The Billionaire's Son

“How old are you, Jason?” she asked to pass the time.

“Four,” he stated, as if she were very stupid. But of course his mother would know his age.

“Who were those guys you were with?” she asked.

He closed his eyes.

“Did they hurt you?”

“They hit Maria,” he whispered.

“Why did they do that?” Kelly asked, encouraged by his response. Who was Maria? Maybe the kid had recovered enough to give her some answers.

Jason shivered and turned his warm face into her neck.

“Did you know those men, Jason?”

He released a giant sigh, but didn’t say another word.

“Okay, okay,” Kelly said, patting his back. “We don’t have to talk about them.”

The door burst open and four men entered the room. None of them were in uniform. Short hair. Jackets and ties. Feds. DEA? FBI?

“Jason,” someone shouted in a relieved tone.

Kelly focused on the speaker as he rushed toward her, and wondered if her mouth fell open. She stared at a man so impossibly good-looking he belonged on a movie screen or in a magazine. Dark hair, intense dark eyes. His jacket, his slacks—everything about him reeked of money and sophistication. The gold watch on his wrist belonged in a museum.

This god-come-to-earth squatted before Kelly and held out his arms to the kid. “Jason,” he said in a choked voice.

The kid lifted his head but didn’t release his hold on her. If anything, he tightened his grip and glared at the man.

“Jason?” The man shifted his gaze to Kelly, and she felt as if she’d been assaulted by an unseen force. Raw power flowed off him in waves. And arrogance mixed with anger. He didn’t like being denied anything. And who would want to refuse him?

“Who the hell are you?” the god demanded.

“Kelly Jenkins. Who the hell are you?”

His eyes widened in surprise as if she was supposed to know who he was. Maybe he was some big-deal movie star. Maybe she had seen him before, now that she thought about it, but she never had time for movies or TV. His nails were manicured; his leather shoes buffed. His skin was smooth, unlined, as if he’d never experienced a worry in his life.

“Officer Jenkins, this is Trey Wentworth and you’re holding his son, Jason,” one of the suits said.

“Thank goodness,” Kelly said, thinking, yeah, the name rang some bell, one associated with stacks of cash. She attempted to pass the kid to Wentworth.

“No, Mommy,” Jason wailed, and turned his face from his dad.

Wentworth flinched as if the kid had struck him, and rose in a smooth athletic movement.

The feds all exchanged alarmed glances.

Coming to her feet, Kelly asked softly, “Don’t you want to go to your daddy, Jason?”

“No. I want to stay with you, Mommy.”

“But you know I’m not your mommy,” Kelly said.

Jason began to cry again.

Kelly tried to pry his fingers from her clothing and hand Jason over. This kid had a problem far beyond her limited expertise as a rookie cop. He needed serious help, likely a shrink. She felt for the poor little guy. She’d had plenty of experience with shrink stuff.

“Jason, come on,” she said. “Let go.”

“Stop it,” Wentworth ordered.

The force of Wentworth’s command caused everyone in the room to look at him.

Kelly met his furious gaze, and again that strange sensation of raw power flowed over her.

“You’re upsetting him,” Wentworth said. “Leave him alone.”

“I’m upsetting him?”

“Just give him a minute, okay?” Wentworth ran a hand through his perfectly cut hair. “He’s confused. He’s been through a lot.”

Kelly plopped back down in the chair. “Yeah, well, so have I. What’s going on here?”

One of the suits stepped forward. “Officer Jenkins, I’m Special Agent Walt Ballard.”

“FBI?”

“Yes.”

Kelly nodded. “I knew you were a fed.”

“Why don’t you fill us in,” Ballard said. “How did you meet Jason?”

Beginning with her first sight of Jason, Kelly relayed what had occurred in the park.

“You used martial arts to knock a gun out of the man’s hand?” Wentworth interrupted in a shocked voice.

Kelly nodded. “Instinct. These guys were amateurs. I mean, come on, they let a kid get away from them.”

“An amateur could still shoot my son.” Wentworth glared at her as if she were the criminal.

“You’re upset because I kicked the gun from his hand?” Kelly demanded, glaring right back. “So I should have just handed him over to the bad guys?”

“Go on, Officer Jenkins,” Ballard said.

Kelly squared her shoulders and continued, ending with concise descriptions of Caleb and Adam.

