THE BADASS BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE

CHAPTER 57

Evangeline and Adriana waited in the chamber where they usually held meetings. Their parents were yet to come down and the sisters were getting worked up. Evan stood up going back and forth. "Are we seriously not going to their room?" she asked her sister who turned away instead.

Mrs. Swiss walked in then. Trust Evan to push her sister into this again, she thought. "Good morning" she greeted both ladies and went to sit down, "Your father will be here shortly."

"Good morning, mom." The two chorused in almost a whisper.

Their mother instantly knew what that meant; her kids wanted answers. But they have all the answers, so what else did they want to know? She didn't need to know who instigated the move this time, they both had something to say.

Robert walked into the tense room. He dragged his feet hoping to delay the time it took him to settle down. He had finally settled with his wife and was in a good place. He didn't want anyone ruining the mood this morning. As he walked by his wife, she gave him a stiff smile. That wasn't good. He expected a bright smile. Whatever had happened the night before between them last night seemed to have vanish the instant they woke up this morning. His wife had dashed out of the room as soon as she was awake. He sat down stiffly on the chair. He was barely seated when his first daughter attacked him.

"Dad? Why would you say something so nasty that got your grandchild that worked up?" Adriana queried as soon as he was seated.

Mrs. Swiss looked at her daughter, surprised her first daughter was the one to get this rude. What was going on here? She would have bet Evan wanted this more than her. Now, with the grandkids involved, perhaps this was all Adriana. She didn't even greet their father. Mrs. Swiss was about to point this out when Robert speak up.

Robert seeing his wife about to respond quickly said, "A good morning to you too." Then he looking at Evan who was leaning on the wall, her stomach a little big, he said, "Why don't you sit."

He was being evasive, Evangeline noted with annoyance. She moved away and went to sit beside her sister. That way, the children were sitting facing the parents. It was funny to watch them. "Would you please tell us why I had to go with Ethan to his school to pacify him that he heard you wrong?" She stressed the 'you' while pointedly looking at her father

Mrs. Swiss decided to butt in "We still have no idea what you are saying. What did Ethan heard that got him upset?"

"The better question is what are you both keeping from us?" Adriana threw at her mother.

Her mother looked at her again, surprised "We haven't been keeping anything from you..." Then remembering something, she quickly added, "At least not deliberately." She started to suspect this had to do with the meeting with Noah. Had the kids heard something?

Just about then, Robert also realized his grandchildren had been playing outside while he and his wife discussed the meeting he had with Noah as they watched them play. Ethan did leave to do something in the room. Which was odd because he looked angry. But then, he had assumed his sister won the game, hence the anger.

He heard! "I don't want us all worked up over this. Ad, you know I wouldn't entirely hurt those kids. They are as well mine as they are yours. They are my first grand kid." looking at Evan, he added, "With some others, coming."

Evangeline instinctively robbed her stomach. "Then we need answers." She said softly, a small smile played at the corner of her mouth which she forced away. "I had thought I would be coming here for something else."

'I knew it' Mrs. Swiss smiled triumphantly, Evan had been the one all along. Ethan only fueled Adriana's resolve. She said nothing but let her second child finish off before saying her mind.

"But this here? It's annoying and also confirms it. You both haven't been keeping us detailed about everything. Why would you meet with Noah? We all agreed he is the enemy. Didn't we?" Evan asked, "So, why meet him without us knowing. Especially Ad. And what if it was some sort of twisted set up?"

"First, you have it wrong." Their mother said, "We didn't call for the meeting. Noah did"

Robert quickly added too, "We didn't even know it was him until I walked there and saw him. Trust me." he turned to Evan, "I was armed. I didn't go in blind."

"What did he want?" Adriana asked feeling hurt. Why had Noah contacted her parents rather than speaking with her? "Did he say anything?"

"Nothing important." Their mother said.

Evangeline knew better, "Mother?"

"He claims he didn't do it. Said someone else did it." She replied spitefully.

"Then I assumed that made you say he was better off where he was? Ethan heard that." Adriana looked at them both sadly. "How could you?"

"Do you believe him? With all the evidence we have. Surely you don't?" Mrs. Swiss challenged.

