Authors: Charlotte Swanpol
ROMANCE: Paranormal Romance: The Valley (Book One) (Fun, Sexy, Mature Young Adult Vampire Shape Shifter Romance) (56 page)
Allie
Had I really slept with the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company? I couldn’t get the thought of our night together out of my head as I sat in the airplane making my way back to sunny California. I don’t know why I had slept with him but the minute he kissed me he had me under his spell.
My body had taken control and I couldn’t break away from his passionate embrace. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t regret it. Okay, maybe I had a boyfriend and maybe I had just cheated on him, but I am pretty sure Chad has cheated on me before. The only reason he keeps me around is to get good grades. I am nothing more than a tool for him to use and now that I have tasted the sweetness of love, I think I am ready to break up with him.
I smiled to myself as I started to watch the cheap movie they were showing on the plane, my mind wandering back to my new lover. I wondered, however, if I had just been a one-night stand or if our romance would continue during my internship. I hoped it would. As I thought about it, I blushed deeply, feeling my body react.
I tried to focus on the movie but it was no use. Vance McKnight was too much to ignore so instead I leaned back and tried to take a nap. As I did, my world of dreams brought him back to the forefront, reminding me, vividly, of how he had made me scream all night long.
When I finally woke up from my breathtaking dream, we were already landing. Quickly, I got out of the plane and took a taxi back home. I was excited to tell Julie everything that had happened. I opened the door and made my way inside, dropping my stuff off in the living room.
I raced upstairs and barged into her room to see her on her bed, her laptop in front of her. She looked up at me and smiled, seeing the excited look on my face. She closed her laptop before pushing it away and making room for me on her bed. I sat next to her, about to erupt with all the information I wanted to tell her.
“Julie!” I yelled. She chuckled and nodded, looking at me, waiting for me to say something else. I calmed down a bit, trying to get my bearings. “Sorry… I got excited.” I admitted before I took a deep breath and starting again. “I got the job… and I sort of laid the CEO.” I added in, twisting the event to make it seem like I had instigated the intimacy. Her eyes bugged out as she looked at me in disbelief.
“What!? No way! How? Tell me everything!” She squealed, getting closer. She was bubbling with curiosity now since she knew I wasn’t one to have sex out of the blue. I recounted my tale, making sure to include all the important details.
“Well, c’mon tell me about the good stuff already. Was he good in the sack?” She asked bluntly. I blushed at her question, wondering how I should answer her. She chuckled and held my hand. “Tell me!” She whined, getting on her knees, giving me a puppy dog look.
“He was really good… the best time of my life.” I whispered, admitting the fact. She smiled big and hugged me.
“Does that mean you are finally going to dump Chad?” She asked, looking hopeful. I bit my lip and nodded. I knew I couldn’t delay it any longer. I just had to figure out how I would do it. “I can help you if you want. Later, though. I have to go now. I have a hot date myself.” She chuckled and winked.
She got up and started to get ready. I envied her a little as she transformed into a goddess when she wore her bright red dress. I tried to keep my envy in check as she left the room and made her way into her car.
Now I was left all alone. I stayed on her bed for a few minutes before making my way out into the hallway. When I did I was taken by surprise as someone slammed me up against the wall, hard. “You little slut.” Chad suddenly growled in my ear, his hands like a vice grip on my arms. I winced.
“Let go of me!” I said, suddenly finding the courage I always lacked when he was like this. He stopped, looking shocked for a moment before his hand suddenly reached out and slapped me. My cheek started to burn as he pushed me to the ground, his anger apparent in the way he paced back and forth like a caged animal.
All of a sudden he pulled me up by my shirt, his face next to mine where I could smell his rotten breath. I cringed, making him even angrier. “Did you really think you could cheat on me and get away with it?” He threatened, pulling me up completely.
I tried to pry him off me but his grip was too tight as he started to pull me toward the bedroom. “Help!” I tried calling out, hoping some of the neighbors would hear me. He retaliated with a well-aimed punch to my face.
Everything seemed to stop for a moment and then everything started to swim before me as my surroundings melded together. I felt sick as a blow made its way to my stomach. All air left my body and I felt like I was being strangled. My whole world started to fade out in a moment.
The last thing I remember was him hovering before me, a crazed look in his eyes and an evil smile painted on his lips. Then everything went black.
Vance
It had been less than a day since Allie left and yet I already missed her. I knew the time between now and the summer would drag on without her by my side. But I would just need to be patient and wait for the time to come where she could intern for me on a daily basis.
