Page 205 of The Morally Grey Billionaires Boxset

Solene

"Where is he?"

I pace back-forth-back in the living room of Declan’s place.

After he spanked me, then drove off without a word, I was too stunned to move for a few minutes.

That’s when Rick ushered me back to the limo that had brought us to the studio.

As soon as I got home, I ran straight up to Declan’s bedroom and peeked inside.

It was my first time in there, and the sight of the massive bed draped in black sheets in the middle of a room twice the size of mine took my breath away.

I walked in, the view out the windows up there was astounding.

On one side, floor-to-ceiling sliders lead to a deck and a stunning view of the ocean and the horizon that stretches out for what seems like forever.

The room itself is sparse. Hardwood floors, a fireplace on one side with armchairs placed in front of it, an end-of-bed bench, a table pushed up against another wall with a laptop on it.

The bed was made and there were no clothes in the laundry basket on the far side of the room, so his staff must have been in here to clean up.

Still this room felt more lived-in. There was spare cash on the dresser, books laying open on the nightstand.

The door to the closet was half-ajar like he pulled on some clothes and stepped out without closing it fully.

And curled into a cubby in the wall next to the bed was a whip.

I swallowed. A whip? Why did he have a whip?

I should have walked out right then. Instead, I edged toward it and drew my fingers over the braided leather.

What would it feel like to have it slither across my skin?

To have it lick up the curve of my butt and—I immediately stopped that line of thinking.

Where had that thought come from anyway?

Standing there, I closed my eyes and drew in that dark scent of his. Some of the tension faded from my limbs.

Looking into his room felt like getting a peek into his mind, although I confess, I still don’t understand his motivations in offering to take me with him to LA.

He said he wasn’t going to sleep with me, yet that spanking had definite sexual undercurrents.

Not to mention, how he spoke to me on the flight over.

Our encounters, so far, have been filled with erotic overtones.

yet he continues to keep his distance from me.

He’s already making good on his promise to introduce me to the most important people in the music business; Harry Baldwin indicated he's more than happy to sign me. Declan had been gung-ho—rattling off the names of the labels he was going to pitch me to. Of course, I was thrilled. To hit success on my first try is more than I'd anticipated. Only when I turned toward Declan to share my excitement, he was gone. I excused myself and rushed down the stairs and out the front door, where I found him ready to leave without me. And he didn’t stop for me. Not really. The douchebag pretended he couldn’t hear me over the sound of his bike.

Wait, was that his bike? He arrived in the limo with me.

Whatever. Was he pissed off with me? Was he unhappy I'd impressed Harry? I have so many questions for the man who hasn’t returned home hours after he, inexplicably, drove off without me.

Now I turn on Rick, who’s positioned himself near the doorway of the living room. "Where’s Declan? I’m sure you know."

There’s no change in his expression. He’s a big guy, as big as Declan. His hair is dark, and unlike Declan, his eyes are a steel gray. He’s just as classically handsome, but without the scar. In some ways, he’s even more good-looking than Declan, but somehow, he does nothing for me.

I march up to him and tip up my chin. "Where did he go? And don’t tell me you don’t know."

"I do know, but I can’t tell you."

"Why is that?"

"Declan’s orders."

I groan in exasperation.

A phone rings from somewhere behind me.

"I believe that’s for you?"

"I don’t have a phone," I scowl.

Yep, Diego and my mother refused to get me a phone in their bid to keep me ‘innocent.’ Little did they know, I had access to my friends’ phones in school.

"You sure?" For the first time, a hint of a smile curves Rick’s lips. I glower at him, then turn and march over to the origin of the sound. Sure enough, there’s a phone on the coffee table. The name on caller ID says Olivia. Huh? I pick up the phone and accept the FaceTime call.

"Solene, how are you?" My sister’s face appears on the phone. "Are you okay? I was so worried about you."

"How did you get this number?"

Her eyebrows draw down. "Declan gave it to me…"

"Of course."

She scrutinizes my features. "Are you okay? How’s LA treating you? And how about your meeting with the talent agent? How did that go?”

