The Billionaire and the Con Artist: A Bad Boy Romance (Bad Girls Series Book 1) (14 page)

* * *

M
y arm is
around Taylor’s waist as she blows on my die for the third time.

The crowd is cheering, hooting and hollering and waiting to see if this is the moment my luck ends.

I roll the die and win again.

Taylor cheers and claps so convincingly and sweetly that, pre-April, I might have gotten suckered in.

"Let’s get out of here," I whisper seductively in her ear.

We make our way to the room Nate booked for us, and Taylor is gazing up at me adoringly.

The girl is damned good, but wait till she sees what’s on the other side of that door.

I
couldn’t help it
—I had to see what was happening with the plan, and now I wish I didn’t.

Taylor looks really pretty in a soft, natural way, a way that makes her stand out among overly made-up tramps nearby.

I’ve changed my look again so Axel won’t recognize me if his eyes happen to scan the crowd while I watch the two of them—I’ve got wavy black hair now, and I’m wearing a sort of frumpy outfit so no one bothers me.

Axel and Taylor look far too cozy, his inviting gazes, far too convincing.

Is he really that good?

If so, he easily played me, for sure.

It sickens me the way Taylor is staring up at him, and nausea fills me once his arm wraps around her.

But it’s like I can’t look away—like a bad car wreck you know can traumatize you if you keep your eyes on it long enough to spot dead, mangled bodies.

"You’ve got your eye on that one?" I hear a feminine voice say too near my ear.

I turn toward the voice and see a brunette girl I do not recognize looking at me with sea-green eyes. 

She’s cute—pretty, even—but she doesn’t exactly give off warm vibes, despite the open friendliness in her tone and the sort of smile on her face.

She looks like she’s making a concerted effort to relax her face so she looks open and friendly.

Too calculated.

"Excuse me?” I say politely.

She nods in Axel’s direction.

"The one in the blue shirt? Axel, I think his name is."

"What’s it to you?"

"I’m just here to warn you, girl. If you’re looking for a good time in the sack, then he’s definitely the one; I couldn’t stop thinking about him the last time he was here. To be totally honest, I’m hoping to get a piece of him again before he leaves this time, after that blonde. But if you think you’ll get more out of him than a good fuck, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

I have to check a fierce surge of jealousy running through me.

My hands are practically twitching, but my voice is calm and even when I speak again.

"What do you care?” I ask the stranger casually, examining her round face.

Now she sort of laughs, and it actually seems genuine, confusing me.

"To be honest, I’m just hoping I don’t have to wait longer because of you. No offense. But a ride with him is worth waiting for either way.”

Despite wanting to choke her, I like her honesty; I like forthright people, in general, ironically.

In another life, another moment involving a different guy, I could see this girl and me being almost-friends, but she has the worst timing.

I’m not in the mood for self-serving advice from horny strangers, especially when it’s concerning something close to me. Something I consider mine now, I guess.

I’m not in a charitable mood, period.

But I can’t let on the effect her words have on me.

"Been there, done that," I say casually, matching her lightness while still trying to shake off her words and shove her out of my face without actually punching her.

But I have no doubt I’ve pulled off the indifferent manner I was going for; I’m still a pro, after all, and no matter what she’s implying, Axel and I have something pretty special, despite his past. And I feel pretty secure in it.

It’s just best not to let that on; I can’t let her know how I feel about him. I can’t tell her that he and I are truly connected, and it goes far beyond our bodies joining.

I can’t tell her she doesn’t have a chance in hell hopping back in the sack with him.

Some girls find something like that a welcome challenge.

Oh, you’re so precious to him? You think you’re so great? Let’s just see about that.

That was another easy lesson for me—never let anyone know your true weaknesses; don’t let on what gets to you. Don’t you dare offer up a vulnerable spot someone can poke—most people seem to get tempted to poke it at some point, even if just for temporary kicks.

People love watching you squirm, they love needling others, throwing them off for a moment, kicking shit up in other people’s faces.

It gives them a small moment of power, and everyone craves power to some degree.

"Okay, good,” the brunette says with a wider grin, her emerald eyes sparkling. Then her eyes sweep over me. "Hey, maybe we could both have a go with him later.” She suddenly looks a bit shy. “I think you’re pretty hot too, and I actually don’t mind sharing. I’m not inclined one way or another… ”

"Thanks, but I actually have to take off,” I say, thumbing in a different direction. “I’ve got other things to see and people to do.” I waggle my eyebrows.

She laughs musically.

"Okay, well, if you ever change your mind, I’ll be around.”

She seems truly open and friendly this time, and I briefly wonder if I was her target all along.

I smile politely and turn to leave as if I’m heading out, but I just move to another spot to watch Taylor and Axel from when she’s not looking.