I reclined in my chair, balancing a pen between my fingers as I grinned to myself, my mind replaying the events of our night together. All of a sudden, my phone started to ring with an unknown number. I looked at it strangely for a moment, wondering who it could be.
After the third ring, I picked up. “Hello?” My voice was cautious as I listened intently for a response.
“Mr. McKnight?” The voice on the other side of the line sounded distraught.
“Who is this?” I asked immediately, looking around my office before getting up, pressing my cell phone against my ear a little harder. “Hello?” I asked after a pause.
“Look you don’t know me, but you know my roommate and friend… Allie.” She said her voice tense. I could tell there was something wrong and a knot formed in my stomach as I thought of the worst possible scenarios.
“Did something happen to her?” My voice was serious now as I walked in front of my windows, my mind coming up with a million different reasons why this girl could be calling him.
“Yes. I found your number in her phone. I didn’t know who else to call. She hasn’t spoken to her mother in ages. She has no other family and her douchebag boyfriend isn’t going to help.”
“She has a boyfriend?” I asked, my voice a little tense at the thought of her being taken. Had she only been eager to be with me for my money? A small spark of hatred flashed through my eyes as I waited for the woman to reply. Her slowness of response was annoying me now.
“Well not anymore… he just landed her in the hospital.” I froze in place. He had done
what?
Anger boiled inside of me as I pictured the beautiful girl I had just slept with in the hospital. I didn’t know who this man was but I already wanted to tear him limb from limb. Who did he think he was that he could lay a finger on her?
I suddenly stopped in my tracks, remembering the bruises she had on her body. Had he created those as well? I ground my teeth in my emotion, knowing that if I ever saw this man I would kill him.
“Hello?” The woman called out when I didn’t respond.
“Sorry… what hospital is she in?” I asked as I grabbed a notepad and pen.
“South General… but how on Earth?” Her voice sounded confused.
“I will be there soon.” With that, I hung up the phone. I could feel my heart racing as I thought about the situation. If I had known she was in an abusive relationship I wouldn’t have let her go back. I felt like blaming myself but then remembered I had to get to the airport as quick as I could.
I stopped by my secretary who looked shocked when she saw my now red face and my messy hair. She had always seen me with my short brown hair styled to perfection. She, however, quickly composed herself, ever frightful that I would fire her if she ever slipped up.
“Can I help you, sir?” She stammered, trying not to make eye contact with me.
“Cancel all my meetings until further notice,” I said, my voice clear. She looked shocked and was about to say something when she noticed my expression was not one to be challenged.
“Yes, sir.” She nodded, looking down and quickly typing away at her computer. Once I saw her adjusting the calendar, I walked away. I grabbed my keys out of my pocket and impatiently waited for the elevator. Finally, it came in and using a little trick I learned from the maintenance crew I made it to the bottom floor without being interrupted.
With a quick step, I made my way to the garage, my mind trying to figure out what was more important: Allie in the hospital, or the asshole I needed to take care of. My hands were tight around the steering wheel as I speed through the streets of New York City. There were a bunch of horns being honked in my direction but in this moment in time I didn’t care.
I just wanted to get to the airport on time. However, as I got onto the main roads I was at a standstill as rush hour took over and each car moved at a snail’s pace. I felt frustrated and cursed myself for not taking the subway. I sat there shimmering, inching my car forward any opportunity I got.
Finally, after more than an hour stuck in traffic, I made my way to the airport. I tossed my keys to the valet and sent a text to my secretary to have someone pick it up soon. I didn’t know how long I would be in California but all I knew was that I wasn’t going to leave the West Coast until I knew Allie was okay and that the man who had hurt her wouldn’t be able to do it again.
With this thought in mind, I made my way to the counter. “I need a ticket to LA,” I demanded, my eyes intense. The woman looked at me, noticing my handsome face and the way I was dressed. She could tell I was some sort of businessman but right now her gaze was just annoying me. “Stop gawking and get me a ticket,” I said harshly, breaking her out of her trance.
She typed away, looking at the screen before her when a frown contorted her lips.
“I am sorry sir, but the oncoming snow storm has forced us to cancel all flights to California.”
The End of Book One
The Billionaire’s Crush - Book Two
Lexi Summers
The Billionaire’s Crush – Book Two
Vance
“What do you mean there are no flights!?” This couldn’t be happening. Anger soared through my body as I slammed my hands down on the counter, scaring the worker. She flinched and offered an apologetic look, but I was too wound up to notice.
