Wicked Dirty Games (Dirty Billionaire Series Book 1)

by Gemma Berlanti

  He followed Lila’s movement across the room. She mixed and mingled with the guests and high clients of the company. It would be so good to ruin Knight through her. His eyes dropped further down her body to see how her nipples pressed to the draped fabric of her dress. And white too, how virginal and appealing. Imagine closing his lips around those perky nipples while Knight watched. He chuckled and admired the way the fabric moved between her thighs. She was one little delectable thing, ripe and ready to be taken.

  He pushed away his erotic thought and decided that he would get along for a moment. But how? He barely wanted Ian Montgomery to notice his presence. Killean had fed him all those lies, and he imagined that if he caught him here, he would be escorted out by security. It must have been a mistake that he was invited. He had been on the pre-approved list and maybe someone forgot to strike him off. Damn it. He was doomed in his corner.

  He watched as a man moved toward her and placed his hand lightly to her elbow so she would walk with him. If Killean were here, he would be slightly pissed that another man had his hands on her. The douche thought women were his assets, and this one was no doubt his most prized possession. Better keep her in tight lockdown, Knight.

  He yawned and glanced up. He froze as he saw Jasmine Pierce walking in, wondering if Killean knew she was still in New York trying to find ways she could get him back into her gold-digging trap. Their broken marriage had been plastered on every society page, but the papers never really figured it out. They were only speculating because Killean valued his privacy.

  Jasmine had been going through some mental problems over the years, he found out. Losing her moneybag husband had been a big disappointment to her. Women went crazy about this man if they couldn’t have him and he just couldn’t see why. Or perhaps when they looked at him all they saw was a big fat dollar sign. She looked radiant tonight, but she was far from it inside. He watched as she scanned the room, and then her eyes settled on Lila. A pained expression contorted her features. She walked into the crowd and disappeared. He wondered why she was here. For the next few hours, he didn’t catch sight of her.

  The party dragged on, and he got fed up. If it continued like this, when would he get to Lila?

  Lila excused herself from Ian and made her way in the direction of the washroom. He went off too. He hated to wait outside a bathroom while a woman did her thing. He went back to his spot and waited until he saw her come out. When she approached the bar and ordered a drink, he made his move.

  “I thought you’d require something stronger,” he said sarcastically as she raised her glass to her lips.

  She didn’t look surprised to see him, given that her father had dismissed him so brusquely. He was sure she knew about it. As it was, Killean knew her father personally. Anything he decided was final.

  “I wonder why, Russell?” she said cynically.

  He wondered if she knew what he was up to. No, she couldn’t, because Killean would have already retaliated. He was moving slow. He’d gone back to the hospital, and Marisa had been moved it seemed, perhaps to a private facility where no intruders could come in and harm her.

  “I’m really sorry about the way my dad dismissed you,” she said.

  He smiled.

  “Oh, Killean told me that you two were partners once. Did you hear what happened to Marisa?”

  He nodded. “How is she?”

  “I wouldn’t know,” she said. “Who do you think could do something so horrible?”

  Russell stared down at her and tried to search her eyes, but there was nothing. She looked at him expectantly.

  “There are so many monsters out there. We should be careful.”

  “I agree.” He ordered a shot of whisky and joined her.

  “But curiosity has been killing me,” she murmured with her hand under her jaw. She narrowed her gaze at him. “Why did you do it?”

  The glass froze at his lips.

  She arched an eyebrow. “How many years does a convict get for attempted murder?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  She straightened and gave him a condescending smile. “Do you think I’m stupid? That I didn’t know about you before you waltzed into the office that day? So tell me, between us, why?”

  Russell leaned in, hoping that she would step back, but she held her stance.

  “Because she deserved it,” he whispered. Hmm, she did have beautiful sultry eyes. Grey eyes that were smoky like a stormy day. They were the perfect contrast against her caramel skin. And beautiful lips too.

  “Oh? So you are a thief and a sociopath. Who would have thought? So I’m guessing that Killean slept with her and you felt betrayed. You’re a psychopath.”

  “That’s a bit of a stretch, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Did you sneak back in and try again?”

  “She should’ve died the first time. My turn now. Do the police think that Killean did it?”

  “Yes, they do. So you think you would creep in here and destroy him then run off back to Arizona?”

  “Precisely. He deserves everything that will be coming to him, sweetheart. And he will get what’s coming to him soon.”

  “You’re so sure.”

  “I am, this time. I’ve waited years for this. And look at you, toughing it out for your man. Soon you will be discarded by him like all the others. So don’t let it get to your head.”

  “You’re disgusting. The lengths you’d go to even the scores. But let me tell you one thing. Killean is not going to jail, and you will not hurt Marisa again. She’ll get better and all three of us at our respective places will see you rot in the hell called prison. I hope solitary is a small box that has no oxygen.”

  “You have a sharp tongue. I’m sure Killean is using it to his advantage.”

  “Yes, I was thinking the same thing about Marisa’s tongue on him, his on her.” She grinned. “You think anything you say can hurt me? You are dead wrong, Mr. Wesley. And I’m sure that just hurt you worse than it did me.”

