This Billionaire’s Club: The Billionaire's Club, #3

By Rachel Foster

Lily has been taken by the mafia and Nathan has to get her back. But he still isn't willing to pay the mafia what they want. He will do everything possible to get her back… With force that is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: 3rd Publishing
• Release date: Mar 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215811320

Book preview

This Billionaire’s Club

Rachel Foster

Copyright © 2018 by Rachel Foster

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Contents

This Billionaire’s Club

This Billionaire’s Club

1

L

ILY

I’d passed out.

The fear had been so intense that all I could do was breath in and out, in and out. And before I knew it, I’d begun to feel light-headed.

She doesn’t sound so good, boss.

Those were the last words I remembered before the black overtook me.

But, to my horror, when I woke up, the black was still there.

And I still could barely breath.

Help! The words came out muffled. As I came back to my senses, I realized that there was something over my face, something covering my head. I screamed, my throat raw.

My hands were bound, tied behind me. My ankles were free but kicking them didn’t do me any good.

I was stuck, trapped. I kicked and screamed, using whatever strength I had left to try to get myself loose.

The door opened right in the middle of my trashing.

Shit, spoke a gruff, male voice. You up?

I needed to ask questions, to try to get a sense of where the hell I was, who had brought me here. But I was too scared. Words wouldn’t form in my head, and all that came from my mouth were sobs.

Alright, calm it down, spoke the man. Boss is going to want to talk to you. He won’t like it if you’re just whining like that.

I didn’t give a fuck about this boss and what he wanted. But I needed to get my head straight if I were going to get answers.

I took a deep, slow breath, doing my best to ignore my pounding heart and the fear that held me tightly.

Where am I? I asked, finally able to speak. Who are you?

Me? That doesn’t matter. The man you need to care about is the boss.

"Who...who’s the boss?"

Shouldn’t say anything else. But he’s been waiting for you to get up. Gimme a second.

Without another word, or even giving me a chance to respond, the man opened the heavy door to the room and shut it behind him. I was alone once again, the fear returning.

I tried to piece together the events of the moments before I was taken. I remembered running on the Upper East Side, trying to get to the park. I remembered the black car, and then the van. I remembered being yanked off the street, the sliding door of the van clanging shut.

There was no doubt that I was being kidnapped. But who the hell would have done it?

Nathan popped into mind. But that didn’t make any sense. I’d been staying in his apartment, after all. If he wanted to speak to me, all he’d have to do would be to come over.

But who else would have it out for me? I wondered if it might be Paul, if some dealer to whom he owed money had decided to come after me instead. It wasn’t totally unlikely, but something about that answer didn’t sit right with me.

Wherever I was, the air was cold and stale and thick with mildew. I sensed that I was underground, in some dank basement.

As I sat, however, I noticed something. The cords on my wrists were holding me in place, but they were getting looser the more I pulled on them. Whoever had tied them hadn’t done a very good job. I pulled my wrist away, the ropes loosening even more. But I didn’t pull them any more than that – I needed to at least get the hood off my face and see where I was and what was going on before I tried to make a break for it.

Before I had a chance to think it over too much more, however, the door opened, and several pairs of footsteps sounded as people entered the room. The door shut, the footsteps stopped, and I could feel many pairs of eyes on me.

No one said a word.

Who the hell are you? I asked, anger in my voice. What’s going on here?

A chuckle came from one of the people – I had a feeling they were all men.

She’s up, alright, spoke a man, his voice elegant and professional, even a little warm.

You want me to take the hood off?

I do. Let her see what her situation is.

One of the men stepped over to me and grabbed hold of the fabric over my head, giving it a yank and pulling it off. The room was dark, but even so, it took me a few moments for my eyes to adjust.

Just like I’d assumed, I was in what looked to be a basement storage room. The walls and floor and ceiling were all worn-out concrete, a few empty storage shelves against the front of the space on both sides of the door.

There were three men. The one in the middle caught my eye. He was tall and well-built, seeming around his mid-forties. He was dressed in an expensive, dark suit, his shoes a shiny black. Everything about him projected money and power, his narrow eyes full of menace. The two other men, both at his sides, appeared to be his subordinates. Both were younger, in their twenties, and while they were dressed in suits, the clothing wasn’t nearly as nice as what the man in the middle wore.

No doubt in my mind that this guy, whoever he might’ve been, was the one in charge.

And there was also no doubt that he wasn’t on my side.

This is her, huh? he asked, stepping closer to me. This is the girl that all the fuss is about, huh?

