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CHAPTER THIRTY
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The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
My mind was chock-full of her whispers, and the knot in my head just wouldn't subside. My head just couldn't be put to rest. My brain was like a hornet's nest, full of schemes and mixed emotions. She was trying to come between me and Natalie, to ruin whatever chance we might have to be happy. And the worst part of this all: I know she could do it.I sat in my chair, head in my hands, fingers clawing through my hair in frustration. My mind raged in a whirl of a series of angry thoughts mixed with fear. I could never let Arlys anywhere near Natalie. I could not let her destroy what little progress we had actually made.But how could I lead Natalie away from such a vindictive and manipulative character as Arlys without entirely turning her off?I almost remembered what she was like the night before, seeing me, really hearing me talk for the first time. Just for an instant there, it almost felt as if we were finally in tune with one another, finally getting each other. Everything is at st
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Natalie POVI had just pushed the door shut, and shaken hands with Hailey when the knock came. No time to call it, the door opened as the hinges gave a small hideous groan, followed by the entrance of three men in black suits–big, imposing, the lot of them. Not unlike the sentinels of Alice Rutherford. Their faces were stern. Features are all business."Mrs. Martinez?" came the one in front, a low, fearsome voice.Stunned for a moment, I blew air inside my mouth. Hailey beside me seemed to be shocked, at least that was what her mouth-open but mute reaction meant. "Yes that's me, can I help you.""We are here to escort you home," he said in such a matter-of-fact intonation as if it was the most natural thing in the world."You're walking me home?" I said again, feeling disbelieving. "But — why? Who told you to?""Mr. Martinez," he answered. "He was very insistent that we see you home safe and sound."My stomach twisted; thank God no one could see my face. The little voice in my head we
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
NATALIE'S POVThe noontime rush started to populate the restaurants around me. The bustle in the air above my desk made all the clattering dishes and humming voices busy, even as I continued to stare down at paperwork. My mind refused to quit wandering—even as Brandon's warning about Arlys wouldn't quit echoing—and my chest held this overwhelming knot that tightened into something constricting.At the knock on my office door, I drew breath, trying to push the anxiety right back down. My heart jumped, and a reflex wave of dread washed over me. I hadn't expected anyone, and surprises weren't exactly welcome after everything that had gone down."Come in," I called, my voice steady, and deliberately chose not to look up."Robin," I answered, forcing my tone into nonchalance. "What brings you here?"He only shrugged casually, leaning against the frame. "I wanted to check up on you. You have been… distant lately."I swallowed. The air between us was so highly strained. "I've just been busy.
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
He slipped into the circle of my arms and pulled me against his chest. He really didn't seem to experience that huge surge of adrenaline whatsoever. This was rather incredible, how the gale-blowing wind in me seemed to stand in contrast to the calm beat of his heart. It was warm and safe—all that one is supposed to connect with that feeling. Yet, with me, it only seemed to build that suffocated feeling."Don't worry about him, Natalie," he said, his voice whispering into my hair like such a sweet melody. "Robin doesn't understand what we have."I nodded mutely against his chest, not trusting myself to open my mouth; so many thoughts pirouetted in so many directions, each of them a tug in itself. The words replayed over and over in my head, something like this: "I hope you don't regret this." Not the first time that Robin said these to me, something unusually heavy in the sentence today suggested the likelihood of tightness in my chest."Something wrong?" Brandon's voice cut into my t
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Brandon's POVEverything wore an orange tint as I rode through the busy city streets under the bright New York sun. The fight with Robin last evening was foremost on my mind, even more so the image of him standing there, smirking and slick, like he had some prior claim over Natalie. The way she hemmed, didn't tell him in clear words to bug off—it niggled at me. I mean, couldn't afford to think about it. I had a meeting to get to. Deals to finalize. An empire to protect.As I pulled onto the highway, I looked in the rearview—of course, out of pure habit more than anything. There was a black sedan, riding an inch too close for my taste. I sneered, then rinsed it away to nothing. I lit it and hit the gas to get around a truck going slower. The damn car did it too—in perfect tandem.I tensed, hands tightening around that HUMMER steering wheel. I wasn't some kind of rookie with this game—at least not when I was being followed. The adrenaline rush to my heart increased, and I laid my foot
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
BRANDON’S POVI paced across the floor of my office, pacing in a thousand different directions within my head. He, the super-investigator I had hired, would be walking in any minute from gathering information on my tail. That man? I'd decided it was Arlys. That was the norm for what probably was her tactics. Something in the back of my mind kept telling me it was something more elaborate, though."Come right in," I muttered across the room, trying to act composed, though my heart was racing at an awful rate and my mind was full of a hundred thoughts.And there was Chad, walking through that door. The expression on his face is so serious that it will never waste a word. He's one of those men who speak so little, but when he does, it always counts. I respect him, but now more than ever I wanted some direct answers."Chad," I nodded toward the chair, "what have you got for me?"He sat, crossing his leg over the other as he always did whenever he was keyed up about something. "I found you
