The Crime: Billionaire Love At First Sight (All In Series Book 3) Read online

  Liv hesitated a minute. “Are you moving back to California?”

  “No, nothing like that! I promise!”

  "Phew! I’m working from home today. Want to meet at my place and we can head to Mike’s from there?”

  “Sure.”

  “Meg will be here, too. Is that all right?”

  I thought about it. Eventually, everyone would know, and although I didn’t know Meg as well as Liv, we had become friends quickly. “Sure, that would be fine.”

  I hung up, and a few minutes later, I heard my name called. “Ms. Maddie Burns, please come to gate E forty-four.”

  The flight attendant handed me a new ticket when I arrived at the gate. “You’ve been upgraded.”

  “Really?”

  “Someone must love you, here’s your new ticket.”

  I looked at her in confusion. Jack. It had to be Jack.

  I called Jack. “Did you upgrade my ticket?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Jack! It’s too much.”

  “Maddie, get some rest. It’s the least I can do for keeping you up all night. Which was pretty awesome, by the way.”

  My face lit in flames. It was pretty awesome, I had to admit it...like every other night that week. God, how did I go from no sex to sex crazed?

  “Jack—”

  “Maddie, just say thank you and enjoy it. It’s done. And for God’s sake, call me, so I know you are safe from that douchebag.”

  “One, thank you. Two, I called Liv, and she’s going to go to the apartment with me, and Gary will be there, so you don’t have to worry; I won’t be alone.”

  Jack let out a big sigh. "That’s good, but Maddie, still call me?”

  I smiled. I secretly enjoyed the fact he worried about me. "I promise.”

  “And you have my address and key, right?”

  “Yes, Father.”

  “Call me your daddy, not your father.”

  I burst out laughing. “Ah, your dick is back in control of your brain, I see.”

  “Did it ever leave?”

  “I gotta go. See you in New York.”

  “Bye, Maddie. Safe travels.” Jack hung up.

  I boarded the plane soon after and fell asleep in my first class seat all the way to New York. After landing, I quickly hailed a cab to Liv’s.

  Meg arrived right when I did. Her long red hair blew in the wind, and she was bundled up in a wool coat and scarf. The February wind gusted full force, and I was a little underdressed. I clearly wasn’t thinking when I left Florida.

  “Damn, girl, you have that fresh sun-kissed look going on!” Meg’s green eyes twinkled. “But where are your clothes?”

  Meg was one who could always make me laugh. “I just landed...”

  “You seem to be glowing. Mike go with you?” She smirked as we got on the elevator.

  “Nope. I broke up with him.”

  “What? I’m so sorry!”

  “I’m fine. I should have done it years ago.”

  Meg quieted for a minute and stared at me.

  “What?”

  She smirked again. “So if Mike wasn’t with you, who was?”

  “Let’s wait for when Liv’s with us.”

  “EEK!” She clapped her hands.

  Just then, Liv opened the door. Her long blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she still wore her pajama bottoms. “What are we clapping about?”

  “Maddie has a new man,” Meg sang.

  Liv’s head jolted in my direction. I shrugged my shoulders and laughed. “Does she have a sixth sense?”

  “If it’s about sex, then yes!” Liv grinned at me.

  My face turned scarlet. I thought of all the positions Jack had me in the past week. Liv and Meg grinned at each other. They each grabbed an arm and pulled me into the kitchen and told me to spill it.

  I told them I met Jack the first night, and we spent the week together, up in St. Pete, for our first date and Tampa the rest of the time. I admitted I never slept in my own room or even had my clothes there minus a few hours and a cat nap at my arrival. And how much of a connection I felt with him.

  “Jack is a really awesome guy, Maddie. Tom’s known him for a long time. I’m happy for you both.”

  “Thanks. I was a little worried about the work connection.”

  Liv and Meg both laughed.

  Meg flipped her hair. “I think we’ve both learned our lesson on that one.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I used to have a rule...” Liv said.

  “And Collin used to have a rule...” Meg rolled her eyes.

