Oh, it was tempting. Eloping instead of all the unnecessary pomp and circumstance. But now, for some weird reason, she wanted the flowers and lace, the tasteless food and dry cake, the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. She wanted to walk down the aisle in a beautiful dress with Julius waiting at the end with their baby in his arms.
“But I think a Labor Day wedding would be perfect.” Julius kissed her temple, and it was a done deal.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“E verything alright, boss?” Edwards entered the study, the only place not occupied, disturbing the wedge of peace Julius needed.
No, things were not alright. The whole multi-generational family dynamic was lost on him since he’d never had that. An only child until he was fifteen, he had no one, not even a third cousin in his life with whom he could form a bond. This wasn’t the first time the two families, Gerald’s and Laverne’s, had come together, and it showed. There was an easy communion between the families and between the generations. How had they achieved it? Was there a trick? A knack? A process? And how did he bring that into his relationship with Calista? A huge part of him wanted to lock her away and keep her to himself.
That would not fly.
Then there was work. Two businesses he wanted were suddenly unavailable. One purchased out from under him. The other now solvent where before his injury, it was about to go under and fall into his lap. Both had suffered from poor management. Deep cuts and restructuring would’ve given both businesses a chance to survive and earn him a tidy sum. Hell, he could’ve raided the companies and sold off the parts. Something he was very good at.
And it wasn’t that he’d lost out on the desired purchases. Business was business and it was cutthroat even in the best of times. It was who he’d lost the businesses to that burned. Alezandar Karpovilov.
He sipped his scotch and finally addressed Edwards. “What makes you ask?”
“In my line of work, it pays to be observant of the surroundings and the client. You seem off today. And you folded on a winning hand.”
That he had. It was a friendly game of poker. Five hundred in the pot. He had the potential for a flush.
“Your opponents wouldn’t’ve approved. They’re not the handout, easy win kind and they’d rip you a new asshole. Calista wouldn’t appreciate me killing her family members to protect your ass.”
Julius couldn’t fault Edwards’ observation. Normally he didn’t broadcast his emotions. In business, one had to keep his cards close to his chest. He could’ve ignored the bodyguard, played the condescending asshole—I talk to you. You don’t talk to me—roll. He used to be that person. Taking a bullet in service of protecting him had changed that. He paid Scotts, Edwards, and Sunny more than well for their job. But they were more than employees. The three had become family. They were part of his family. It was a revelation.
“It’s Karpovilov. The companies I was interested in Brazil were bought from under me. I wasn’t fast enough,” he said instead of harping on his familial insecurities.
Edwards positioned himself to keep an eye on the door. “You’ve had other priorities.”
“Yeah.”
At the office Julius had studied a flowchart of all Morgan International companies and their subsidiaries and how they interacted with each other. He’d pulled up another chart on the productivity of each company and their gains and losses for last year. Even with restructuring, the company continued to hemorrhage money. Or was it something more than mismanagement. He wouldn’t know until the forensic audit was completed. And that would take time.
JMI Head Funds and JMI Capital were in the green. However, Boreas Savakis, the Greek mogul owning three percent of JMI Capital, suddenly sold his shares to… Alezandar Karpovilov.
This wasn’t good.
“The Russian’s attacking on all fronts and I’m stuck waiting.” He wouldn’t say he was waiting for his friend, the hitman, to kill the bastard. When that was exactly what he was doing. Fucking waiting, day after fucking day. The oil summit in Qari. The actual summit lasted a week. The glad-handing, palm greasing, and elbow rubbing took place weeks prior and after the summit. It was invitation only.
It was time to call in a personal favor.
“Some privacy, Edwards.”
“Sure, boss. I’ll give you all the privacy you need.” Edwards left him alone.
Julius’ phone buzzed as he fished it out of his pocket.
Beach Now. Whiskey
The phone number was blocked.
Julius cut through the bedroom to get to the deck. A cold wind slammed into him but he kept moving, though he didn’t get far without Sunny on his six.
“Taking in the moonlight, boss?”
