The Billionaire's Secret: Billionaire Obsession (Tycoon Billionaires Book 5) (13 page)

Astrid suddenly realized this was real. “You said you’ve done this before?”

“Yeah, unfortunately. More times than I’d care to remember. We were always doing stakeouts. I’ll take care of you, okay. Just…”

“What?”

“If you feel uncomfortable… if you start to panic, you can tell me at any time. I’ve got your back – that’s what I’m here for. I want what’s best for you and your sister.”

“Thank you, Jake. I’ll admit I’m terrified. But if I start to have a panic attack, I’ll continue – panic attacks can’t hurt me. I just want Emma back here safely. Now’s the time for me to be strong.”

He caressed her cheek. “You’re strong, Astrid. Strong and brave.”

They shared a smile. He grabbed his phone. “I’m just gonna check who’s playing at The Marquee Club tonight – see what sort of people will be around.”

“Okay.”

Jake connected to the internet and did a search. “Holy shit...”

“What?”

“My little brother’s playing there. He’s doing a VIP gig for a couple of hundred select fans. That’s weird.”

“Do you think the kidnapper knows about the connection between you two?”

“No idea. But I guess we’ll find out when we get there. Hey, I’ll call Joe and tell him we’re coming. You wanna meet him?”

Nervous fear surged through her. “
Can
I meet him?”

“Sure. He’s just a human being, Astrid.”

“I know.” Her excitement bubbled up as she listened to Jake leaving a voicemail for Joseph Quinlan. It was unbelievable that this was happening. But she reminded herself to get a grip. It didn’t really matter about Joseph Quinlan, because more than anything, she wanted to see Emma again.

The journalists had left town by the time Astrid and Jake went out again – clearly they’d gotten bored of waiting around with no scandal to report after all. She said goodbye to her parents and, as Jake drove them back to New York City, she finished off her report on the Graves project – recommending to her supervisor that restrictions be placed on the technology until Graves was able to prove he could guarantee basic safety measures.

Jake dropped Astrid off at a cab stand a few miles from the venue, and they arrived separately, just in case the kidnapper was already hanging around. Jake told her to knock on the stage door when she arrived, so she paid the driver and walked across the small and secluded parking lot in the dwindling twilight, feeling apprehensive.

There were a few other parked cars dotted around – one of which was Jake’s Ferrari. She wondered whether the kidnapper was here yet…

She halted at the stage door and knocked. A huge security guard opened it and Astrid braced herself to be turned away, feeling insignificant.

“Yeah?” he asked, not smiling.

“Hi. I’m Astrid. I’m here to see –”

He grinned. “Oh yeah, come in, Astrid. We’re expecting you.”

Inside, Astrid saw an almost-empty venue with a few people milling around. She realized Joseph was onstage – with no shirt on and with his guitar slung over his shoulder – doing his sound-check. There was a photographer snapping away, as Joseph strummed a few chords and improvised some lyrics. In the place where all his adoring fans would later be standing, Astrid spotted a table set up, with a woman she recognized to be Ellie – Joseph’s lucky girlfriend – typing at her laptop. She was a journalist, and seemed to be hard at work on a story. Astrid knew she’d recently created her own community newspaper, which strived to help people at a grassroots level. Astrid didn’t really know what that meant, but she could see Ellie was a driven, ruthless businesswoman.

She spotted Jake leaning up against the wall, chatting casually with one of Joseph’s bandmates, as if they’d known each other years. Astrid felt like an intruder – as if she didn’t belong here. It all seemed a bit chaotic, but strangely peaceful too.

The security guard called out over the sound of Joseph’s guitar. “Hey, Jake – your girlfriend’s here!”

Jake looked over and Joseph stopped playing – causing the room to ring with silence. Joseph jumped off the stage and started to make his way over to greet Astrid with a friendly smile, making her insides feel like a billion buzzing butterflies. Jake also made his way over. Both brothers smoldered with sexuality – the rockstar was dressed in nothing but leather pants and scuffed boots. Jake looked much more serious in his designer suit.

Jake got to her first and halted. “Everything okay? No one tried to talk to you?”

“Everything’s fine.”

“Good.”

He held her hand, not wanting to show too much affection in public. But it seemed natural for them to touch each other.

Joseph joined them. “Hey, Astrid – great to meet you. Jake’s just been telling us all about you.”