  “Basically, the stupid rules almost broke both our relationships up,” Liv admitted.

  “So no more stupid rules. All's fair in love and war,” Meg hummed.

  I smiled but not for long.

  “What is it?” Liv frowned.

  “I think I have a war on my hands with Mike. He isn’t who I first met, and I realize now how emotionally abusive he was to me. He wants me back, and I just want out.”

  “Do you think he would get violent?” Meg looked worried.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “Jack wanted me to wait until he was back, but I didn’t want to put that on him. It’s nice enough he’s sending his moving company and letting me put my stuff in one of his storage units.”

  Meg and Liv exchanged a look. “So...” Meg gave me her smirk. “Where are you moving to then?”

  “Jack wants me to stay at his place till I find one...but I don’t know. Our relationship is so new, and I already feel like I have put a lot of baggage on it.”

  “Well, you are welcome to stay here,” Liv offered.

  “Or with me,” Meg chimed.

  “Thanks.” I was grateful for their offers.

  “But I have to tell you, if Jack wants you to stay, you aren’t putting him out. Jack goes after what he wants, and if he’s asking you to stay, then that’s what he wants.” Liv grinned.

  “I think part of me is scared he will try to convince me not to move out. I want to be with him, I do, but I also need to be on my own for a while. I haven’t lived on my own in six years, making decisions for myself, without anyone else telling me what to do.”

  “That makes sense. Did you tell Jack that?” Meg inquired.

  “Yes. He offered to show me neighborhoods so I can figure out where I want to live, but wants me to stay with him until I find a new place.”

  “Jack Stevens is a man of his word. If he told you that, it will happen. I would bet money on it,” Liv insisted.

  “You’re welcome to stay at either of ours, but maybe stay at his and break in every room, if you know what I’m saying.” Meg winked at me with a naughty smile on her face.

  We all laughed. My face once again burned red. That, no doubt, would happen should I stay with Jack.

  “He gave me his key to go stay there tonight. I feel kind of odd staying in his place when I have never been there with him before.” I admitted. “But I need to figure this out before the movers arrive because I have to send some stuff wherever I’m staying until I get my new place.”

  My phone rang. It was Jack.

  “Are you still good with two o’clock for the movers?”

  “As far as I know, we are all set. I still don’t know if Mike is going to be there or not.” I pushed my hands through my hair.

  “Where are you right now?”

  “I’m at Liv’s, talking to her and Meg.”

  “Do they know about us?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Do you feel better?”

  I smiled. “Yes.”

  "So I can tell Tom then?”

  I glanced at Liv. “Assuming Liv doesn’t tell him first.”

  Jack laughed. “Fair enough. Promise you’ll call me if you need anything?”

  “Will do. Bye.” I hung up.

  “That boy has it bad,” Meg teased.

  “He wanted to make sure two o’clock was still good.” I tried not to smile.

  Meg lau
ghed, “Sure, whatever you say.”

  We decided to order in lunch. As soon as we started to eat, Liv’s phone rang. “Hey, babe, what’s up?”

  “Well, we were going to take Gary...” she trailed off.

  “You really think it’s necessary?”

  Meg and I looked at each other.

  “What do you mean? Why didn’t you tell me this before now?” Liv was irritated.

  Meg and I patiently waited to know what was going on.

  “Can you tell me a little bit more? I’m not really following this, Tom...”

  More silence as Liv listened. Her face turned pissy. “Of course, I trust you, but you’re not really giving me a lot of details right now…”

  “You know I hate it when you do this.”

  Liv quieted. “No, you’ve never been wrong about this type of stuff.”

  "Promise you’ll fill me in later?”

  “Love you too. Bye.” Liv hung up and turned to us. “Apparently, Tom found out from Jack that you’re moving out. He is insisting we take two bodyguards. He claims Mike is involved in some bad stuff and will fill me in later when he gets home. He has to go into a meeting now. Do you know what he’s talking about?”

