Secret: A Stone Billionaire Series Novel (The Stone Billionaire Series Book 5) Read online

  There was no rush, it was like we had all the time in the world.

  I honestly thought we did.

  Now, I’m not even sure where she stands.

  But, my gut tells me she’s going to leave suddenly with Merc, and then I’ll be without both of them.

  At the same time, I don’t want to hurt Merc.

  I tried to pull back into the past because of Merc.

  I won’t do that again.

  I loved Victoire deeply.

  But, she’s gone now.

  And Leigha?

  Our baby is gone.

  I can’t look back at what we could’ve had, or wonder how things would’ve turned out for us.

  I see Leigha in front of me, swearing and ready to throw her phone into the wall, she’s so frustrated.

  All I want to do is go to her.

  “Don’t,” my father says.

  “You will regret it,” he says darkly.

  “I’m not going to hurt her again, not now, not ever, Dad!” I yell at him fiercely.

  “Evan, do not disobey me. Let her figure things out on her own for once. You can’t lean on each other forever,” my father says, giving me a direct order.

  For the first time in my life, I genuinely want to defy him.

  Maybe I’m a coward, because I just watch Leigha struggle from a distance, unable to just ignore him and go to her.

  I walk away, and go to the car.

  The pain in my chest is so fierce, I have to force myself into the car and put my head between my legs.

  “Are you alright?” Levi asks.

  “Just fine,” I lie.

  I look at him, and see my father, reflected in that fun-house mirror, again.

  The one where he’s much younger.

  But, he’s still far wiser than I can ever hope to be.

  “Leigha seems angry with you, Evan. Do you know why?” Levi asks.

  “Maybe because I love her, so much, and I just don’t have the balls to tell her, apparently? I mean I almost did tell her that I love her, but Dad walked in, and then went into his whole thing about how I’ll only hurt her again. I get it,” I tell Levi.

  “I understand his concern for Leigha, because she’s known my father a long time, but he doesn’t understand this,” I tell Levi.

  “If you do love her,” Levi says, “sometimes the best thing to do is let her go.”

  My stomach sinks so low I feel like I’m going to throw up.

  Levi is right.

  If she’s torn between Merc and me, the only thing that I can do is let her go, to be free to choose whom she wants to be with in her life.

  I’ll let her go.

  Set her free.

  And, if she still wants me, then I’ll be the luckiest man in the world.

  March 25, 2018

  “I think we should talk,” Leigha says.

  After days of silence, here it is.

  I should’ve come to her first.

  She’s standing in my doorway in jeans and a light t-shirt, and all I want to do is drag her into my bed and make love to her endlessly, to convince her that she’s mine, that she belongs with me.

  “Sure,” I shrug.

  “That whole threesome thing wasn’t something we really talked about, and I just wanted to make it clear, no regrets. It was great,” she says.

  There’s a ‘but’ coming, and I know it.

  “It really was,” I interrupt her.

  “That was the best night I’ve ever had,” I tell Leigha.

  Against my better judgment, I can’t bring myself to let her go.

  I need this woman.

  Now.

  “I just wanted to say that, you know, fun happens,” Leigha says.

  Fun?

  Was that just fun to her?

  “What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

  Leigha runs her tongue along her teeth and makes an awkward face.

  “Well, that’s what it was, wasn’t it? Just fun? I mean, you know, you get drunk and have a threesome. It happens, Evan. It doesn’t have to mean anything,” Leigha says clearly.

  I hear her words, and they sting.

  But, the image in my head says something different.

  Remembering Leigha wrapped so tightly around my cock, it took everything I had not to blow my load.

  Every kiss sent me further into the abyss where I knew nothing but the woman in front of me.

  Every single touch set my body on fire, every moan from her mouth, every time she said my name.

  It replays over and over in my head.

  “Are you really saying that it didn’t mean anything to you?” I ask.

  Leigha only nods.

  “I just don’t want to make our friendship awkward,” she says.

  She’s lying to me.

  I know she’s lying.

  Leigha was there, in my arms, and I felt everything.

  I know deep down that she felt something.

  “It doesn’t make our friendship awkward,” I tell her.

  Before I can get another word in she nods curtly and walks away.

  “Wait, where are you going?” I say.

  I take her by the arm and pull her back into my room.

  “What?” Leigha asks.

  She looks dangerously close to crying.

  “I didn’t say that it meant nothing to me, but if it truly meant nothing to you, we have a problem, Leigha,” I tell her.

  Every word is determined.

  I need to make her listen to me.

  “Evan,” Leigha says my name.

  I want to hear my name over and over again.

  “Did it really mean nothing to you? Honestly, truly?” I ask.

  “Before I answer that, I have to tell you something, and I don’t think you’re going to forgive me for this,” Leigha tells me.

  “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not that big,” I tell her kindly.

  She takes a deep breath.

  “Evan, after we slept together, that first time? A few days later, Merc and I went out for a ride, and then we were smoking in the jeep, and…” she pauses and looks up at me.

  “Did you sleep with Merc?” I ask.

  I take a step away from her.