“Something like that. Don’t follow me.” Julius jogged down the stairs to the sand and the dunes.
“Can’t do that, boss.” Sunny was still behind him. “You pay me to protect you, that includes from your stupidity.”
Julius glared at him. “I pay your salary,” he said with no heat behind the words.
Sunny snorted. “True. But Calista will kneecap me if something happens to you. I’m not trying to make her a widow before the wedding.”
That made no sense, but Julius didn’t have time to argue. A sharp whistle spun him to the left. Sunny had his gun in his hand sweeping the area. It was dark. Shadows blended into shadows. Dry grass rustling, the ocean rolling in, the ambient sound drowned out everything else. Maybe this was a stupid idea.
“I see him. One o’clock,” Sunny said but he wasn’t speaking to Julius. Above them, the patter of footsteps sounded on the deck.
Julius focused on one o’clock, which showed nothing except a dark brush field tall enough to hide a body. “We survive this, the grass goes.”
“Abso-fucking-lutely. And lighting,” Sunny growled.
“Do not shoot.”
The voice came from ten o’clock. Julius and Sunny spun to find a man standing twenty yards away.
“Identify yourself,” Julius shouted.
“What does it matter when you’ve never met me.” The man snickered. “Streets sends his best.”
The name Emmet went by when on a mission. “I need more than that.”
“First time you got laid, you also broke your nose when it met her linebacker boyfriend’s fist.”
Sunny chuckled.
“Give me some privacy.”
“You sure, boss?” Sunny asked.
“Streets is the only other person that knows that story.” Since he was in the other room banging the roommate at the time. Julius met Whiskey halfway. His face was in the shadows, a hood covering his head, but there were a few discernable things. He was a couple of inches shorter, stocky, though well-built. He must be capable if Streets sent him.
“I’m here.”
“Was that you at the strip club run by the Russians?” Five dead Russians, professional hit, the papers had stated and even went as far as linking Karpovilov to the New York City boss, Salinky.
Whiskey nodded once. “Had to rattle the cage. And before you ask. None of them were the man Karpovilov sent. Jacko is the man who’s after you. It’s a nickname.”
Like Whiskey. Julius got it. He didn’t need the damned explanation.
“He entered the country six weeks ago through Canada. The FBI got it wrong. They sent two men. The first one was a diversion. He’s already back in Russia. Jacko is good… Not better than me, though.”
“Then why isn’t he dead?”
Whiskey hunched his shoulders against the wind coming off the ocean. He was in something skintight and nonreflective. How long had he been out here in the elements? “Hitmen don’t hang out on street corners carrying a billboard. I’ll find him. In the meantime, I usually dissuade social gatherings. That may change for you and the future Mrs. Your brother too.”
“You know about that? How when we just got engaged?”
“You put the ring and a few other items on a credit card. Plus, I added a sharp
eye and microphone in your office.”
Julius didn’t get angry. It was a pointless waste of energy. “What may change for Calista and Joshua?”
“To lure Jacko out to play, we may need to dangle a carrot.”
“You want me to dangle my pregnant fiancée in front of a killer, and my brother?” Over his dead body.
“If I know about her, he knows about her. Instead of waiting for an ambush, we may need to go on the offensive.”
“Not with the life of my future wife and child. Find another way.”
Whiskey headed away without answering.
“Where is he?” Julius shouted before Whiskey was out of earshot. He didn’t need to say Emmet’s name. Whiskey had to know who he meant.
“Worry about yourself. I’ll be in touch.” He tossed over his shoulder and merged with the night.
Fuck! “Let’s go.” Julius retraced his steps and returned to the deck to find Calista waiting in the cold with nothing but a thin shawl around her shoulders.
“What happened? And do not tell me nothing.”
He stopped in front of her, folded his arms and glared down into her hazel eyes. “Is it going to be like this always? You challenging me every damned step. Questioning everything I do?”
Her eyes were cool and assessing. “Yes. Is that a problem?”