  My stomach dropped. I shook my head, but it somehow didn’t surprise me. “Mike isn’t the same guy I fell in love with. I don’t know what it would be, but it must be bad if Tom is insisting that, Liv. I’m sorry. I don’t want to put anyone in any danger.”

  Liv waved her hand at me. “Nonsense. We will take the bodyguards and everything will be fine.”

  Two o’clock quickly came upon us, and we arrived at the apartment. The movers were outside waiting, right on schedule. One moving van sat on the curb. Another van pulled up with more movers.

  “Jeez, your man isn’t going to waste any time, is he?” Meg pointed to all the extra bodies. I smiled. Jack definitely didn’t want me here long.

  The bodyguards led us into the apartment, and I was instantly relieved when I realized Mike was not there, and my stuff hadn't been destroyed.

  Liv, Meg, and I quickly decided what to send to storage and what I would need until I found my own place. I decided before I came that I would go to Jack’s. It was only temporary, I told myself. I knew I couldn’t delay the decision anymore.

  The movers worked quickly. Within an hour all my contents were packed up and divided between where they were going. My personal items packed last, so they could be dropped off at Jack’s first.

  We finished up and I was taking the key off my ring to put on the table when Mike walked in, escorted by one of the bodyguards, the other bodyguard in tow.

  “Really, Maddie? This is how you behave after six years?” Mike tried to stand in front of me, but the bodyguard stepped in front of him.

  I took a step back in fear. He was so angry.

  “Get out of my face. This is my home,” Mike spat out.

  “We are leaving. Goodbye, Mike.”

  Liv, Meg, and I walked around him and out the door. “This isn’t over, you dumb slut,” Mike yelled out at me.

  I shuddered as Liv put her arm around me. Mike was definitely not a good guy, and I should have left years ago.

  10

  Maddie

  “Everything okay?” Gary asked when we got into the car.

  Liv nodded as the bodyguards climbed in next to us.

  My phone rang. “Hey, Jack.”

  “The movers called. He showed up? You okay?”

  “I’m actually great. Totally free.”

  "Good. The movers are headed over to my place. Why don’t you go grab a drink with the girls at Noreens? It’s around the corner from my place. I can call the hostess Jessica and tell her you’re coming.”

  “Oh, aren’t you a regular. Jessica...that sounds like a close hostess relationship,” I teased.

  “Maddie, I own the restaurant,” he said quietly.

  Okay, now I felt dumb. “Whoops.” I laughed nervously.

  “No worries. So, should I call her?”

  I put the phone down. “Do you both want to go have a drink?”

  Liv and Meg looked at each other, and at the same time, replied, "We’re in.”

  I put the phone back to my ear. “Sounds good, Jack.”

  "Okay, I’ll call Jessica.”

  We quickly pulled up to the curb. After exiting the car, we were ushered right to a VIP booth in the bar where a bottle of Cristal sat in an ice bucket.

  Liv snickered at me. “What?”

  “Meg’s right. That boy has it bad for you. I never thought I’d see the day Jack Stevens got serious about someone.”

  I suddenly realized Liv and Meg could give me more intel on Jack. “Why is that?”

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, but Jack usually only does ‘casual.’ But he definitely wants more than that with you by the sound of it.”

  My face flushed for the fortieth time that day. “Yes, he told me that.”

  Meg and Liv exchanged glances.

  “What?” I thought they must read each other’s minds.

  “What do you want? I mean, I’m sure that man is an animal in the bedroom, but besides more sex, what do you want with him?” Meg licked her lips.

  My face burned hot. "Yes, the sex is...the best...and I want more than that...we have more than that...but I don’t want to rush things. I don’t want to put any expectations on anything.”

  “Because you might get hurt again?” Meg tilted her head.

  I bit my lip and shrugged my shoulders. It was too much to think about.

  “I’m going to tell you what a good friend once told me.” Liv glanced over at Meg. “Men like Jack Stevens don’t come around too often, so don’t be so scared that you push him away.”

  “You think I’m pushing him away?” Jeez, I only met him a week ago.

