nodded and kept typing.

  “Get a size estimate from her and bring in a wardrobe. The whole shebang. Everything. Schedule someone to come in and do her hair, nails; all that stuff women like. I want hair for a DNA report and rush that. Find someone to come in and talk with her; a psychologist or whatever to give an opinion about her memory loss. I want a professional opinion on where she’s from by the way she talks. You’ll hear it—Southern drawl but not ignorant. Get Marty in here right away. Tell him this is for me, not the company. I want a chef in there—ask her about her favorite foods and stock the kitchen, but I want the foods info to go to Marty—it’s a clue. Talk to the nurse. Find out if she’s willing to hang around as more of a companion than just a nurse. I don’t want a lot of people having access to her and she needs someone she can trust, besides me, of course. This is a need-to-know basis and run it past me if anyone asks anything. Questions?”

  “You’re kidding, right?” Leigh had earned the right to mock me; a right to which few were entitled.

  I looked at her and she got the message. She uncrossed her legs, stood, pulled down her navy skirt, and exited soundlessly on the thick, maroon carpeting.

  I logged on and began reading my emails, all of which had already been screened by Leigh. I couldn’t seem to focus; there wouldn’t be much business accomplished today. My mind kept drifting upstairs to the blue-eyed urchin, and my curiosity was running wild. Will she be more trouble than I can handle?

  Pulling a sheet of stationery out of my drawer, I began making notes for Marty. He was a private detective who generally gathered intelligence for company business. This time would be different. He had one person to track, and he’d report only to me. No authorities, if we could prevent it. There would be too many questions. I wanted to know as much about my mysterious Elspeth as possible before I laid down my hand.

  I swirled around in my chair to look out the floor-to-ceiling windows behind my desk. The Magnificent Mile traffic was heavy for a Monday but just beyond that lay the green-gray waters of the southern tip of Lake Michigan. I ignored the cars, the people, the hubbub. I had always hated it, anyway. That was when inspiration struck. I buzzed Leigh.

  She came in, the tablet in hand, an inquiring look on her face. She had a beautiful, aquiline nose I’d always admired. Leigh was mega-intelligent, with a list of East Coast private schools and colleges on her resume. She also had street smarts, and that was why I hired her in the first place. Old money was inherited but it seldom moved. I was after new money, new challenges, a new game. To enter that world, you’d better have a solid grounding in dirty pool. Leigh understood that, and me. Sometimes I saw a flicker of something in her black eyes that suggested she wanted more than a boss/employee relationship, but I couldn’t let that happen. She was worth more to me exactly where she was.

  “I want everything on that list I gave you done ASAP. Call the caretaker at my lake house and tell him I’m moving there this weekend, with a guest. Maybe two. He’ll know what to do.”

  “Okay… any idea how long you’ll be gone? I need to clear your calendar.” The spark in her eyes dulled a bit, and I could tell she was feeling excluded. If there was anything Leigh and I mutually enjoyed, it was the excitement of a new game.

  “Refer the appointments you can’t cancel to Jerry. I’ll be gone until further notice.”

  “Got it. Will you talk to Jerry, or should I?”

  I didn’t hesitate. “I’ll do it. Jerry’s going to want to know what’s going on and this is personal. It’s none of his business.”

  “You know he won’t like it,” Leigh cautioned me.

  “Fuck him. Keep him busy and keep me informed what he’s doing. Anything major comes to me by courier for approval.”

  “You got it, Finn.” Leigh’s eyes were glittering again. She was back on the team, and that’s where she was happiest.

  “Jerry, got a minute?” I buzzed him on the intercom.

  “Be right in,” came the gruff voice. Jerry was an ex-marine and followed the rules to the letter. It was why I’d hired him to be my right-hand man. I owned a multitude of companies and had interests the world over, Jerry’s job was to stand in for me when I couldn’t, or didn’t want to, make every board meeting. Besides, he was rigid where I was sometimes selfish. It made for better business decisions to have his input. It was against his moral fiber to do anything sub-par or pale-gray shady. It was also why I couldn’t let him know about Elspeth.

  “Finn?” Jerry had walked past Leigh without being escorted. The two had a running battle for power. Jerry was muscle and mind; Leigh was cunning and street smart, and she knew how far she could bend a rule.

  “Come in, Jerry, and have a seat.” I waited until he was settled. To him, it was just another Monday. He was impeccably groomed, as usual, but would look more at home in sweaty workout clothing. “Something has come up, Jerry. It’s personal. I’m going to need you to stand in for me for a while. Think you can do that?”

  “Of course. Any idea how long?”

  “No.”

  He cocked his head, and I knew he was on to the scent of the extraordinary, something he couldn’t deal with. “What if I need to run something by you?”

  “Leigh knows where I am. Give it to her, and she’ll see to it that I get it. I’ll be in touch from time to time, so you won’t be quarterbacking alone.”

  He was nodding slowly as his brain was calculating logistics. “Everything okay, Finn?” It was his attempt to find out without asking outright.