“The last I saw them they were hauling ass toward the marina. The Miami PD sent officers after them. I assume this is a kidnapping?”

“Yes,” Ballard replied. “Apparently there was a miscommunication on the drop site.”

Wentworth muttered something about the Keystone Cops.

Ballard turned to Wentworth. “Jason is safe, Mr. Wentworth. Your continued sarcasm isn’t necessary or helpful.”

“Safe?” Wentworth spit out. “He’s clinging to some strange woman I’ve never seen before who almost got him shot, and he thinks he found his mother.”

“Yeah, well, this strange woman likely saved your son’s life.”

“If you had done your job correctly, the way I—”

“Hey, guys.” Kelly shouted over the rising voices. She placed her hand protectively on Jason’s head as he burrowed into her shoulder. His entire body shook with the force of his sobs.

Wentworth whirled on her.

Kelly met his penetrating gaze. “This is so not what this little boy needs right now,” she told him in a quiet voice.

CHAPTER TWO

TREY STRUGGLED TO control his frustration as he watched his precious son—his blessedly alive son—weep on the female cop’s shoulder. Why was he lashing out at Ballard? The angry voices only confused Jason—upset him worse. But the way his son looked at him had pierced him to his core—like everything bad in the world was his daddy’s fault. And maybe it was.

Officer Jenkins murmured soothingly to Jason, and his sobs gradually diminished.

“Gentlemen,” the woman said in a level tone, her hand cupping Jason’s head. “This strange woman is freezing her ass off and really would like someone to call her lieutenant.”

After a long quiet moment, she said, “Please?” in a hopeful tone.

Noting gooseflesh on Jenkins’s long legs, Trey removed his jacket and wrapped it around her and Jason. He took the opportunity to give his son a quick kiss on his flushed cheek before stepping back. Jason’s gaze locked with his briefly before he turned away.

“Thank you,” Jenkins said meaningfully. “You have no idea how much I appreciate that.”

“Of course,” Trey said.

Ballard raised his phone. “Give me a number,” he said. “I’ll explain the situation to your department.”

She gave Ballard the information, and the agent stepped out of the room with his two colleagues, leaving Trey alone with Jenkins and his son. Trey sat in a chair beside them. His son still refused to look at him and sucked on a thumb, something he hadn’t done in a while. Trey rubbed Jason’s back, grateful the agents had left.

“Thank you for rescuing my son,” he told Jenkins.

“You’re welcome.” She glanced down to Jason then carefully mouthed, “Where is his mom?”

“Dead,” Trey mouthed back.

She closed her eyes.

“Hey, buddy,” Trey said. “How are you doing?”

Jason buried his face deeper into the officer’s shoulder.

“Don’t you want to say hello to your daddy?” Officer Jenkins prompted. “I know he’s been very worried about you.”

After a moment, Jason raised his head. “Hi, Daddy,” he said in a small voice.

With a rush of relief, Trey nodded his thanks to Jenkins.

Jason placed his small hand on the woman’s cheek. “Don’t send Mommy away again, Daddy.”

Jenkins’s bright blue eyes widened.

Trey shook his head. “Of course not, buddy,” he soothed. He knew Jason blamed him for his mother going away. He was too young to understand divorce, the accident or Darlene’s death, and right now was crazy mixed-up. He needed time and more therapy to get his memory straight.

Jenkins eyed him suspiciously, probably wondering what he’d done to make the kid act so hostile toward him. God, she likely thought he was some kind of monster. He tried to smile at her reassuringly, but she only narrowed her eyes.

His son had certainly picked the right stranger to help him, and he got why Jason had latched on to her. Definitely pretty, though rough around the edges. Blond hair, blue eyes, tall, slender, all the same as Darlene. When she couldn’t get pharmaceuticals, Darlene used running to control her weight and often took Jason with her in a special stroller. Likely the physical resemblance and the jogging had gotten his son all twisted up. What his daddy needed to do was untwist him without causing more damage.

He needed to get Jason home. If his son fell asleep in his own bed, maybe when he woke up in familiar surroundings he’d be grounded in reality again. Dr. Carico could resume regular therapy. Obviously, they’d cut back on treatment too soon.

The immediate problem was getting him to let go of the female cop. Trey knew he should be grateful to Kelly Jenkins, but couldn’t help but resent the way Jason clung to her. He wished his son would just once demonstrate the same sort of affection toward him. Not likely. Well, no way was he or anybody else wrenching his son away from her. Whatever the reason, this woman made Jason feel safe, and he had to respect that no matter how much it rankled.

