Page 9 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

Piper settled her bags and herself in her car and drove to the racetrack. She didn’t want to appear distracted to the other team members and kept pushing thoughts of Andrés Olivera and his offer from her thoughts. She was surprised to see Felix’s dark blue Ferrari in the parking lot and parked next to him. She took a minute to get herself in a calm frame of mind before stepping out of the car. Piper did not want her boss to guess that anything other than Sir Valor and the Kentucky race was on her mind.

Felix was talking to Gil when Piper got to the stable. There was a curt nod of his head in greeting as she stopped to speak with Doctor Carlyle. She threw down her shoulder bag and gave her attention to Sir Valor.

“He doesn’t seem to be bothered by his second-place finish,” scoffed Felix as he stood arm’s length from Piper.

Determined not to let him get to her, Piper turned around with a smile. “Good morning, Felix. I thought you’d be at your home by now. We missed you at the dinner last night.”

He scowled at her. “I don’t believe that for a second. I hear you took to the dance floor with Olivera, and by all accounts, you seemed to enjoy it.”

Her smile didn’t leave her face. “He’s a good dancer. The doc says another day of rest should be all Sir Valor needs before flying to Kentucky. I’ll let Gil and Lydia know and will see you back at the farm.” She walked away to where Gil and Lydia were talking even as she knew Felix would be irritated at her refusal to be baited by him.

Piper informed Lydia and Gil of the doctor’s decision and reminded them all paperwork should be in order before transport to Kentucky. Gil left to start coordinating with the pilot and completing the paperwork.

“Lydia, you are monitoring his feeding regimen and workouts as always, I’m sure,” Piper said.

“I am, and all is working as planned and on schedule,” replied Lydia. “Uh, Felix is coming this way and he doesn’t look happy.”

“Not surprising. He was—”

“Piper, I need to speak with you immediately,” interrupted Felix.

Lydia silently turned and walked away, and Piper whirled around, ready for one of Felix’s moody fits about something or another.

“Yes, what do you—what is that in your hand?” Piper stared agog at Andrés Olivera’s contract offer in Felix’s grasp and, without thinking, reached out her arm and grabbed it out of his hand. “How dare you takeanythingout of my bag, not to mention an envelope addressed to me.”

“The name of that would-be breeder’s ranch is on the envelope. Do you really think if I see that peeping out, I’m not going to want to know why?” snapped Felix. “The thought that he could entice away one of my people… well, it’s ridiculous and unprofessional.”

“Oh, I see, but it wasn’t ‘unprofessional’ and infringing on my privacy for you to open this envelope?” retorted Piper, shaking the envelope in front of his face. “You’re unbelievable.”

She moved past Felix, but he stretched out his arm to forcibly stop her and spun her around. “Have you forgotten, Piper, that you are my employee? I have every right to know if you are considering leaving and have approached him.”

Piper’s blue eyes darkened and shot daggers at Felix. “Take your hand off of me, Felix. You are seriously pushing boundaries.”

He removed his hand. “I apologize, Piper. I’m upset.”

“You’ve made that clear,” she sighed. “But let me make clear that I did not approach Mr. Olivera. He came to me with the offer.”

“He did, did he?” Felix looked around. “Let’s talk somewhere more private. Come with me.”

“Now you’re thinking about privacy?” Piper wanted to be anywhere but with Felix. It was nine thirty in the morning, she had a long drive ahead of her, and she was about to murder her boss. But she picked up her bag and followed him in the direction of the parking lot, where he stopped and stood between their cars.

“Felix, this discussion needs to be over.” Piper put her hands on either side of her head and pressed her temples. “I need to get back to the farm and get things in order before I leave for Kentucky tomorrow.”

“I want you to take the job with Olivera.”

CHAPTER5

PIPER

Piper gasped. “What do you mean, ‘take the job’? Are you firing me?”

“Of course not.” Felix shrugged. “It’s an excellent opportunity… for both of us.”

Piper eyed him warily. “I see. If I accept the offer, there is something in it for you. What a surprise.” She slipped the envelope inside her bag and drew out her car keys. “Let me explain, Felix, why I wouldn’t take the job. Unlike you, Mr. Olivera is a high-profile businessman. He also runs in the upper echelon of society, and I’m not keen on working for someone who doesn’t give at least fifty percent of his attention to their equestrian business. You are not involved in business endeavors other than breeding horses and winning trophies; that is why our professional relationship works.”

“That was quite a speech, Piper, but now it’s my turn to tell you why I want you to work for Olivera. You would be surprised to learn that he is more than serious about breeding and racing horses. I have spoken with my contacts in South America and the United States and been assured Olivera is sparing no expense in money or time to build quite a fine stable of horses. He intends to rule the thoroughbred racing circuit and make a name for himself as a breeder, and I want to know how he plans to do all that and stop him. That’s where you come in.”

Piper gave him no indication of what she thought when he paused to study her.

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