THE BADASS BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE

CHAPTER 26

Five families controlled suburban Miami; The Swiss, Valdez, Monterey, Nelson and the Smith. These were the founding members. They were rich, powerful and highly connected. The Valdez were into Estate management. Most of the buildings in the suburbs were built by them. They leased out, sell and mortgage them for public use. They also owned the widely used commercial bank, with the Swiss being the majority shareholder. Their connections went beyond the suburbs. They had powerful allies within and outside the state.

The Smiths were an organized corporate body. A little too organized. Their companies and deals were very well managed that when you wouldn't think they were into anything illegal. But on a closer look, you will start to notice the discrepancies. The overdressed hefty men in the pubs. The excessive extras on security. Restricted bars and limited access to some of their facilities. And then there were the exotic cars they drove. That alone was a clue into some other businesses the family did underground. They owned pubs, bars, gaming houses, liquor businesses, bets and pools. Yes, the Smiths were corporate criminals. A lot of shady deals went on in their pubs and bars. But they were smart too. They've never being caught.

The Monterey, on their part, were drug lords; Dangerous and feared. Though they had legal businesses here and there in the country, their money came from their hard drugs. Unlike the Smiths, they have no fear of showing their dirty hands. They were known to be hot-blooded and not scared to shed blood in broad daylight. They were always in possession of strange ammunitions. Now and then, the law catches up with them, but nothing solid ever holds. In court cases involving them, victims have disappeared or died in mysterious ways. Everybody avoided the Monterey.

The Nelsons were also equally powerful allies. They owned coffee shops, Cafes and commercial offices in the suburb. Unlike the other families, they were the quiet ones. Also rich and influential but not like the others. In the years that settlers have settled in Miami, there has never been any incident involving them. Perhaps that was a mistake. If there had been, the residents would have discovered that these quiet members were related to another drug cartel on the outskirt of suburban Miami.

For power to be restored in the city, a balance needed to be put in place. The Swiss held this power. Power in suburban Miami was balanced using the law. And though the Swiss held power, it wasn't strange to hear of occasional sabotage. It was not unusual to have a fall between two families. The cases were settled in court. But most times, things go south. Victims disappear, never to be seen. Some found dead. And most times, an incidence like this happened when the case involved a Monterey. Once in a while, dead bodies were found shot, decapitated, maimed and dumped in hidden corners of the county. Sometimes the culprit was apprehended. Sometimes, the culprit is sentenced to death or jailed. At times the prosecution isn't smooth. Victims end up dying in some cases. Still, the Swiss did their best to serve the country.

To stay safe and maintain peace, the Swiss were rumored to run under thugs that did the dirty work. It wasn't ascertained. It was mere speculations which the family refused to say anything about to the public. The legal system in Miami was unlike now, where everyone has a good idea of what the law says. Then, the presiding judge ruled as he or she deems, which was why the thugs could have been a problem now. But then, no one minds; as long as the intention was pure, all was fair in cooking and in battle, until some couple of years ago when a really dangerous incident happened that threatened the peace of Miami and the five founding families. A daughter of the Nelsons was found dead and dumped in front of her father's house in the most despicable manner. And the one's quiet family in Miami showed their true color.

Witnesses claimed the young lady dated a Monterey boy. It was only right that the primary suspect was the Monterey boyfriend. The Swiss sent their thugs to sniff around. As expected, the Monterey boy was placed at the murder scene at the time of the murder. Though the CCTV was tampered with, they had their way. The buried murder weapon was also unearthed, and his prints were all over it. As it happened, the Nelson girl was at the wrong place at the wrong time. She had witnessed something she wasn't to live to tell. Everything was in place: the murder scene, the victim, the motive. Everything but one! No witness wanted to step out for fear of what the Monterey would do to them. Heck, they just murdered a supposed future spouse. The frustrated judge knew the implication of that. It was looking like it again. The Monterey was going to get away with yet another murder. But the Nelsons wouldn't hear of it. They were ready for war. Their allies were beginning to troop into the country, ready for war. The Swiss was in a dilemma on how to solve the case with no witness stepping forward.

