Without Warning: A Billionaire Romance (Playboys of New York Book 5) JA Low (e textbook reader .TXT) 📖

her lips to mine, letting her know how much I love her.

Saved by the bell.

My computer starts buzzing, and we break away. I click a couple of buttons, and the background changes from blank to Jackson’s face.

“Hey, guys.” He smiles. “I’m sure you’re eager to find out what I’ve learned.”

“Yes,” I answer, unable to control my jittery leg.

“Right, well…” Jackson leaves a long pause. “It’s a little more serious than we first thought.” My stomach sinks. The worst-case scenario has happened. “What we’ve found is your ex-wife’s brother was involved with the mafia.”

Wait a damn minute. What? I turn slowly to look at Ariana, who’s just as stunned.

“The mafia?”

“Yes. He’s involved with the Russian side, but…” Jackson shuffles some paperwork around in front of him, “… your father is also involved with the Italian mafia.”

What? No. That can’t be true. There’s no way in the world my father would be involved in anything like that. Surely?

“Your father has racked up major debts to the crime syndicate for labor costs,” Jackson explains.

I’m shell-shocked at the moment.

“Are the two mafias connected?” Ariana asks.

“At the moment, it doesn’t look like it.”

“Can I pay off my father’s debts?” I ask.

“I haven’t looked that far into it as information only came in late today,” Jackson explains. “I do know people who can find out more. I just didn’t want to say more on that until I have more for you.”

“Do you know how much he owes?” I ask.

Jackson looks through some more paperwork and finds what he’s searching for. “It looks to be around ten million… maybe more.” Jackson shrugs while staring at a piece of paper.

“I can pay that.” I must admit, I am a little relieved that it’s not hundreds of millions.

“It’s just not as easy as writing a check with these kinds of things, especially if they feel slighted in any manner,” Jackson explains. “I’ll look into it more, but least now we have some kind of lead,” he says brightly.

“Is there more?” Waiting for more news to hit me, Jackson looks away, and I can tell there’s more, but he doesn’t want to tell me. “Whatever it is, please tell me,” I implore him.

“Your ex and your father had a relationship.”

What? I stare at the screen. Oh, for fuck’s sake, has my ex slept with my entire family? Who’s next? My sister. My fucking mother.

“From what I can tell, it started a long time before she ever worked for you,” Jackson explains. “Your ex-wife has a colorful past, mainly being paid as a high-end escort.”

And the punches keep coming.

“An escort?”

“Yes. She had a heap of high-profile clients, and most she didn’t stop seeing even when you were married.”

Oh, shit! My jaw hits the floor with this tidbit of information.

“Everyone must have been laughing behind my back,” I murmur while letting the new information sink in.

“She was a deceitful cow,” Ariana states angrily. “I can’t believe she’s done this to you.” She stands and paces angrily around the room, grumbling something or other. I seem to have zoned out.

“I’ll keep digging,” Jackson adds as my attention is pulled to where Ariana is pacing the room now, cursing.

“Thank you.” I stare down at the computer. “It’s something, but it doesn’t put me at ease.”

“I wish it was better news, but I can promise you that you’re safe.”

Hearing Jackson say that does ease my mind somewhat. I mean, the man has been able to find out way more in one week than the previous private investigator has in months.

“Look, I’ll let you go. I’m around on the weekend if you want to chat after digesting it all. Just know you’re not in any danger.” I think he is trying to be reassuring, but I’m not really sure.

Once Jackson signs off, I close down my laptop and walk over to Ariana. Her eyes are glassy, as if she’s trying to hold her emotions in for me.

“Come here.” Opening my arms for her, she walks into them.

“I’m sorry, Rhys. I’m just so damn angry on your behalf. I can’t believe one person can be so unbelievably cruel to another.” She wraps herself tightly around me, giving me the strength to tackle this head-on, so I can start this new chapter of my life with Ariana. I place a kiss on the top of her head as she continues to hug me tightly. Her body shakes against mine while she muffles her cries into my body.

“Just give me a moment,” she tells me, hugging me tighter. So, I give her that moment, and we both hold each other in silence. Eventually, she looks up at me, and her eyes are red-rimmed. “So, mafia, huh?”

“Guess so.”

“This is going to be a shit show,” she tells me, and I couldn’t agree with her more. “I’m still not going anywhere,” Ariana reassures me.

“Neither am I, sweetheart.”

“Good. Now let’s work out a plan of how we’re going to get you out of this mess.” Ariana looks at me with determination set in her eyes.

“You still okay with me coming as your partner to the wedding?” I ask because now is the time for her to back out, and I won’t be offended.

“Hell, yeah. I want to see you in a tuxedo again.”

“Do you like me in a tuxedo?” I ask, amused by this information.

“Gosh, yes.” She groans. “Lady porn at its finest.”

Well, well, well.

“Is that why you jumped me that night at my mother’s fundraiser?”

“Yeah, pretty much.” She giggles, then shrugs her shoulders.

“Well then, I can whip it out tonight if you want? I’m happy to role play.” Wiggling my eyebrows, her face lights up with a smile.

“I think that’s something I could get on board with.”

29

Rhys

I’ve decided to talk to my father directly about his involvement with the mafia. The fact that I’m talking to my father about this is like I’m in some ‘80s Godfather movie.

“Just listen to what he has to say.” Stirling strides through the doors of my father’s building beside me.

“Do you think he’s