The Movie Star and the Spy (The Secret Billionaires #5)

Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

W hy had she assumed a criminal would knock like a houseguest to a tea party? Cheyenne tossed the phone over the couch, where it landed behind the furniture with a soft thump. She rubbed her hands together, centering herself, as the door opened slowly, slowly, slowly. The heavy scent of cologne tainted the air, mixed with the stench of cigarettes and booze. A tall, well-built man stepped through the portal, then stopped and observed her with a leisurely grin.

The man was handsome, in an edgy sort of way. With closely cropped black hair, tanned skin and bulging muscles, he had a scar across his face that somehow added to instead of took away from his appearance. He was dressed neatly, yet not fussily, enhancing his natural good looks. Yet despite his attractiveness, something unsavory soured his appearance, an ugliness his arrogant leer highlighted.

This was not a good man.

Soulless eyes reflected pure coldness, so dark the pupils were nearly indistinguishable. He narrowed them, calculating, licking his lips, as he dragged his gaze up and down her nearly naked form. Her mind flashed to another man, a man who couldn’t have been more different. They were both muscular, both powerful, both in charge of their world. Yet whereas Julian inspired excitement, this man brought only disgust.

“You’re as pretty as Mr. Par… as he promised,” the client drawled. “Simply delicious.”

She should be appalled, frightened or both, and yet elation made her smile genuine. He’d nearly revealed the criminal. He clearly realized his mistake, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be tricked into saying it again. “Thank you,” she replied in a sultry voice. “And you’re as handsome as he said you’d be.”

The man’s eyebrow lifted. “He did?”

She sashayed closer, painting a distracting pose. By how he tracked her, it was working. “He’s been after me to work for him for ages, but when he described you, I became fully convinced.”

The man’s eyes narrowed, but Cheyenne thrust out her breasts, and his gaze followed. He clearly had trouble forcing it back up. “I didn’t realize you knew him.”

“We go way back,” she lied. “In fact, I’d love to thank him for sending you to me. You don’t happen to have his number, do you? I misplaced my phone and all my contacts.”

The man edged closer. The smell of sweat assailed her nostrils. “No need to worry about that. After our little…playdate… we can call him together. Of course, that might not be for a few days.”

Cheyenne giggled. “Why don’t we make that call now? Can I borrow your phone?”

Narrowed eyes proved she’d gone too far. “I say we stop talking about Mr. Parlonston…” He let out a deep breath. “About him and move on to us.” He fingered her sheer gown. “This is nice, by the way. I might leave it on for a little while. Are you ready to play?”

A shiver threatened her one-woman performance. Time for a tactical retreat. Now that she had a last name – and an unusual one at that – she could track down the mastermind. “That sounds… exciting. Why don’t you go up first? I have a surprise for you.”

He grinned wickedly. “I like surprises.” She bit back a gasp as he tweaked a nipple, sending a shot of pain through her. “Don’t be long.”

Only the certainty he was going to jail stopped her from arresting him that very moment. “I won’t.” She remained still as he ascended the stairs, with that wide smile frozen on her face. The moment he disappeared, she raced to the couch. She dived for her phone, losing precious moments fumbling for it, then ran to where her gun was hidden. She opened the canister, reached in…

She didn’t make it.

Icy arms surrounded her, knocking the phone from her grasp. A sweaty hand reeking of cigarette smoke and rot clamped over her mouth, cutting off her cry. The man snatched the gun, cocked it and aimed it straight at her temple. “You wouldn’t be trying to get away from our fun, would you?”

This. Was. Bad. With his hand tight over her mouth, he wasn’t expecting an answer. She could struggle, but she couldn’t outrace a gun. In all likelihood, he would shoot her.

“There was something strange about how you mentioned our mutual friend. By the way, it looks like you found your phone.” He clutched the device tightly, and a spider web crack crunched the screen. “Clearly, you’re not who I was expecting.”

Cheyenne fought to keep still, focusing on the gun. If only she could grab it and take control. If they were the same size, her fighting abilities would’ve made it worth the risk, but his bulk, strength and weapon combined to entrap her.

