Page 54 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
Alexa rocked back in her chair. Of course she needed money. A pig like Kace probably didn’t give his girls a good share when they literally did all the dirty work. “Must be some good information.”
“Yes.”
Alexa folded her arms, musing over her options. If she didn’t pay her, she’d go to sleep wondering about the information. If she paid her and Laura just gave her some sob story or gossip, she’d be mad at herself for falling for it. Either option would offer a night thinking about Brooks and not sleeping. Sighing, she unlocked her top drawer, opened it, grabbed five Ben Franklins and sat them on the desk. “Okay. I’ll bite. What do you have for me?”
Laura glanced at the money, but didn’t take it. An eagerness flashed in her eyes, and Alexa hoped she needed it to pay her rent and not for drugs. “Pamela had someone interested in her. The day of our auction, I got her hair done for the live video, so we chatted a bit. She wanted to sell her virginity, but in the process, met this guy and fell for him. But she refused to let him fuck her—she said if she sold her body for one night, she’d make good money and they could start a life together.”
“Who was he?”
“He worked as security. Think his name was Tom or—”
“Tony.” Beads of sweat slicked over Alexa’s forehead. Her stomach twisted in knots, and before Laura confirmed it, she remembered the personal trainer they’d talked to after questioning Mike Wheeler. A young, good-looking man.
Alexa froze. The pieces of the puzzle fell neatly into place.
Pamela hadn’t been kidnapped. She’d changed her mind about House of Alexa at the last minute, choosing to sleep with a stranger for money for only one night—maybe it felt like less of a betrayal to her boyfriend.
“Yes. That’s it,” Laura said.
“Why didn’t you tell me that when we visited the ranch?”
“I didn’t know what I was supposed to say. Didn’t want to get in trouble, so I waited until you had a scheduled auction again because I knew you’d be here tonight.”
“Thanks.”
“You did me a solid. My rent is overdue. Hey, are you sure you guys aren’t going to start offering regular work?” She winked. “At some point, the world will run out of virgins.”
Alexa grabbed her business card from a drawer and gave it to her. “No, we won’t turn into a brothel. But if you want to work as an assistant, I’ll let Jackie know. It’s a salaried position.”
“Really?”
“I’m not saying you have the job, but she can interview you,” she said. After all, Jackie would need help, and why not give the opportunity to someone who knew the ins and outs of the industry?
“Wow. Yes, I’d love that. You’re a good woman, Madam Alexa.”
Alexa bit her inner cheek. She was about to call Brooks, and there was nothing good about what she’d reveal to him.
…
Brooks took another swig of beer. Duke rested his head on his lap, and whatever game was on TV turned into a blur. Ever since he’d returned to his ranch, memories from when Alexa had visited had stalked him like some evil criminal. He’d even gone into the room she’d occupied a few times, in hopes of still catching traces of her scent.
He’d managed to lose everything, including what he hadn’t had before he’d begun searching for the truth about his sister—a phenomenal woman. Alexa had left a mark on him, like an invisible tattoo he couldn’t remove. Damn it, they were good together. He didn’t need a country club Stepford wife to have his babies or wear his ring. He needed Alexa, with her sass, her attitude, and her endless compassion. He’d realized that too late.
He sighed, scratching behind Duke’s ears. With physical therapy and the right meds, his mother seemed to be on the mend. Vanessa kept him up-to-date, but he’d refrained from visiting her again. I am a bad son.
He’d punched his father in front of his mother. Something he promised himself he’d never do. Yet, he would have done worse to keep Craig from insulting Alexa.
His cell phone rang, and he picked it up from the coffee table. “Hello,” he said, rubbing his eyes.
“Brooks. It’s Alexa,” she said, as if he’d have a sliver of doubt after he heard her say his name. No one pronounced his name like that, with the seductive tone that sizzled his scalp.
He straightened himself up on the sofa and sat the beer bottle on the side table. His body tensed up, his heart flipping in his chest. “Alexa.” That was all he could say glancing around his living area to make sure this wasn’t a dream. She called me. She called.
“A sex worker from Kace’s ranch contacted me, and she gave me some information you should know.”
Shock surged through him, and he clenched the phone tighter. “What?”
“She said one of the security guys we talked to was your sister’s boyfriend. He was against her doing the virgin auction, but she insisted. I don’t know if this will take us anywhere, but he lied to us when he said he didn’t remember her.”
