Bulletproof Billionaire Read online

  Water lilies and philodendrons spilled over the rocky edges. A canopy shaded the wrought-iron table and chairs, and protected numerous other potted plants that lent the tiny fenced area the feel of a lush tropical hideaway.

  She sat on the side of the stone koi pond, trailing her fingers in the water, enticing the koi to the surface to investigate. Their mouths tickled as they tasted her fingertips and determined that she wasn't food.

  Usually, playing with the fish soothed her, but today, she watched the fish with a growing unease.

  She was trapped in her world as surely as the koi were trapped in theirs. She'd heard that the little golden fish grew as big as their environment would let them, but that if they were kept in a tiny place, they would remain tiny, tied forever to their boundaries.

  Adrienne felt the same way. Small, helpless, tied to this house and the men who controlled her.

  Agitated, she picked up the tin of fish food and shook it over the water. Two fish, one with a black tail and one with a stripe, made a beeline for the floating food, nipping at each other. As they fought, vying for the best position, a third fish, smaller and solid gold, zipped around them and while they were distracted, snapped up the morsels of food.

  The two larger fish approached the little gold one. She hovered in the water for an instant, between the two, then flipped her tail and swam toward the striped fish.

  "Good girl," Adrienne whispered. "Using them to take care of yourself."

  The actions of the fish gave her pause. The little fish had hung back, biding her time, as the two larger black and gold fish sparred. She ended up siding with the larger, more protective fish.

  But even with the protection of the striped fish, the little gold koi was still trapped. Every victory, even the smallest, had its price.

  Tony had promised her freedom. But was the price too high? Was she willing to put Seth's life on the line to protect herself and her mother?

  Seth could take care of himself—her mother couldn't, the logical side of her brain reminded her.

  But the illogical side, the side that couldn't wait to see him, that needed the protective comfort of his strong arms around her, was just as persuasive. She couldn't let the mob ambush him. She had no doubt Jerome was capable of killing Seth just to placate his wounded ego.

  And what if Tony was lying? He lied as easily as he breathed when it suited him. Would Jerome ever really let her go?

  She paced back and forth in front of the koi pond, her thoughts in turmoil, her belly in knots.

  What about Seth's motives?

  She had truly believed he understood her, that he knew her deepest desires. She'd wanted so badly for him to be just what he seemed, an honest man, a tender lover, a compassionate friend.

  But in her world, nothing was ever as good as it seemed. There was a dirty underbelly to everything. Her husband and her father had taught her that.

  It appeared that Seth had a dirty underbelly, too. He'd used her. The one man in all the world to whom she'd dared give her trust. He'd played her, wooed her, seduced her, for the sole purpose of getting close to the mob.

  She'd allowed him into her bed and into her heart, and that decision had plunged her more deeply into the same unbearable life she longed so desperately to escape. This time, she didn't have the excuse of innocence.

  She'd let herself be taken in by Seth's enigmatic smile and the attraction that sparked like electricity between them. By his changeable eyes that could shine with soft green tenderness or glint like sun-shot gold passion.

  She looked back at the fish, and saw the little gold one swimming alone, while the larger two chased and nipped at each other. No matter what the other fish did, the little one was alone.

  Rubbing her neck, Adrienne took a deep breath. She was alone, too, alone and scared and uncertain who to trust.

  No, that wasn't exactly true. She knew in her heart that Seth was the better man.

  And because of that, he deserved to know that Jerome had figured out who he was. She picked up the portable phone off the table and dialed his cell phone, but he didn't answer.

  "Dammit!" she muttered. Where was he? Her muscles were coiled like springs and her throat hurt from holding back frustrated tears. She only had so much strength left. She needed to use it wisely.

  "Dammit, dammit, dammit!" she cried and whirled and slung the phone as hard as she could.

  "Whoa!"

  In one clean motion, Seth made a pretense of ducking and snagged the phone in the air as he walked around the edge of her house and approached the courtyard. "Why the tantrum, princess? Won't anybody deliver pheasant under glass this early?"