Then, at the brink of open war, a witness stepped forward. The witness, a young boy, had strong evidence that could nail the Monterey. The salvaged CCTV recording placed him just a few miles away from the real murder scene. He had a direct view into what had happened that night. It was a closed deal. But his mother was scared. She requested that her child be put under witness protection to stand against the Monterey in court. The Swiss agreed, and the Nelsons were in full support. And so the prosecution started. From the moment the case was opened, it was evident that the Monterey boy was going to jail. So, they tried what they always do; take out the witness. It wasn't the first. They had done it severally. But what made Robert Swiss angry and why he chose to deal with the Monterey was how they forced his hands with how they executed the witness.

Typically, witnesses were taken to a secured location until court started. But no one could be trusted. Barbers, supposed neighbors, thugs, even Police officers were on the Monterey's payroll. The location had to be changed almost every day. Nobody except a few could tell where the witness would spend the night. The Monterey had no way to keep a tab on him. All attempt was futile. They were always too late and leaving dead innocent bodies in their wake. Once, they had come close to almost shooting the boy who was being moved to another location when the lawyer realized there had been a compromise. He noticed the officer on the last duty was receiving a dodged call and quickly alerted the judge. The officer was immediately arrested, and the location was changed.

CHAPTER 27

It was almost too late as the Monterey's men were already there, all loaded up. Two officers died protecting the witness that day. Eventually, they were able to escape. The judge left with no choice, moved the case to that very evening leaving the Monterey no time to act. The witness was sworn in. Then the state attorney stepped forward and began interrogating him. "Tell us as clearly as you can what happened that night."

"I was home." He began, "I've always known Debbie Nelson rolled with the Monterey. She was their girl, always coming around at odd hours. It annoyed me." He sniffed.

"Why did it annoy you? Have a crush on her?" The Monterey's attorney, a stocky man in his late thirties, queried, intending to divert the case in another direction. He looked just as shady as his client, who sat in the accused corner with no iota of remorse. He kept giving the witness a deadly look as if threatening him to keep his mouth shut. The witness didn't look his way. The state attorney had advised him not to so the threatening looks wouldn't pressure him.

"Objection, My Lord. My colleague here is making speculations irrelevant to this case." The state attorney countered immediately

"Sustained." The judge; Robert Swiss cautioned, "Counsel, do not make accusations with no solid proof here again. State counsel may take that again."

The attorney bowed slightly, "My lord." And he moved closer to the witness, "You may go on. But first, for clarity, why did the late Debbie's visit bother you?"

"Every time she comes... came." He corrected hastily. "Monterey go wild trying to impress. Once, they shot my friend in hand for touching her drink at the pub. He didn't know that." He slurred, "He was chilling with this girl and poof. His hand was bleeding."

The courtroom became a little rowdy with 'ahas' and 'Boohoos.'

"Order!"

"So, what happened the night she was killed?" The state attorney asked

"That night, I was out doing stuff." He sniffed again, "She came round, asking if I have seen the Monterey. I ignored her and walked away. Talking to her was dangerous for me being the Monterey's girl and shit. Knew what they did to my friend and all." He looked pointedly at the Monterey boy this time and snickered, then looked away quickly.

The Monterey's lawyer seized the opportunity to butt in again. "Did you somehow carried a grudge against them because of that? Shooting your friend and all." He said, trying to imitate the witness. Everyone erupted in laughter.

"Quiet."

"I didn't have no grudge on them. Couldn't" he laughed like that was the most insane idea anyone could come up with. "Who dares the Monterey?"

Though it was a rhetorical question, everyone in the courtroom chorused, "Nobody."

The clerk shouted "Order." And there was silence again.

"I can't fight them." The witness proceeded. "So I avoided them."

"Smart dude." Shouted someone from the backseat. The judge smacked his rod and said, "I'll hold anyone who speaks rudely in my court in contempt."

The state attorney took a step back then asked, "Did you ever speak with her at all?"

"No. I don't talk shit with her. Not until that day when she spoke to me. I walked away." He stared at the police officers seated in the front seats again. "When she asked me, I ignored her, and when I turned the corner, I saw a truck of shitload coming."

"Truck of shitload?" The state attorney queried.

"Cocaine bro." The witness scoffed, "It was the Monterey's. I ran into the building to stay dead till they were done. If seen, I was doomed. The girl saw her Monterey dude. Didn't think she was in any danger and just went there. I think She saw who I saw." He paused, looked around, frightened. His gaze fell briefly on the police officers on the front seats. Two of them were now standing. Their guns hung loosely at their side. He looked away.

