Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3

by Laura Burton

  “Eddie, she’s a world-class opera singer. Do you really think she cares about money?”

  Edward turned away from the window and looked at Sam in thought, but he didn’t really see him. Instead, his mind played out memories of his date with Catherine. After he told her that his work was secret, she didn’t press the matter. And she never pushed him to buy her things. Women in the past, would have acted coy, but dropped not-so-subtle hints at gifts they would like him to buy. Catherine was different, but telling her, ‘Hey, by the way, I belong to the richest family in America. We own the Marks hotel chain and my grandmother lives on Martha’s Vineyard,’ sounded too shallow and ostentatious.

  Truth be told, Edward liked being Edward the mechanic, not Edward the spoilt billionaire. But if things were to escalate with Calvin, he would need his security team back.

  “This is a mess.” Edward pulled on his boxing gloves and pummelled the bag as it swung side to side to release his pent-up frustration.

  “Well, you better figure it out soon. We need to get ready for tonight,” Sam said, prompting Edward to look at his watch. He chewed the inside of his cheek in thought and nodded back.

  Edward checked his phone. No messages.

  “Can I get another drink?” he muttered to the bartender, as he leaned against the granite counter. A pint glass full of lemonade appeared in front of him, he took it and turned to look at the stage.

  Almost every table in the club was taken with guests that were either talking, drinking, or listening to the band. Sam sat in the forefront with his guitar, one foot stretched out and the other resting on the bottom of the stool. He gave a casual smile to the crowd as he tapped his boot to the beat and sang into the microphone.

  Edward could also play the guitar. His father thought it would be a good skill to have, to romance young ladies with. Unfortunately, Edward had never built the courage to perform in front of people. Not even David, his own brother, knew he could play. Edward imagined the turmoil he would be in if he had to sit on the stage and perform to all these people. He inwardly shuddered, then a flash of movement to his side caught his eye. He turned, and all his fear gave way to a warmth in his soul. It was like he had stepped out into a sunny garden and all was calm and right in the world.

  Catherine Fisher approached him. Her thick hair hung loose and wavy to her shoulders and she wore a dark, figure-hugging, knee-length dress with ankle boots and a leather jacket. He wanted to take her away on the back of a motorcycle.

  “Hey there beautiful,” he shouted over the music as he kissed her on the cheek. Catherine’s eyes widened and darted about the room before she pressed a hand against his chest. He was certain she would feel his racing heartbeat against her fingers. He licked his lips instinctively and imagined wrapping his arms around her small frame and pulling her in for a breath-taking kiss.

  “We need to talk,” she said urgently. She pushed him harder, and Edward frowned as he staggered back. She frogmarched him to a dark corner of the room, away from the entrance and mass of people.

  “Stop pushing me. If you wanted to have your wicked way with me, all you have to do is ask.” Edward flashed her a grin, but his smile faded at the sight of her eyes rolling.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, sensing a change to her mood. He thought the fact she had come to the show meant that she wanted to see him, but something was off about her body language, and her eyes were flying around the room every few seconds. “Have you heard from Calvin?”

  Catherine’s serious face turned to shock.

  “How did you know about that?” She shook her head. “Forget it. We need to get out of here. You’re not safe.”

  “I’m not safe?” Edward asked incredulously. He wanted to laugh but the fire in Catherine’s eyes made him resist.

  “What exactly is going on?” he asked. But Catherine took his hand and kicked the side door open. She marched through, tugging on Edward’s hand, and he followed. Catherine was seething. He could almost see the anger rising like fire from her body and her confident strides made Edward weak at the knees. It was undeniably sexy.

  “Easy tiger. Before you go breaking through any more doors, you need to tell me what’s going on.” He pointed at her as he came to a stop. Catherine turned and eyed him carefully, the anger fading from her aura and what replaced it took him aback. Fear.