  ***

  Russell ran over their entire conversation, wondering if he made the right move, incriminating himself. He’d gathered enough information to know that Killean had moved Marisa to a safe place where he couldn’t find her to finish the job. He’s on to me.

  Russell glanced up and saw her with Katherine Hunt. He thought Killean didn’t keep the women he fucked in the same company with the ones he socialized with. She and the actress separated, and she went through the exit. He followed inconspicuously and saw her move to the elevator. She pressed the button and waited, but the doors didn’t open.

  “Excuse me, do you know what happened to the elevator?” she asked someone he didn’t see but realized was a guard.

  “It’s been out of service since the afternoon, ma’am. They’re going to get it up and running for tomorrow.”

  “Oh. I’ll have to take the stairs then.” She heaved a sigh and went off. He moved quietly, and then Russell froze. Jasmine was tailing her ahead of him. Lila went on quickly, not noticing a thing. The woman kept some distance from Lila, and he did the same thing too. Russell figured it would be best if he took his shoes off so there would be no echo.

  She reached the stairwell now and hurried up. Jasmine moved quietly. Was this girl so deaf she had no clue she was being followed? Like Jasmine, he was up to no good. The rest of the building was empty, and she was stalking Lila. He thought of all the possible reasons, and none were good. However, whatever Jasmine had planned for her, Russell hoped it was painful.

  They finally arrived on the floor of Ian’s office, and he slipped into a room and waited until she was coming back. It seemed Jasmine had done the same. Several minutes passed and he heard nothing. He heard footsteps, but when he cracked the door, there was no one in the hall.

  Five minutes went and Lila was striding down the hall with an envelope in hand, and Jasmine was a few feet away. She reached the foot of the stairs and Jasmine edged closer. It happened so fast that he didn’t even see it. Jasm
ine reached out as if to grab at Lila, who must have sensed something off and was starting to turn. Jasmine acted fast, though, thrusting her hands out so hard against Lila’s back that the girl yelped and fell on her face. He heard a loud tumble as she landed on the steps with a cry of pain, and then nothing but the sound of her body rolling down the unequal surface.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-TWO

  “Lila?”

  The sound of Katherine’s voice seemed to be fading. There was a loud pounding in her head. Her eyes opened in slits, and she saw white. Shit, am I dead?

  “Lila, open your eyes.”

  That meant she was still alive. She couldn’t be dead and hear Katherine’s voice. Then a dark shadow loomed over her, and through the blur she recognized Katherine’s face and her dark hair. Lila squinted and opened her eyes.

  “There we go.”

  She glanced around the room and found out she was in the hospital. Why was she in the hospital?

  “What happened?”

  “Don’t try to sit up too fast.” Lila blinked the haze away to see the concern on her face.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine.”

  A crease formed between Katherine’s brows.

  “Shouldn’t I be feeling fine? Why am I at the hospital?”

  “You fell down the stairs. Don’t you remember?” Ian asked.

  “I remember going up to my office by the stairs because the elevator was giving some problems. And then…something hard hit me in my back and I fell.”

  Lila looked at her for an explanation.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You were shoved down the stairs by—”

  The door opened, cutting Katherine off. A female doctor strolled in, followed by a worried-looking Ian.

  “Miss Montgomery, you’re finally awake,” the doctor chirped.

  “Honey, you scared me to death!” her father said, rushing to her and cupping her face.

  “I’m fine, Daddy. I just fell.”

  The smiling brown-haired doctor came forward with a chart in hand ready to check her vitals.

  “Is everything okay, Doctor?” Katherine asked. “She got a pretty nasty bump on the head.”

  “She’s fine, Miss Hunt, no major damage that can cause harm. But I have good news for Miss Montgomery. The tests came back all right. You’re healthy as a horse.”

  “Dad, can you get me a cup of latte?” Lila asked.

  Her father regarded her with surprise before nodding.

  “Sure, baby,” he said and kissed her cheek before he left. It took several moments before the doctor left the room.

  “What do you mean I was pushed?” Lila whispered so fast a pain shot through her head.

  “Take it easy, Lila. I already told your dad. I called Killean, but he didn’t pick up, so I left a message. You were shoved. By Jasmine.”

  “Jasmine?” Lila gasped, astounded. “You mean, Killean’s ex-wife?” Katherine nodded. “You must be joking with me.”

  “I saw her following you. And Russell too. They were both tailing you, so I kept close. There was something about her expression, though…like she was on medication, I don’t know. But she shoved you off the stairs, and that’s how you got those bruises. I made Ron drive us without alerting Killean. Don’t look so worried. He won’t talk.”

  “He works for Killean. He will tell him!”

  “Calm down. You can’t be stressed. It’s not good for your body. Killean wants kids.”

  Lila glared at her. “Why would you be so happy about the prospect of me carrying Killean’s baby? I thought you would be upset.”

  She met her gaze and smiled, her brown eyes twinkling as she touched Lila’s flat stomach.