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
But while the city came toward me, he did begin to dawn what he really did. Done straight at me, definitely no question. Every time my mind wandered to that, chills ran down my back. Whoever was in that place, he wasn't after me alone. Not by a long shot. He was going after everything I care about, everything I've built. And that included Natalie.The fact that she of all people could be dragged here scared my soul, and I wasn't going to let that become real. I was going to confront whoever it was—to put a stop to them before they could get anywhere near her.I turned away from the window. I decided that this wasn't about me. It was about the people around whom I wanted to live this life for and protect. And it was for them that I was willing to fight to my last droplet of blood.I came and picked up the phone, dialing Tony's number again. He answered on the first ring this time."I want you to place some additional security on Natalie, discreet for the moment, but extensive. I don't
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Natalie's POVThat smell of garlic-laden roast chicken filled the air of the dimly lit dining room and was reassuring. I sat just across the table; Brandon was deep into food. All his attention was on the plate as he put labor into cutting the steak. Weak candlelight fell luxuriously on his face, and shadows leaped at his face, making him sadder than usual.I spun my fork around absentmindedly. I wasn't all that hungry for the really good dinner we were having. It had turned into one of those very long days with all the ordinary stress of operating a restaurant, and now, sitting here with Brandon, I can't help but reflect upon how everything had shifted so dramatically in what has to count as hardly any time at all. We had been getting into some kind of rhythm, but so much was still unsaid between us—especially with everything that happened with Arlys.Brandon's cell phone. He looked at the screen to see who it was calling from before answering. "Anthony," he said into his phone, lea
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The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Brandon's POVStill, I stood there, my phone still clutched in my hand, my chest furiously heaving up and down, my heart seething with anger. Arlys had driven me to the limit, and now she threatened me once more. The words still rang in my head, "This is just the beginning."What more was she to do?I had underestimated her, knowing no better than to think she'd keep in her bounds. Now I knew just what kind of danger she was. It was finally time for me to take matters into my own hands and bring this to an end once and for all. But Natalie-just the mere thought of her tear-stained face, how she had left with so much pain in her eyes-scared me on a whole other level.Gotta get outta here, needed some fresh air, you know? Just would not shake, would not.Quiet, it was a house where every room was just a little colder without Natalie inside. I went up the hall and passed her room, now so bare. My hand fell onto the cold doorknob, and I turned it slowly before stepping inside. Just a mome
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Brandon's POV"Brandon! Open this door right now!" My mother's voice pierced through the house, razor-sharp and commanding, cutting through the heavy silence that had fallen since Natalie left.I didn't have the strength to get out of bed and face her. Now, sitting in bed, staring only at the floor with all that on my mind, my chest cramped, my heart was heavy with all the guilt and regret that Natalie was gone and had left me, and hadn't found even the strength to go after her.“Brandon!” she yelled out this time louder, and pounded on his door a little harder.I did with a deeper breath rise to my feet with the firm realization embedded in my brain-that the more I took to avoid her, the grimmer things got. I walked up to the door, knowing full well what lay on the other side-my actions blowing right in my face. Slowly, I opened it, and there she was, standing, her arms across her chest, her face contorted in anger."Well? Going to explain to me why the whole world is talking about y
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Natalie's POV"Are you sure about this, Nat?" Hailey asked as she extended a glass of water in my direction, her eyes deep with concern. I knew that furrow in her brow and pursing of her lips meant she'd bitten her tongue not to ask a thousand questions.I nodded, swallowing as my throat welled up with tears that threatened to fall. "I didn't have a choice, Hail. I just couldn't stay there anymore."Hailey plopped herself beside me on the couch and reached across to set a hand on my arm, turning toward me. "And you just packed up and left just like that?"Just like that," I said-my voice as flat as his. "What was I supposed to do? He's going to have a baby with Arlys and didn't even have the balls to come to me. I had to find out just like everybody else did-on the damn internet."Anger twisted all of the features on Hailey's face. "That snake knew it, I knew something was off about her, but I didn't fathom it, didn't think she would go this far."By this time, I was whispering now; s