  Meg shook her head. “Liv isn’t saying that. She’s only saying, don’t let the fact you just broke up with Mike stop you from getting serious with Jack if the connection is there.”

  I sipped on my champagne. "I’ll keep that in mind,” I told the girls as I sat back and thought about my new relationship with Jack. I would never have thought I would be in a relationship again this soon, but I couldn’t deny I was. As easy as it would be to go all in, I needed to learn who I was on my own. I felt like Jack was saving me right now with the movers, and staying at his house, and while I was grateful, I also knew I needed to be able to take care of myself.

  I needed to avoid falling head over heels too quickly. I still didn’t really know Jack, I told myself. Slow was going to have to be good enough.

  * * *

  The car dropped me off in front of Jack’s. I checked in with the front desk and was escorted to the penthouse. Guess Jack had a thing for penthouses.

  I was beyond impressed when I walked in. Jack’s place was massive and decorated in modern-day silver and grays. It was stunning. The skyline overlooked New York and lights glowed in the darkness everywhere.

  I picked up the phone and called Jack. He answered quickly.

  “Hey, not to bug you, but I’m in your place, and I don’t want to feel like a snoop. Where do I sleep, and where did you have the movers put my stuff?”

  “One, you aren’t ever bugging me. Two, you can snoop all you want. Three, I thought you would sleep in my bed, unless you want your own room? Four, I instructed them to put your clothes in my spare closet and your toiletries in my bathroom.” He sounded rather authoritative, until that last bit where I heard a bit of nervousness in his voice. “Is that all okay?”

  “Perfect. Thanks, Jack.”

  “Did you get dinner at the restaurant? If not, there is a takeout menu in the drawer by the fridge. Sorry, I probably don’t have much there.”

  “Yes, we ate. I’m all set, Jack. I appreciate this. Thank you.”

  Jack cleared his throat. “Maddie?”

  “What is it?”

  Another deep breath. “I have to tell you something that I found out this morning. I have
to go into this dinner meeting, and I’m already late. Can I call you later?”

  My mind started to race. I wondered what it was. “Sure. Is everything all right?”

  “As long as you stay where you are, yes.”

  “Now you are scaring me Jack.” My skin crawled with goosebumps.

  “No, don’t be. Just promise me you won’t leave my penthouse tonight?”

  "I won’t. You’ll call me later?”

  “Promise. I gotta go, Maddie. Stay inside.”

  "Okay.”

  I hung up and felt a little freaked out. Jack’s penthouse had security. I was sure I was safe there, but what was going on? I tried to push my fears out of my head as I toured his place...or should I say palace?

  The place really was huge. It had four bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, a gym (not surprising based on Jack’s workout schedule), a movie theatre, office, living room, family room, dining room, chef’s kitchen and bar/game room. I walked around in awe, from one room to the next.

  Jack’s master suite was nothing to sneeze at either. A fireplace between the bedroom and bathroom lined the entire wall. There was a sitting area and ‘his and her’ closets, along with a massive master bathroom.

  My clothes hung in the closet, opposite Jack’s. My toiletries were put away in drawers and cabinets attached to a vanity that I assumed Jack had no use for. It was going to be hard not to get used to this place.

  After a long, hot shower, I brushed my teeth, turned on the fireplace, and crawled into Jack’s bed. I wondered again what caused him to stay away so much when he had all this at his fingertips.

  Jack's pillow smelled like him, and I curled up to it and realized that I missed him. It had only been half a day, but there was no doubt about it, I missed him. I hadn't been alone in a week, and it occurred to me that I had quickly become attached to Jack.

  At some point, I must have fallen asleep. I woke up to my phone ringing. It was Jack.

  "Hey, babe, did I wake you?"

  I yawned. "I think I fell asleep. What time is it?"

  “Eleven thirty.”

  “Are you just getting in from dinner?”

  “Yeah. Back in my hotel room, missing you.”

  “I fell asleep missing you, too. Your pillow smells like you.”