  “I’ve made a mistake,” she said. The two of them stood alone in the back alley, surrounded by dumpsters. Yet, Catherine still looked warily around them as if expecting a group of bandits to jump out of the trash and attack them at any moment.

  “Okay,” Edward said slowly, taking a hesitant step towards her. “How can I help?”

  Catherine walked away a few steps, stopped and shook her head before she walked back to him.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “How about we go back inside, have a drink and talk through what’s on your mind?” Edward offered gently. He raised his hands to her shoulders. Catherine shook her head again.

  “I need you to be as far away from this place as possible.”

  Edward sighed.

  “That’s going to be tricky,” he said tilting his head to the side. “Seeing as I live right above the club.”

  Catherine looked at him with surprise.

  “You do?” She opened and closed her mouth in silence. “This is a… very nice place.” She glanced up at the tall building. Edward resisted the urge to scoff. If she only knew what his real place looked like. Until – he shook his head in dismay – he had lost it on a stupid bet.

  “Do you want to come upstairs and talk instead?”

  Catherine bit her lip. She wore a daring shade of rouge red lipstick that matched the rose pendant on her silver chain necklace. Edward swallowed nervously, waiting for her response. Then, she gave a curt nod.

  “That’s a good idea. Let’s get out of this alley, it’s freaking me out.”

  Edward grinned and led Catherine round to the front of the building. The evening had taken an unexpected turn. He wasn’t sure if Catherine would even turn up to the show, let alone go upstairs with him. They had walked hand in hand around the corner when a sudden whack struck him in the gut. He fell to one knee winded.

  “Stand up and face me like a man. You filthy vermin.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Consequences of Falling in Love

  “Anthony!” Catherine screeched as she watched Edward on his knees, bent over with a groan. She looked up to see her cousin standing like a wild bear, his hair fuzzy and standing on end, his broad arms rounded. He ploughed a fist into his right hand and stared at Edward.

  “You think you can sneak around with my cousin, and I wouldn’t know?” he said with a sneer, ignoring Catherine.

  “No one is sneaking,” Edward said in a breathy voice.

  “Oh yeah? Then what were you two doing in a deserted alley?” Anthony grazed a hand across his stubble and roared before he landed another blow to Edward’s torso.

  “Get off me,” Edward grunted as he staggered to his feet. Catherine dashed in between the two men. They towered over her and stood, chests heaving, fists clenched. Two stags primed for battle.

  “What has gotten into you?” Catherine shouted at Anthony. He blinked at her, his eyes glistening in the streetlamps.

  “You didn’t come with me to my mom’s.”

  Catherine faltered as she stared at the devastation in his eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” she said in a small voice. “Did something happen?”

  Anthony marched to the side of the building and pressed his hands against the brickwork, his head bowed low.

  “She’s getting remarried.”

  Catherine and Edward exchanged looks before Catherine gingerly rubbed Anthony’s back.

  “Oh dear,” she said sympathetically. She turned her head and mouthed an apology to Edward who stared at her bewildered as he rubbed his stomach.

  Anthony was close to his mom – Catherine’s aunt Gloria – who had been widowe
d for nineteen years. Catherine’s uncle had been in the military and died while on duty. Even though Anthony was in his thirties and had moved to the city, he remained a little too attached to home. Catherine realized that Edward was not the true aim for his punches, and that Anthony was just a little boy, hurting over the loss of his dad. Insecure about how their relationship might change with a new man in the family.

  “I’m sorry mate, that’s tough,” Edward said, as he placed a hand on Anthony’s shoulder.

  “I’m sorry too…” he said with a sniff. His shoulders wobbled and tears leaked out of his eyes. Catherine and Edward each took an arm and coaxed him to a taxicab waiting outside the club.

  “Go and talk to Aunt Gloria. She’ll want to know about how you’re feeling.” Catherine offered a reassuring smile.

  “See you later mate,” Edward said with a wave. The two of them stood side by side in silence as they watched the cab roll away. As it disappeared from sight, Catherine turned to Edward.