I don’t even know why I got jealous about that whole thing with Axel—it’s obvious he wasn’t exactly a virgin; we’ve both had lives before meeting each other. His dalliances are in the past, so what do I care?

Why do I even care if Taylor gets to have a piece, as long as I get my shit back from her and can start anew with all the cash Axel gave me?

I start pretending to examine slot machines while keeping Axel and Taylor in my periphery.

I nearly blow my cover when they start heading off, holding on to each other in a way that makes it clear they’re going for a hotel room or whatever’s most convenient to get it on.

My heart squeezes painfully and tears spring to my eyes.

It’s not real,
I remind myself.
You guys planned this.

But tell that to the pain in my chest, my scrunching face, my watering eyes.

What the hell am I doing?

I feel stupid, and I can’t decide if it’s because I know Axel’s faking and yet my heart has decided it’s real and is breaking, or if it’s because I willingly walked into Axel’s revenge plan: he gets his watch back after making me fall in love with him enough so that when he disappears into a hotel room with my former best friend, my heart feels like it’s going to crack into a million pieces.

Logic says this: Axel is a bad boy. He is filthy rich, he has no responsibilities, and most of all, I stole from him. I made him look like a fool in front of his friends, and I’m responsible for the loss of the one thing that meant something to him from his dad.

He has no reason to care about me and every reason to screw me over at the first opportunity.

Why wouldn’t he kill two birds with one stone? Three actually? Get his watch back, get revenge on me, get revenge on Taylor—fucking us both in more ways than one.

That’s what I’d do.

That’s definitely what Taylor would do if some of the stories she told me are anything to go by.

That’s what anyone would do, right?

I can’t see properly anymore—the tears are hard to stop and my eyes keep filling as fast as they fall.

This is so dumb.

I’m so dumb!

Why do I keep doing this to myself?

My own mom didn’t want me. And she had me for twelve years.

Why would I think for a second some rich playboy would want me after knowing me for a few days? All those lessons I learned from Taylor… I should have just taken off again when I had the chance.

Axel handed me a stack of hundred dollar bills—even after I already lost the stack I stole from him Taylor—and I’m still here, crying over him while he fucks my best friend. Ex-best friend, that is.

Well, see? There’s the silver lining—he’s her problem now.

While they’re getting it on, I’ll be busy putting necessary distance between us.

The remainder of the cash he gave me burns my pocket.

Quit while you’re ahead, right?

They won’t find me to arrest me, and I’ve got enough on me to keep me set for a little while.

Everything will be on Taylor—my old disguises, all the fake IDs, and maybe even some of Axel’s stuff—so Taylor will get in trouble for everything; she’ll look guilty as hell.

And even if Axel is just getting his revenge, I get the feeling he won’t sell me out and will let me disappear into the night, satisfied with what he got in the end.

Two birds, one stone.

I imagine him fucking her right now, Taylor moaning in pleasure as she takes the last thing that means anything to me.

In tears, I rush out of the casino and into the cold night air, hoping it shocks me back into calm sense, but it doesn’t.

I don’t even know where I’m going; I’m not thinking at all—just feeling and walking, trying not to let my emotions overwhelm me and failing; I need to think straight, damn it!

I suddenly realize I’m outside of the Bellagio, just in time for a water show to start and when it does, it breaks the last block in me.

Andrea Bocelli and Sara Brightman sing their hearts out, and this time, the fountains aren’t joyously celebrating with me; this time, they are crying for me.

At least someone is.

I can’t walk any further, but not because of any physical exhaustion; it’s the emotional toll of the past few days, especially the past few minutes watching Axel take off with Taylor.

I settle in near the fountain and let myself cry, letting it all out while I take comfort in being near the one familiar thing—my Lorax of Vegas. These gorgeous frickin’ fountains. This beautiful, sorrowful song.

I know it’ll actually help to cry this time since the last time, I felt better and sharper afterward, so I don’t try to stop the tears; I just let it all flow.

This time, once all the pain has been evacuated through my tear drops, I’ll be refreshed and ready to plan. Logical. Calculating. Prepared to figure out the next step.

It just sucks that right now I feel so utterly alone.

I’ll head back to L.A. tomorrow for sure—it’s not like Taylor knew where I lived and can lead others there. We always met up outside of whatever residence we had going on at the time.

At least I had the sense to fucking do that.

N
ate’s waiting
in the hotel room when I open the door.

His shirt is open a bit, giving a peek of his muscled torso—enough to give off the wrong impression.

"So it’s that kind of party, is it?" Taylor says delightedly, her eyes assessing Nate appreciatively, but something tells me she doesn’t believe it; she knows something’s wrong.

I happened to catch a flash of something go over her eyes before she produced her false smile, and not just because of the surprise of seeing a stranger in the room you plan to spend some time in with your mark.

I bet right now, she’s calculating how to slip out of this setup.