He correctly interpreted her thoughts. “You’re not going anywhere, at least not yet. I know who you are, or at least what you are.” He held the gun tighter. “The boss isn’t going to be pleased with this little complication. You’re going to get your wish to meet him. He’ll want to deal with you personally.” Now his grin turned wide. “Don’t worry, your life isn’t in danger unless you’re stupid. The boss enjoys his playthings. He even has a special place for the troublesome ones.”

Do not panic. Stay calm. You will get out of this.

“Don’t have anything to say, sweetheart?” He removed his hand from her mouth, his smile wickedly wide. This was her chance. She might not be able to fight him, but she could tell the world she was here. She let out a blood-curdling scream.

He only laughed. “Go ahead. In case you didn’t notice, this house is pretty secluded. No one can hear you.

Muscles tensed, poised to lunge, but he aimed the gun straight at her chest. “Don’t move or I’ll shoot. It’ll be a waste, but I can’t risk it. Believe me, I’ve done it before.”

Damn it. If the women weren’t at stake, she might take the chance she could somehow overpower him. But she had to remain alive to save the others. “You’re not going to like what happens when they catch you. If you surrender now, you can avoid–”

“Save your breath.” He waved the gun. “Lady, they’re not going to catch me because they’ll never find you. The boss has a nice secret space, and we’ll keep you so busy you won’t have time to escape. They’re sending a car over right now. While we wait, you can–”

A roar splintered the air.

It startled both of them. The criminal pivoted, but it was too late. Something – or someone – flew at him with dizzying speed, slamming him back into the wall. The gun soared across the room.

Cheyenne lunged after the weapon. She wrapped her hands around it, aimed, but the men were hurdling off each other like a movie action sequence, preventing a solid shot. Finally, with one last thunderous punch, the newcomer knocked the criminal to the ground. The victor stood tall, like a warrior straight from the silver screen.

Julian.

He pivoted toward her, dragged his eyes over her barely clothed state. “Are you all right?” He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he captured her in his arms. “What happened? This can’t be how it looks.”

“Of course not.” She had endured tough situations before, survived close calls, but never had she delved so close to tragedy. Yet she must remain strong, for the danger that still threatened untold women. “You have to let me go.”

“I’m not planning on ever letting you go, whoever you are.” He disengaged only long enough to take off his jacket and place it on her shoulders. It engulfed her, falling to her knees. He grasped her once more. “Who are you ?”

She attempted to lean back, but he was having none of it. Her cover was compromised, the investigation now requiring her true identity. Every choice but one disappeared.

It was time to reveal the truth.

How do you tell the man you love you’ve lied about everything? That you are nothing like the woman you purported to be? Her heart galloped, sending fresh blood to every muscle. “Julian, I’m an undercover agent.”

That finally had the power to get him to loosen his hold, although he didn’t release her. He blinked. “What?”

A deep breath of courage. “I’m a detective for the Miami-Dade Police Department. The role was a cover for my true mission – to catch a criminal. Now I have.” She gestured at the unconscious man on the floor. “Thank you so much for your help, however there’s another criminal, someone far more dangerous, and we have to move quickly. I have to contact my superiors.”

He stared, as if they had just entered an entirely different world. Even as she took the criminal’s phone and dialed the police department, explained the situation and requested backup, he watched her. And continued to do so when she was placing zip ties on the criminal, who was now stirring. “What’s your name?”

She wiped her hands on the jacket as she stood. “I guess you never believed Destiny Dane. It’s Cheyenne Kirk.”

“And you’re an undercover agent? You work for…”

“The Miami-Dade Police Department,” she said softly. “I’ve been a cop for years.”

“And everything on your resume?”

“Fabricated.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “Why did you target the set?”

Sirens sounded in the background, as red and blue lights flashed against the trees outside the window. Their time was almost up. “I can’t give details, or I could compromise the case. You should see something in the paper tomorrow.”

His lips tightened, drawing a severe slash. “Won’t you be giving the explanation, if not now, then tomorrow? Or were you planning to leave without a goodbye?” His voice rose with every syllable, power present and defined. “Was this all part of the plan?”

“Of course not.” How could she explain that despite everything, she still couldn’t be with him? That she couldn’t risk her heart with another actor? “Once the assignment is over, Destiny Dane must disappear. I have to disappear. Otherwise, you could be in danger.”

“I don’t give a damn about danger. I care about you,” he growled. “Was I part of your assignment?”

