Chapter Three

Drake

“Sir, I hope Ms. Fontaine arrives soon,” my driver Leonard said with his thick Haitian accent.

Outside of Mrs. Johnson, he was my most trusted assistant. He was one of the only people I could actually laugh with, those times I could chuckle at all. Maybe it was because he’d seen his share of tragedy, too, things we didn’t get too deeply into that had sent him to the States almost fifteen years ago. Still, he was quiet and calm, a balance to the churning waves I barely kept clamped down.

I nodded, folding my newspaper and setting it on my lap. Then I looked out the window of my private jet and out toward the tarmac. “She better be.”

Leonard sighed. “Should I mention, sir, that I don’t approve of this strategy?”

“You have, and you just did again.”

“Good, because she’s not just a toy you can bid on.”

I sighed and raked a hand through my black hair. Ever since I’d gotten out of the Marines, I’d hated having it short, anything that even came close to reminding me of a buzz cut. I was done with that life, even if it kept haunting me.

“I’m aware, but I need this deal, too. My side venture, the talent agency for kids in the inner city, the one trying to help people in South Central Los Angeles, needs a more experienced hand. Someone like Maurice Fontaine can lead it and help it grow.”

“Then why the games, sir? If you just explained it this way…”

“Because games are what I have. It would be a publicity disaster for my greater company if people heard even a whisper of the idea that my charity was crumbling through mismanagement. Maurice might have no idea how to Tweet, but he knows how to groom and promote talent, and he’s a very dedicated father. I think he can both reorganize that charity and work closely with those children. The smokescreen, the swagger of the deal, it all keeps my image in place. When you’re the Sultan of Spin, the image is everything.”

“And you luring a girl to your island, that’s all part of it, too?”

“It’s already the talk of TMZ. It helps garner interest in both companies,” I objected, as if that was the only reason for me doing it. It wasn’t just about the publicity stunt, or I’d have chosen Carol instead and played checkers with her all month. Deep down, I knew that I wanted Belle. Had wanted her since the moment I’d first seen her. I wasn’t fool enough to believe I could convince Leonard of anything else. “It’s working.”

“Sir, there’s a girl whose heart is about to be played with, so I hope you know what you’re doing,” Leonard replied, his deep brown eyes regarding me solemnly. “If you crush her, I’ll quit and then kick your butt myself.”

I chuckled. I would have fired any other employee, except for Mrs. Johnson, for talking to me like this, but Leonard kept me honest. What little of my soul I had left and unsullied only existed because Mrs. Johnson and Leonard protected it so.

“I’d let you do it.”

He shook his head back at me. “Sir, I’m fifty, not dead. I can still kick your butt. Now, I’m serious; don’t you hurt this girl. She’s here to help her family, and you need to take it easy with her, maybe actually just focus on negotiations after all.”

“I’ll take it under advisement,” I said, my tone clipped.

“Sure, but at least I’ve warned you. I’d be a bad assistant if I let you rush into a burning house.”

“I can take care of myself,” I said, gripping my armrests.

“I think Penelope and I disagree on that.”

I glanced out the window and was partially relieved to see that Belle was gathering her bags. However, I was shocked when some prick with slicked back hair was trailing behind her. Seriously, what the fuck? Did this asshole not know she was mine? Had she lied and decided to bring someone else along with her? Hopping out of my seat, I rushed down the stairs to see what was going on.

“Oh, princess, you’re right on time. I appreciate the professionalism,” I said. Then I glared at the dick who’d followed her. Some corner of my brain, some still rational part that had done the research on the company, supplied that it was George Peters, but I didn’t give too much of a shit. He was here, and I was not letting him come to the Bahamas with us. “Mr. Peters, I think that the deal was to have Belle do the negotiations solo.”

He puffed out his chest and put his hands on his hips. If he thought he looked like a superhero striking that pose, he was wrong. Instead, he looked more like a self-important rooster strutting in a barnyard. He was definitely cocking things up for me.

“I thought she could use an escort.”

She pursed her lips and clearly wasn’t any happier to see George than I was. “I said goodbye to the family today before I left my house. You can imagine my surprise when he showed up at the parking side of the jet yard and followed me here.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets, trying to calm myself. If I had my hands free, then I might have clenched my fists and taken a swing. “Again, Mr. Peters, I don’t think that Ms. Fontaine requires your presence here.”

George glared back at me, and I wanted to laugh in his face. I would’ve if Belle hadn’t been there. “I don’t think she requires going to the Bahamas either. You think I don’t know what you’re about, McManus? I know your game, and I think it’s sick that you’re using Belle like some kind of bargaining chip. I know that no one else will rock the boat, but I’m going to.”

Belle put a hand on George’s forearm. “It’s okay.” She turned to me, her eyes darting around quickly. “He sprang this on me. Trust me; I’d never bring him with me on purpose.”

“I can bet on that,” I said dryly. Then I snapped my fingers signaling for a few of my security detail to come forth, one of the perks of being a billionaire. Two of them grabbed Mr. Peters by the shoulders. “I hope you’ll be okay with my staff seeing you out.”

“This isn’t over, McManus. I’m not going to forget what you’re doing to Belle or to her family. I know you’re a complete cold-blooded snake, and I’ll be on your ass if you even touch her.”

Belle rounded on him and shook her head, a fierceness flaring through her that I’d never seen before, one that had my dick hard immediately. “George, enough. I’m a big girl, and you’re not my boyfriend or my brother, but you are an officer of this company and you need to respect the deals the rest of the executive team makes. Now back off.”

“Agreed,” I said, nodding to my agents.

It was gratifying to watch that weasel be dragged away.

Frowning at Belle, I asked, “Are you okay? I’m sorry that asshole was following you. If you want, I can call my team and ask them to have a few bones broken when he’s dropped back off at his house.”

Belle eyed me, and finally seeming to get I was joking, offered me a dazzling smile. “That’s a tempting promise, but I think I’ll pass. I hate George, but he doesn’t deserve that. Well, probably doesn’t deserve it.”

Nodding, I crooked my elbow for her to take. She paused for a few moments before humoring me. There were a lot of things that I was planning on having her do with and for me in this month; the least of it was going to be taking my elbow. Still, I loved the heat of her, the feel of her soft body near mine, even if it was just an arm against my own.

“Well, the offer stands, so you only have to let me know.”