  “Lila, I know you don’t like me, but I meant everything I said the day when I came to see you. I want to call a truce. And Killean seems…happy with you. I love him too much to lose him. And when he told me never speak to him again…I was shattered.”

  Lila was stunned. And she was more shocked that he’d told her not to speak to him. It would have been hard for him to be the one who made that call.

  “He told you that?”

  “Yes.”

  “You look surprised that he would defend you.”

  “It’s not that. Anyway, I believe you, and yes, I don’t like you.”

  “The feeling’s mutual.” Katherine smiled.

  Lila grinned. “Right. So help me get dressed.”

  “What?”

  “I’m going home before Killean finds out the real story.”

  “But the doctor hasn’t discharged you yet.”

  “I’m discharging myself. I’m sure you can help me out in that department, actress.”

  Lila kicked the covers away to get off the bed, but Katherine held onto her shoulder with more force than she’d thought.

  “Ouch!” Lila hissed.

  “Sorry. But wait a minute. Let me go and explain it to her and get her advice before you charge out of here.”

  “Fine.”

  “And we have lots to talk about, lots.”

  Lila watched as she went out the door, and she kicked the sheet away and moved too fast. Crap! She’d really gotten a nasty fall. Her back hurt like hell. It’s a good thing those staircases were carpeted. But why would Jasmine want to hurt her? Was she so desperate to get Killean back that she would commit murder to do it?

  And Russell. Why was he following her upstairs? That man was like a leech. She wondered if he was losing half his mind. He had so much at stake and was willing to lose it all just to get revenge on Killean for something that took place years ago and was partly his fault. He didn’t seem to be angry about the business venture being tarnished, just the fact that Killean had slept with Marisa. Lila wondered if this was the first time that Killean’s sexual conquests had come back to haunt him.

  And then tonight Russell had confessed to trying to kill Marisa. Lila smiled because despite Jasmine’s attempt to murder her, one good thing had come out of it. She had Russell’s confession on tape.

  ***

  The room was dim, but she could see Killean’s body clearly beneath the sheet. He slept with one hand at his side and his arm stretched over his head on the pillow. She took her shoes and dress off quietly and slipped into bed, reminding herself that she should be careful, as she still ached from that fall. Katherine had done a fine job getting her home tonight, though it was one thirty in the morning. The doctor had urged her to get enough bed rest and prescribed pain killers to help.

  She moved into Killean’s warmth. He stirred and murmured her name in his sleep.

  “Love?”

  “I’m home,” Lila murmured.

  His eyes opened in slits, and he looked at her.

  “How was your party?”

  “Wonderful.” Horrific. I missed most of it.

  “What happened to your head?”

  “I tripped, a minor problem, don’t worry. Katherine left a message, though. I went to get it checked out to ensure it wouldn’t cause a concussion. We’ll talk about it in the morning. I’m sorry I woke you up.”

  He caressed the bruise on her head.

  “It’s fine. I was lonely.”

  “Me too.” At least that wasn’t a lie. She leaned in and kissed his jaw, roughened with his stubble. He groaned and reached for her in the dark.

  “Go to sleep,” she admonished.

  “Are you scolding me?” he asked.

  “No. But you need the sleep, Mr. Knight. Just ignore reality.”

  “I can’t do that. You’re naked.”

  She couldn’t resist slipping under the cover to palm him. His hips worked, forcing his cock against her hand.

  “So are you.”

  “I want to make love to you.”

  She giggled.

  “What?” he asked with a quirked brow.

  “What you just said. How you said it. I thought you were a dominant man.”

  “Oh, I am, I just seem to be wrap
ped around your dainty little fingers. And what’s wrong with what I just said?”

  “You just said you wanted to make love. You’ve never used that terminology before.”

  He rolled over on her, and she parted her legs so he could settle comfortably while trying not to whimper at the minor pain his weight caused. Jasmine must really have pushed her hard.

  “Would you prefer fuck? I figured that term wouldn’t be romantic in this case.”

  “I thought you didn’t do romantic gestures, Mr. Knight.”

  “I’d do anything for you, Miss Montgomery, much to your delight anyway.”

  He lowered his head to take her mouth, and all of tonight’s fiasco disappeared. His tongue tangled in with hers, and wildfire spread through her veins. This was what she needed after tonight. She laced her fingers through his hair and threw her legs up over his tight ass to hold him to her more securely. She felt his cock rising as it was being pumped with hot blood through the veins. Lila moaned in his mouth and grinded her hip so she could feel him against her. She was opened up for him, her clit exposed and his burning erection pressed to it. The feeling was intense.

  Killean surfaced for air. “I’m sorry.”

  “Why?” she asked in a breathless rush.

  “You must be tired and I’m being inconsiderate. And you fell. As much as I would love to take you, I should make you sleep.”

  He cocooned her in his arms, and as she dozed off, she heard his faint whisper.

  “I love you, little angel…”

  ***

  “Are you sure you walked into a wall?” Killean asked, touching her forehead. Lila cringed.

  “Miss Montgomery, Miss Hunt is here to see you,” Michael announced.