How much would it take to convince her to accompany them back to the villa? Probably not much. Cops were notoriously underpaid.

“Listen, Officer Jenkins, I was wondering if you—”

Ballard swept into the room with his entourage and handed his phone to Jenkins. “Your commanding officer wants to speak to you.”

Jenkins held the phone to her ear away from Jason and shifted his son higher on her lap. Trey felt a twinge of sympathy. He knew how heavy a four-year old could get.

“Yes, sir?” she said. “That’s correct, sir. Of course, sir.” After several nods she said, “Thank you, sir,” and handed the phone back to Ballard.

“Are we good?” Ballard said into the phone. “Right. You’ll have my report as soon as it’s completed. Right. Thanks for the cooperation.”

“You’re square?” Ballard asked Jenkins.

“Released from duty for the day thanks to you,” Jenkins said. “But I’m going in as soon as we’re done here. He’s pissed, and I don’t want to be in his shitcan.”

Trey winced at her choice of words.

“Maybe you should take the day,” Ballard suggested.

“Can’t do that,” Jenkins said. “So what now, Mr. Wentworth?”

Jenkins shifted her gaze to Trey, eyebrows raised.

“How would you like a hot shower and some hot food?” Trey asked.

“A hot shower sounds like heaven on earth, but what about your son?”

“Look,” Trey said. “Obviously my son is confused because of the abduction. Forcing him away from you right now will only upset him further, agreed?”

She glanced down at Jason and shrugged. “Yeah, that seems to be the situation.”

“Come with us back to our home. Jason will likely fall asleep on the ride. I can put him to bed, you can have that hot shower, something to eat, and I’ll see that you get home.”

Jenkins shook her head. “Sorry, Mr. Wentworth, but I’m a rookie. My lieutenant isn’t happy, and missing a shift won’t look good on my record.”

“Of course I’ll compensate you for your time. What about a thousand dollars?”

Her startlingly blue eyes widened again. “A thousand dollars?”

“Two? I’m not sure what’s appropriate for your daily wages.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I assure you I’m not. In fact, since we still have the ransom money, I can give you cash right now.”

She stared at him for a long moment. So long he was tempted to look away.

“You don’t have to pay me,” she said finally, a disgusted note in her voice.

He’d insulted her. He hadn’t given the offer much thought, but the woman had saved his son’s life. Of course he’d have to reward her somehow.

“Please,” Trey said. “My son has been through a great deal of turmoil in the last year. All I’m asking is you help me get him home where he’ll feel safe without traumatizing him more.”

She nodded, her jaw set, as if she was about to be tortured. “Okay. Anything to get out of this meat locker.”

“Thank you,” Trey said. He turned to Ballard. “I assume we’re free to go.”

Ballard hesitated, but shrugged. “Yeah, okay. We’ll be in touch.”

“Oh, I just bet you will,” Trey said.

Trey caught a flash of annoyance in Ballard’s eyes, but the agent said, “We’ll find Jason’s kidnappers, Mr. Wentworth. You can count on it.”

“I’m not counting on anything,” Trey replied. “And I’m hiring my own security team to protect my son.”

“That’s your right,” Ballard said, and turned toward the female cop. “Officer Jenkins, I understand why Mr. Wentworth wants to get Jason settled first, but we need you to work with a sketch artist to get a likeness of the kidnappers. And you’ll need to look at a photo lineup to see if either of them has been arrested.”

“I’ll come back after my shift,” she said.

“Not good enough.” Ballard shook his head. “The sooner the better. You know that.”

“Shit,” she muttered.

“Please watch your language around Jason,” Trey said. The woman had a sewer mouth.

She rolled her eyes, but glanced at Jason whose arms remained locked around her neck. “Sorry.”

“What about if we send the artist to Wentworth Villa?” Ballard asked. “The quicker we get the sketch out to the public, the sooner we’ll apprehend Jason’s kidnappers. It’s possible they could leave the area.”

“Sure, whatever,” Trey said. “But right now we’re leaving.” He jerked open the door. “After you, Officer Jenkins.”