"Who?"

The boy cowered backwards in fear.

"Is the person here now?"

"Yeah." His voice was barely a whisper.

"Who?" When he pointed at a police officer's standing, everyone scampered away from him. "My Lord, I'll like the court to arrest officer Fin for possession of the hard drug and misuse of power and possible accomplice to murder."

The officer was instantly arrested, and the judge charged everyone to be quiet. "State Attorney, please proceed."

"What happened afterwards?" The attorney asked the witness.

He requested s cup of water. The clerk passed him a sealed bottle which he opened and drank from. That seems to have calmed him down, "Her man." The boy shook his head as if replaying the incident in his head, "He just shot her dead."

"Do you know who the man is?"

"Sure." He stared at the Monterey boy again. This time he didn't look away.

"Is he here now?" The attorney asked.

"Yes."

"Where?"

"There. Him." He pointed at the accused Monterey. Everyone gasped.

The judge adjourned the case till a few hours later. The break was just normal courtesy. The offender had been nailed. Everyone stepped out to await the judge's decision. While the witness was being escorted out, a young female lawyer for the state ran after them. She had been passed an envelope by a woman she assumed to be the witness' mother. "This came for you." she said and handed the envelope to the boy. The instant he opened it, he, alongside his escorts, was blown to pieces.

Robert Swiss heard about the incident. The dead witness. The dead escorts. The lawyer whose career ended with that singular mistake. Everything made him so angry he went ahead to sentence the Monterey boy to death through lethal injection. Then he went on to open a case against the Monterey family. He had had enough of them. For years, his father had complained about their fearlessness against even the law. And they continued to misbehave even when he assumed the position after the late judge's demise. It was high time they are dealt with. He didn't go through the usual channel.

The Monterey were all in jail before they could lift a finger. They were all shot dead quietly overnight. But that wasn't the judgment Robert Swiss passed. Another family had taken up the case. The witness, as it were, was a distant cousin of the Smiths. And the Smiths with the Monterey had bad blood. His family wanted revenge and control of the Monterey business.

In the war that ensued, the Swiss became caught in the middle. The Smiths blamed them for their loss. The Monterey felt they owe it to the Swiss to put them in their place for publicly humiliating them constantly. But the Smiths had the upper hand. For years, they have been monitoring their enemies, studying their tactics, buying their way into their business. It was not an easy takeover, but it was done. There were so many casualties. Innocent residents were found dead on the streets and in their homes. Houses were burnt down to erase evidence of a full-blown out organized killing. A few Monterey escaped that day. Most left Miami. Never to be heard of. The ones that survived changed their name for fear of being butchered to death. And so, the ruling family in the suburb Miami became just four. The fifth was never to be spoken of again.

The instant the Smiths came into power, the Swiss became a target. The new lords weren't sure where their loyalty lay. So, they were being monitored. Their phones were tapped into. Conversations were streamed. It didn't take Robert Swiss long to figure out that the power balanced had tipped. The fifth family didn't go extinct. It had been merged into the Smiths. Now, the Smiths had more power than any other founding family. To save his family, he needed to act fast. Because their phones were tapped, the Swiss couldn't involve their kids in the scheme. Then again, who goes telling 21year old and 19year old something that grave? Something that could get them killed if said to the wrong person?

This was why when Robert got his wife into the car for a meeting outside the suburb, they fought. The fight continued until he had to leave. It was all part of the scheme but not entirely complete. Swiss blamed her husband for making the wrong call.

"As a presiding judge, you could have chosen a jury. But no, you played god. You must have been so intoxicated by the power that you forgot who you were dealing with." She mocked.

"They murdered the witness. It wasn't the first, second, fifth. I'd had enough." Robert countered.

"And you sent them all to jail. If you hadn't jailed them, the Smiths wouldn't have murdered them right under your nose. Now, the Monterey, wherever they are, will always come back for our heads. The Smiths, well, you know those are even worse."

Robert Swiss knew she was right. They were not safe. There was only one thing to do, "Divide and conquer." He said.

She inhaled sharply at his suggestion, "That my dear would be another wrong call. Divided, they see us weak."

"But what will you have me do?"