  His amused voice and his pleasant smile scratched her sensitive nerves like cat's claws.

  "Do you have to call me that?" She stomped up the steps into the kitchen, slamming the door.

  It didn't slam. Instead, Seth stopped it with his hands, and followed Adrienne inside.

  "What's the matter?"

  She dashed away hot tears and took a long breath. She'd wanted to see Seth and she'd gotten her wish. Here he was.

  She wanted to be angry with him, to hate him for using her. But seeing him standing there, crisp and cool in a white polo shirt and khaki pants, his handsome face marred by a bewildered frown, she renewed her resolve. She couldn't stand by and say nothing while he was in danger.

  "Think for a minute. I'm sure you'll figure it out."

  "You talked to Arsenault." He stepped toward her, but she held up her hand.

  "Of course. You don't think he would waste a minute letting me know that you'd closed the deal, do you?"

  "What is it with that guy anyhow? What kind of hold does he have over you?"

  Adrienne shook her head. "What difference does that make now? You're in business with him."

  "It makes a lot of difference to me. I'd like to break him apart with my bare hands. He's not fit to be in the same room with you."

  She swallowed. He sounded like the man she'd thought he was. If only she could be certain. "Yet you used me to get in with him?"

  "Give me a chance to explain."

  Adrienne smiled as her stomach churned. "You don't have to explain. It's just business, right?" She spread her hands.

  He peered at her, a strange softness in his penetrating gaze. It was as if he could see right through to the heart of her. As if he knew she was fighting with all her might to be strong. She yearned to give him all her trust, all her secrets, all her love.

  "Right. Just business. Are you okay?"

  Adrienne's smile felt pasted on. A lump grew in her throat. What had she expected? That he'd rush in here and tell her the whole truth? That he'd have some wild explanation that would make him the hero she'd hoped he was?

  How foolish of her.

  "Are you sure you're all right? You look sad." He stepped toward her, his fingers gentle as he lifted her chin and bent to kiss her.

  "Don't, Seth. Please." She pushed against his hands. "I need to tell you something."

  "Okay. You want to go in the living room and sit? You're pale. Better yet, let's go upstairs."

  She held up a hand. "Seth, wait. Jerome knows about your father."

  Adrienne's words stopped Seth in his tracks. Her face was damp with tears and ravaged with worry, her hands clasped together tightly. He'd been preparing himself for the possibility that Senegal would figure out who he was. But he hadn't expected to hear it from her.

  "How do you know this?" His brain whirled. The only way she could know was if Arsenault had told her. Why would he tell her that, unless she was involved in their plan? Even as the thought surfaced, he denied it. There had to be another reason. Adrienne wiped her cheeks with her palms. Her hands trembled. Seth took them in his and held them to his chest.

  "Princess, it's okay. You know I would never hurt you. You can tell me anything."

  "Let's do go upstairs. It's getting dark outside and someone might be watching through all these windows." A shiver wracked her body.
r />   Seth pulled her to him and kissed her forehead, then guided her up the staircase to her bedroom. He stood, his shoulder propped against the doorway, his arms crossed, as she drew the bedroom curtains. "I hate being downstairs at night. Those thin curtains don't hide anything." She shrugged self-consciously. "People driving by on the street can see everything."

  She paced back and forth. He'd never seen her so agitated.

  "I don't know why you came to the charity auction," she said. "But if you were looking to hook up with the Cajun mob, you were successful. Jerome is the head, and Tony is his right-hand man. I think Tony has killed people." She hugged herself and turned to face him.

  "Jerome got suspicious of your name and has apparently been looking into your background. He knows that your father was his gardener, the man who ran away with his wife." She smiled wryly. "I had a feeling you were a native of New Orleans and not just visiting."

  She stood there, alone in the middle of the room. It broke Seth's heart to see her so calm, accepting that he'd lied to her. She'd been lied to all her life. He didn't like being lumped in with the people who had made her unable to trust. But he knew that, for a while at least, that's exactly where he was. He hated that.