“If it were a problem, I wouldn’t have knocked you up, wouldn’t have shacked up, and I wouldn’t have bought the ring.” Wind sliced between them. He pulled her shivering body close. “I had an impromptu meeting with Emmet’s associate.” He broke down the rest of the details and told her all of it.
“More home alone time. Though, Whiskey does have a point. To end this, we may need to bait the water. We take care of Alezandar’s hitman while our hitman takes care of him.”
“I’m not using you to get this guy.”
“You’re not using someone if they volunteer.” She went to her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. “Plus, I think it’s better to do this now when I’m not a whale and easier prey.”
Julius opened his mouth to protest when her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open with a gasp.
“What is it?” He had her by the elbows, steadying her, his voice tight with concern.
She ran her hand down her pregnant belly. “He moved,” she whispered. “There he goes again.” The awe in her voice mimicked the awe on her face.
“She did?” Calista thought it was a boy. He knew it was a girl. A feisty, perfect little girl.
Her head bobbed up and down and she giggled. It was probably the first time he’d ever heard his woman giggle in absolute delight. “Yes. Feel!” She replaced her hand with his, but nothing happened. “Come on. Don’t be like that. Say hi to your daddy.”
They waited. A frigid breeze came off the ocean, but they waited just a bit longer and…there it was, a flutter against his palm. Holding the woman he loved and feeling the life they both had created moving within her was the best moment of his life.
“This is really happening.” Tears welled in her eyes.
“This is really happening. Someone’s gonna call me Daddy.”
“Someone’s gonna call me Mommy.” She pressed her lips to his and breathed into him, giving him life. “I love you.”
He deepened the kiss until the elements had them shivering. “I love you too.”
She dragged her sleeve across her wet face, removing her tears and all trace of softness. “What do we need to do and who do we need to kill to get our happily ever after?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“I ’m ready to go home,” Calista said upon stepping inside. All the socializing had worn her out. “I want a nap in the car, followed by a long soak and quality time with my man.”
Julius was all on board for that. “Say your goodnights.”
“I wish it were that simple.” She chuckled. “It’s gonna take at least an hour to say goodnight and get out of here.” She kissed him. “I’ll try to cut it down to fifteen minutes. Go mingle.”
She lied. Forty-five minutes later, she peeked out of the kitchen and held up five fingers. Julius signaled to Edwards. “Get Joshua. We’re leaving.” Behind him, he listened to Edwards speak into his microphone about Joshua’s whereabouts while shaking hands.
“What do you mean he’s not in the house?”
Edwards’ anger pulled Julius away from the goodbyes. “Where is he?” Julius demanded and had to wait for a response when Edwards held up a finger, his attention on whomever was speaking into his head piece.
Edwards leaned in and whispered in his ear. “Virgil saw him leave with a girl. They headed to the guesthouse. He sent a man, not to break it up, but to keep them safe.”
“Goddamnit.” He was gonna neuter the little fucker. The horny bastard had cut a swath through Bryn Co. and Morgan International. Julius didn’t care who Joshua screwed as long as it was consensual, he used protection, and didn’t screw a future relative, even if that relative was by a future marriage to his half brother.
Julius spun and headed for the master suite. It was a longer journey, but more discreet. “Who did Virgil send?” It wasn’t Virgil’s place to send anyone. He should’ve deferred to Edwards or better, Julius. Not take Joshua’s piss-poor judgment at face value and let his wandering dick jeopardize Julius’ happy home and worst, Joshua’s life.
“William,” Edwards said as they, along with Sunny, crossed through the master suite and back out onto the deck that traveled the length of the house. For no one to see them, they traveled down to the beach and cut across the dunes.
“William. Come in… William. Come in.”
Instead of an answer, two gunshots echoed in the night. Julius took off running across the dune and over the tennis court. The guest bungalow was on the other side of the fence. In front of the door, lay a body. Not his brother. It was too tall. Too brawny. Julius held out his hand to Edwards. Without comment, he slapped a 9mm into Julius’ palm. He freed the safety and followed Edwards into the bungalow. No sign of Joshua, but there was a girl, half dressed, huddled between the nightstand and the queen-size bed. There wasn’t any blood they could see. That didn’t mean she wasn’t traumatized.