"I say we show a united front. Get help outside the suburbs. Let's reach out to our clients for help." She suggested.

He pondered on it a while, "We need help. That you got right, but we can't just stay here and ask for help. I know how these people run their street. They will sabotage the help and turn them against us. To get help, we need to go looking for genuine ones. Not stay and be calling for it."

"Then what do we do?" Mrs. Swiss asked.

"I'll insist on 'Divide and conquer', It's our best call." He replied. It was the first time he wasn't yielding to her decision. And it was apparent she wasn't going to let him have his way. "You don't trust me." He noted sadly.

"Not after this last call." She threw back at him carelessly.

That hurts. "Then, I must do what I can to fix the problem I made." He told her sadly.

"You're leaving." She said, nodding sadly. Why did he have to be so stubborn about it?

"To get help." He clarified. He had already packed his things; she realized as he stepped down from the car. He went round to move his box. He then came around to bid her farewell. "Take care of the kids. Better to let them believe we are divorced."

"Oh, we are." She smiled at him sourly, "The moment you walk out on us, we are." She threatened. He smiled sadly at her but started to walk away. Not even her threat could make him change his mind. Swiss watched his retreating back and began to weep. She had no idea how to handle this. How was she going to face the kids? He was right. Holding him down would be grasping at thin straws. To deal with the dire situation, they found themselves, and they needed more than straws. Heck, what they needed were machetes and hacksaws, swords and sharp blades. He better be right about this and makes good friends. "When will you be back?" She called to him

"It could be years, honey. But the moment you notice the money trail, even when you don't know who's moving it, call me. Then, it will be the time to come home."

Amidst tears, she nodded. "Okay."

That was years ago. Now, it was time to bring him back and hope for all their sakes that he now has helped. Strong allies, or else, they'd be begging for their lives soon.

"Do you think you've gotten all we need for this war?" She asked, not believing she just used the word 'war'. It had almost ruined them then. She hoped in all earnest that it doesn't destroy them now.

"Yes, I do." He replied confidently, "It's time to come home."

CHAPTER 28

"You kissed him." Adriana screamed when her sister told her what had happened with Jason.

"Technically, he kissed me." She corrected. They were both seated in the foyer munching on peanuts. She shifted a little away from her sister, who only pulled her closer for a deep hug.

"And you kissed him back."

She ignored her sister and tried not to smile. She had been telling herself the kiss meant nothing ever since it happened. They were both adults, and considering they've been together lately; emotions were bound to fly around. That must have been what spurn on the kiss. It had been awkward after that. Whatever pushed them into each other's arms separated them. He had excused himself and walked away, leaving her rooted to the spot, wondering what just happened. Since that night, she had been avoiding the man, not sure of what to make of their situation. Sure, the kiss made her long for more. True, she enjoyed it. But could it be more? Did she want it to be more? Would he?

And most importantly, what was his late wife's role in it. If she knew the man right, he loved his wife. He'll probably be somewhere now beating himself up for moving unto the next available woman shortly after her demise. What would happen now? She needed answers to those questions. If she couldn't answer them, then she sure as hell wasn't facing him. She dropped her sister off and drove back home. She had intentionally decided not to tell her about the car she had left behind. Her sister didn't even know she had been gifted a car.

What she also didn't tell Adriana was that she had rejected the gift right afterwards. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate it. She felt he kissed her because he bought her something and wanted some payment of some sort. It was silly thinking that way. But that was all she could come up with, seeing as he walked away right after. She needed an excuse to turn around that sweet feeling she felt at kissing him. Adriana suddenly had something to do. She excused herself and went inside.

Evangeline also went in to get changed into something lighter and went to sit back in the foyer. Then curled on the couch and settled to read a novel she had bought on the way. There was pretty nothing to do. Her PA seems bent on getting the award for the most hardworking secretary of the year. Since the Logan incident, she has been very careful of things she brought to her table. She was effectively managing the company well. Evangeline noted that down. She intended to give her a treat at the end of the year. But Audrey's efficiency meant she had nothing to do.

"I get to indulge in my favorites almost forgotten hobby." She chastised herself and opened the book. "Cold drinks at the foyer with a romantic book." She flipped through the first few pages and began to doze off. The book fell off her hand.

