Black Tie Billionaire

by Naima Simone

  But those lovely gestures couldn’t completely erase the kernel of apprehension that lingered at the edge of her consciousness.

  Don’t let me break you, Shay. Protect yourself from me.

  His murmured warning stayed with her, and dread wormed its way through the warmth. He didn’t caution her to be careful because he might hurt her, but because he would. And she would be foolish to ignore that truth. Real life was blackmail, revenge, vendettas and pain. Only in fairy tales did frogs turn to princes. Or wolves to heroes.

  Cold seeped into her veins. Suddenly losing her appetite, she dumped the remains of her breakfast. She needed to get going and return to the real world outside this penthouse.

  She was heading toward the closet to collect her wrap and dress when the front door opened. Startled, Shay stared as a woman who looked to be about her age entered. With wavy black hair that tumbled over her shoulders, smooth, unlined skin and a tall, slender frame wrapped in a camel cashmere coat, she was obviously too young to be the housekeeper Gideon mentioned last night. Jealousy, unbidden and bright, flared in Shay’s chest. Whoever she was, she must be close to Gideon to have a key to his penthouse.

  But then the other woman lifted her head, and the truth slammed into Shay. With those heavily lashed, beautiful onyx eyes, she had to be related to Gideon. And considering her age, she was most likely his sister.

  “Oh, hi,” Olivia said, arching a dark eyebrow in a manner so similar to Gideon’s, it confirmed her identity. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know Gideon had company. I can come back.”

  “No, you’re fine,” Shay objected, finding her voice as his sister half turned to grasp the doorknob. “Gideon’s not home, and I was just leaving, too. You must be Olivia.” Shay moved forward, her hand extended. Gideon’s sister stepped away from the door with a smile, her arm lifting. “My name’s Shay. Shay Neal.”

  Olivia froze, except for the arm falling woodenly back to her side. “Neal?” she repeated in a tremulous whisper. “Are you related to Trevor Neal?”

  Unease crawled through her. “Yes. Do you know him?”

  Olivia paled, her eyes widening. Visibly trembling fingers lifted to her lips and pressed against them. “I didn’t—no, he wouldn’t—”

  Her fractured sentences made little sense to Shay, but the woman’s obvious distress amplified the dread until it was full-out fear. “Olivia, are you okay?” she asked, risking moving closer.

  Olivia jerked her head from side to side, tears glistening in her eyes. “Why are you here?”

  “Gideon and I are...” She paused, unsure of how much to expose. “...seeing each other. Would you like to sit down? Can I get you anything?”

  Again, Olivia shook her head, the tears streaming down her cheeks now. Unable to stand the woman’s pain, Shay reached for her, wrapping her in a hug. She half expected Olivia to shove her away, but instead, the woman clung to her, sobbing now.

  God. Shay tightened her embrace, her own eyes stinging. What kind of agony must Olivia be in to cause this kind of reaction? It burrowed inside Shay, and she wanted to soothe it, to take it from her. Gently, she guided the crying woman to the living room and lowered them both to the couch. She continued to hold Olivia, gently rocking her as her mother used to do when Shay ran to her in need of comfort.

  She didn’t glance at her watch to see how long they sat there. If Olivia needed her to remain the whole day, she would. Anything so those awful, tearing sobs would stop. Gradually, Olivia calmed, and only when she went silent and the trembles eased did Shay slip her arms away. Her shoulders twinged, but she ignored the slight ache. She left for the bathroom. Minutes later, after a quick stop in the kitchen, she returned with a box of tissues, a warm, damp cloth and a bottle of water.

  “Thank you,” Olivia whispered, her voice hoarse from her tears. “I—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

  “Please don’t apologize. It’s okay,” Shay assured her. The woman’s clear air of fragility stirred a sense of protectiveness in Shay. “I’m a stranger to you, and you don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, but I’m here. And whatever you say will stay between us.”

  For several moments, Olivia clutched the bottle between her hands. Though she’d wiped her face with the cloth, her eyes remained stark, her cheeks and lips pale. Shay waited, ready to listen if Olivia chose to confide in her, ready to just sit with her if she decided not to.