Adriana was upset. "Look, all I'm saying is, the kids are here with you. I didn't want that. Both of you put our lives in danger with this family wars going on. The least you could do is be considerate."

"Yes. Please be conscious of the words you throw around. The boy was upset." Evan said. Their father apologized and so did their mother.

"I'll make it up to him." Robert promised, "What does he like?"

"Chocolate." Evan said, "Cartoon costume." Adriana said. Both ladies giggled happily and said, "Maybe both."

"Okay." Robert agreed.

"And in the mood of gifts." Evan suddenly said, "Jason told me his parents were murdered." The expression on their faces was anything but surprised. They knew. This dampened her mood, "Why didn't you say something?"

Robert replied, "We just found out too."

"This is way too complicated," Evangeline complained bitterly.

CHAPTER 58

Miles away in the suburbs, all three pairs of eyes stared at Gabriel. Nobody said anything about his outburst. Gabriel stared at them all, wondering if somehow they had suddenly become mute. He hit the table angrily and repeated himself again, "Why did the operation fail?"

Nate started to laugh. The others turned to him. Then he said, "Oh. It's not funny?"

"No." Samantha replied, giving him a cold stare, a warning to behave.

Nate shrugged, "Isn't the answer obvious?" He looked at them all, "Well, since no one wants to say it, I will. Big brother here fell in love," he mocked Noah, "And, love and mission?" He shrugged, "Not a good combo. Mission fails."

Gabriel stood up angrily. Noah did the same too. Samantha sat down, gauging their moods, while Nate sat stiffly, looking at the nearest exit. "Noah?" Gaby called, "You heard him. Is he right?"

Noah moved away, ignoring his cousin. "What do you want me to say, cousin?"

"Don't you use that tone with me." He yelled, "The hell is wrong with you?" He gritted his teeth irritated, "The only time I sent you into the field, you messed up big time." He started laughing, "He failed, the almighty Noah, got messed up by a woman. Something so frail."

Noah breathed heavily, "Watch it?" He warned.

"Now, he sides with the enemy!" Gaby exclaimed, "Need I remind you what they did to us? How our families were slaughtered like chicks?"

"Chicken." Nate corrected, laughing.

"What?" Gaby asked seething.

Nathan knew he better stay quiet. He shook his head and looked down humbly.

"So, the tiny weasel was the reason you haven't been delivering." Gaby said bent on getting his cousin worked up.

"Watch it." Noah warned again as he moved closer to Gaby.

Samantha decided now was good a time to come in. she knew just the right way to do it, "Sit you both" she screamed. It was the first time she used that tone with them all. She wasn't angry with any of them, but she needed them to seat and reason things out peacefully. Nate and Noah shook their heads, while Noah took his seat.

"Gaby?" Gabriel scoffed and sat down too. When they were seated, Samantha told both men as calmly as she could, "We have a situation at hand. Rather than fight and point fingers, we need solution" she looked at them all to be sure they were listening. They were, so she continued, "We've been ratted. We have to start getting protection."

"We have protection." Gaby butted in. he hated it when his role in the company is looked down upon.

"I know." Samantha replied, "We need to triple it. If the Swiss knows we've been taking their money, they'd want it back or at least try to run us down."

"They wouldn't." Noah said calmly.

"They dare not." Gaby retorted, "Or I'll shoot their fucking heads off."

Noah didn't let that bother him. He said nothing.

Samantha smiled at him for keeping his cool. She realized also that her cousin was in love. Pushing that thought aside, she asked him, "Do we have a plan B?"

"Not exactly. I can work something out." Noah said. Then he remembered his discovery at the Swiss and said, "Then again, something has been disturbing me about this whole exposure thing. I didn't take the money they found."

"Trying to wriggle out of this, aren't you." Nate teased and laughed again. Gaby hit the table and he shut his mouth. Noah and himself exchanged strange look and at that instant, surprised that Gaby had just sided him against Nate. Samantha realized both men had respect for each other even if they fought at every chance they got.

"You were saying?" She asked

"Yes. The money stolen wasn't from me. You know I stopped delivering a while back. This money was recently moved. It had been going on a while too."