It was later that she felt someone moving her. She tried to wake up, but her eyes were so heavy she scooted closer to the person and slept off again. She noted his aftershave smelt nice. "Jason." she muttered. When she woke up later, she found herself in a strange room. This wasn't Adriana's place. Alarmed, she sat up.

"It's about time you wake up too." Jason said, walking into the room with a large food tray, "Hungry?"

"Why am I here again?" She asked, working up a fit of anger. His sexy smile only irritating her further.

He set the table and moved the table closer to her. He moved his chair towards the table too and began to eat, "Adriana called me. Said you were alone at home and I should check on you." He explained.

That annoying romantic fool! Little wonder she suddenly had something to do. She thought grudgingly. Her sister was pushing them both together now. She was beginning to regret telling her about that casual kiss. Adriana was reading more to it. "You don't have to babysit me." he replied

"I needed to see you too. You've been avoiding me. And you wouldn't take my gift."

He said it so casually she assumed that meant the kiss was nothing to him. Well, it meant nothing to her too. She ignored the avoidance part and simply told him. "I won't be bought with something as simple as a car that I can afford."

Jason laughed. His deep-throated laugh was infectious. She smirked too. "I specifically told the company to make that car." he bragged, "There's no other like it anywhere in the world."

"Boast on, Mr. Valdez." She teased.

"We aim to please." He said. "Please take the car."

His easy grin made her smile, "Okay, okay. I didn't thank you then."

"I can think of a better thank you."

She tried not to read meaning into that. Did he mean the kiss? "Don't push it."

He let it drop, "You're going with it this time. I'll see to it."

"Sure, boss."

"I'll be going to LA today. Do you want to come? Stop by your office?"

"That's good. I'll check-in. I've been bored. Lately, Audrey hardly calls now, except for really intricate issues that she can't handle. And, I'd like to see Zoe too. Thank you."

"Then let's eat and be on our way." He said, smiling at her.

It was so easy to talk to him, she noticed. He was in jeans and a shirt. The shirt was partly loosed at the cape and a few buttons down the chest. She watched him eat, noticed how his muscles flexed when he swallowed. Even without smiling, he was easily the most handsome man with blue eyes, set in a sexy way. He smiled at her. If he had caught her staring, he said nothing to that. He only asked her to eat.

The flight to LA, though, was almost 5hours. It was painfully short for Evan. They chatted back and forth. In between which she promised to go back to his place to get her car. When they landed, he excused himself and apologized that he had to hurry off to work. So he dropped her at her office.

"See you in a couple of hours?" He asked while entering his car.

"Can't we spend the night here?" She asked. It would be better than hurrying off to Miami again. She was feeling jet lag as it was. Another ride might make her sick.

"Okay? I'll see you when? Tomorrow?"

"Come to my apartment after your meeting." The moment she said it; she wished she could take it back. How did she casually say that?

"Okay." He said and closed the car door. He wound the glass.

"I'm seeing Zoe. Call me." She told him

"Sure." He replied, and the car zoomed off.

She went into her office and slum into the chair. She was so exhausted she decided a quick nap was what she needed right now. But first, she asked Audrey to get Zoe on the phone. When her friend picked, Audrey handed over the phone.

"Hey, bestie. Want to come over to my office?" She asked, "Please get me some fruits and something to snack on." She gave her PA the office phone and told her not to let anyone into her office except Zoe.

"Okay. You can leave now."

Audrey quietly closed the door and went about doing her work. It wasn't up to 30-minutes later that Zoe arrived. She was looking stunning in her white crop top and palazzo. She complimented her boss' friend and ushered her into the office. "Boss, she's here." She informed her sleeping boss.

"Leave us. I'll wake her up." Zoe said, closing the door as she walked in. Audrey nodded and took her to leave.

"Babe?" she called, lightly tapping her friend. When Evan sat up, she exclaimed. "Oh my God! You're so big already."

Evangeline stood up instantly and ran to her powder room which was behind her chair. She checked herself out, wondering if she looked fat. Not seeing anything, she turned to see her friend smiling wickedly. "You pranked me!" She observed, walking back to the office.

"You're barely three weeks gone. How can you believe that." she teased.

Settling down, she started to go through the fruit pack; Zoe came with, "Thank you for getting grapes. I've been craving it." She popped some into her mouth. "So, how are you? Anything I've missed?"