  “I am so sorry,” she said. Her mind was reeling.

  “You know, I always thought Anthony was a bit strange.” Edward was scratching the back of his neck, Catherine noticed. “Sorry, I know he’s your cousin.”

  Catherine traced her finger along the scratch marks on Edward’s neck and sighed.

  “Who can deny it?” She shrugged. “Come on, let’s get you upstairs.”

  Catherine removed her jacket and hung it up as she eyed the collection of baseball caps on the wall.

  “This looks like a work of art,” she remarked. Edward chuckled as he pulled open the fridge. The apartment was dark, with dim lighting and the floor vibrating from the music below.

  “You have a… nice place.”

  Edward sighed heavily and took a swig from his water bottle. Then kicked the fridge door shut.

  “My old place was better,” he said as he handed her a drink. Catherine held the glass with both hands and watched Edward cross the room to the large window overlooking the city. He rubbed his back and winced. Catherine placed her glass on the counter and hurried over to him.

  “Do you mind if I take a look?” She asked. Edward nodded as she tentatively lifted his shirt. A huge bruise covered the lower right part of his back, Catherine took in a sharp breath as she touched it.

  “Come on.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and guided him to the leather couch. “Take off your shirt.”

  Edward looked up at her, gleeful.

  “You’re bossy. I like it.”

  Catherine kept her face casual as she watched him pull his shirt over his head. A ripple of muscles flashed into view and his shoulders settled back down as he lowered his arms. Catherine’s heart skipped a beat. Edward looked at her with a smolder hot enough to make any woman sigh, but as Catherine’s eyes lowered to his stomach, she groaned.

  “What’s the matter? Don’t like what you see?”

  “No, I don’t. Not at all,” she said honestly. The sight of the bruising underneath his rib cage made her feel sick. Edward lifted an arm to look at the injury.

  “I’ve had worse. It’s not a big deal.” He shrugged. When Catherine didn’t reply, he got to his feet and walked over to her. “I’ll be fine, honest.”

  “We should get you checked out.”

  “I thought you were already checking me out?” Edward’s dimples were on show and his eyes sparkled at her.

  “By a doctor, I mean,” Catherine said, blushing. Edward brushed her hair away from her face, his fingers grazed her forehead, and a rush of adrenaline shot through her body at his touch.

  “You look cute when you’re worried. I should get beat up more often.”

  Catherine’s hands made contact with Edward’s defined abs. His skin burned against her fingertips. Her breath caught in her chest as she blinked up and lost herself in his baby blues.

  “I think you’re…” she started in a whisper, as Edward lowered his head. His breath tickled her burning cheeks and she swallowed nervously. Those eyes were huge and intense at such close proximity. She walked her fingers up to his bare chest and let her palms rest on his firm pecs. Catherine gasped. The heat of his body was like a furnace. Edward took her face in his hands and grazed his lips on her nose, then to her cheek.

  “You think I’m what?” he whispered back. Catherine’s mind was fuzzy. She couldn’t think of any words. In the moment, her body took over and she slid her hands between his arms to clutch his back in a tight squeeze.

  “I—” she said. Her lips were impossibly close to Edward’s. Any moment now, and they would be joined. Catherine knew the second it would happen; she would lose all control. She would become a slave to his every will.

  But before Edward could claim her with a heart-pounding kiss, a loud ringtone ricocheted off the walls of the apartment. Catherine jumped back and Edward let go, looking at her with bewilderment.

  “What time is it?” Catherine asked, breathless. She fumbled with the vibrating phone in her hands as Edward pulled his shirt back over his head.

  “It’s almost eleven, I’m sorry. I have to go.” Panic flooded her veins as she stuffed her phone back in her purse and dashed to the door to grab her jacket.

  “You’re leaving? Now?” Edward’s disappointment made Catherine’s stomach ache. She turned to see his crestfallen face and frowned at him.