Astrid gazed at the rock-god in awe. “Oh…”

He thrust out his hand for her to shake – obviously accustomed to this stunned reaction from women by now. He frowned as if realizing something. “Hey, aren’t you the woman working with Dylan and Adam at the moment? Or are you a different Astrid?”

He threw Jake a glance. Jake nodded and rolled his eyes, as if to say ‘Yeah, it’s gotten complicated.’

She swallowed her nerves. “Did Adam and Dylan mention me?”

Joseph treated her to the smile that broke hearts and melted panties. “Yeah, they said you most likely stopped them from making a stupid investment. They were impressed with how brave you were to stand up to them.”

Reality spun around Astrid. She held Jake’s hand tight. “Adam and Dylan said that?”

“Yeah. They’ve already told the owner of the project that they’re pulling out.” He turned his attention to Jake. “So you were supposed to be… er…
watching
her?”

“It’s okay,” Astrid said. “I know they hired Jake to spy on me. And – although I’m mad at him for invading my privacy – Jake actually stopped Graves from assaulting me in the street. So perhaps it all worked out for the best. Well, it
will
once we get Emma back…”

“Yeah, Jake told me about that.” Joseph grabbed Jake by the upper-arm. “Be careful, all right? I don’t want to lose you now we’ve only just found you.”

“I can take care of myself, Joe, don’t worry.”

Joseph threw his arms around Jake and hugged him tightly, making Jake flinch. Astrid thought he was so sweet. Sexy, yet adorable.

Jake pulled away, visibly shaken by this assault of affection from his little brother.

Joseph grinned. “Hey, you two should hang out with us for a while until it’s time to meet your guy. You want something to drink, Astrid? Come on, I’ll introduce you to Ellie.”

At the sound of her name, Ellie glanced up, with a severe look on her face. But, as she took in the room and noticed Astrid, she smiled kindly. “Hi,” she said. “You’re Jake’s girlfriend, right?”

Astrid didn’t know how to answer
that
question, so she smiled, and made her way over to say hello. She was relieved to discover Ellie was lovely, and they chatted for ages – getting to know each other and connecting very quickly. Until it was time for the audience to arrive – and for Astrid and Jake to go back to the parking lot for their rendezvous with the kidnapper.

****

Jake waited for Astrid to walk back into the chilly dark parking lot, then he snuck out behind her and took cover behind the brick wall that ran adjacent to the venue, where he could get a decent view of the space. He had no clue who Astrid needed to look out for, but now that the gig had started, there was no one out here, so the kidnapper should be easy to find.

Jake held his gun snug in his palm. If they could lure the kidnapper over here – and if it was safe to do it – Jake could confront the guy and try to get Emma back. But Astrid would need to stay nearby…

He watched her walking away from him. “Astrid!” he hissed. “Not too far!”

She halted. He knew she was scared, but he was so proud of her. She’d never done anything like this, and she seemed determined to face her fears. That was true bravery as far as Jake was concerned.  Feeling afraid, but continuing nonetheless.

A black BMW at the other side of the parking lot flashed its headlights in Astrid’s face. She started to move toward it.

“No!” Jake growled. “Let him come to you. Don’t move away from me, sweetheart.”

She stepped back and stared ahead of herself, challenging the driver to come over. Jake felt the tension as thick as tar, as Astrid and the driver stared at each other, neither one moving. But eventually, the driver got the hint and started his engine, then crawled the car over to park in front of her. Jake exhaled, and tightened his grip on his gun.

The driver climbed out, but Jake couldn’t see his face. But it was clear from Astrid’s reaction that she knew him…

Her voice was full of terror. “Simon? What are you doing here?”

Jake’s brain clanged with surprise at the involvement of Simon – what the fuck was going on? Had
he
kidnapped Emma? Why would he? Jake could just about make out the form of Astrid’s dreaded ex from where he was concealed behind this wall. Simon didn’t look like a match for him – he was slender and had a weak chin – but he was tall and loomed over Astrid like a school bully, with a ratty face and casual clothing. Jake could see she was shocked and afraid – she’d frozen and he was doing all the talking. Jake guessed that – for her – this must be like coming face-to-face with Lucifer in a dark alleyway. He coiled his muscles to pounce and intervene, deciding now was the perfect moment to take over, knowing he could tackle Simon easy, and demand he take him to Emma.

Jake gripped his gun tight, and took a step forward to burst into action. The hushed conversation continued ahead of him, and he focused on flattening the guy. But his plans were swept away as his attention was seized by something else… the click of a gun being cocked right behind him.