  “I know your brother,” Olivia finally said, haltingly at first. “I met him a year ago, and we...we fell in love. Or at least I did. I don’t know if he ever did love me. But he told me so. And I believed him. I would’ve done anything for him—and I did. He asked me to keep our relationship a secret because he and Gideon were business rivals, and he didn’t want any of that interfering with us. I’d heard Gideon mention Trevor before and knew he had no love for him, so I agreed. Also, I figured once he saw how much we loved each other, he would come around. Especially since I became pregnant.”

  Shay gasped, unable to contain her shock and dismay. At the sound, Olivia lifted her gaze from the water bottle. The grief and unadulterated pain there shook Shay, and she wanted to gather the other woman in her arms again. But she didn’t, sensing Olivia needed to get this out, like lacerating a festering wound so it could heal faster.

  “I thought he would be happy about the news. I was overjoyed. All I dreamed about was marrying him and starting a family. We would be doing it a little out of order, but I didn’t care. But—but...” She paused, and a sob escaped her.

  Shay grabbed her hand, offering her support, and Olivia went on. “When I told him about the pregnancy, he told me he didn’t want me or the baby. To get rid of it because I was no longer useful to him. Then he walked away, like I was garbage he’d tossed out the window. He used me to get back at my brother. At the time, I worked at Gideon’s company as his executive assistant. I was so naive, so snowed by Trevor, that when he asked me questions about Gideon’s agenda, who he was meeting with, I gave him the information. He worded it to make it sound like he was only asking about my day, what I had on my plate, but he was pumping me for inside information. He never loved me, never had any intention of creating a family with me.” She shook her head, her throat working, as if swallowing back another sob. “I refused to end the pregnancy, but it didn’t matter. I miscarried and lost the baby.”

  Shay remained sitting next to Olivia, but inside she reeled, enraged screams slamming against her skull. Part of her longed to deny the story, to label Olivia a liar, but she couldn’t. Not only could she not violate this woman all over again by not believing her, but deep inside her soul where only honesty existed, she knew Olivia wasn’t lying. Her utter agony bore witness to it, and Shay believed her.

  Grief assaulted Shay, welling up in her, and she silently wept. For Olivia. For her pain. For Shay’s own pain. For Trevor’s coldness, controlling behavior and dismissal of her hopes, dreams and needs. For her disillusionment about her brother. If Trevor could treat his own sister so callously as well as do something as despicable as take advantage of this woman for personal gain, then what else was he capable of? Maybe those things in Gideon’s dossier?

  Gideon. Was Olivia the reason behind his plans? The night in the restaurant, when he’d first showed her the incriminating file, he’d scoffed at her claim that Trevor wouldn’t care who she was dating.

  Oh yes. Your brother will care. And he’ll understand.

  Then, his assertion had been cryptic, but now, understanding dawned on her. No wonder he hated Trevor and had no qualms about blackmailing her. This was more than a business deal; Trevor had come after Gideon’s family. If she’d harbored any fledgling hope after waking up in his bed this morning that maybe they could have something more than a truce, this knowledge obliterated it. She would always be a living reminder of the harm and damage her brother had inflicted on his sister, his family.

  There was no forgiveness for th
at. Not for her brother.

  And not for her, being guilty by association.

  Sixteen

  “I still don’t think this is a wise decision.”

  Shay stared out the rear window of Gideon’s Town Car at the Gold Coast historic mansion lit up with a cheerful glow. A steady stream of people climbed the front stone steps of the place she’d called home for nearly twenty-six years, entering for Trevor and Madison’s engagement party.

  “You and Trevor might not be seeing eye to eye right now, but I’m sure he wouldn’t want to celebrate his engagement without his sister,” Gideon said from beside her.

  She glanced at him, irritation and something deeper, sadder pressing against her breastbone like a large boulder. “You won’t pass up an opportunity to turn the screw, will you?”

  With his aloof mask firmly in place, he met her gaze, onyx eyes steady and unblinking. “No.”