"Well, well, well. It seems the Swiss had more enemies than they realized." Nate commented dryly hoping to get out of the place instantly. He was getting bored already. He yawned stiffly as he checked his phone.

"That's not all." Noah said, "The money being moved his huge." He said and watched Gaby's eyes widen, "And whoever moved it knows enough about me to know that I was doing the same."

"Okay, now I'm lost." Samantha said.

"I mean the person is making it look like I'm stealing it. He's making me take the fall. Which means he knows who I am."

"That could be dangerous. Gaby?" Samantha voiced out.

Gaby realized it too. If Noah had been found out by someone, they were all in danger "I'm on it. I'll bring in more men." And to his brother he said, "Nate, you better stay put."

Nate looked at them all in irritation and cancelled his 8.00. He had been looking forward to spending the night with the lady. "Okay." He said and dropped his phone. Noah tapped him lightly on the shoulder and stood up to leave.

CHAPTER 59

Even though the day had started on an offensive note for Evan, she wasn't going to let it end that way. She mentally ran through the things she could do to pass the time. Nothing enticing came up. Not even food piqued her interest. She thought about calling Zoe. But her friend was miles away. What could she do? Since she was on her way to Jason's apartment, she called him to let him know she was heading home. "While you don't drive to my office?" He asked, "I've got something to show you."

It was a tempting offer. She had assumed he would be busy when he called. Not wanting to face him yet because she didn't want to talk about her family's role in his family's loss, she considered turning him down. It was childish, though. He had been specific when he explained to her that he didn't hold her parents guilty in anyway.

A bit tired, she reluctantly agreed to join him at the office. But as she changed lane so she could head back, she a nap would be good. Yawning, she told him she would meet him there. The drive to his office wasn't going to take long. While she drives, she hummed to the boring music blasting from her audio player. It only made her sleepier. As she drove into the Valdez' parking lot, she turned off the engine, reset the AC to suit her need and adjusted her seat backward. She was asleep before she remembered she hadn't called Jason.

******

When she dropped the call earlier to inform him she was headed home. Jason heard the tiredness in her voice and thought of cheering her up. He knew the pregnancy would be taking its toll on her. He had to do something nice for her. Inviting her over was all he could do now while he brainstorm for ideas. Jason looked at James and asked for a quick update on the case before releasing him to plan a getaway.

"There's nothing new yet to report." James apologized. "The men have gone underground again." He was seated calmly in front of his boss as they went over the details.

"Anything from Anderson and Key yet?" The two had requested for a room and have been working every evening to get a hold if the account. That was the only link they had to explore now. Shaking his head, he replied with "None either."

Jason hit the table in frustration, "This is going too slow for me. I want them caught and everything be brought to a wrap. What's taking them so freaking long?"

It had been bothering him too, James thought. The cold chase and nothing for long had no thrill to it. There were ways to force the men's hand. He has been trained to lure out the enemy if he could handle it. He could do that now since the men in question where tasting them, bidding their time. It meant just one thing. They have a plan. Perhaps forcing their hand would disrupt their plan and they would start acting irrationally, which would be an advantage for the Valdez. "We could turn the situation around." James suggested.

"I'm all ears." He said in rapt attention, "What can we do?"

"Rather than waiting for them to come to us, we can take the fight to them." It was a quick fix to certain difficult problems. A technique he had mastered over the years. The last incidence though almost ended badly. Though he could hardly be blamed for that. This time, he was sure this situation calls for it and under good supervision, it would turn out right.

"But do we know enough to do that? I don't want any losses." Jason replied recalling the last time this had happened. They had forced a rival's hand and it almost cost him a man. It was years ago but the memory lingered. A rival company had somehow gotten into the database and was stealing client's information to go after them. Two clients reported getting a call from some company to their jobs.

Thankfully, they were old customers who knew his protocol. He'd never call them for business. They knew his principles. He would rather send one of his staff to get the job than run it through the phone. The internet fraud these days made it upsetting doing business online. In person business transaction was the only way he knew he could reassure his partners of his credibility. Call it old fashioned, Jason Valdez had his rules and he followed through with them.