"You knew about the— Don’t tell me; Declan updated you." I roll my eyes.

"He did."

I scowl.

"He and I are friends, Sol, and trust me, I’ve been giving him grief about whisking you away to LA without giving any of us a chance to think. But I knew this is what you wanted, so I didn’t stop him."

I hunch my shoulders. "It is what I wanted. It’s just—"

"What is it?" My sister’s features grow concerned. "Has he been treating you okay? If he tries any funny business, I’ll..."

"You’ll fly over here and give him a piece of your mind, I know." I half smile. "And he’s treating me… the way I want to be treated."

"Hmm." She purses her lips. "I’m not sure what to make of that, but I’m not going to ask you for more details, either."

"Wise choice." I chuckle. "How’s married life?"

Her cheeks redden. "Uh, it’s good. I’m good. Massimo is—"

"Better than you expected?"

She clears her throat. "Yes, to that. He’s much gentler than he comes across. He cares for me, Sol. He loves me." Her gaze grows dreamy. "We’re moving to London so he can help his brother legalize the Cosa Nostra business."

I snort. "Is that what they’re calling it nowadays?"

"They’re serious about it, Sol. Michael, his brother and the Don of the Cosa Nostra, is expecting his first child with his wife. He’s determined for the child to be born into an environment that’s safe."

"So, he’s going to what, kill all his enemies?"

"Or buy them off and make peace with them." She nods.

"For someone who hated the life and ran away from it, you sure are re-adjusting to it very quickly."

Her brow furrows. "I am, right? It’s because of Massimo.

When I’m with him, I feel safe. When I'm in his arms, nobody else in the world exists. When I’m looking into his eyes, I know he’ll do everything in his power to keep me protected.

" She sighs. "Look at me, getting all sentimental and sappy.

Did you ever think you'd see the day?" She laughs.

A heavy sensation grips my chest. My stomach ties itself in knots. I’m not jealous. I’m not. "You deserve every happiness, Olivia."

"So do you. You do know Declan has feelings for you, right?"

"He feels… something for me." I shuffle my feet. I never told my sister about how Diego found me and Declan in that compromising situation. To be honest, I’m not sure I want to bring it up to her right now, either. Diego is no more, and the past belongs to Declan and me. It’s up to us to figure out how to get past it… Or not.

"You sure he’s treating you okay?"

"He’s already introduced me to the best talent agent in town who’s taking me on, so yes, he’s delivering on his promise—the reason I came to LA with him in the first place."

Once more, she peruses my features, then nods. I hear someone calling her. She glances up and the big smile that lights up her features indicates it’s Massimo talking.

"I gotta go. We’re heading off on our honeymoon. But if you need anything—"

"I’ll call, I promise. Now go, before your new husband loses his patience and decides to throw you over his shoulder and carry you out of there."

She laughs. "Bye, darling." She blows me a kiss, then the screen goes dark.

I turn to Rick. “I don’t have the number to this—" My phone vibrates. I glance down to find a message:

Declan: This is the number of your new phone.

Clearly, he keyed his number into the phone book.

I slide the phone into my bag, then brush past Rick, and toward the entrance.

I push open the heavy double doors and step into the bright sunshine.

No surprise, I hear his heavy tread in my wake.

I begin to walk down the front steps, and he catches up with me at the bottom.

"Where are you going?"

"In search of Declan." I walk past the limo and down the driveway.

"How do you think you’re going to find him?"

"I don’t know, but I’ll think of something." I continue down the drive, and he keeps abreast.

"This is LA, you can’t walk anywhere."

"I come from Napoli. We walk everywhere."

“You don’t have any money on you.”

I scoff, “I can catch a lift.”

He blows out a breath. "You’re not going to give up, are you?"

"Nope."

"Fine. Wait here." His footsteps fade away. The next thing I hear is the car starting up, then he slides the limo to a halt next to me.

Yes! I round the limo and slide into the passenger’s seat next to him. "So, where are you taking me?"