Pete comes out of one of the bathrooms half naked, and her eyes light up genuinely.

Figures.

I almost roll my eyes.

But her look changes once the guys start blocks doors and I lock the exit behind us.

"What the hell is this?" she finally asks.

"Are you saying you’re not interested?" I ask. "Three young studs, two of them half-naked and we all want one thing."

She’s trying to look calm and in control but her heaving chest gives her away.

"My goddamned watch," I say, cutting to the chase. “Where is it?”

"I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about," she says quickly.

"Oh no? You see, our mutual friend, April, told me differently."

Disgust transforms her face a bit, her top lip rising slightly.

"Don’t trust that bitch ..."

“Watch your mouth, ‘Taylor’,” I say with air quotes. "Listen, you can make this easy or hard. It’s totally up to you. Tell me where to find my watch, we let you go. Otherwise, we hold you here until you do."

"You can’t do that to me!"

Both guys laugh in such a creepy way, it convinces her to drop the tough chick act because it’s very clear that we can.

Especially since Scott has joined us with ropes casually draped around one of his shoulders.

We have no plans to use the bloody thing, but image is everything.

I didn’t think we’d have to pull out all the stops, hoping she’d cave sooner than later, but four huge guys surrounding her seems to be the tipping point.

I believe her mouth even drops open a bit in shock as she notices Scott.

As soon as she gets a load of him, she vomits the name of some pawn shop, breathing rapidly while looking away, as if she’s trying to hide her face, but why?

“Now will you let me go?” she asks pitifully, her eyes pleading with me in a way that makes me almost believe she’s panicking for real.

What the heck?

I mean it’s a scary situation as a girl, and she doesn’t know we wouldn’t hurt her in any way, but she’s not just any girl in any case. I know she’s tough in a number of ways.

I get the sense something else is bothering her, and I’m kind of curious what’s got her spooked.

But I don’t bother to ask; we need to just finish this.

We’ve already alerted the authorities and I have some local friends waiting outside to take her in, so I easily answer, "Yes. We’ll let you go. But first, we must confirm the location of the watch. You don’t mind hanging out with us while we do that, do you?" I say as I pull out my cell and start dialing.

We make her sit at the desk to wait while my guy checks out the information.

Nate and Pete stay near her in case she tries anything stupid while I hang out near the door, pacing as I wait for an update, my eyes glancing between her, Nate & Pete, and Scott.

Scott has long dropped the ropes, and he’s staring at Taylor with the strangest expression, like he’s trying to figure something out.

She keeps avoiding his eyes, twisted away from him.

Once my guy gets back to me with word that the watch has been located, the guys move away from her, and we all give her enough space to give her a clear path to the door.

Instead of sprinting for it, she fronts like she’s not afraid and walks with measured steps to the door before disappearing behind it.

As far as I could tell, she held her breath the whole time, and I can practically see her sprinting down the hall in my mind’s eye.

Once she’s gone, the guys and I look at each other and burst into laughter—all except Scott who is staring at the door as if he can still see her.

“Rachel?” I think I hear him whisper, the look in his eyes far away.

Then he turns to me.

“I think I know that girl,” he says, and his expression and the tone of his voice kills all laughter. “Where are they waiting for her?” he demands.

I fill him in and he takes off, leaving a vacuum.

Nate, Pete and I just look at each other with confused expressions, wondering what the hell that’s about, but we’ll, no doubt, find out soon enough.

I look forward to recounting this whole thing to April.

* * *

A
sick sense
of déjà vu hits me as I open the suite door and realize April is nowhere in sight.

It’s a large suite, and she could be anywhere, but my gut tells me it’s empty, just like the first time around. She’s not out on the balcony, she’s not taking in a hot tub.

I call to her anyway, knowing she’s not there but still hoping she is, like before.

Worry starts to seize me, except this time, more is at stake than a goddamned watch.

Maybe she’s still shopping
, I tell myself, knowing there’s no way that’s the case.

A girl like April is efficient. Practical. Quick.

She gets in and gets out.

A girl like April probably won’t give herself time to browse forever, knowing how precious time is.

A girl like April is, no doubt, gone.

I try not to panic, thinking about everything she told me—anything that could clue me in to where she would go.

I know her mom’s here, but she’s probably not heading back there.

I know she used to live in L.A., but with no car, she’s probably not headed back there right now.

I don’t think she’ll waste money on a flight; she’ll probably take a bus—most likely first thing in the morning.

She’ll hide out somewhere tonight.

Since I don’t know when she took off, I don’t know how far she could have gone—especially if she took a taxi.

I decide to hop in one myself and drive down the strip; I can’t just stand around and do nothing while I try to figure out what to do.

The drive will probably help me think.

I know it’s fairly useless to search for her at this point—like Taylor, she could look like anyone by now—black hair instead of blond, brown eyes instead of those gorgeous gray depths I love gazing into.