  "Guilty as charged. But Adrienne, I really am Seth Lewis. I didn't lie about that."

  Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.

  "And I will tell you the truth. I promise. But I can't just yet."

  She swallowed and nodded. "I really didn't expect you to."

  "Why do you think Jerome sent Arsenault to tell you about my father?" Senegal wouldn't have tipped his hand unless he thought he could gain something from it. Seth was convinced they had used Adrienne to send him a message. He might be dealing with them on coffee deliveries, but Senegal didn't trust him.

  She lifted her chin, her eyes sapphire-dark with hurt and caution. Her gaze slipped past him and he had the feeling she was looking inward. "Because they are counting on me to keep you occupied until Jerome decides what he wants to do."

  Her words sucker-punched him. He almost doubled over from the shock.

  Senegal had instructed her to sleep with him? No. Not for a minute did he believe their attraction had been anything but real. The few feet between them yawned like a bottomless chasm. The truth was, they had both used each other.

  "You have to get away. He'll kill you." Her voice was tight, choked with tears.

  Her concern was like another blow to his solar plexus. "Don't worry about me, princess. I can take care of myself."

  Her gaze met his as her hand massaged her graceful neck. She nodded.

  The yearning to cross that chasm, to take her in his arms, was unbearable. But she didn't trust him much right now, and he couldn't blame her.

  "What about you, Adrienne? Why do those two snakes have such a hold on you?"

  She released a quivering sigh. "After my husband died, they sort of adopted me."

  I'll bet they did. Seth recognized the sharp tinge of bitterness he'd heard before in her voice.

  "It's your mother, isn't it? They're using her as a threat to keep you in line. To get you to do things like host charity galas to hide secret meetings, or to keep suspicious businessmen entertained while they check them out?"

  She jerked as if she'd been punched, and the rest of the color drained from her face.

  "I've never done anything like this—" She swayed. "You have to believe me..."

  In one stride, Seth caught her. He lifted her gently and laid her down on the bed, sitting beside her.

  "I know, princess. I shouldn't have said that." He brushed her hair off her forehead. "I'm here. I swear you won't have to worry about those bastards much longer." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I swear."

  Her blue eyes shimmered in the dim light. "You lied to me."

  He stretched out beside her and pulled her into his arms, resting his cheek against the top of her head, breathing in the fresh floral scent of her hair. He had hurt her so badly, and she hadn't deserved it. His heart beat painfully as he looked at himself from her perspective. "Please believe me. I've hated this deception. I never wanted to lie to you."

  "Tell me the truth now."

  Seth controlled his breathing with an effort. He used sheer willpower to keep his heartbeat steady. Tell her the truth about his real mission? About Confidential? He couldn't do that. It would put her in even more danger. But God knew he didn't want to lie to her any more.

  "I grew up in New Orleans. In the Ninth Ward in a tiny shotgun house. There was never enough money. My three younger sisters got the only other bedroom, so I slept on the screened porch, right under my parents' bedroom window. I heard everything. It didn't take long to figure out why they always fought. My father serviced more than just the wealthy wives' gardens." He squeezed his eyes shut against the memories. "After he abandoned us, I dropped out of school and went to work. Then my mom got sick and died, and it was up to me to take care of my sisters."

  Adrienne splayed her hand over the muscles of his chest, and turned her head up to kiss the underside of his chin.

  "So I did what I had to do. I joined the army. Planned to make a career out of it. Did real well until—" He stopped. He was close to telling too much.

  "I've been a lot of places, seen a lot of things. But I've never seen anything like you." His voice almost broke.

  He never would again, either. This petite, lovely young woman had come very close to doing the one thing he'd sworn no woman would ever do.

  He'd vowed when his father left that no woman would ever have that kind of hold on him. He'd sworn when his mother died that he'd never spend his life pining for anyone he couldn't have. But he hadn't known his princess then.

