The Beautiful Billionaire

ESTELLE After how Skyla easily manipulated us, I didn’t know if I could trust him even if I saw the evidence. He could easily exploit these pieces of paper to get into his ex and his son- this was what a psychopath would do. Or they could be both crazy.

Look at what paranoia could do and affect someone’s state of mind.

My muscles tensed as I stared at Jake.

“Jake makes a good living. I was in his bar. Everyone is his friends. That’s how you know he’s a good person. His house is clean. I saw pictures of Everette in his home. He doesn’t have a woman in his life. He doesn’t drink. He has a good amount in his bank account and pays his tax on time.”

“How did you know that?” Jake asked Sax.

“But when a woman uses two names? That’s a red flag. When she asked me for breakfast, I saw her ID. I realized she’s been lying to us. She doesn’t have furniture other than a couch and a TV. I didn’t have time to check her kitchen and the bathroom, but her ID caught me off guard.”

Linden stood up and dialed someone on his phone. His stance spoke a lot. “Boss, I think I might be wrong about Skyla.”

I lifted my gaze to him, somehow relieved. Now I knew he was calling Moses and probably confirming Jake’s story.

“What? Are you sure? How did you know?” Linden asked. The alarm in his voice was enough for everyone in the room to get his attention.

“Who’s he talking to?” Jake asked Sax.

“The big boss. Moses Braddson.”

“Of the Hover?” Of course, it always attached to his name and came down to the multi-billion dollar company that made Moses Braddson the wealthiest man alive.

“Yup.”

“Okay, boss. Thanks.” He hung up the phone and looked at Jake.

“How do I get my son back? I’m assuming you’re going to help me?” He didn’t only look at Linden but at Sax as well. “I will pay you.”

“Yes, I will help you. We will help you, and I don’t want your money,” My husband gave him a confident reply. “I almost destroyed your life. Take it as my apology.”

“How?”

“Apparently, Skyla committed Identity fraud and Identity Theft from a woman who had been dead ten years ago. Jenna Brand. The sister received some receipts from the banks. That’s how she figured out someone was using her dead sister’s identity.” He looked at Sax to confirm the name. “She also has an assault charge from a man who found out who she was while in LA, maybe the guy she dated. NCIS stopped the investigation against you.”

“So you’ve been breathing down my neck and investigating me? Why?” Jake looked offended.

“There are no official charges yet. I’m sorry about that.”

“They can’t charge me with anything anyway.”

“You’re right, but they already forwarded an active case to the NYPD to formally charge Skyla. Then, the FBI will probably take over the case. You will get your son very soon.”

“Oh, Thank God.” He finally smiled with teary eyes. “I miss my son so much. He should know that I never stop looking for him.”

“Tell him once you have him,” I told Jake.

When Linden came back to sit down beside me, I nudged him. Now it was the time. He didn’t have any more excuses.

“Sax, can we talk?”

“I’m not gonna come back, man.” Well, that was fast.

I just watched Linden flinch. “Why? What is your plan then?”

“None of your fucking business.”

I rolled my eyes at Linden. “For God’s sake, just apologize already.”

“What’s going on?” Jake asked.

“This asshole thinks he owns me.” Sax pointed his finger at Linden.

“What do you mean? I thought we were brothers. We were best friends. I’m just protecting you.”

“Protecting me? If I didn’t quit, how do you think I found out about Skyla? Until now, she’s still lying to your face and your wife, using you all. She could have put Estelle and your kid in danger.”

“Thank you. I owe you a lot, And I don’t even thank you often.” Linden stood up, stepping towards Sax.

“Best friends? Brothers? We don’t do that, but keeping secrets, you think you’re protecting me, no, man. Keeping me in the dark doesn’t work for us. You’re doing more harm than keeping us safe. You should know that. We’ve been through hell together. I thought you’ve learned that already.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What did you say? I didn’t quite catch that.” He tipped his ear to Linden.

Smiling, I rolled my eyes. “Jeez. I’m his wife, and I don’t do that.”

Lynx and Q chuckled, fist-bumping together.

“I’m sorry, okay. I’m so sorry.”

“What about the secrets?”

“I already said about the NCIS investigation. I thought you liked Skyla. That’s why I didn’t tell you. I don’t want your emotions to affect the investigation.”

“Emotions? I don’t like her. I mean.” He shrugged.

“I was okay with it.”

“She lied, and she crept me out. Forget about it.” He shivered. “Jesus.”

“Good, because you are my brother, and you deserve better a good woman, and she needs my approval before she can date you. Like Hope.”

“God, I’m gonna puke.” I faked my gag.

“The other secret.”

“It’s classified.”

“Then no. I’m not coming back.”

“If you accept the COO position, we can declassify it.”Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

Sax tried not to smile, but he was failing. “Wait. For real?”

“Do I look like I joke about a job position like COO?”

“So, I’m the COO now?”

“Technically, not yet. You should sign a contract first, but the position is yours if you want it?”

“Who’s your first choice?”

“Call me nepo, but it was yours, asshole.”

“Really?” Sax still played hard to get.

“You want it or not?” Linden huffed, showing him as if he was exhausted.

“I love you, too, brother.” Sax just launched into Linden and hugged him tight with a huge grin on his face.

“I can’t unsee this.” I rose from my seat and went to his kitchen. “Sax, at least offer us something to drink, silly.”

The next thing I knew, I was crashed into a tight hug from behind. “I love you, too, mommy-o.”

“Stop it. I’m thirsty.” I tried, but not hard, to get loose from his hug as I laughed silently.

“That’s my wife. You’re squeezing, Ryder.” My husband came, saving me from turning into a lemon.

“I love you, brother.”

“I know, pighead.”

“So, I’m gonna be the new COO. You’re not messing with me, right? And I can still go on assignment.”

“Well, you have a business management degree, and I know you’re taking an online master’s degree, but don’t screw this, Sax.”

“Man, I’m the new COO.” He suddenly pretended to hold out his hand and said, Sax Ryder, COO, Osmium Resource Group.”

Linden and I shared a look before we barked out laughing.

“Jesus. I think I just regret hiring him.”

“I heard that.” Sax narrowed his eyes at him. “I’m just on cloud nine, man.”

“Knock it off, Ryder.”