Whoever you are, I said, anger in my words. Fuck you.

He only smiled. She’s got a mouth on her, too. His eyes moved up and down my body, and I couldn’t sense if he was checking me out or if he was sizing me up.

Either way, I didn’t like it.

Anyway, I suppose it’s only fair that you know my name. He placed his hand on his chest, three of his fingers adorned with gold rings. My name is Antonio. And you’re Lily.

What do you want from me?

He shrugged. It’s very simple. I want something from your boyfriend, and he’s refusing to give it to me. So, I picked you up as something of a bargaining chip. I’m very confident that once he knows I have you, he’ll give me exactly what I want.

What? I don’t have a boyfriend.

Right after I said the words, I realized what he meant, who he was referring to.

Nathan.

Antonio only smiled. You seem like a smart girl – I’m sure you know to whom I’m referring.

"But he’s not my boyfriend, I said, a tinge of panic to my words. We’re not even on speaking terms."

"I’ve seen the way he talks about you. I’ve heard about the sort of special treatment he allowed you at the club when you still worked there. All the girls were there for us to have our fun with, except for you. Now, are you going to tell me that a woman who Nathan won’t let anyone else touch isn’t someone special to him?"

But...

’But’ nothing, said Antonio. "I want something from Nathan, and he’s proving himself to be rather stubborn when it comes to this matter. So, that’s where you come in. I’m going to let him know that I have you, and he’s not going to get you until I get what I want."

He stepped over to me. His eyes stayed on mine as he drew closer and closer. I could feel his menace. There was no doubt in my mind that whatever he had in store for me, it wasn’t good.

Then again, he said once he loomed over me. It’d be a real shame to keep a beauty like you cooped up in this room. Maybe I’ll bring you over to my place, have some fun with you, while we wait for Nathan to make the right decision.

He squatted down and looked me in the eye.

What do you say? he asked. Feel like being my pet? I’ll more than make it worth your while.

I couldn’t resist. I yanked my hand from the now-loose bindings and brought it toward his face.

But I was too slow for Antonio. He caught me by the wrist and stopped me before I could hit him.

He narrowed his eyes in anger, then pulled back his hand and brought it against my cheek.

The pain was incredible, the blow hard enough to knock the chair back. I fell with a crash, my cheek burning, tears forming in my eyes.

Fine, he said. You’ll stay down here. Tie her up properly this time.

The men pulled the chair up and tied my wrists.

I’ll see you again soon, gorgeous.

And with that, he left. I was alone, feeling more helpless and scared than I had in my whole life.

2

N

ATHAN

I was in a fucking fury.

Standing in my apartment, glass from the mirror I’d shattered all around my feet, all I could think about was revenge.

I’d have it – no doubt about that. The only question was when.

Lili was gone. I’d do anything to get her back.

I stormed away from the wreckage of the mirror, shards crunching beneath my shoes. When I was back in the main room of my penthouse, I pulled out my phone and called George.

He answered right away. George knew better than to not.

Boss, he said. Glad you called – I was just about to dial you up.

What? I asked. You found out something?

Yep. My boys were asking around with the girls downstairs, seeing if any of them had spoken to Lily recently. Turns out that Marla’s been pretty chummy with her, been paying her to watch her kids after school.

What does she know?

That’s why I was going to call you. Marla’s living in Long Island City, and I’m on my way over now if you want me to swing by and pick you up.

No. Give me her address. I’ll go there myself.

You want backup on this?

I want to handle this on my own. Stay on top of the girls, make sure not one of them is holding back. Offer a reward to anyone on the staff who has any information about where she might be.

You got it. Call if you need anything.

I hung up and hurried out of my penthouse, keys to my Ducati motorcycle in hand. Minutes later I was tearing through the streets of Midtown toward Queens.

When I’d received the news that afternoon that Lily had been kidnapped, the rage that had taken hold of me had been...indescribable. My men at the apartment had let me know she hadn’t come back from a run. A few calls to the NYPD officers on my payroll later, and I had access to the CCTV cameras in the neighborhood.

I’d watched her with my own two eyes, watched as she was pulled into the darkness of the van’s interior. Whoever had taken her had been careful, made sure that there was no way to track the plates.

But there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that the man who’d taken her had been that fucker Antonio.

He’d tried to extort me, to get me to pay him money he had no right to. I’d refused, and he’d told me he’d have no problem getting to me some other way. I should’ve known that he’d meant he’d go after the one woman I cared about.

