Escorting the Billionaire: Blue-Eyed Billionaires, #3

By Kaylee Monroe

Escorting the blue-eyed Billionaire . . .

I took on escorting as a side hustle to help pay off the enormous debt my brother owed to some unsavory people. A strictly "arm candy" type arrangement for rich men who needed a date for the evening. I never could have anticipated that my first date would be Dylan Reid, a hot, charming billionaire who could have any woman he wants. He insists the evening at a charity event is all about fending off other women's advances, but neither of us expect the crazy hot chemistry that simmers between us.

It was supposed to be a one night business transaction, but I find myself saying yes to a real date with Dylan . . . and that's when the fireworks between us really happen. He's kind and charming and just the type of man I'd always dreamed of, but I don't want him mixed up in the threat that's looming over me—even if he does insist he can easily take care of my problem.

Falling for Dylan wasn't part of the plan, but maybe, for once in my life, I can really have it all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaylee Monroe
• Release date: Oct 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223070207

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Thea

I smiled as the flash went off in my face, tilting my head strategically to the side as the photographer snapped another photo. Then, I turned so that I was looking over my shoulder to showcase the backside of the dress I was wearing. I was partially following instructions that were being shouted at me and partially following my own instincts.

As a model, I had to trust my own body and what poses felt right. It was why I was good at it.

What really mattered was that we made the most of this hour-long photo shoot and took a large variety of pictures to present to the client paying for this campaign. This was my biggest modeling job ever, after three years of working at it, and I had Glimmer Modeling Agency to thank for it. My eyes briefly flickered to where my agent, Darcy, was standing off to the side, talking on her cell phone. She was in the process of booking me another job, and I felt a surge of giddiness at the idea of my career finally taking off.

Thea, bring your eyes back to me.

I did as the photographer instructed, returning my gaze to the camera. The dress I was wearing—with lots of tulle and a V-neck that went all the way down to my bellybutton—was the last one for this shoot, which would be featured in a prominent fashion magazine. After a couple more clicks of the camera, we finished up the session, and I let out a relieved sigh. As much as I loved modeling, a long photo shoot like this could be exhausting.

I stepped away from the backdrop area and toward the dressing room. This photographer was a professional that did these kinds of shoots all the time, so he had a nice, private setup. I’d worked with others that didn’t have that luxury. Sometimes, it was just a thin curtain that separated the changing area from the rest of the studio space.

It turned out that getting better jobs in this industry came with better perks. I even had someone here to do my hair and makeup for me when I arrived, which really was a nice fringe benefit.

My agent waited outside the door as I slipped out of the dress and pulled on my own yoga pants and loose T-shirt. I swept my long auburn waves up into a messy bun and pulled on my old, worn Tennis shoes—my favorites for working out.

When I left the room, Darcy wasn’t talking on the phone anymore, but she was texting so quickly that her fingers didn’t seem to actually touch the screen. She glanced up when I appeared in front of her with a fleeting smile on her face.

Great work today. The client’s going to love it.

I knew that Darcy wasn’t really paying attention to the photo shoot, but I didn’t hold it against her. As my agent, part of her job was being encouraging. Besides, she was busy booking more work for me the whole time. I couldn’t fault her for that. Even though I was at a point where I wasn’t living paycheck to paycheck, I desperately needed the money.

Thanks, I said, slinging my purse over my shoulder. You’ll let me know about the job coming up?

Absolutely, she said with a nod. And your payment will be deposited at the end of the week.

That sounded great to me. Steady paychecks from modeling were what I’d wanted for a long time, and it hadn’t been easy to make headway in this business. There were a lot of people trying to make it in the modeling industry in New York City, so I was well-aware of how lucky I was.

I left the studio, driving back to my apartment. It was mid-afternoon, and I found myself in that sweet spot between lunchtime and the evening rush hour, when traffic wasn’t too bad on the city streets. I made good time getting across town, and I was in such a good mood that I didn’t immediately notice the black sedan following behind me.