“I’m sorry sir… but due to the storm, all flights have been canceled…” Her voice was meek as she broke the news to me. I tried to remain calm, but my fingers were already running through my hair, ruining the efforts I had put into styling it in the morning. There had to be another way to get to California. I couldn’t let Allie suffer all alone. The snow wasn’t about to stop me.
“Is there absolutely no way to get out to California today? I’m willing to pay whatever it takes.” I said in an attempt to persuade her. The woman shook her head. I sighed in disappointment before moving away. As my fingers toyed with my watch, I tried to find answers. How was I supposed to get to California now? All of a sudden I whipped out my cell phone as I paced around the lobby, waiting for my secretary to pick up. Just as I was going to give up and try again, the phone stopped ringing.
“Hello?”
“Eliza. I need you to get the jet ready.” There was silence on the other end. As Eliza failed to answer me, I felt irritation boil in my veins. Allie was in a hospital somewhere and here I was, trapped on the East Coast. Sometimes I really hated Mother Nature.
“Sir… with the current blizzard… I wouldn’t recommend using the jet… it’ll be very dangerous.” Eliza’s voice was soft as she said the words, obviously anxious about my reaction. I tried to rationalize her words, but in my current state, it was impossible to think logically. I had one thing on my mind and if I didn’t get to Allie soon, I would surely go insane. “Get the jet ready.” My voice was icy as I issued the command.
“Sir…”
“Do it and don’t come into work on Monday.” The silence was heavy and I almost regretted my decision, but this was a vital matter and I wouldn’t settle for employees going against my judgment.
“Yes, sir…” She finally answered, sounding a little distraught now that she had lost her job. I sighed a breath of relief as I realized that I would be in my jet soon enough. Hopefully, it would get me to California safe and sound. Just hang on Allie… I’m coming.
***
After a very turbulent ride, I finally landed in sunny California. I quickly hailed a taxi and anxiously made my way to the hospital. It was swamped with people looking for care. I paid them no mind however as I made my way to the front desk.
“I’m looking for a Miss Allie Ulrich.” I declared. The nurse who was on the phone gave me a harsh glare. I wanted to retaliate, but at the same time, I reconsidered. I didn’t know who was on the phone and whether their situation was dire. I grew uneasy, however, as the phone call continued longer and longer. When I realized that the woman would not answer my question, I took out my cell phone and dialed another number.
“Hello?”
“Julie. Where’s Allie?” My voice was stern as I expected a prompt answer. There was silence and then the sound of footsteps.
“Room 507. Fifth floor.” I hung up and made my way down the hall, following the signs that led me to the elevator. As the elevator doors closed, I remembered the time spent with Allie in the
Blue Venta
elevator and smiled. She had been so nervous. I chuckled to myself as I reminisced about the events of that day. But as the elevator dinged and I reached the fifth floor, I got my bearings once more.
Quickly, I found her room and rushed inside. My whole world stopped for a moment as I saw her laying there, her body covered in cuts and bruises. With a heavy heart, I walked over and grabbed her hand. She was sleeping and I wished that she would open her eyes, just for a moment, so I could admire their beauty once again.
Julie, who was sitting on the other side of the bed, stared at me in shock. “How did you get here?” She asked, her voice revealing her awe. Her eyes kept searching my face and soon enough she was staring. I was no stranger to admiration so I paid her no mind. She was nothing in comparison to the woman who now laid on the bed before me.
“I flew in my jet,” I explained nonchalantly as her eyes nearly popped out of her head.
“You have a jet?”
“Yes.”
“And you know how to pilot it?”
“No, I hired someone of course. No more questions.” I commanded, giving her a fierce glare. She stilled her curiosity at my gaze. Biting her lip, she sat back in her chair as we sat there quietly, waiting for Allie to wake up. My thumb gently caressed the back of her hand as my hand reached out and played with her hair. She was so beautiful.
“Who did this to her?” I finally asked as my eyes focused on the bandages, wrapped around her body in various places.
“Chad. Her boyfriend.”
“You mean her ex-boyfriend. He’s never laying a finger on her again.” My voice was filled with hatred as I thought about the man who had done this to her. If I ever saw him, I would make him pay for what he had done to her. No woman should have to suffer like this. Men who acted in such manner deserved to be culled from the world.
I could have sued him but my distrust of lawyers was too much for me to consider. Either way, it didn’t matter because as my anger grew, Allie started to wake up. Her eyes started to flutter as she stirred ever so slightly. I noticed this stirring causing me to look down, our eyes locking together.