  She faced the window again, that heaviness gaining weight. It’d been a week since she’d walked out of her childhood home. A week since her and Gideon’s truce, which had stretched longer than the next morning. A week since she’d held Olivia as the woman broke down in her arms and revealed Trevor’s betrayal.

  Yes, now Shay understood the motives behind Gideon’s blackmail. And a part of her couldn’t blame him. But another part—the part that remembered the man who’d played guitar for her, the man who’d cuddled her close in his bed after tearing her apart with pleasure—longed for him to put all of this aside.

  For her.

  To want her more than revenge.

  She shut her eyes, making sure to keep her head turned away so he couldn’t glimpse the yearning that she was certain leaked into her expression. In spite of knowing it was the epitome of foolishness, she’d started to fall for Gideon.

  No, that was a lie. The fall had started some time ago, at what moment, she couldn’t pinpoint. Maybe when he’d revealed his own pain to her in the back seat of the car. Maybe when he’d raced to Bridgette’s house and decided to place her comfort above putting on another episode of the Gideon and Shay Show at the ballet. Maybe when he’d sat on that couch with his guitar and revealed a part of himself that he didn’t with most people.

  Not that narrowing down the exact instant mattered.

  The truth was she loved Gideon Knight.

  His fierceness. His heart, which he tried to hide. His passion. His love for his family.

  Yes, he was a hard man, a merciless man, but never a cruel one. And when she looked at him, gazed into those midnight-and-stars eyes, she dreamed. She stupidly dreamed that he could love her as he’d once adored Madison before she’d scarred him with her disloyalty and infidelity.

  Maybe she did believe in fairy tales, after all.

  The door to the car opened, and with a sigh, she climbed out, murmuring a thank-you to the valet who stood next to it. Seconds later, Gideon’s body heat warmed her back, and his palm settled at the base of her spine. A spine she straightened.

  No time for self-pity now.

  She had the performance of a lifetime to give.

  Because she was walking into the lion’s den knowing her arrival on Gideon’s arm would announce her decision to her brother—she’d chosen his enemy over family loyalty. That’s how Trevor would see it.

  And she wasn’t naive; there would be consequences to her decision. No job at RemingtonNeal. She would most likely have to find a place to live because she couldn’t stay with Bridgette forever. And, most importantly, Leida Investments and the businesses she’d invested in would be affected. Especially if Trevor followed through on his threat of tampering with the start-ups she’d funded. She had savings, and she could use most of it to provide capital. But the possibility of having to scale back or rebuild her company was very real without her salary.

  The cost of loving Gideon was high.

  And, God help her, she was willing to pay it.

  Gideon walked silently beside her, but the tension rolled off him, and it ratcheted higher when they entered her home and handed their coats to a waiting servant.

  She seamlessly fell back into the role of Chicago socialite and, pasting on a smile, mingled with the other guests. Many of whom didn’t seem surprised to see her with Gideon, so the gossip about them as a couple must’ve made the rounds. Still, they were aware of the enmity between Gideon and Trevor as business rivals, and watched her and Gideon with an avid, greedy curiosity.

  Especially when a path seemed to open, and they stood only feet away from Trevor, Madison and Senator Reus. Shay looked up, and her gaze connected with her brother’s. Though he smiled for the benefit of those around them, fury blazed from his hazel eyes, so like hers. His glare shifted from her to Gideon, and a frightening rage hardened his expression before he controlled it.

  “Stand tall, moonbeam,” Gideon murmured in her ear. His big palm slid up her back and under her hair, curling around the nape of her neck. “He can’t hurt you.”

  But you can. The words rang in her head, her chest. Tipping her head back, she said, “That’s debatable. Cutting me off emotionally and financially and targeting my company definitely falls under the ‘hurting me’ category.”

  “Correction, then,” he growled. “I won’t let him hurt you.”

  That ship had sailed and was a faint glimmer on the horizon.

  She straightened her shoulders and added a little more wattage to her smile. “We should go greet the happy couple.”

  “You mean, get it over with?” he retorted, dark eyebrow arched. She’d once detested the gesture, but now counted each one.

  “That’s what I said.”