  My heart is thudding in my chest.

  “It just happened Evan!” she cries.

  “I didn’t know what to do! I wanted to tell you, but Merc and I thought it was best if we kept it between us. Then, I was suddenly pregnant, and when you assumed it was yours, I just couldn’t hurt you any further than I had, and I’m sorry. Evan, I am so, so, so sorry,” Leigha pleads with me.

  The rage passes so quickly, I can’t believe it.

  “Leigha, you can’t really expect me to be mad about this, considering we had a threesome a few days ago. That was a long time ago, and it hurt for a long time. But it hurt all of us, for a long time. We need to get past the rage, the resentments, all of that,” I tell her.

  “You’re not mad?” Leigha says tearfully.

  “How can I be when I just left you like that, and took Merc with me? Merc would’ve never gone, if I hadn’t,” I say.

  “I’m sorry. I was a fool,” I tell her.

  Then the gravity of things I’ve done to Leigha hits me.

  I took Merc away from her.

  I left her when she needed me most, needed Merc and me most.

  Then, there was the month we spent together in Capri, where she said she didn’t expect anything.

  I didn’t know if I was coming back or not, I didn’t know my future!

  What I should’ve done back then was beg and plead for her to wait for me, to write me, to promise that she would be standing in that airport when I came back, with a smile on her face and a kiss for me.

  And what about that awful time I found out she had a loser boyfriend, and I just didn’t bother to make her see that she belonged to me?

  If that wasn’t enough, we had a night together of passionate sex all over her apartment, and again I didn’t acknowledg
e what she wanted.

  I feel ashamed.

  Oh, my God, what have I done to Leigha?

  My father is right.

  We’re better off not acting on this.

  I have to clear my throat before I say anything else.

  “Leigha, I know it meant a lot to both of us, but if you look at our history, it’s a mess,” I tell her.

  “I agree, and I think that’s why we’re better off, just friends,” Leigha finishes for me.

  We stand there, in front of each other, having said words neither of us wants to say.

  She can’t possibly want me.

  But, I know I want her.

  It’s a stare off, waiting for the other to fold, waiting for the other to admit that they want more than just friendship.

  Levi said it.

  I know the best thing to do is let her go; she deserves better than the mess I’ve created out of our relationship.

  I extend my hand.

  I am proud it’s not shaking, even though every nerve in my body is screaming to take her and hold her and never let her go.

  “Friends?” I ask.

  “Always,” she tells me instantly.

  Our lips smash together, into the insanity of one last,desperate kiss.

  32

  Leigha

  April 1, 2018

  I’ve dyed my hair brown, and now my grey eyes are more prevalent than ever.

  I’ve slicked it back in an elegant braided hairstyle that trails down my back, and I’m wearing a simple but expensive black dress, with beading all over it.

  It hugs my curves, pushing my breasts up, and makes me look like Levi’s plaything for the evening.

  “You ready?” Levi asks.

  We sit in the back of a luxurious motorboat on our way to the Club Whittaker Villa.

  “Ready,” I confirm.

  “Do not leave my side, please remember that,” Levi says.

  “Don’t worry Levi, I won’t,” I giggle.

  “I’m serious. I want you in my line of sight at all times,” Levi says evenly.

  “As if I plan on being anywhere but next to you,” I scoff.

  “Good,” Levi smiles.

  The motorboat pulls up to the Villa, and a man in a crisp black suit helps me out.

  “Do you have a reservation?” the man asks.

  Levi produces our invitation.

  “You may proceed,” the man tells us.

  Levi hands him a stack of Euros and the man pockets it wordlessly.

  We proceed up to the path to an enormous Villa, the likes of which I haven’t seen in my entire life.

  Situated directly on the water, it’s gorgeous and opulent.

  When we reach the front door, a woman wearing a scandalous little black dress that leaves nothing to the imagination hands us both black masks.

  “Thank you for coming,” she says.

  Levi tips her, as well.

  She accepts it, and indicates where we should go, with a slight smile and gesture.

  “They’re not supposed to take tips or acknowledge them, I presume,” Levi whispers.

  “Why tip then?” I ask.

  “It helps them remember us if we need to make a quick exit, later,” Levi explains.

  When we enter, everyone is wearing a black mask, and elegant clothes, or a uniform of some sort.

  There’s a fabulous amount of exotic and ornate food in one room.

  A string quartet plays expertly in another.

  I note a smoking room, and then there are even more rooms, everywhere.

  “We just have to pinpoint Geoffrey Whittaker,” Levi says.

  “Alright. So, you’re the son of an oil Barron, looking for investments, right?” I say, repeating our secret identities.

  “Yes, but the more you leave out, the better,” Levi nods.

  I’m shocked at the number of foreign dignitaries.

  Everyone is wearing a mask, but they do little to hide facial features.

  There’re definitely a few diplomats; I recognize the President, and more than one dictator.

  I even think I spy the North Korean leader as Levi and I cruise through the rooms.

  We move to the bar.

  “What can I get you, sir?” the bartender asks.

  Even he is wearing a mask, and there is no name tag.