  “Everything is fine, Jerry.” I wasn’t going to give him a trail to pick up. “It has nothing to do with the company; everything here is on point as usual. I’m lucky to have you on hand for just these sorts of occasions.” I handed out the tightly-groomed compliment because I knew he would become suspicious if I was too lofty. “So, you can handle it?”

  The ex-marine’s chest puffed outward and Jerry stood, extending a handshake across my desk. “Consider it done,” he assured me.

  I nodded, equally sober-faced. His hair was still a military cut, and his suit looked poured over the muscled torso he was careful to maintain. I knew things would be just fine in his hands, especially with Leigh riding shotgun, even if he wasn’t aware of that fact.

  Jerry left, and I heaved a sigh of relief. I felt much better now that I had a plan.

  Chapter 12

  Elspeth

  I felt, rather than heard, the door open. Disoriented, I closed my eyes again quickly, as if I could hide from whomever it was as long as I didn’t acknowledge them.

  “Ms. Elspeth?” a woman called softly.

  I tried to move but I felt heavy and achy. I was beginning to piece together where I was. I remembered Finn and our middle of the night arrival.

  “Where’s Finn?” I asked, not wanting to get up until I knew he was still here. I was scared, confused, and hurting. He was the only familiar thing in my world.

  “I’ll call him. He’ll be happy you’ve awakened,” she said and I heard the door close again. There was a pitcher of water on the nightstand, and I poured a glass and drank deeply. It seemed to help with the gray world that was my reality. There was a tap on the door and then it opened and Finn stood there.

  I held out my arms to him, and he crossed the distance to the bed in a few steps and held me against him. “Hey, there, sleepyhead. How did you sleep?”

  “I’m scared.”

  “Scared? Of what, Elspeth? Did you remember something?”

  I shook my head and shrugged. He pu
lled back and took my face in his hands.

  “Listen to me, okay? Do you trust me?”

  There was no one else in my life. Did I have a choice? No, I was wrong; it was more than that. Yes, I did trust him. He’d had a chance, even several, to hurt me and never came close. If anything, he’d pulled me inside his body and offered me shelter. I nodded. “Yes.”

  “Then you need to trust that I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I know this is all strange and foreign to you. But you’re safe; remember that. Whatever brought you to that shack is not here. No one is going to harm you here. Do you believe that?”

  I was silent, but nodded. I needed something to hang on to.

  “Now, I’ve mobilized a small army to find out whatever they can about you, and I want you to cooperate with them. They’re going to bring you some clothes, food, anything you need. You’re going to stay right here this week, and Mary will look after you. Once you’re healed and I’ve concluded some business, you and I are leaving. I know this is probably not what you’re used to and you might not even like the city—at least not now. It’s a lot to take in. We’re going to my lake house, you and I.”

  “You have to work, though.”

  “You’re not to worry about that. I’ve made arrangements, and they’ll do fine without me. In fact, they’ll probably do better. Right now, you need me, and you’re more important.”

  “Why?”

  “Why, what?”

  “Why am I more important?” I watched his eyes for some trace of motive, but I could see nothing but pure kindness and compassion there.

  “Because you need me.”

  His answer was simple and yet it made me feel safe and cherished. It was a good feeling, and I wanted to hang on to it. I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Thank you,” I said. “And I mean that.”

  He smiled and tapped the end of my nose. “Will you be okay now?”

  I nodded. “I think so.”

  “Here,” he said, handing me a box. “There’s a new phone in there, and it belongs to you from now on. My personal number is in the contacts list and you only need to text me and I’ll answer, no matter where or when. You’re not to be scared.”

  I looked at the box and could tell it was expensive. Finn seemed to be a man who never worried about cost.

  “Well, tell you what. You get up and grab a shower; take your time. Mary will let in some deliveries I’ve ordered, and you’ll find something to wear. I need to get back downstairs and tie up some things so we can leave this weekend. Mary is your companion for the time being, not just a nurse. Okay?”

  “Thank you, Finn. But why are you being so good to me?”

  He laughed. “Who else do I have to be good to?” he teased and got up from the bed, planting a kiss on my forehead. “You’ll be okay?”

  I nodded. “Fine. It was just waking up that spooked me. It’s all so… unfamiliar.”

  “I get that. Talk to you a little later.”

  Finn left and I climbed out of the bed and headed to the shower. When I was done, Mary was making my bed and there were bags and boxes sitting all around the room. “What’s all that?” I asked her.

  “Those are clothes for you, Elspeth. Your sponsor is very generous, if the labels are anything to judge by. Here, take a look,” she offered and set two bags on the bed and removed their contents then left me alone.

  Several sets of dainty, soft panties and bras were spread before me. The girl in me was instinctual, and I was soon trying on my favorite. Mary opened a series of boxes that held various ensembles. There were slacks with matching sweaters or jackets. Blouses of every design, fabric and color; casual and trendy outfits and then came the dresses. They were gorgeous and suited me perfectly.

  My favorite was a suit with a short skirt and a box jacket in a soft pink wool. It was my favorite color and I found a white, gauzy blouse with a lace collar that would look good beneath the jacket. There were even matching shoes and a selection of jewelry. I chose a string of pearls with matching stud earrings. Looking in the mirror, I felt like a young girl playing dress-up in her mother’s clothes. What does that tell me about myself?