* * *

SHIT, SHIT, SHIT. Pissed—and thanks to the kid, she couldn’t even curse out loud—Kelly stomped through the open door, refusing to look at Wentworth. The jerk wasn’t the least appreciative of law enforcement’s efforts to help his son. He insulted her and the FBI at every opportunity. Typical.

She was glad to escape the arctic room, but the last thing she wanted to do was accompany this kid, who weighed a ton, and his arrogant father anywhere. How had this happened to her? She had an interesting assignment today paired with Sergeant Rudy McFadden, who could teach her a lot. She’d been looking forward to backing him up during patrol.

Instead she was on her way to a rich man’s home to do his bidding. She’d managed to remember a few details associated with the Wentworth name. Billionaires, snooty old money. Trey Wentworth, the playboy heir who spent all his time partying, had tried to throw some of that money at her. He thought he could buy her.

Yeah, sure, she agreed this course of action was the best thing for a kid who was beyond screwed up at this point. The abduction had obviously terrified him into fantasyland. And his mom was dead. Kelly patted his back. Poor little thing. How long had his mother been gone? Kelly knew only too well that it didn’t matter how long it’d been; the kid would hurt from that loss forever.

As they walked, Kelly listened to Wentworth’s authoritative voice behind her instructing someone to meet him in front of the police station. Who? She’d assumed the FBI would give them a ride to wherever Wentworth lived. Probably in the penthouse of a waterfront condo on Brickell Avenue, which fortunately wasn’t too far away. She really looked forward to a hot shower and something to eat. And she had to admit it’d be interesting to work with a sketch artist. She’d help however she could to get Adam and Caleb off the streets. That’s why she became a cop.

Dirtbags belonged behind bars.

A blast of hot air enveloped her like an old flannel robe as she exited the police station. Thank goodness. She narrowed her eyes against the bright light. Realizing how tense she’d held herself because of the cold, Kelly consciously relaxed her shoulders. As soon as she thawed out, she’d give Wentworth back his jacket.

A sleek black limousine pulled to a smooth stop in front of the station. A uniformed chauffeur exited, hurried around to the passenger side and opened the door.

“Thanks you, Hans,” Wentworth said.

Kelly stared at the limo. She’d never been inside one before.

“What’s wrong?” Wentworth asked.

“Nothing.” Kelly wrapped both arms around Jason, ducked her head and climbed into the vehicle. No graceful way to do it in running shorts. Facing the front, she planted her almost bare butt in the seat, and ran her palm across supple, luxurious black leather, breathing in its distinctive scent. She noted a bar to her left with two crystal decanters and matching glasses. Certain the amber liquid inside the decanters was some sort of liquor, she wished she could take a long swallow for quick warmth.

Better not. She needed to stay sharp.

Wentworth sat facing her and Jason. He gazed at his son with such longing that her resentment softened just a bit. When the driver shut the door, it instantly became quiet, making Jason’s harsh, erratic breathing very loud.

Wentworth’s eyes narrowed. “Is he okay?”

“I think his nose is stuffed up from all the crying.”

Wentworth leaned forward and reached his hand inside his coat pocket, his hand brushing against her flesh. She stiffened, but he withdrew a handkerchief and handed it to her.

“See if you can get him to blow his nose.”

She dangled it in front of the kid’s face. “Blow your nose, Jason,” she said.

“Hold it close,” Wentworth instructed.

But Jason turned his face away.

Wentworth placed the cloth next to Jason’s nose. “Come on, buddy. Blow for Daddy.”

The kid made a honking sound.

“Again,” Wentworth said.

After several more blows, the kid turned away again, placing his cheek against Kelly’s shoulder with a deep sigh, refusing to look at his father. But his breathing sounded better.

Kelly couldn’t read the expression on Wentworth’s face as he stared out a window. With a start, she realized they were moving. The vehicle was so solid, so quiet, or maybe the driver so expert, she hadn’t been aware that they’d entered traffic.

“Where do you live?” she asked after a few minutes.

“We spent the winter at the family villa on Collins Island.”

Kelly didn’t know what to react to first—the fact that it was currently spring, not winter, or that he had a villa, no less, on a private island accessible only by boat. No one could get on or off Collins Island without permission from an owner who resided on the Forbes Best or Most Whatever list.

Wentworth brushed lint off his trousers. “Jason has been receiving therapy from a child psychiatrist associated with Miami Children’s Hospital, so we stayed on this year.”

She nodded. So the kid had already been screwed up before the kidnapping.