Oh
shit
… Just. Keep. Cool…

The guy behind Jake spoke loudly, as if he was panicking. “Get your hands in the air where I can see them.”

Jake knew that voice…

Simon heard it too and looked up. “I said no cops, you fucking bitch.”

He pushed Astrid hard and she fell to the ground, then he darted back to his car and sped away with a squeal of tires.

Jake held up his hands at shoulder height. “You fucking idiot, Daniel – you’ve just screwed up everything.” 

Daniel’s voice was full of snidey anger. “Turn around slowly, Jake… Astrid, come over here…”

Jake turned and saw Astrid hurrying over. She opened her mouth to ask what had gone wrong, but she stopped as she saw Daniel standing in front of Jake, pointing a gun at his head.

“Daniel, what are you doing!”

He ignored her and glared deeply into Jake’s eyes. “I didn’t realize you were a music fan, Jake. Or were you just saying hi to your little brother?”

“What the hell do you want? And how did you find us?”

“I followed you when you left town. You’re driving a bright red Ferrari, so it’s not exactly hard to track you. Drop your weapon.”

Jake stalled. He was still holding his gun tight, but Daniel had the advantage. He just needed a little time… “Daniel, why aren’t you doing your goddamn job properly? You need to alert the Feds and tell them there’s been a kidnapping.”

“Kidnapping? Come on, Jake, we all know Emma’s just gone off in a sulk.”

“So why the hell are you holding
me
up in a fucking parking lot?”

“Because there’s more going on here than you’re telling me. I don’t know what you’ve done, but I do know you’ve done
something
. You killed my little brother, so who knows what you’re capable of?”

“It was a fucking accident I’ve regretted my entire adult life,” Jake growled.

“Well… if you want me to let you off the hook, just hand over the treasure map.”

Jake’s jaw dropped open. “
That’s
what this is all about? I told you, it was just a joke. I made it up.”

“Bullshit.”

Astrid tensed her muscles. “Daniel, we need to get my sister back!”

Daniel ignored Astrid and started to pat down Jake’s jacket with one hand – while still pointing his gun at Jake with his other hand. “I bet you’ve got it tucked away in there, huh? If you don’t hand it over, I’ll have
you
arrested for kidnapping Emma.”

“This is crazy,” Astrid said. “You’re supposed to be finding my sister, not
your
fortune!”

“Give me that map and I’ll let you both walk.”

Jake hoped Daniel was as stupid as he remembered. He reached toward his jacket. “All right.”

“Wait,” Daniel said. “Put your gun down on the ground and kick it to me…”

Jake decided to play along – there was no way Daniel was winning this. He slowly bent at the knees and dropped his gun to the ground, then he kicked it over to Daniel, who stood on it.

But now Daniel couldn’t move, or he’d expose Jake’s gun. “Astrid,” Daniel said. “Reach into Jake’s jacket and get the map, then pass it to me. No funny business from either of you, right.”

Astrid stepped over and stood in front of Jake. “Which pocket is it in?”

“Left,” he said.

Maintaining eye contact with him, she reached inside his jacket, and delved her hand into his inner left-hand pocket. Her eyes widened with surprise as her fingers came into contact with the contents.

He raised a cheeky eyebrow. “The map’s on
my
left, not yours,” he said coolly.

She shot him a ‘we’ll discuss this later’ look, then she pulled out the gun he’d stashed in his pocket, turned swiftly, and pointed it at Daniel.

Her hands trembled and her heart pounded, but Jake willed her to remain calm. Pulling a gun on a cop was illegal – even a corrupt one like Daniel. But this was the new Astrid. She held it exactly as Jake had shown her, and directed it right at him.

Daniel laughed. “Astrid, what are you doing?”

“Put your gun down. I need to find my little sister. Do it now, or I’ll shoot you.”

While Astrid was keeping him occupied, Jake came to life and kicked Daniel’s gun from his hands, sending it flying across the parking lot.

Astrid shouted angrily at Daniel. “We were just about to get my sister back, you stupid jerk – Simon’s got her. And now we’ve lost him, thanks to you!”

Daniel ignored this. “Astrid, lower your firearm. You’re protecting a suspected criminal – the punishment for which is prison.”

“Bullshit,” Jake said. “Suspected of what crime?”

“I’ll think of something… how about manslaughter? I know some pretty corrupt judges who’ll gladly put you both away if I pay them enough. Astrid, if you side with Jake now, I won’t protect you when I’ve hunted him down and arrested him.”