  “Gin martini for both of us,” Levi says.

  There’s no mention of money or tip as the man gives us our drinks.

  We continue to cruise the room, just taking everything in, as I put a hand on Levi’s arm.

  There are several women here, all hanging from the arms of great men; just playthings for the night, I assume.

  Or, maybe they are their wives, or secret girlfriends?

  I try to imagine what this world must be like, having such largess you’re invited to be part of a secret club.

  “I don’t believe we’ve met,” a man says as he walks up to me.

  I automatically recognize Merc.

  I can see his eyes.

  “Leon Kennedy,” Levi introduces himself with a wink.

  “Claire Winthrop,” I say

  “Both good names,” Merc comments.

  Then, he smirks.

  We retreat to a quiet corner where no one is going to overhear us.

  “Elizabeth Darlington is here,” Merc whispers in my ear.

  I manage to keep my face neutral.

  “Where is she?” I ask.

  “She went upstairs with Geoffrey Whittaker,” Merc says.

  “I would’ve followed them, but I have no back-up, and I assume neither of you has a gun,” he adds.

  Levi shakes his head discreetly.

  “Shouldn’t we just leave?” I whisper.

  “We know that Duke Whittaker is involved with Elizabeth, who his daughter,” I tell them.

  “I need evidence that he’s working with Elizabeth,” Merc says.

  I want to hang my head in disgust, but I know that this is Merc’s job.

  He could get into a lot of trouble from his superiors for even telling us this information.

  “How do we get upstairs?” I ask.

  “I think it’s better if you both leave. Now,” Merc demands.

  “I will not leave you alone, not now!” I tell him flatly.

  Levi isn’t convinced, but I start to walk away anyway.

  “You can follow me, or you can wait,” I say to them both.

  Merc begrudgingly follows me.

  We wander around the large villa.

  Every room has a magnificent view of Lake Como, and one can view the sheet of stars that cover the sky clearly.

  It’s gorgeous, and romantic.

  We find the elevator and when the doors open, another trio enters first.

  We get in the elevator with them.

  The man is far older than my father, and the two women are around my age, possibly younger.

  I can’t tell through all the plastic surgery.

  They’ve definitely got fake breasts.

  Then again, I probably look like just as much of a floozy on Levi’s arm.

  Well, at least my breasts are real, I say to myself.

  The ride is silent, and they got off on the second floor.

  The elevator door closes.

  “Oh, we didn’t pick a floor,” Levi says.

  He lets his drink slosh around and some of it spills on the beautiful carpet.

  “Which floor was it again?” I roar for the cameras in the elevator.

  “Three, I think three,” Levi says, feigning that he’s drunk.

  “No, it was four, definitely four,” Merc says too loudly.

  I giggle.

  “Four it is, even though I know it was three,” I laugh.

  We fall into drunk chatter, even though we are stone cold sober.

  Well, maybe I’m slightly tipsy, as I’ve finished my martini, but I still have a clear enough head.

  “Are you looking for an office or a bedroom?” asks a man as the el
evator doors open.

  “The biggest, grandest one,” Merc declares with a slur.

  “Very well,” the man says.

  His face betrays nothing as he produces a key, and unlocks the door to one of the bedrooms for us.

  “Thank you, sir,” I giggle.

  The man says nothing.

  As soon as we are inside Merc and I burst into peals of laughter.

  “Oh, my God! It’s like he sees this all the time,” Merc howls.

  “He probably does,” Levi comments dryly.

  We both quiet.

  “Listen on either side of the rooms, maybe we’ll get lucky,” Merc says.

  “This is the top floor, the only other place they could be is everywhere,” I say.

  It’s a crap shoot.

  Levi listens against the walls, all four of them since the bedroom as no windows.

  “Wait,” he says.

  He motions for us to stop as he listens against the door.

  “I hear them! Elizabeth, and Geoffrey,” Levi whispers.

  Before the others can react, I run for the door.

  “You bastard!” I scream.

  I burst through the door and stumble through, screaming obscenities.

  Elizabeth is the one who catches me, just before I fall to the ground.

  “The men here, honestly,” she says.

  Then, she clicks her tongue.

  “I’m so sorry, it’s just…” I start.

  Then, I look back at the door that has now been slammed shut.

  “Men are pigs,” Elizabeth declares.

  “Excuse me, I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself,” I say calmly.

  There isn’t a hint of recognition in her face.

  “I’m Claire,” I say with a gracious smile.

  “Elizabeth, this is Geoffrey, my father,” Elizabeth readily admits.

  The struggle to maintain my composure is hard.

  “Didn’t you know what was coming?” Elizabeth asks gently.

  “No,” I say.

  I pretend to sound lost and insecure.

  “Poor thing,” Elizabeth tells me.

  “Father, maybe we can do something for her? I doubt she has a way home,” Elizabeth says to Geoffrey sweetly.

  “Yes, yes, come. Let’s have some tea, and settle you down and then I will arrange for a ride home for you, Miss, Claire, was it?” Geoffrey Whittaker instantly agrees with his daughter’s request.