The sun was setting as I raced across the Queensboro Bridge. All I could think about was getting her back, and how I’d do anything to make it happen.

I reached Marla’s condo, not bothering to check in at the front desk. When I reached her door, I knocked hard. I didn’t want to waste a second more than I needed to.

Coming! she shouted from inside.

I heard the commotion of children from inside, followed by the clicking of the lock. Then the door opened, and Marla stood in front of me, an expression of surprise on her face.

Mr...Mr. Thorne! she said. Marla was dressed in flannel pajama bottoms and an oversized sweatshirt. I had to admit, it was strange to see her in clothes other than what she wore at the club.

Who is it, Mom? asked a child from further in the apartment.

It’s my boss.

I need to speak with you. Now.

Her eyes were worried, but she nodded. Come out onto the porch. We can talk in private.

She opened her door and I stepped inside. Her apartment was spacious and well-appointed – I paid my girls well, and I was pleased to see that Marla was using her hard-earned money to provide a good home for her children.

Her kids were there, watching me with wide eyes. I said nothing to them, but they could almost certainly sense that I was an adult who didn’t want to be bothered. Marla led me out onto the balcony, the view looking out over the river, a wild orange sunset dipping below the towers of Manhattan.

This is...odd, Mr. Thorne. But it’s good to see you.

You’re not in trouble, I said, trying to put her at ease. The reason I’m here is because of Lily.

Her eyes flashed. What? Lily? What’s wrong? Is she OK?

While George had been asking the girls at the club about Lily, I’d been careful to make sure that none of them let slip about what was going on. But with Marla...I could sense that she cared about her. As a man who felt the same way, in that moment we had something in common."

That’s why I’m here. What I’m about to tell you stays between us, got it?

She nodded.

I filled her in. As I gave her the details, Marla took hold of the balcony railing for support.

Oh...oh my God. What...what can I do to help?

They were the exact words I wanted to hear. You need to tell me anything you can about where she’s been over the last few days. Specifically, this morning.

Marla swallowed hard, glancing away as she tried to figure out how to answer the question.

I...I don’t know. She’d been spendin’ time over here with the kids, and as far as I know, the rest of the time she stayed in that apartment you let her use.

She didn’t say anything about anyone following her?

Her eyes flashed as she realized something.

The black car.

What? What black car?

She said that some black car had been following her around. But I think she just figured it was you keepin’ tabs on her, makin’ sure that she didn’t come to any harm.

I had been keeping tabs on her. But I’d called off my men recently, figuring that if she was staying at one of my apartments, I’d be able to watch her there.

Foolish fucking me.

She hasn’t come to harm? asked Marla, worry in her voice. Has she?

I shook my head, the idea of something happening to Lily enough to make me sick to my stomach with anger. If something had happened to her, I’d find the man who did it and do to him whatever he’d done to her tenfold.

All I know so far is that she’s been taken. Everything else is just speculation.

Marla folded her arms over her chest and shook her head. God, this is so awful. I wish I could go with you and help, but I’ve got the kids.

I reached into the inner pocket of my leather jacket and took out a notepad and pen. I scrawled down my personal cell phone number and handed it over.

"You find out anything, you call me the second you do. Understand?"

She nodded, quickly wiping a tear from her eye. Yeah. I got it. Anything I can do to help.

With that, I turned to leave.

Wait, Mr. Thorne.

Yeah?

Her brother. He needs to know. I’m sure he’d pitch in whatever way he could.

I gave her a nod and then left. Five minutes later I was back on my motorcycle, gunning the engine. She was right. Paul did need to know about what happened to his sister. More than that, I was sure that if he knew anything, he’d tell me.

Thirty minutes later, as I sat across from him in the visitors’ area at the rehab clinic, the rage I saw on his face equaled what I’d displayed when I’d learned the news.

But his rage was directed at me.

What the fuck did you do? he growled as he ran over to me. Who are you, anyway?

I pivoted as he rushed over, grabbing his arm and putting him into a hold.

Let me fucking go! he yelled. Now! He struggled, and as I held him in place I considered how useful his anger would be, how he would undoubtedly show no mercy to those who took his sister.

The guards rushed in and I called them off. As the man who owned the place, they listened, stepping back.

Now, I said, still holding the struggling Paul. You want to help me find her? Or do you want to fight?

That got his attention. He stopped squirming and I let him go.

Sit. And tell me what you know.

He dropped back down onto the couch across from me. I sat down as well. Once I was confident he wasn’t going to fly into another rage, I nodded for the guards