  “I have to be home. I’ll call you. Sorry again.” Catherine was trembling as she shakily opened the door. She bit her lip, waved to Edward, and left.

  Catherine sat in the back of the cab trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach as she watched the time on her phone. Calvin would be at her apartment soon, and she hadn’t thought about what she was going to say. She steadied her breaths and closed her eyes.

  You’ve already told him you’re with Edward. Just reinforce the fact.

  The cab pulled up outside her apartment and Catherine paid the driver, glancing out the window nervously.

  “Have a nice night,” the driver said pleasantly. Catherine pushed open the door and looked up to see Calvin standing on her doorstep. His tall slender frame and fiery red hair made him look like one of the streetlamps. Catherine heaved an inward sigh.

  “Thanks.” She muttered to the driver, then she got out of the car. She held her head up high as she walked, determined to show no sign of fear. Calvin’s dark eyes stared at her intently as she approached.

  “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Time to Phone a Friend

  Edward stood panting, staring at the closed door and wondering what had just happened. What made Catherine leave so quickly? They had shared a moment. It was intense. Like nothing he had ever felt before. The skin on his chest still burned where Catherine’s hands had been. Every muscle in his body tensed and his stomach ached. He suspected not all of the aching was down to his injuries. Slowly, he came to his senses and pulled his phone from his pocket.

  In a situation like this, there was only one person to call.

  “Edward, now isn’t a good time. I’ve got to get these plans drawn up and sent to father before morning.” David’s voice sounded strained. Edward smiled as he imagined his younger brother leaning over a desk with a pencil between his teeth, looking at a set of blueprints.

  “I need some advice,” he said frankly. There was a stunned silence, then a cough on the other end of the phone.

  “From me?” David said in a weak voice. “What’s wrong?”

  Edward began pacing the room as he told David everything. From the moment he shook hands with Sam to the moment Anthony beat him up. David hummed along and listened patiently. He was a deep thinker, and the most level-headed person Edward knew. If anyone could help him make sense of his situation, it was David.

  “Wait, so you’ve given your penthouse to Sam? Father won’t like that,” David said when Edward finished.

  “A deal is a deal, and I overspent the budget.” Edward huffed and marched to the kitchen to grab another drink.

 
“Well, that penthouse suite is property of the Marks’ estate. Grandmother’s name is on the deeds. Not yours. So legally, it was never yours to give away,” David explained. “How are you dealing with your security?” Edward shrugged.

  “I told them to take a couple of weeks off.”

  “Have you gone mad? You need to keep your security.”

  “No one knows who I am,” Edward said with a laugh. “What’s the big deal?”

  “What about this ex-boyfriend? He sounds like trouble.”

  “Actually, Anthony has caused me far more harm than Calvin.” Edward sat on the couch and winced at the pain in his back as he relaxed against the seat.

  “So, you think Catherine was coming to warn you that her cousin was furious about you two dating?” David cleared his throat. “Though I don’t blame him,” he added quietly.

  “Why would you say that?” Edward shot back, sitting bolt upright.

  “You haven’t got the best track record when it comes to women,” David replied in a careful tone. “And you don’t exactly work, do you? You’re a––” He paused.

  “Say it,” Edward said through gritted teeth.

  “You know what I mean,” David said quietly.

  Edward looked down. His father gave him a title in the family business, but he had little responsibility. His job was to travel and look for new sites to build hotels. He had a lot of free time to party and play with his cars. When he wasn’t traveling, he was planning his next track day. He had never needed to do a real job all his life, and he liked it that way. But it was not a quality that Anthony, the hard-working investor working at Wall street, would appreciate.

  “She seemed troubled when she left, do you think I should check in on her?” he asked, his brows furrowed in thought. He remembered her surprised expression when he asked her if she had heard from Calvin. What if he was threatening her?

  “What do you think?”