How could he think that? “Our relationship nearly ruined my assignment. I was supposed to be an ordinary extra, the type of woman the criminal would target, not Julian Starcroft’s girlfriend. I tried to stay away from you, but…”

“I wouldn’t let you,” he finished. It would be an easy out, a claim to destroy their relationship, but she couldn’t let him believe what they’d shared was fake. Only how could she explain what was keeping them apart? “Listen, Julian…”

“Detective Kirk?” A door slammed open, as pounding footsteps thundered from the front. Rapid conversation followed, from no less than a dozen men. Backup had arrived, signaling the end of any and all explanations.

“Come over tonight.” Julian’s quiet words made it no less of a demand. “You owe me that.”

He was right – she did. “All right,” she agreed as six uniformed agents burst into the room. They raced to her, surrounded the criminal, nodded at Julian. And just like that, the undercover mission was over.

And so was her time with Julian.

“Cheyenne Kirk,” Julian repeated the name for the hundredth, no the thousandth, time. It was a nice name, and far more fitting to the real woman than the theatrical Destiny Dane. Just like the position of undercover police agent.

He’d known she wasn’t what she seemed for a long time, yet he never imagined this. He figured she had a past transgression, something embarrassing that wouldn’t look good for an aspiring actress. Perhaps she had a rough childhood or made some bad decisions. He never considered she was on some sort of secret mission, risking her life to save others.

Thanks to his presence at the mansion, he now had a fairly good idea of what that mission was. Apparently, Cheyenne had infiltrated not just his set, but a prostitution ring, setting herself out as bait. Only the criminals had bypassed her and targeted Jess instead. Cheyenne had found out, tracked Jess and switched places with her. Things hadn’t gone quite according to plan, and she almost found herself in a position even she couldn’t handle. If he hadn’t been there…

No. He’d tortured himself with “what if’s” long enough. He had been there, had thought to follow her, and that’s all that mattered. And now, he had another focus: Convincing Cheyenne to take a chance on what could be.

He’d never experienced love like this, the desire to be with a woman now and forever. He’d known long before the recent events, and seeing her in danger only made it clearer. He loved her. He was in love with her. And unless she’d suddenly become a much better actress, she was in love with him. Even if she denied it, he could see it in her eyes, feel it when he touched her. He would get past whatever was holding her back.

Only he might need to be slightly devious.

The doorbell rang, and Julian relaxed tight muscles. She’d promised to come, but he hadn’t been certain she would until this very moment. He strode to the door and opened it to the most beautiful sight in the world. Even in a plain navy t-shirt and blue jeans, she was stunning. “Come in.”

She hesitated, peered behind him.

“Don’t worry.” He grasped her hand and led her in. “I know how important your privacy is. We’re alone.”

She nodded and relaxed. Then she turned to him and became visibly less relaxed. Good. No matter what she claimed, he affected her deeply.

“Thank you.” Her voice emerged low, husky and oh so sexy. She cleared her throat and spoke in a more authoritative tone, “Normally, I wouldn’t discuss a case, but you’re going to see it all over the news tomorrow. Unfortunately, it’s going to include your name.”

Julian had figured as much. It was a high-profile case, and scores of people had seen him at the crime scene. “Will it include yours?”

“No. They conceal our identities so as not to compromise our work,” she explained. “The good news is we got him. The mastermind is behind bars.” Her smile was brilliant and genuine, and almost blinding.

He returned it. “That’s great.”

“Yeah, it is. Those guys were dangerous, and the women they targeted were never the same. We hoped to track the ringleader through Kate, but she didn’t know his identity. Turns out the thug who attacked me did, however, and once he realized how advantageous talking would be, he led us right to him.” She clasped her hands. “Luckily, I got to Jess before she did anything she’d regret. So did Zachary by the way.”

“I know that part.” Julian grinned. “Zachary stormed the police department and informed Jess he was never letting her go. They weren’t dating for long, but he knew what he wanted. He asked her to marry him on the spot.”

“How wonderful.” Her features softened. “I’m so happy for them.”

“When it’s right, it doesn’t take long to figure it out.” He caught her gaze. “What about us?”

A moment’s hesitation revealed a lifetime of messages. She looked away. “There isn’t an us. There can’t be.”

