Crude Heir (Billionaire Heirs #3)

Epilogue

Derrick

The atmosphere in Addler’s study is tense as Ezequiel introduces me to Dante, the contact he and Addler think can help, via an online meeting. He might be thirty at most, dark hair, sharp suit. If I had to guess, I would have thought he was a businessman, but his business is way out of the norm.

“I apologize for doing this through a video conference,” Dante states. “It’s not how this is normally done, but I understand the urgency in this situation.”

I nod, trying to hide my apprehension. “Thank you. I’m grateful for being considered.”

Dante leans back, studying me. “I’d already done an extensive background check on you after your name hit the news.” Well, it’s one good thing that came out of that ordeal. “It just wasn’t the right time to contact you.”

“No wonder you got the information so fast.” Ezequiel, lounging in a leather chair, raises an eyebrow.

“Our services include connecting clients with service providers who will meet their unique needs. We also help unravel situations of a personal, political, financial, legal, ethical, or medical nature for our clients,” he says, taking a breath. “We are, up to and including, a cleaner, for those who require the service.”

I’m taken aback. “That’s quite an extensive offering.”

Ezequiel leans in. “Medical services?” he asks, sounding intrigued.

“One hundred percent aboveboard,” Dante assures him. “From physicians, to facilities, to transplant volunteers. But it comes at a hefty cost, especially if it affects the volunteer’s future.”

“We’ll talk later,” Ezequiel says, pensive.

Dante turns his attention back to me. “Now, you must understand that this collaboration stays within this group. You will sign a nondisclosure agreement. Violating that agreement comes with consequences— dire consequences.”

“I understand.” Which is why Addler and Ezequiel were concerned about contacting him on my behalf.

“For now, I will take a verbal agreement that you’ll keep our association confidential so we can continue.”

“I agree,” I reply solemnly.

“All of it, Derrick,” he insists.

“I agree to keep all details of our association confidential.” And once again, I’m thankful for Addler being the type of friend he is. And Ezequiel, who had no reason to take a chance for me.

“Very well.” Dante picks up a pen. “What do you know about Nicole’s history?”

“She was brought into the country with the assumed name as a child.” I shake my head. “The only memory she has is that they were likely left locked into a trailer.”

“Nasty business,” Dante says, ending with a grimace.

“Her education and work history are all in the Houston area. I didn’t find anything out of the ordinary, just her dealing with loss and finding out this happened to her.”

“What is Nicole to you?” he asks point-blank.

“She’s my fiancée,” I state, my chest feeling lighter because of it.

“I didn’t find any information on you and her other than working together,” he says, leaving the comment open ended.

“It’s fairly recent.” Which is an understatement.

“How recent?” he asks, needing a clearer picture.

“An hour or so,” I admit. “I just proposed this morning.”

Dante lets out a low whistle. “That’s very recent.”

“Yes, though the time frame doesn’t matter. This was going to happen,” I assure him. “This just moved up the timeline.”

“Well, congratulations,” he adds.

Warmth spreads across my chest. “Thank you.”

“Marrying her is actually the best way to keep her in the country, if anything were to happen.” His severe expression relaxes a bit. “A very wise choice,” he says with approval. “Is there any chance you could make it official, sooner rather than later?”

“You mean, a Vegas wedding?” I get it. While I’d love to give her a dream wedding, a situation like this calls for decisive action. Hopping on a plane to Las Vegas might be in her best interest.

“Vegas may not be discreet enough for you,” Dante says, bursting my bubble. “I could get you new identification cards. However, you may be recognized, considering your face was all over the media not too long ago.”

“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath.

“While I don’t expect it, there’s still a chance Simon initiated legal action. The authorities could track you down while you’re in town. And you do not want her in the system at this stage.”

“So, what do you suggest?” I ask, not sure how I’m expected to proceed.

“This is the digital age, Derrick.” He chuckles. “It’s as easy as having someone on-site submit an application to become ordained. They can preside over a matrimony before the end of the day.”

“Looks like we got ourselves a wedding.” Ezequiel grins.

The exorbitant amount of money I’m spending on this exclusive membership is already paying off. “Would you be up to doing the marrying?” I ask Ezequiel.