I didn’t typically pay close attention to cars in the rearview mirror, but when I made a right turn at the last minute, I couldn’t help noticing that the car did the same. I frowned as I peered into the mirror, trying to make out the man behind the wheel. It was hard to see much behind the tinted glass, but I could tell there was someone in the passenger seat too.

A sinking feeling took up residence in the pit of my stomach. There was only one reason that anyone would be following me, and it was not good. I considered trying to avoid the men that were in the sedan by going somewhere too public to allow for a scene to be made, but I knew that would just delay the inevitable and probably piss them off. Unsavory people like this were determined and quick to violence.

So, I continued on my way home, hoping with every turn I made that the car would disappear. I wanted it to be nothing more than paranoia.

When I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment building, I couldn’t hold onto that hope any longer. The car pulled in too. Instead of claiming a parking spot, it came up directly behind me, until only inches separated our vehicles, making sure I was pinned in.

I really didn’t want to get out of the car. Dread made my throat feel tight and my legs were shaky, but what choice did I have?

So, I opened my door and stepped out, while considering making a run for the building. But I didn’t get a chance. Both men in the sedan popped open their doors at the same time and got out with scowls on their faces.

The driver was a familiar face, unfortunately. He worked for Nolan, a man that I owed serious money to. With a bald head and a neck tattoo of a snake, the man was short and stocky. I didn’t know his name, but he’d referred to himself as an enforcer the day that I borrowed money from his boss, letting me know that I didn’t ever want him to pay me a visit.

As he closed in on me, I knew he was right. This was not a good thing.

The other guy was more thinly built, which would have probably made him less intimidating if he didn’t have a wild look in his eyes that suggested he was easily capable of violence.

Look what we have here, Joe, the bald guy said, advancing on me. It’s that model from the billboard.

As I tried to move away, my back met the brick exterior of the building, and fear gripped me. My heart raced so hard and fast in my chest, I could hear the heavy thumping in my ears.

Oh, yeah. I know the one you’re talking about. For the perfume, right?

Joe leered at me, and I wished that someone would come along to interrupt this confrontation. It was the middle of the day, but we were the only people in this parking lot. We were on the side of the building, and the people traveling on the busy street and sidewalk at the front of the complex either didn’t notice what was going on, or didn’t want to notice.

That’s the one, the bald one said, joining Joe. You’d think that with her pretty face on such a big advertisement, she’d be able to make her payments to the boss in a timely manner.

Joe smirked. I guess women are just bad with money.

I wanted to tell the guy off for being a sexist jerk, but I wasn’t an idiot. I kept my mouth shut and didn’t say a word.

Some of them just need the proper motivation, the bald man said, moving into my personal space. He smelled like cigarettes and having him so close made another jolt of fear seep into my heart. "Maybe her brother can convince her to make good on her promises."

No! I finally found my voice, as shaky as it was. The last thing I wanted was for these guys to go after him. I’ll make a payment as soon as possible. At the end of the week—

You know there’s a late fee, right? Joe drawled. And the interest is compounding, sweetheart.

Yeah, I did know that, and the growing amount of interest was causing me to lose sleep every night because I could barely keep up with the increasing amount.

Going to a loan shark two years ago was a terrible decision, one I’d made to save my brother from a very dark fate, and I was still paying for it. Literally. With the insanely high interest the guy was charging me, I hadn’t even been able to touch the principal on the loan. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to fully settle what I owed, and that scared the crap out of me, too—the possibility of always being indebted to Nolan, one way or another.

I swear, I’ll make the payment by the end of the week.

There was a desperate pleading in my voice that I hated, but I was too terrified to focus on that. They wouldn’t hesitate to hurt me or maybe my brother—not enough to kill, that would defeat the whole purpose of borrowing their money in the first place—but I knew they were capable of causing serious physical damage and harm, so I was stuck between a rock and a hard place and they knew it.

They always say that, Joe sneered.

We’ll pass it along to the boss, the bald man said, already turning away to head back to his car. "Can’t guarantee that he won’t send us back with a more tangible message, but that’s your problem."

I stayed in place, pressed against the wall of the building as they retreated to their vehicle. I