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Brandon's POVThe house was cold the minute I stepped through the door. Not warm, nobody was waiting to greet me in the doorway. There was this silent feeling, a feeling which told me within an instance that something was wrong. She should have been in the sitting room or at least heard her humming emanating from the kitchen. Today, there is nothing but stillness.I went down the hall, my footsteps resounding in the big emptiness. My heart started to beat this weird rhythm the closer I came up to her room. The door stood ajar, and one could hear someone rummaging inside."Natalie?" I half-aloud quietly said, yet nobody answered me.I flung the door open and saw her by the bed, the suitcase opened, and clothes scattered around; she was packing. My heart fell into my tummy, and for one moment, I stopped breathing."Natalie, what are you doing?" I said, stepping inside, lacing my voice with confusion and fear.She didn't turn but went on with the packing,-folding a sweater and laying it
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Natalie's P.O.V.I barely felt the weight of the office door closing behind me as I stepped out, my vision blurred by the tears that kept falling though it tore my heart into pieces. It felt just like the walls of Brandon's office closed in on me and suffocated me, and now that I was outside, I couldn't breathe. Maybe my legs were lead, and little I did but walk, step after step, without an end at all in or direction toward the sight.How blind can I be? How come I let it seep inside my head that things between us were getting better? The last weeks had been speckled with instances of warmth and tenderness-quiet moments indeed, but which made me feel secure and sure that finally, we were on firmer ground. But all that was one big lie.Snicker, grim, escaped; images flashed of soft stroking, the way Brandon had held me up through the night, the look in those eyes, which I had mistaken for love. I had let my defenses down, and given him my trust. Now it seemed I was paying the price for
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Brandon's POV "Thanks, all, for your time," I said, nodding to close the meeting, trying to focus on the investors seated around the table. It had gone well-or so it seemed-but my mind was elsewhere. A cloud had hovered over my head for weeks now, and I just couldn't seem to let it go. Until finally, the room emptied, and that little voice in my belly started telling me I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's one of those feelings that I just couldn't shake-and boy, was I right: the minute my secretary Olivia burst in looking like she'd just seen a ghost, I knew my world was going to come crashing down. "Sir… You need to see this," Olivia stammered, extending the tablet toward me. Her hand was shaking. What is it?" I asked her, frowning as I took the device from her. "Arlys… she… she gave an interview," she managed to say, her voice cracking. "It's everywhere. It's viral." It was as if blood oozed out in one go. The instant it glued on the screen when I scrolled
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Natalie's POVThe kitchen din enveloped me: clinking dishes, and hum of dining-room voices; this is just background noise that I almost always hear. I finally looked up and stopped to revise this menu since new seasonal dishes needed my attention. There is only one rhythm here in the restaurant that continues day in, and day out that assures me that all is right with the world in its place.Today, however, was stretched to a breaking point. Of late, Brandon had gone standoffish: not catching glances, short conversations, the way he came home late and blamed it on work. I really did want to believe him, but something really did not feel right, and I couldn't get it off my mind.It was that knock on my door that pulled me out of this reverie. I didn't get a word said, let alone get words formed, before Hailey walked into my office, white-faced, shaking her hand, holding her phone out in front of her like some sort of explosive."Natalie, you have got to see this," she said, her voice ju
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Brandon's P.O.V. "Anthony, I need your help," I said into the phone clutched to my ear, while my voice quivered. My hands were all wet from sweat, and I could just feel the weight of everything weighing down on me. The walls in my office closed in while I paced, unable to sit down. A second later, Anthony answered on the other line saying, "Brandon, what's up? You sound a mess." "I… I messed up, man," I said rubbing a hand over my face in frustration. The guilt just about ate me alive and I couldn't shake this image of Arlys leaving my office with that smirk on her face. I hated her for the angle she was playing but God I hated myself even more for putting us in this situation. "It's Arlys. She's pregnant, Anthony. And she's threatening me." "What?" Anthony's voice all but reached a high pitch, incredulous at the good news palpable. "Pregnant? Brandon, you gotta be kidding me right now." "I am. I didn't even want to believe her in the first place, but then she came back and t
The Billionaire’s Bargain CHAPTER FIFTY
Natalie's POVThe morning in the restaurant had been busy, but finally, some afternoon lull appeared, which gave me the chance to catch my breath and think about something other than work. It was ages since I saw Brandon's mother Rebecca, and all of a sudden I started feeling how much her presence was missed.She was always nice to me because of this ever-pressing turbulence between Brandon and his family. And so I went over to them, hoping to have a nice afternoon.I had done everything that needed doing, passed it on to my assistant, and left. The backseat was comfortable, and my mind began to stray. Something tugged in my brain concerning Brandon, but I'd just blown that off. We will sort that out later. Now, all that I wanted was to be with Rebecca.Finally, as I was approaching her estate, my driver slowed down since some other car seemed to materialize from the opposite direction. I went forward and peered into an immensely familiar sleek black car driving out. My heart barely m