“Have you called his doctor?” Kelly asked. “To let him know what’s going on?”

“Her,” Wentworth said. “Dr. Carico has rearranged her schedule and will meet with Jason this afternoon.”

“Good,” Kelly said. “That should help get him straightened out.”

“God, I hope so,” Wentworth muttered, glancing back to his son, then meeting her gaze. “Are you warm enough?” he asked. “I told Hans not to turn on the AC back here.”

“Thanks,” Kelly said. “I’m comfortable now. Do you want your jacket?”

Wentworth smiled. “I’m fine. And I don’t want to disturb Jason. I think he’s fallen asleep.”

Kelly gazed down at the kid. His breathing was regular, although still too loud, and his body had relaxed into slumber.

“You’re right,” she whispered. “That’s probably the best thing for him.”

“Maybe not,” Wentworth said. “He has bad dreams.”

“Nightmares can’t be worse than the reality of a kidnapping,” Kelly said.

“You’d think not.”

Wentworth lapsed into silence after that cryptic statement, and Kelly leaned her head against the plush seat back. The adrenaline rush of the encounter with Adam and Caleb, plus the misery of the cold room, had drained her usual energy. She closed her eyes, feeling the easy rush of pavement beneath the limo’s eight tires. A far smoother ride than her own compact car. Like floating on air.

She woke when the limo came to a stop at the ferry landing for Collins Island. Jason remained sound asleep. And so was her arm beneath him. She wiggled her fingers. Pain shot up to her shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Wentworth asked. “You just made a horrible face.”

Well, excuse me, Mr. Billionaire. We certainly can’t have that. Apparently high-class people didn’t do anything so gauche as have pained facial expressions.

“My arm is numb. I don’t want to wake him, but I have to move him.”

“Just transfer him to your other shoulder. He might rouse for a second, but he’ll fall right back to sleep.”

“Ouch,” Kelly said as icy needles assaulted her arm.

Wentworth leaned forward and efficiently moved the kid to her right shoulder. Jason fussed for a few breaths, then eased into sleep again.

“Thanks,” Kelly said, knowing she made another face as blood rushed into her left arm.

“I should be thanking you, Officer Jenkins. I know this is an imposition for you to remain with my son like this. We’re total strangers to you.”

“It’s my job to protect and serve,” she said, trying to make a joke. And remind him that she was law enforcement no matter how unprofessional she appeared in her skimpy jogging outfit.

Wentworth didn’t crack a smile, only evaluated her with his intense dark stare. “This might be a little above and beyond your normal duty.”

“A little.” Uncomfortable under his scrutiny, she looked out the tinted windows and noted the ferry had pushed away from the dock. Wow. She was on her way to Collins Island. Imagine that. She’d always been curious about the legendary place. Most everyone in Miami was, but few ever got to see a Shangri-La reserved for that special one percent.

“I apologize if I insulted you by offering you money,” Wentworth said in a low voice. “Please forgive me.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Kelly said. “A hot shower will be more than enough reward.”

“Oh, I think we can do better than that,” he said, and smiled a lazy, somehow dangerous smile. This man was accustomed to getting his own way and doing exactly what he wanted. How nice for him.

But she didn’t want anything from him.

Wentworth gazed out at the water, apparently lost in thought.

Kelly followed his gaze and noted they already approached the island’s dock. Short trip, but they only had to cross the narrow channel known as Government Cut.

Before long they motored off the ferry and reached a pair of towering wrought iron gates with the initials “WWV” inscribed at the top in a handsome flowing script. A decorative iron barrier surrounded the estate.

As the gates swung open, Trey focused his attention on his son again. “We’re home. Let’s try not to wake him.”

Kelly nodded.

The passenger compartment door opened after the driver stopped the limo. Kelly carefully shifted Jason so she could support him with both arms as she climbed out of the vehicle. Trey exited first and held out his hand to assist her, but she was afraid to release the kid who was dead weight in her arms.

Thankfully, she made it out without stumbling, and hoped she didn’t gape at the size of the structure before her. Villa indeed. Architecture was hardly her thing, but she recognized good design when it slammed her in the face. Wentworth’s home reminded her of photos she’d seen of estates in Tuscany. Coral roof tiles, classic columns and graceful arches made her think there might be a vineyard somewhere close by instead of the Atlantic Ocean.