“How can you say that after everything that’s happened?” He grasped her hands, forcing her attention back to him. He wouldn’t let her run. “How do you feel about us? About me?” She blushed and didn’t respond. It was all the answer he needed. “If it isn’t a lack of feelings, what is it? You claim my fame makes it impossible, but Zachary is as famous as me, and he and Jess are together.”

“Zachary and Jess are alike in many ways,” she countered. “Both are actors, both work in the same circles. He’s obviously ready to commit.”

What had happened to make her so wary of him? “You don’t think I’m ready to commit?”

She backed away from him. Her expression betrayed panic, as if she had said too much. “We’re from two different worlds. I’d have to give up my undercover work to be with you.”

That stopped him for a moment. He hadn’t considered it, but she was right. If she became his girlfriend – or more – everyone would recognize her. It would be impossible to work undercover with photos plastered all over social media. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “If I could give up my work instead, I would. Unfortunately, fame isn’t reversible.”

“But you would?” She looked astonished. “You’d give it all up for me?”

He didn’t even need a second to consider. “Absolutely.”

“But why?” she cried.

“Because I love you.”

Silence screamed. For a moment, pure elation shone – an instant later, her expression turned blank. “You only think you love me because you can’t have me. This isn’t real.”

What happened in the past to make her believe that? Pain, wariness and fear sparked, but he stood strong. He wouldn’t allow fear to sabotage the future. “You’re wrong. This is about you and me. Why can’t you believe me?”

“I… I don’t know.” Yet her eyes couldn’t hide the truth. She was terrified.

“You do know.” He stepped closer. “There’s something you’re not telling me, a missing piece that completes the puzzle. After all this, don’t I deserve the truth?”

A pale face belied all denial. She looked down, up and away, anywhere but him. “It’s not because of anything else. It’s just us.”

“Oh no. If it was just us, we would be together right now. Something is holding you back.” Dread crept a sharp path through his chest. “Or is it someone?”

This time the gasp gave her away, the eyes just a little wider than before, the pinkness that stained her cheeks. His heart slammed against his ribs. “Is that it? There’s someone else?”

“Yes!” The cry was a thousand whispers put together. She stood tall and rigid, her arms by her side, hands fisted and clenched. “There is another man: Charles Sanders.”

She could have mentioned many men: Another actor from the set. One of the crew members. Santa Claus. But Charles Sanders? His friend and mentor? Although many older actors dated women generations younger, neither Charles nor Cheyenne had shown any indication of knowing each other, much less something more. “How could you possibly have something with Charles Sanders? How do you even know him?” His voice was getting louder, and more fervent, as doubts unbalanced the world. “He’s old enough to be your father.”

“Actually…” Her chest rose and fell, once and then twice and then three times. “He is my father.”

“What?” The man he’d looked up to for so many years was this woman’s father? How could it be? A puzzle piece took shape, forming smooth edges with angles and curves before joining the mystery that was Cheyenne Kirk. It didn’t quite form a complete picture, yet it was far closer than before.

“It seems unbelievable.” Her expression was wary, and a thousand other emotions, shining through liquid irises. “Father isn’t truly the correct term since he was absent my whole childhood.” She hardened, looked away. “Of course, that didn’t stop me from wanting him.”

“Are you sure?” He kept his tone quiet, careful. Did not reveal brewing suspicions. Could he know more about the situation than her?

“I’m sure,” she spat bitter words. “This is not one of your fan letters, from a far away land with a woman you’ve never met. My mother and Charles had a relationship, however brief. He acknowledged me, at least to her, and even gave it a go when I was a baby. I have the pictures to prove it, but of course he never went public. I wasn’t even walking when he left, never to return.” Her eyes shuttered. “Actually, that’s untrue. He’s suddenly reentered my life, or at least he’s trying to. Yet how am I supposed to–” She stopped suddenly, took a shuddering breath. “This is not the time to discuss this.”

“Actually, this is very much the time. Don’t you see? Your fears are a reflection of your past. Not your present, and most certainly not your future.”

“You can’t say that,” she refuted. “He was just like you: the most beloved movie star of his time, with all the perks that go with it.” She stopped, closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were bright with regret. “That isn’t fair. This is about me, not you. You have been the perfect…” Another breath, and she stood taller. “I just can’t take another chance. I have to go.”

