Page 61 of Wicked (Wicked Billionaires #2)

DANTE

I work all night as fast as I can. I push the Italian PR team hard and also some private investigators out of NYC. The PIs look into the company Raven was working for, and they do it lightning fast.

My legal team have walled me off, legally. There is, personally, no way anything can come back and bite me. My fashion company is also now safe and iron clad. It’s how I work when at war.

There is good and bad news, but it is what it is as the sun rises outside the castle.

Using a questionable ex-intelligence hacker, now on the move, they find the juice. Raven’s boss had pushed Raven to write a negative article on Italy. Raven appears to have been reluctant to do so but had to.

The idea makes me sick, yet happy. Sick I did not trust her, but relieved she has a soul. Also, relieved she is who I thought she was.

Perfection.

I also find out the chain of events. Raven sent the article to her boss, as required. Soon after, while in the castle with me, she wrote and dispatched a positive article on Italy. In the email I have been forwarded, she clearly asked for it to replace the negative article.

Raven’s poisonous boss then seems to have tricked up the damning article before it was released.

As the last information comes in, I pace in front of the castle fire with an expresso.

Tito watches me closely, and he senses something is up. I have to make a big decision, and I have to make it fast. I’m good at planning ten steps ahead, and I enjoy being back in CEO mode, working around complex obstacles, solving problems, and protecting what is mine.

Even if I miss Raven more than I like, it is what it is. I will not live without her.

How can I?

I pace for a few seconds longer, then suddenly, I’m throwing things on the four-poster bed. They form a pile, and I move whiplash fast.

I grab my go-bag, and I throw things inside. I hit my phone and Thomas’ contact.

“Go,” he says, already on standby.

“Location of jet?” I ask coldly.

“New York.”

“Send it to Rome immediately. I also need a passport for someone called Tito. They’re a dog. And no, I’m not kidding.” There is silence. “You get that?”

“Of course, but…”

“What?” I grunt.

“Your jet is being serviced. We need two days.”

My mind churns fast. “Just get the dog passport. Leave the jet to me.” I ring off and I call Nico. He answers fast. Nico, Lorenzo, and me always do for each other.

“How was home?”

“Messy,” I say. “Listen, I need a favor.”

“Anything.”

“You still in France?”

“Correct.”

“Can I borrow your jet?”

“Of course. Where?”

“Send it to Rome. I need it for a day. Two max.”

“Done. It’ll leave in thirty.”

“Thanks, I’ll call later with details.”

I end the call and phone Thomas. I know we have shadow contacts in Interpol and also intelligence. It is standard in billion-dollar companies, and the protection of global empires is key. Knowledge, data, and detail is sadly the oil that makes the modern world go round.

“Shoot,” Thomas says in the zone.

“I don’t care how you do it, and I don’t want to know. Just find her.”

“Consider it done,” Thomas says. “Next?”

“The company Raven worked for, I’m going to buy it,” I say, yanking on my jacket.

“Seriously?”

“Always,” I say. “Call me in an hour with the company owner details, company valuation, and details on that CEO slut who burnt my girl. I’m going to burn the witch down.

” There is silence as I grab my bag. “And prepare to offer the owner thirty percent more than it’s worth.

Just make sure they do not know who is purchasing it. ”

“Or they’ll double the price. I get it. Consider it done.”

I hit end, reach the door, and turn to Tito. “Come on, boy. It’s time to get your mom back.”

As I race for Rome in the old Ferrari, I feel pumped. I missed the hard-core fashion industry edge while in the castle and suspect I took all that energy out on Raven’s body.

I’m now focused on getting Raven back. I’m focused on doing it fast, and I’m focused on burning that bitch for messing with her.

Another detail our mystery hacker found is that Raven sold her first book. I’m excited for her and proud. Word is, she is working on a second book, and my girl really is now flying.

The butterfly is complete, and her beautiful wings are in full use.

Only one thing worries me… I’m nervous about getting her back.

The idea of males anywhere near Raven also makes my blood feel like fire. I don’t like it one darned bit.

The thing is no one in the world is like her. No one has her purity of soul. Her vitality of spirit. Her vibrant soul that somehow… Somehow matches mine.