  Mary tapped on the door and came in, standing behind me as I looked into the mirror. “You look like a princess,” she said softly.

  “Really? You think so? Huh. I feel like they’re too good for me. You know?”

  “I don’t think that’s true at all.” She shook her head in disagreement. “But now, if you would dress in something more casual, there is someone here to style your hair and give you a mani/pedi.”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “No, not at all. I also have something for you to eat prepared. Come on out when you’re ready and get your princess treatment,” she said in an amused tone.

  I wished I knew why she got on my nerves. There was something so—domineering—about her. I knew I could never feel close to her, even though I could tell she was trying to make me feel comfortable. I nodded and waved her off.

  When I emerged from the bedroom, I was wearing a pair of designer jeans topped by a cropped angora sweater. The pale pink lingerie hugged me beneath, giving me a sense of confidence.

  I submitted to the suggestions of the stylist. She chattered about shags and layers, highlights and lowlights, but I shook my head. “Do what you like with my nails, but I’d like my hair left alone. I like it long.”

  She looked to Mary for approval and the tall Viking nodded. Why was Mary being given deferential treatment in making the decisions? When the stylist left, my hair had been lightly trimmed, my nails were perfectly matched and painted rose pink, and there was a case with all sorts of makeup on the coffee table. I wasn’t interested in most of it. Instinctively, I went for the light pink again. I seemed to know how to apply makeup; I just didn’t remember how I came to know it.

  By the late afternoon, a man named Pierre arrived and introduced himself as my personal chef. I can’t make my own peanut butter sandwich? He lounged on the floral silk sofa, and I snuggled opposite him in a club chair as he asked my favorite foods. These things I seemed to remember, but then maybe it was because I was so very hungry. He finally seemed satisfied and disappeared into the kitchen to take inventory. It wasn’t long before the smell of something delicious wafted in to me.

  I leafed through a selection of magazines left on the coffee table. I knew what they were doing—trying to find the one that captured my interest. Part of me wanted to rebel, to throw them off the scent. The other part of me wanted to know who I was, so I chose to cooperate. I handed Mary the issue of Country Living. “This one feels the best,” I told her, and she took it without a word.

  Pierre appeared with a tray and set it on the coffee table. I thanked him and literally soaked up the tender slices of roast beef smothered by a single-serving loaf of French bread, coleslaw, and macaroni salad. I seemed to be drawn to Southern food as well. I supposed that Finn would be glad to know that. It would make his job easier, and I’d be solved and on my way. The thought of that hurt.

  Chapter 13

  Finn

  Marty was sitting across from me, a rather bored look on his face.

  “What’s with the look?” I questioned, unused to this demeanor. Like Jerry, Marty was one tough son-of-a-bitch. An ex-cop, as were most detectives, he’d learned his craft on the streets and sometimes on the wrong side of the law. I’d relied on him for everything from doing a background on a competitor to gain a little subtle blackmail, to acquiring insider information at the highest levels of government to buy off the right congressmen. He had people everywhere. I didn’t know a lot about him, but enough to know I wanted him working for me and not against me.

  “Let me get this straight,” he began, crossing his legs and leaning back in the chair. You want me to do a background on some little chickee you picked up out of a snowbank and she doesn’t even know her name?”

  His tone didn’t set well with me. I began to question the wisdom of getting him involve
d. I took another track.

  “You can’t do it?”

  “Of course, I can do it,” he guffawed and I knew I’d found the right nerve. “What’s in it for you, Finn? I’ve got some leads I’m running down on the CEO of Traxton—good shit that could put you in an excellent position of acquisition—and you want me to spend time on this instead?”

  “This isn’t company business, Marty. This is personal and that means you ask questions of anybody, but not me.” I think he understood the inflection in my voice because the arrogance left his face and he could see his whale client becoming a shark.

  “Sure, Finn, I see that. After all, you know I get things done and that you can trust me.”

  “Forget the sales pitch, Marty. You doing this or not?”

  “Yep.”

  “I want it yesterday. No, make that last week,” I said, giving him a clear picture of priority. “I’m leaving Friday night, and you can get to me through Leigh. I won’t be in the office, but she’ll get anything you have to me. And, there’s always my cell.”

  “So, I’ll talk to the doctor, the nurse, but who else? Who has she come into contact with?”

  “Just me. I like it that way. I’m going to get a shrink in there to talk to her. I want to know if the memory loss is being faked, but I’m pretty sure she’s legit. Your job is to find out what she might not want to remember, and not bring back any flies with you. No trails leading here, you got that?”

  “Not a problem.”

  “Oh, yeah, there’s a chef and someone who did her hair and nails. Check with the nurse; she’s keeping a 24/7 eye on her. You can talk to Elspeth herself. She knows I’m doing this and wants to find out what she’s blocking herself. Just take it easy on her. Don’t be an asshole, okay?”

  “Yeah, I get it. When this is done, I can get back on the Traxton report?”

  “You must have something pretty good there. You’re acting like a kid who made his mom a present in school and can’t wait for her birthday to let her see it.”