“It’s okay. I’m Joshua’s brother. Are you hurt?”
She managed to shake her head.
“Where’s Joshua?”
A sob ripped from her throat. “He threatened to kill me if Josh didn’t go with him. Josh went with him but he still pointed the g-gun at me and fired. If J-Josh hadn’t k-knocked his arm a-away—”
“Which way did they go?” Edwards cut her off.
She pointed through the window at the back of the room. “I saw them running through the grass. He had Josh thrown over his shoulder.”
Maybe they had a chance. Joshua had put on a few pounds since living with him. Mainly muscle. Carrying deadweight wasn’t easy and Joshua was tall and rangy. He’s not dead. Unconscious. Lynda wants her son back. She wants him alive.
Julius took off running. A few feet away from the bungalow he came to the fence with a hole large enough for a grown man to fit through. He barreled through the opening, and into inky darkness. Edwards whispered to slow down. To hell with that. But he didn’t have a choice. Clouds hid the sliver of moonlight. However, luck was on their side. The wind died along with the rustling grass. Everything stilled except for a sound coming from their left, away from the beach. The sound of a helicopter.
“Fuck!” Sunny said, and the three of them took off in that direction.
Joshua couldn’t get on that copter. Julius would never see him again if he did. They ran flat out at the bobbing light getting closer every second. They weren’t going to make it. Fuck. The realization was stark and bitter. Julius ran faster, even as the futility set in. He walked away from his brother once. He wouldn’t do it again.
A clap of manufactured thunder rolled through them, and an orange cloud lit the night. The helicopter exploded in a mushroom cloud of debris. The three of them hit the ground in fetal posi
tions. Fragments pinged his body. He didn’t rise until it stopped. Ahead of him, no more than thirty yards away, lay the carcass of the helicopter. All around him parts were on fire, giving off enough light to see the outline of two men. One in front of the other as a shield. Julius didn’t need to see the gun pointed at his brother’s head to know it was there.
Julius climbed to his feet and had to shake Edwards off when he tried to haul him back.
“Stay back or I’ll shoot him.”
“No, you won’t. He’s your paycheck.”
“I’ll shoot you.”
“Shoot me and my security will kill you even if they have to go through Joshua.” It was a lie, but the bastard didn’t know that.
“Keep everyone back.” The mumbled words came from Edwards as he directed the rest of security at the house.
“On your left.”
Another voice called out, “On your right.”
That wasn’t Edwards. Apparently, Whiskey hadn’t left, and he’d brought a friend. He had to be the one who brought down the copter. God knows it wasn’t one of them.
“I’m backing out of here and taking him with me.”
“You won’t get far,” Edwards replied, then whispered, “I don’t have a shot.”
“Me either. Everything’s in shadows,” Sunny said.
Backlit by the burning carcass of the copter, Joshua and the kidnapper were a shapeless blob. Neither had any definition to aid in differentiating between the two. Finger on the trigger, aimed at what would be a head shot, Julius was caught between a rock and a hard place.
“No shot here,” Whiskey whispered from his hideout in the tall grass. “But get ready. You’ll have one chance. Right… Now!
A spotlight landed on Joshua and the man holding him. Both flinched at the sudden glare blinding them. Joshua bucked right, jerking his head away from the barrel of the gun. The man’s head jerked back, shying away from the light burning his retinas. It gave enough time for Joshua to shove the gun up and away from his head while dropping to a knee.
Julius pulled the trigger, along with Edwards and Sunny. A bullet entered the guy’s throat and exited out the back of his neck. He went down like a sack of potatoes, dragging his brother down with him. When the barrage stopped, Joshua popped up like a jack-in-the-box and hightailed his half-naked ass across the distance separating them. He slammed into Julius’ body and held on tight.
Plain and the Billionaire's Seduction (Plain Jane Series Book 3) Page 19