Worried and out of loyalty, the two clients had called Jason. The hackers withdrew immediately they were sighted. Key was upset. The database was like home to him. Outside getting in was considered trespassing, in a rude way. It was an infringement into his privacy. So, he asked to be allowed to hackers' system. Everything changed drastically from there. The hackers having gotten key's information kidnapped him. By the time James and his team got to him, he was almost breathless.

"We will dig up more about them and lure them out." He countered. Jason nodded and he excused himself.

Alone, James checked his watch. Evan should have been here some minutes ago. He picked up his phone and dialed her number. It rang, but no response. Worried, he pressed the intercom and asked James to come back in. "Where's Evan?" He asked soon as James walked in.

"I thought you knew. She's asleep in her car at the parking lot. Sam is on duty with her."

"Okay, good. Please get me a security detail. I'll prefer Sloane this time. You and Sam need to work up a solid plan."

James nodded. He tapped his ear pod and got Sloane.

"Get the jet and pilot ready. We're leaving Miami right away. I promised that woman a hell of a weekend."

James excused himself and left while speaking with Sloane to get his things. Jason packed the things he needed and he left the office. He gently tapped the glass so Evan could wake up and unlock the door. She turned and stretched while she unlocks the door. "Hey sleeping beauty." He greeted as he opened the car and sat down beside her.

"Hi" she smiled at him and checked her wristwatch. "I completely logged out."

"You needed it" he silently appraised her look, "The baby doing this to you?"

"Yes..." Before he could apologize for carrying their child, she added quickly, "And I'm loving it." she told him, robbing her stomach she said, "I've been waiting for the baby kicks. Must still be early."

Jason laughed at that, "How far gone are we to expect that now." He laughed hard as she playfully punched him

"Maybe it's just me who's excited about the little one coming." She pouted.

He sobered up instantly, "You know I'm as excited as you are about this."

She loved the easy way they chatted. This was nice. They looked relax around each other. Teasing him, she asked "Are you now?"

His phone rang. It was James. "Yes." He answered, "We're ready." The line disconnected and he looked at her, a smile played at his lips. "Where do you want to go in the world?"

Evan thought about it. Paris! Right now, in Paris, new haute couture was being released. It was that season again. The season when she loved to just pack all the clothes and lazy around in them. The last time she had been here was when Zoe was with her French designer boyfriend, Antoine.

He had invited them to his launch and she's loved it. Her favorite sequined blue strap had been a gift from him. Though they had planned to tour the place, their visit had been cut shut tragically when Zoe broke up with the guy. There had been nothing there to stay for, she was hurt and wanted to leave right away. Left with no choice, Evan had followed her back home. Till date, she hardly talked about the incident and doesn't even want to come over here. She wouldn't mind seeing the fashion city again. "I'd love Paris. But I doubt you'd fancy what I want to go there for."

"Then Paris it is. I promised you a great weekend. Let's start making it count." He said and she screamed in excitement.

Sloane walked over to the car as they got down. He bowed slightly when the couple walked past him and kept them company to the jet pad. As the two went up the steep stairs to the jet, Evan suddenly realized she hadn't packed anything. Her words were swallowed up by the noise. "Belt." Jason said once seated, "The clothes have been packed." He informed her and she relaxed.

He leaned over to whisper in her ear. He had been longing for any close physical contact with her. The sensual whip of her scent made him recall their night together and the morning after. He sure hoped Paris had more memories to offer. He intended to anyway. "You may want to get some other things when we get there though. Just in case."

"Thank you." She said. The jet lurched up and she held his hand. He smiled reassuringly at her. It was evening by the time they got to Paris. They had a quiet dinner and she went to bed tired. She was jet-lagged; he could see as she struggled to finish her meal before sleeping. He let her sleep and carried her to bed after setting it up. While she slept, he watched her sweetly. He couldn't believe he had been so lucky to find comfort again.

Evangeline shifted, moving closer to him. Her warmth made him want to have a go at her. But she needed her sleep for their child. He wondered if it was a boy or girl and rubbed her stomach lightly. She moaned. He gently tucked her hair behind her ears. He could watch her all day. Finally, he was sleepy too. Not wanting to wake her up, he slides carefully into her coiled form and so they slept, wrapped into each other.