I need to get Raven back. She is far more important than my company and my billions.

I would throw it all away if I could have her as mine. I am Raven’s, and she is mine. End of fucking story.

She is the one!

After pushing the Ferrari to its limit, I enter busy Rome. I called each of my relatives on the way, and I explained I needed a week away. I said something had come up, but a couple saw through my plan.

Wise Nonna and intuitive Bianca asked if I was going to get my girl back. I avoided answering them directly, but they both got the message. Bianca said she was proud and to ‘go get her.’

I am, and I will not take no for an answer. I’ve done wrong. If I need to, I’ll beg. I’ll even offer her a ring.

Whatever it takes.

As I slice between Vespa motorcycles, Fiats, Alfa Romeos and all kinds of cars and drivers, my eyes are peeled like I have tunnel vision. I narrowly avoid crashing into taxis and vehicles, and horns blast all around.

I give zero fucks and I’m close to the airport, streaking around piazzas and busy roundabouts.

Tito barks at the mad scooter riders, and finally I plant my foot down. As we streak into the distance, Thomas finally calls back.

He explains the owner of the company Raven worked for is a private individual and American. An aging businesswoman who now resides in Switzerland. He explains the company valuation is around twenty million.

“Offer up to thirty, and do it fast, as in hours,” I say, tossing my cell next to Tito. I yank on the wheel, and we pull into the private jet lounge carpark as my eyes scan the jets.

I see Nico’s distinct jet landing, and I nod. I leave the keys in the Ferrari, grab my bag, and open Tito’s door. He stays close, and we head for the stairs to the exclusive lounge. I hit Nico on my cell, and he picks up fast. “Thanks, you saved the day,” I say.

“You sound serious.”

“I am,” I say. “I’ve found the one!”

“Really? You of all people?”

“What do you mean?” I ask. Nico says nothing, and I don’t care. I’ve never been so certain in all my life. “Really. I couldn’t be more sure,” I say. “She’s everything!”

“Then stop talking to me.” I grin stupidly as Tito and I run up the steps. “Just get her back. And don’t let anything get in the way!”

“Better believe it,” I say, ending the call and entering the lounge.

I know we have a ten-minute wait for jet and passport documentation, and a mysterious man from the Italian Government arrives. He hands me an envelope, and in it is Tito’s animal passport, still warm from printing.

I like to hire fixers at every legal level, and I still have a chance to get her back.

I just need her in front of me and soon… Before she meets someone else.

I pace in front of the Rome airport view as Nico’s navy-blue jet turns. I plan my next two moves when my cell rings. It’s Thomas, and I shoot Tito a look. He lays down as I walk to the balcony, away from the hum of the room and the CCTV cameras.

I look over the jets, and I am alert. I know we are pulling various illegal moves, and I don’t want CCTV cameras on me.

“Go,” I say, leaning on the railing.

“The company will be yours by the end of the day. The owner was reluctant, but I offered her twenty-five million in cash. We will sign agreements today. Our legal team, so far, have found no issues, no obstacles, and no dangers.”

“Good,” I say, as officials meet Nico’s jet crew in the distance. “This is where you tell me you have her,” I say.

“Well, she’s been a busy girl.”

“Speak,” I say with no time for games.

“Over the last few weeks, she’s been in half a dozen countries.”

“What the hell?” I say, unbelieving and slowing.

“And now she’s in Thailand.”

“With who?” I growl angrily.

“No idea.” I rub the back of my neck, and I hate the idea of her with another. It cannot happen. Not now. Not ever. “Want me to check?”

“No… No, that’s too much,” I growl, trying to control myself. The primal, staunch side of me wants to say, “Yes, of course I fucking do!”

“She needs her privacy,” I say, feeling sick. I do not want her on her own, especially around tanned backpackers. In lagoons. In shorts. Dancing under coconut palms.

She is mine!

“Talk to me,” I command, walking inside to get my bag and Tito. We head quickly back out and towards the jet. “Exacts and now!”

“She’s on an island in Southern Thailand. It’s called Koh Samui.”