Zoe shook her head. "Nothing interesting about me." Then remembering her latest quest, she said, "Remember the cooking classes I told you about?"

"Yes. You finally registered?" Her friend had always been interested in cooking classes. She was the one who introduced her to a variety of dishes and how to savor them. Each restaurant they went to together, she sampled their dishes and compared which chef bested which. Eventually, she had started to pick interest in how the food was made. She would even ask the chef, if available, to tell her the secret ingredient.

Mary had once teased her to start her restaurant since she was the only one who doesn't work among them. She had laughed and said she preferred spending money to earning. As the only daughter of a multi-billionaire, she lived in luxury and had access to good cars, money and almost everything. She lacked nothing and wouldn't lack any even if she doesn't work till she dies. And Zoe didn't mind not working. She found every way to be busy. It was always from one party and clubbing to another. When she wasn't partying, she would be in yoga class. That or she could be at the spa, giving her body a good treat. She was always busy in an irritating way.

"With you starting a new life without me." Zoe teased Evan, who gave her a naughty look, "I think I'll need that job now. I'll attend classes and hope to be good at it. If I am not bored out of my hairs, I'll start my restaurant."

"Wow... I'm happy to hear that." She hugged her. Then remembering her opening sentence, she pulled away. "But you know I'm not leaving LA, right? I'll be back in a couple of months."

"Still, I want to do this. But would you still come here?"

"Why not?"

"I mean with your pregnancy and all. I can picture the comments in the tabloid. Rich business tycoon pregnant for who?"

"And hiding it will be any better?" Evan asked.

Her face lit up in the realization that hiding the pregnancy would be bad press. Anybody could see it and exploit it. "I get it. It would be bad. I can imagine someone in the odds with you sending pictures to the press with juicy lies to back it up."

"Don't imagine it. Picture Mary and you'd get a clearer view." Evan said and laughed.

"She isn't going to do that." Zoe countered.

"I wouldn't bet on it."

They munched on the fruits. "Then again, I don't care what the press says. I'm just here for my business. No comments."

"That's a simple truth. How's Valdez, by the way?" When her friend's face lit up, she asked, "Did something happen?"

Evan shook her head, feigning ignorance. "What can happen?"

"You have this look." Her friend's face instantly went blank. "Okay, so how is he?"

"Jason is okay. He dropped me here, and he's picking me up later. Did I tell you he bought me a Rovers? He had it made just for me."

"Wow? That's something. Where is it?" When she replied it was in Miami, she asked, don't you have pictures?"

The two scooted closer while she showed her the brown Land Rovers. It was exquisite. The maroon color, a favorite. Zoe made her promise to let her drive the car around for a day. Evangeline laughed and promised she'd let her if she released her favorites ride too.

A sports car she had been given two months ago as a birthday present by her parents. "Deal." Zoe said without giving it any thought. Since she was given the car, nobody other than herself had stepped in the car. She treated the car specially.

"I can't believe he customized it for just you. Wow, did I sense something brewing?"

Well, this was as well a good time to say it, she thought but discarded the idea almost immediately. Suddenly, Evan voiced out, "And we kissed." She couldn't resist not telling her friend that.

Dropping the phone, she exclaimed, "What. Something is brewing after all."

"Oh, it was just a chaste kiss. Nothing serious." She said and blushed prettily.

"Nothing serious yet it's making you blush. You've caught the bug." She pulled her friend closer, "Oh, poor Logan."

Evangeline pulled away, "Why Logan? Did he put you up to anything again?"

"No." Zoe raised her hands in mock surrender when Evan wanted to mock punch her, she rushed to tell her. "He's planning another proposal. I ran into him yesterday. You should refuse any invitation from him. It's a surprise proposal, and it looks like he's going to get you corned and force you into accepting him."

Evan laughed so hard her eyes watered, "Corner me? Seriously! Like I could ever be."

"Not even if your mom agrees?"

"Especially if my mom agrees." Evan declared. "Wait, does mother know?"

"I think he's planning on inviting her over. She might be in on it."

Evangeline shook her head. Her mother must be too busy with the Noah incident and the theft case the company was having. Still, she wouldn't put it past her, especially since she didn't accept the surrogacy idea. Anyone who stands against that became her friend. Her enemy's friend, huh...

"I wish he would give up on this already. I don't see us getting back together this way."