  "So that knee injury? It wasn't a motorcycle accident in some exotic locale?"

  He shook his head.

  "You were wounded in action."

  "Hey, princess. It's no big deal."

  "Seth, I'm sorry about your father and your mother. About your knee." She hesitated. "Your sisters live here, too?"

  He nodded and lifted her chin with a gentle nudge of his finger. He'd said all he could say. He needed to stop her before her questions spilled over into areas he wasn't willing to talk about.

  He kissed her, softly at first, giving her a chance to stop him if she wanted to. He prayed she wouldn't want to.

  Adrienne closed her eyes as Seth's firm gentle lips nibbled at hers. She wanted to resist She tried. She had many more questions, like why he'd shown up at her house that day, why he'd been so determined to cut a deal with Jerome. But his kisses took her breath away.

  "I've missed you these past few days," he whispered.

  Adrienne looked up at him, this man to whom she'd given her trust. His face couldn't lie.

  He wrapped his arms around her and cradled her head against his chest. She slid her fingers across his chest, skimming them teasingly over his nipples.

  He drew in a swift breath and she felt his desire stir, grow, against her.

  "I've missed you, too. Can you stay?" She closed her eyes, and pressed her nose against the soft cotton of his shirt. "Please? I haven't been able to sleep. I need you to stay."

  "I'll be right here as long as you need me," he murmured against her lips. If only he could promise her that wasn't a lie.

  Somewhere chimes were ringing. Adrienne hoped the melody was part of her dream. Seth's lovemaking had transported her, just like always. In his arms she was the person she wanted to be. She felt free, strong, brave enough to stand against any foe. She felt like a superhero. With Seth by her side there was nothing she couldn't do.

  But that was just a dream, and the persistent ringing was pulling her back to reality. She resisted, not wanting to open her eyes and face a world where she was a pawn in a game she didn't even understand. Where no matter what she did, someone would be hurt. Despite Seth's midnight promises, she knew he couldn't keep her safe. His own life was in danger. And now that she'd told him about Jerome's plans, her life an
d the life of her mother were forfeit, too.

  She had to escape—soon. And she had to do it alone.

  Fully awake now, with familiar apprehension burning in her stomach, she opened her eyes. Behind the annoying ringing, she heard water running. Seth was in the shower.

  Sighing and pushing her hair out of her face, she crawled across the bed. It must be his cell phone. He kept it with him all the time, even in bed.

  His pants were draped across a chair. She dug the phone out of his pocket, but it was too late. It had stopped ringing. When she looked at it, a message was displayed from someone named Jones.

  Congratulations. Seduction of wealthy widow a success. Bug yielded mucho intel. Call in.

  She stared at the display, disbelief and deep pain twisting in her gut, making her nauseous.

  Grabbing her robe, she leaped out of bed and ran for the door, just as Seth emerged from the shower, a towel draped precariously around his lean hips.

  "Hey, princess. What's your hurry?"

  She slammed the bedroom door and flew down the stairs. In the kitchen, she put her hands over her mouth, trying to calm her panicked breathing and the nausea that threatened to overtake her. She grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and took a couple of swallows.

  Seduction was a success.

  The cold words echoed around her. How could she have been so stupid as to believe Seth's sad little story from last night?

  He was working for someone else. Maybe Jones. It made so much sense. But why? She swayed, and held on to the granite counter to steady herself. After another swallow of water, she held the bottle to her temple. The coolness helped.

  Seth showed up almost immediately, his pants on and partially buttoned, his polo shirt bunched in one fist. "Adrienne, F m sorry. You shouldn't have seen that message."

  "No kidding," she choked.

  "I can explain."

  Her vision was misty with tears, making him looked haloed with light. His skin shimmered gold in the morning sun, droplets of water shining like diamonds on his chest and in his damp hair. A shadow of stubble darkened his cheeks and chin. He was so handsome that her throat constricted from the sheer beauty of him.