THE BADASS BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE

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."

CHAPTER 29

Somewhere in the downside of LA, Logan and his team were running around trying to organize a surprise party. His office was bubbling with activity. The team, comprising three ladies and two men, went about moving tables and knocking out chairs. They rearranged everywhere in such a little time. Then they went on to decorate the room. The petal flower was arranged in a very big love shape. From the entrance, roses were sparsely sprinkled on the floor. They formed a unique welcome on the red carpet. At the center where the petals were arranged to form love was another inscription: Will you marry me?

The tables were arranged in a semi-circle of four. It was meant to be a private affair. So only a few chairs were brought in, cleaned and set alongside the table. He planned on having only important people attending the event. And, of course, Swiss. Her presence was crucial. She didn't approve of the surrogacy of her daughter. Like him, she found the idea 'unthinkable'. He couldn't even imagine Evan going for such. Somehow though, he feels he pushed her into this. If he hadn't been caught with naked pictures of himself and Mary online, he doubted Evangeline would have resulted in this.

Which was why he needed to do everything in his power to fix this mistake. Her mother would be thrilled to know he had something more, something better for her daughter. He instructed the team to place her chair right beside the seats decorated for himself and Evan. A bottle of champagne was set on each table. Glass cups, cutleries and snacks were placed on the table.

Logan looked around; satisfied with the arrangement, he proceeded to call the people to attend the small show. He called Zoe to help him get Evangeline to the location he had set up for the proposal. But Zoe apologized and bailed out. Her excuse wasn't even legit. Who picks up laundry at 5 pm and stay hours till it's done because she needed the clothes urgently? It was a lie. Zoe didn't want to be involved. But she had to be. He didn't let that stop him. He went on to invite Mrs. Swiss. "Oh, I'm sorry, Logan. I may not be able to get down to LA anytime soon. I have a couple of things going on here, and it calls for caution."

"Okay, ma'am. Another time then."

"Definitely." Mrs. Swiss said, "Again, I'm sorry to cancel. I know I promised to be there. Be sure to invite me another time."

"I will." He replied, his mind already thinking of what to do next. Frustrated, he ended the call and kicked the table. With his backed turned to the team, they looked at each other suspiciously. Logan took his car keys and stepped out. Did it mean he had wasted all these for nothing? He had been planning this occasion for a long while now. As he stepped out, he saw Jason dropping Zoe. He got angry. Zoe had just lied to him about her excuse for not coming. So she had been with Evan? And Jason too. Was she already switching sides? He thought she was one person she could count on to get his woman back to him. Evangeline stepped down to hug her friend briefly. From where he stood, he knew they both had something to whisper about. Both women said something in each other's ears, smiled, and Evan went back into the car. Zoe's car was parked somewhere there. She waved and went to get it. Curiosity made Logan follow the car. They were headed towards Evan's apartment.

******

"So, how did the meeting go?" Evangeline asked, stepping down from the car. Jason had come round to open the door and help her get down. When she got down, he brushed aside some hair that had escaped from the ponytail wrap she had her hair weaved into. Evan smiled her thanks, and they both went in.

Logan watched the two in fascination. They were so comfortable in each other's company. Something had changed between the two. They seemed friendlier. He brought out his phone and called his PI. "Did you say they visited the doctor?" He asked, shocked at what he was being told. "So she's pregnant?" wow! He didn't know she had gone ahead with the surrogacy. He sat down in the car before driving off. But even if Evan was pregnant, it didn't mean he couldn't have her. Could he? At least she wasn't going to be dating the man. It was simply going to be an arranged relationship. The surrogacy was intravenous, not sexually. He still had a chance.

Walking through the large corridor to the apartment, Jason replied. "The meeting went well. How's Zoe too?"

"She's okay. I should introduce you both." Evan said. "What are we having?" She asked, seeing opening a wrap he had with him. It was dinner packed in small plates: fried rice, roasted snail, salad, chicken wings, sauce and beef. He set the table and asked her to sit. "You're bent on fattening me upright."

"You finally got me." He smiled, "Plus, I've not eaten anything since breakfast. I'm famished." he admitted.

"Then let's dig in."

When they were done, he cleared the table and came round to sit with her, "I should head out now. It's getting late."

Evangeline lifted her head slightly to look at him, "You're not joking."

He started at her; a bit confused, "Joke about what exactly?"

Laying her head gently on the pillow he had helped adjusted, she nodded as if to bolster her words, "You are staying here tonight. I have more rooms than I can sleep in." She told him.

"Are you sure that's okay? I had James's book a hotel already."

"Cancel it. I want you to stay." She told him quite frankly. Then getting off the couch, she said, "I'll go check on the room. See if there's a need to change the sheets. I'll be right back."

Later, they settled down to watch a movie before turning in for the night. As they watch the movie, she realized she was very restless. The love couch wasn't comfortable any longer. She wished she could find something to rest on. Jason noticing her discomfort, passed her a pillow. When she smiled appreciatively, he switched the pillow and asked her to lean closer. She did, and he placed the pillow on her laps and gently laid her head on it. No one said anything about their kiss the other night, and it hung like an unspoken phrase in the air. 'Maybe it didn't mean anything to him after all,' was Evan's last thought as she drifted off to sleep.