“I may not be your best bet in case this goes legal,” he says with regret.

“No problem,” I assure him. “I’ll talk to Addler when he gets back from the vendor meeting.”

“Once you’re married, you and Nicole need to disappear for a few days. Go camping, climb a mountain, go explore a national park in another state. Anything to keep you off the radar while we get things straightened out.”

“I invested in a cruise-line that just started running out to Alaska. I can make a call and see about getting you a cabin,” Ezequiel offers.

“Barron should be able to accommodate you,” Dante chimes in, apparently familiar with the person in question.

“Barron?” I have no idea who this is.

“He owns the cruise line,” Dante explains. “This isn’t your run-of-the-mill ship, it’s luxury cruising. That calls for privacy required by high-profile visitors.”

“There’s what one would call ‘discrete boarding,’ for those who shouldn’t go through security or customs,” Ezequiel adds. Somehow, I think that was the selling point for him when he was considering the investment.

“That service is limited to a handful of people,” Dante points out. “So I suggest you take Ezequiel up on that offer.”

“That sounds perfect,” I say, agreeing to Ezequiel’s offer. As soon as I do so, tension ebbs off my shoulders.

Dante jots down notes. “Add a hundred thousand to the wire transfer and we’ll set up accounts for you under another name.”

“You think we’d need that much?” That’s an obscene amount for two people on vacation, even if it is a honeymoon.

“No,” he states, without looking up from his writing. “But you should have it in case you do.”

“Yeah, well, I saw the stores they were going to have on board. You could probably spend the bundle on those clothes alone,” Ezequiel says with disgust.

I’m embarrassed to say it didn’t occur to me that he’d have that kind of money. But then again, if he was able to pay for Dante’s services, this may be a drop in the bucket for him.

“I’ll arrange for a plane to meet you. They’ll have your identifications and credit cards, along with the backstory we’ve set up. Adhere to health protocols as much as possible. Those masks will help keep you under the radar. Meanwhile, I’ll see about causing some delays for Simon Kelly.”

“All right.” I draw a long breath. “Let’s get cruising.”

“Hey, hold on a second.” Ezequiel raises a hand, asking me to wait. “Think you can cause some extra delays for that asshole?”

I have no issue with Simon’s life getting complicated. Still, I tilt my head, my curiosity piqued. “What are you thinking?”

Dante looks down at his desk, likely reviewing his notes. “We’ve already sent the money in the Simon/Nicole account back to Kelly Oil & Gas. I was looking at routing all his calls through my team, to manage his communications. And I was going to report his cards stolen.”

Ezequiel grunts. “This son of a bitch stole from his father, tried to screw over Derrick, he’s trying to get Nicole thrown in jail and deported, and he called Derrick’s mother a whore.”

Dante’s gaze comes to me.

“He left with a bloody nose and a busted lip,” I inform him.

“Well done.” His gaze goes to the side of the screen, then he smiles. “My IT specialist is maxing out his credit cards instead of reporting them stolen. Credit score will be trash. His new electric vehicle will be shut down. His driver’s license will be reported stolen. Flight home will be canceled. And…” He grins. “This is especially good, but I’ll work on that myself.”

Ezequiel laughs. “Thanks, man.”

Dante puts his pen down. “I’ll let you get to it.”

“I should have the funds to you this afternoon.” I’m feeling more optimistic than I have in months.

“No problem.” The corner of Dante’s mouth goes up. “I know where to find you.” Which should probably worry me more than it does.

Ezequiel stands. “Come on. I’ll tell Mayela to prepare a wedding dinner then I’ll get ahold of Barron for that cabin. We might even manage a honeymoon suite for you.”

“Thanks again.” I hold out a hand, beyond grateful for what this man has done. “Now I need to talk to my mother about getting a plane.”

The End…for now.

Ready for your next possessive, morally gray billionaire? Barron should be mingling with the celebrities on his luxury cruise liner, but he’s obsessed with proving Abigail’s a thief. He ends up with his hands full when the innocent little virgin gets dropped in his lap…quite literally.

Click Obsessed Heir to start reading.