Tito and I walk up to a jet cart that pulls up. It’s like a golf cart, and I climb on. “Get on, boy.” For some reason, Tito does. “I know we can’t hold her, and I know we can’t tell if she’s going to leave tomorrow, but anything else?”

Guys I know in NYC would shut the airport down and cordon off the island.

“We have her hotel name,” Thomas says, “and she’s there for another day. One day.”

I think about convincing the hotel to get her to stay or to act like she has to stay. We could have our local Asian fixer bribe the travel company or the hotel.

“You alright?” Thomas asks.

“Yeah,” I say, “just thinking.”

“It’s hard when you like someone,” Thomas says. It’s rare for him. The brute is a corporate animal like me.

“Yeah, try fucking love,” I growl.

“Really?” I do not reply. “Well, at least you found the one.”

“Yeah,” I say, “But will she have me back?”

“That’s up to you,” Thomas says. “Make her yours.”

The comment is unlike him, but he is right. “I know, and I will.”

I climb out of the cart, and Tito tags along. We walk to the jet, and I want the next communication off the phone and on an encrypted platform.

“I’ll send you what I need done in Thailand in five.”

“Anything you want.”

“Meanwhile, the witch… Raven’s ex-boss. Did you view her contract yet?”

“Of course. We also skimmed her emails for the last eighteen months.”

“You’re a sick bastard,” I mumble. “Remind me to never go up against you.”

“Thanks, that means a lot,” Thomas says, making a very rare joke. “We’ve found a window.”

I smile for the first time today. “Which is?”

“Her employment contract has specific clauses. Some limiting her actions!”

I nod to Nico’s flight crew, and they step back from the jet’s stairs. They smile as I hand over our passports and run inside with Tito.

“And?” I ask, walking down the aisle.

“Now, some clauses naturally limit her actions regarding laws. They also include bribery. It would appear the colorful skank has been taking grey advertising funds for bruising alternative destinations. In effect, nations could and have been paying the travel rag she is CEO of to slam their opposition. A disgusting practice. Now, I have personally viewed the window, and it is clear she is way over the line. She can be fired, immediately.”

Finally, a clear path to payback!

“Good,” I say, reaching a large leather chair. I put my bag down, pull off my jacket and pat a leather chair.

Tito lays down as I walk down the back of the jet and pour myself a whiskey. Nico drinks the same as I, and it’s some of the best in the world.

“Do this and do it fast,” I say, swirling the golden liquid and dropping next to Tito.

“Find out when she’s at the next travel conference.

She is likely to be doing many, and it’ll be part of the business.

Wait for her to be on stage speaking and fire her on the spot via email.

Sixty seconds later, have each of our six media company partners leak the news she’s been fired for illegal activities, and she’s being investigated. No one messes with my girl.”

“I’m on it, and we’ve just pulled her schedule up. She’s speaking at one tomorrow in Dallas. That is when you land in Thailand.”

I think fast as I sip. “I like it and do this too. Have two of the media announcements pinged to Raven’s email. It’s good she sees there is justice in the world. And do not let her know we did it.”

“Just like Batman would do, or Bruce Wayne rather.”

“Screw you,” I say.

“No, really.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I say.

“It’s good to have you back. I missed having you on deck.”

“Screw you,” I say with a grin. “Now, get things tied up, wait for my message in five, then get some sleep!”

I end the call and glance at Tito.

“No one messes with your mom.” Tito barks at me, and I lean into him.

For whatever reason he seems to like me now.

I rub his head as we look out the window.

Outside, our passports are handled by the crew and officials.

Private jet users don’t get too shaken down, and the officials likely saw me head inside.

I brief the pilot on our destination, and I tell him time is key. He heads quickly away, and I type out what I need done for Thomas to stall Raven’s movements and keep her mine.

More accurately… give me a chance to get her back.

I finish and toss my cell aside as we take off into the sunset. I now have time to think about what I did wrong, what I said that was wrong, and what I need to change. Raven is the only woman in the world for me, and she will be the only woman I ever need.

I know the flight will be around nine hours, and it will be hard to sleep. I will use the time to get my shit together or at least work out how to get her back.