No. She would not escape. Every instinct rose as she pivoted, urging him to stop her in any way possible. It took a single word. “Starbeam.”

She stopped, turned slowly, slowly, slowly back around. “What did you say?”

Was this the right move? Was he breaking a confidence, or was it two, by sharing what he knew? No, she deserved to know. “Starbeam. That’s what your dad called you, right?”

“How did you know that?” she whispered. She wrapped her arms around herself. “He mentioned in one of his letters that was my nickname when I was a baby. But I don’t understand. He actually told you about me?”

“So many times.” The words were raw, genuine and completely honest . “He didn’t share your real name, of course, and I didn’t know who you were.” If he had known the woman he’d fallen for was his mentor’s secret child, matters would have progressed very differently. “He talked about his daughter, how amazing you are, and how much he cared about you.” He paused. “He regretted so much.”

The lines in her forehead smoothed ever-so-slightly. “He’s trying to fix it, but it’s so late. I’m an adult and–”

“No.” He stopped her. “Not just recently.” Did she really not know this part? “He tried to get back into your life for years.”

“What?” She paled. “You’re wrong. He reached out just a few months ago. It was the first time I’d heard from him in… well, ever.”

“But it wasn’t the first time he tried.” It was a heady reveal, and perhaps not his to share, but she deserved to know. “Ever since I knew him, Charles was hoping to be part of your life. He admitted he left when you were a baby, which he told me was the greatest mistake of his life. Yet he tried to contact your family only a few years later, when you were a toddler. He wanted to be a father.”

“He could have been a father anytime,” she snapped. “Nothing was stopping him.”

“Actually, someone did. Your mom.”

“What?” She shook her head, backed up. Her mother had just passed last year. “You’re wrong. My mom did everything for me.”

“And this doesn’t change that.” He stayed where he was, his stance light and nonthreatening, with both hands held out. “Being a single mom is the hardest job out there, and she raised an amazing daughter. I wouldn’t blame her for being wary of him. He abandoned you for years, and she believed he would do it again. That’s why she asked him to stay away and wouldn’t even take the money he sent.”

“No.” The word was a whisper, borne of anguish and pain. “That can’t be. Why didn’t he say anything?”

“He didn’t want to disparage your mom, so he kept his efforts a secret.” Despite her distress, he had to continue. She deserved the entire truth. “Your mother turned him down, however she agreed to send letters and share pictures of your life. He read each one at least a dozen times, and he even carries a picture of you in his wallet. He’s always been so proud of you.”

“It can’t be.” Her eyes glittered glossy sorrow. “It still doesn’t make sense. He could’ve seen me on his own, especially when I was older. I’ve been an adult for years.”

He lifted a shoulder. “Only he can answer that, but I think he began to believe what she said. He worried he would hurt you, and the more time that passed the harder it became. Yet he recently looked back and decided the chance for a relationship was worth the risk. He told me he was going to reach out again to you.”

“He has.” She closed her eyes. “I just wish...” She breathed out, ticking the seconds. When she lifted her lashes, her expression was grim. “This doesn’t change anything. Not with him, and not with you. I am so sorry.”

Frustration threatened his control, but he suppressed it. Arguing wouldn’t stop the fear driving her decisions. He needed to show her the truth. “That’s it, then.”

She opened her mouth as if to argue, closed it. “I should go.” Yet she made no move to depart, staring at him instead. Just as her eyes turned glassy, she turned away. “Thank you for everything.” She started to walk away, stopped and turned. For a second she hesitated, then…

She jumped into his arms.

He held her tightly, like a perfectly molded piece. Warm and soft and beautiful, so perfect inside and out. For a moment, it seemed she’d changed her mind, but then she stiffened. He stifled his regret. Soon she would be his.

She pulled back, and this time the tears were apparent. “I’ll be seeing you… I mean… well on the screen, that is.”

He nodded, but didn’t move as she walked out the door but not out of his life. She didn’t need his arguments, his lecturing, his logic. She needed time. Time to figure out what she meant to him, what he meant to her. Time to realize their love was worth fighting for. Time to discover the truth.

She belonged to him.

She just didn’t know it yet.