  His low chuckle tripped over her bare arms. Inhaling a deep breath, she allowed him to guide her over to the trio who stoically watched their approach.

  “Trevor, Madison, congratulations.” She leaned forward and stiffly kissed Madison’s cheek. Although she did return the feigned embrace, most likely for those closely observing them, Madison’s rigid posture didn’t relax. Straightening, Shay nodded to her brother’s future father-in-law. “Senator.”

  “Shay,” he murmured coldly.

  “Your sister wanted to see you, wish you well,” Gideon said to Trevor, his tone frigid, but she detected the undercurrent of anger. Of hatred. “She has a forgiving heart considering you put her out of her own house.”

  Oh God.

  “She left by her own choice,” Trevor snapped, the fury in his eyes leaking into his face. His lips twisted into an ugly snarl. “But come now, Gideon. We both know how trying sisters can be.”

  Nausea churned in her belly and raced for the back of her throat.

  Dark waves of rage poured off Gideon, and he moved forward. Terrified, she latched on to his arm, fearful of what he might do to her brother. And she feared for Gideon, for the consequences he might suffer for his actions. She harbored no doubt that Trevor would enjoy pressing charges and using it against him.

  “Gideon, no,” she pleaded softly. “It’s what he wants.”

  Trevor sneered. “Shay, I need to speak to you. Alone,” he stressed.

  “Fine,” she agreed, more to separate Gideon from Trevor than to be amenable. “Gideon,” she whispered. When he tore his still-frightening stare from her brother, she squeezed his arm. “I’ll be right back.”

  “You don’t have to do this,” he reminded her, just as softly, but the fury still vibrated in his voice.

  “Yes, I do,” she returned. Rising onto her toes, she placed a kiss on his jaw. “They’re not worth it.” She waited for his abrupt nod before she turned back to her brother. “In the study, I assume.”

  Not waiting for his confirmation, she strode toward the rear of the house. Anger bristled under her skin, poking her like thousands of tiny needles. When she entered her brother’s domain, she could barely look at him.

  “How dare you bring that assh
ole into my house?” Trevor ground out through clenched teeth as soon as he closed the study door behind them.

  “Your house?” She crossed her arms. “You were right when you told Gideon that I chose to leave. Chose. Because this is our home, Trevor. I can bring whoever I want here, and you have no say. I don’t need to ask your permission.”

  “I would’ve never thought you were a traitor,” he snarled. “Mom and Dad wouldn’t recognize you right now.”

  She absorbed the power of that blow and fought not to stagger from it. But the pain ebbed and flowed inside her.

  Stand tall. He can’t hurt you.

  Inhaling a deep breath, she pushed past it.

  “You’re such a hypocrite,” she said, surprised at her even tone. “So righteous and high-and-mighty. And to think I defended you. Believed in you. Trusted you. But you didn’t deserve any of it.”

  “What the hell are you talking about, Shay?” he demanded. “I’ve done nothing but honor this family, the Neal name, you. You, baby sister, betrayed me.”

  “By thinking for myself, wanting something for myself? For daring to defy you? I’m not a sheep, Trevor. I have a mind. I have feelings. I have a heart, but there’s only one Neal who can claim to possess the last two. Because somewhere along the way, you lost them to jealousy, pettiness and hate. No, big brother,” she said, throwing his taunt back at him. “I’ve done nothing but stand by this family. I’ve protected it when you would’ve destroyed it with your greed and ambition.”

  “You need to stop right there,” he warned in a dark growl, taking a step forward.

  But he didn’t intimidate her. Didn’t control her. Not anymore. She didn’t wait for him to advance, but marched forward and met him halfway.

  “No, you stop. And listen. I know what you and your precious senator are up to,” she said. “Insider information. Fixing contracts. Kickbacks. Illegal campaign contributions. And that’s just the tip of it.” When he rocked back in shock, his eyes flaring wide, she nodded. “Yes, Trevor, I know about it all. Because Gideon has a file on you, inches thick. I’ve seen it, read it. I’m aware of all your dirty dealings, which if made public could topple RemingtonNeal, ruin the Neal name and send you and Julian to jail.”