Focus, Axel—you could miss her.

The fountains in front of the Bellagio catch my eye and my eyes rove the area, stopping on a small, curled up form.

I can’t see the face, but that petite form, head over her knees—I just know it’s her.

"Stop the cab," I say, shoving cash at the driver and hopping out.

It’s a lot of money, so I’m not sure why he’s cussing me; I’m not even sure the cab had stopped before I hopped out, actually.

I make a beeline for the girl with the dark hair in the weird dress, hoping like hell she isn’t a mirage in the desert.

"April?"

She looks up, and her tear-stained face all but kills me.

She tries to run, but she’s no match for my long stride, my determination.

I grab her and pull her into my arms, holding her tight.

I caress her head soothingly as she sobs a little, the palm of my hand hating her wig.

"What the hell are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be waiting for me!"

"I thought ..." She pulls away to look up at me, and it looks like she can’t find the right words. "You and Taylor… you looked so cozy. And you have every reason to hate me, so I was pretty sure… "

"We went over that whole thing and planned it, remember? It was all an act!"

She is shaking her head and trying to pull away more but I won’t let her.

"You can’t be that good; most people aren’t. You were really going to fuck her. And I wouldn’t blame you.”

"You’re saying I’m a natural?” I say with a slight smile, trying to ignore how hard my heart is pounding. I almost lost her! “I appreciate the compliment, babe, but I definitely wasn’t going to fuck her. She disgusts me.”

She sobs against my stomach some more.

She’s still so unsure and hurt, and there’s gotta be a way to fix this.

Somehow, I have to let her know she’s safe with me. I have to let her know she can trust me.

I tilt her chin up.

"Obviously, it wasn’t
all
an act," I say meaningfully, then I bring my lips to hers.

She kisses me half-heartedly, like she wants to do it desperately while also wanting to pull away just as desperately.

I release her lips reluctantly.

"April, listen to me—I don’t know how you did it, but you made me fall in love with you. I can’t see my life without you in it now, and I’m hoping like hell you don’t try to run away ever again. I love you, April, and I want you to stay with me for good. Let me take care of you. Let me make sure you don’t have to worry about food, shelter, or any of those stupid basics again. Let me make sure you’re never alone."

She looks hopeful, and her watery eyes are staring into mine.

I can see she really wants to believe me, but she’s not quite there.

"You really want to stay with me?" she says, sounding like a little girl and twisting my heart even more.

This girl will be the end of me, I know it.

She shorts my brain, and maybe this is why I can’t help but say, "Yes. And if you need some kind of proof, let’s make this thing official.”

Her eyes widen a bit.

"Wait, what are you saying?” she asks, her voice wary.

"I’m probably insane, considering how we got here. I mean, you conned me. Expertly.”

"Thank you,” she says, and I can’t decide if she’s genuinely or jokingly accepting the compliment.

“I mean, I can have a different girl every night if I want… "

“Um, congrats?"

“… but yet I don’t want any other woman, April. I want you. Forever.”

My heartbeats are rapid-fire, and I’m suddenly nervous as I hold her hands.

“We’re in Vegas,” I continue. “Let me prove to you what I’m saying is real. Let’s do that other thing people come to Vegas to do.”

I drop to my knee and her eyes are like saucers now.

I kind of wish a strong gust of wind would blow her wig off—I want to look up at the real her, all of her. But her hair is the least of my concerns at this moment.

"April, will you marry me? I didn’t exactly plan this, so I’m short a ring right now, but I promise you I’m good for it... "

She laughs freely, her head thrown back, then she bends to kiss me.

When she pulls away, she nods happily, pulling off that damned wig with the other hand.

“Yes, I will marry you, Axel Addison,” she says, and my heart liquefies.

I only realize we had picked up a small crowd when it suddenly erupts into applause, but I’m only barely aware of them.

April fills my vision.

April fills my everything.

I rise to my feet, picking her up on the way so that she’s swept off her feet while being bear-hugged by stupidly happy me.

Then it suddenly hits me.

"Wait, how did you know my full name?"

She looks sheepish as she produces my driver’s license.

Of course.

I’m not sure when she swiped it, since I didn’t leave my wallet in the room.

"I just wanted something to remember you by," she says, red-faced.

All I can do is laugh.

"Christ, you’re incorrigible. Guess you’ll have to settle for the real mug now," I say, pointing to my face. Then I turn to the crowd. “Anyone know where the nearest chapel is?” I ask.

A few shout out some answers.

It’s a tangled mess, so I do a quick search on my phone, then pick her up in my arms to walk her all the way there.

* * *

"
I
f this doesn’t help
you stay put... " I say as we complete the paperwork.

I’m ecstatic my friends—old and new—showed up, plus some randoms we don’t know.