The Beautiful Billionaire

LINDEN

“What a surprise when I checked my schedule for today.” I rose from my seat to meet Moses Braddson, one of the world’s most powerful and influential billionaires, and he was standing before me, aging like a fine wine.

“How are you, Gabe?” We shook hands before he pulled me into a hug like how he did to his son, Striker Cade, one of my brothers and best friends.

“I’m good, boss. Thank you,” I replied as I pulled back. I still wondered what this visit was all about. He always called and met me in his estate if he wanted to talk, so Moses being here perplexed me.

“Can I offer you something?”

“Gabe, I’m like your father, and you’re still calling me boss and treating me like one.”

“I owe you—”

He gestured for me to stop. “You don’t owe me anything. I am the one who owed a huge debt to you.”

“If you mean Cade, I will always protect his ass, take a bullet for him because that’s what brothers do, boss. I call you boss because I have a huge respect for you, and you’re my best friend’s father.”

“Thank you. I know I can still count on you no matter what.”

“Of course. Since I can’t offer you anything, may I ask what this surprise is all about?”

“Walk with me.” As he slipped a hand into his pocket, he went to the door, and I left no choice but to follow him.

“Of course.” I buttoned my dark blue Italian suit and followed him out of my office.

It never ceased to amaze me every time I was on the seventh floor overlooking the full view of Wade Lounge of my new building that had just opened eight months ago. My dearest sweetheart London, Striker’s wife, called it a fancy donut because of the design, while I called it state-of-the-art.

Since The Firm signed a multi-million dollar contract with Hover Defense and Security, my life changed drastically. I built my own building and hired thousands of people. I opened five more HQ in other states and countries, and the Firm was officially named Osmium Resource Group.

“This is really a great view,” Moses looked at the glass roof where he could see the clear blue sky, the offices across us, and the lounge I named after my fallen brother.

“Come on, boss. Just spill it out. What do you have in mind?” I stopped before him.

“I heard you declined the job Gustav gave you two weeks ago.”

I sighed. “You came all the way here for that?”

“No, Gabe. I want to know why?”

“I could have emailed you and explained the reason in two pages.” My face broke into a smile. “And yes, because he didn’t want my men to do the job. I’m done doing favors. And I don’t know him personally to do what he asks—” I stopped when I realized what I said. I sighed, and he seemed to understand my point. “Boss, I only do favors for my family without a thought. You know that.”

“I know. Thank you for doing that to Lake.”

I wanted to roll my eyes because that was classified unless Lake told him. Before I could say something more, he already said what I had in mind. “I know everything.”

“Then you know why I declined.”

“You just told me.”

“You know that was not the real reason.”

“I know that too. Remember why my son left for Winterbourn after rescuing London? Because she was too young for her, and he thought she didn’t deserve someone like him.”

“Whoa!” I raised my hand. “Boss, a client is a client. I’m the boss, and I follow that rule every day. I declined because I have tons of work to do in my office, and the teams have all their assignments; that left me and Jasper to handle the office job.”

“I call it bullshit.”

I shrugged. “Just say it already.”

“You’ll thank me later.”

“Now you sound just like Linus.”

He chuckled. “Gabe, take it as your vacation.”

“You know I don’t have to ask your permission if I want a month-long vacation, right?”

“Because you worked so hard for the past years. Your company is in good hands. You deserve a whole year off.”

“I can’t call it a vacation when I have to find a woman in hiding. What’s that call me? A bounty hunter?”

Moses laughed. He found it funny. “She’s a pretty bounty. When I first met her, she was just in high school, and I imagined her and Striker to be together.”

I sighed in defeat, surrendering to my newly appointed job. “Fine.”

“She’s with her loyal bodyguard.”

“I know what to do. Gustav filled me in. I will just snap her bodyguard’s neck, roofie her, put her in a crate, and hand deliver her to her father. Why did she run away anyway? Who’s handling her business?”

“People, she pays to do the job, and she can do her job anywhere in the world.”

“Good for her.”

“Do what’s necessary, Gabe. Just bring her here safe.”

“If you say so, boss.”

“Thank you, Gabe.” He offered his hand for a handshake.

“Of course.” I gripped his hand. “Don’t tell Cade about this. Just tell him I’m on a business trip.”

***

I just stepped into the private jet when my phone rang. It was Striker calling me. Of course, I should expect by now that Moses would never keep a secret from his son.

“Cade,” I answered with disinterest.