Page 54 of The Billionaire's Secret Child

They all laughed. They talked, told stories and relished each other. Laura had found her true love, her soul mate. They would be together for all time.

She had followed her destiny.

And Aidan…

He was herforever.

Epilogue

“Ican’t believe I just watched a major league baseball game from theBillionaires of MiamiVIP suite.” Laura grinned down at the field through the flawless glass wall, where the home team celebrated their victory with fifty thousand of their closest friends. The sun was shining on the brightly lit field, the roar of the crowd deafening even in the private room scented with an unlikely juxtaposition of green grass, Cracker Jacks and luxury. “Actually, I can’t believe there’s a Billionaires of Miami club.”

“It’s not a club,” Aidan rumbled, rolling up his sleeves. “Social media started calling us that, and it stuck. We’re just friends.”

“I think it’s perfect.” Laura gazed up at herhusband, the father of her child. She traversed the posh chamber, decorated in sapphire and gold, the Dragon’s team colors. Her slippers sank into the thick carpeting, as she traced overstuffed sofas with thick gilded braiding. “You have more in common than just being billionaires. Most people don’t know the truth about your exclusive group.”

“Are you digging for secrets again, my dear?” He stalked closer, sending the temperature of her blood to boil. “As you know, we have ways of dealing with such subterfuge.” He moved until towered over her, then, like the snap of a tiger,capturedher. Delicious need fired as he lifted her arms over his head, bringing her closer.

She shivered at the memories of the last times he haddealtwith her. “I already know your secrets. What do you think the media would say if they knew the extent of your charity work, all the organizations you and your friends have funded with your billions?”

“We’d get even more attention,” he drawled. “Which is why it’s going to stay our little secret.”

She inclined her head to a sharp angle. “I’ll have to think about it.” Yet the threat was hollow, for she’d never purposely attract any more attention to their now famous family. They’d had more than their fair share when Aidan publicly claimed his daughter, fielding questions from reporters all over the country about their new family, without too many details, of course. The attention had been daunting and strange, yet after a few months, a scandal between a political candidate and his opponent’swifestole the bandwidth from them. Aidan would always be a celebrity, but not too many reporters wanted to camp out in Pine Ridge for a photo op of playground piggyback rides with his daughter.

Laura didn’t want to watch anything else.

The collaboration between his company and Pine Ridge had also started to shape, with gorgeous new offices and a modest influx of high-paid workers. All parties stressed the importance of maintaining the small-town atmosphere, thus the buildings were sustainably built, with green and ecological features that fit in beautifully with their surroundings. As a satellite office, it would be far smaller than the centers in the metropolitan areas, however it was sufficient for Aidan to use as his base of operations, especially with their virtual communication capability and Miami just hours away.

“You look like you’re pondering the mysteries of the world.”

The low murmur and tightened arms brought Laura out of her reverie, to the man who never let her go. No matter where her attention wandered it always returned to her two loves, Aidan and Jeanie. “Nothing so academic – just the collaboration.”

“Oh yeah?” He leaned down, whispered, “I think about our collaboration all the time.”

She tapped him playfully on the shoulder. “Not that type of collaboration.”Although, that type of collaboration was quite nice. Really, they should have that type of collaboration. As soon as possible.

The promise in his eyes proved he agreed with every wayward thought.

There would be time for… collaborating… later. Jeanie was spending the day with her grandmaandgrandpa, who had recovered enough to take her to the arcade. He had even promised an air hockey game with his granddaughter, with ice cream sundaes for both first and second place. Tonight, they would all meet for a home-cooked meal.

“You guys are more love-dovey than the couple from my last rom-com.” A deep voice sliced between them. Laura felt and heard Aidan’s rumbling satisfaction, as they separated –just a little. As usual, he kept a possessive arm on her.

“One day, you’ll understand, buddy,” Aidan addressed the man, who was as tall and well-built as him. “If you ever get serious about one of your millions of fans.”

Julian Starcroft didn’t just look like a movie star – hewasa movie star. One of the hottest A-list celebrities, he’d teamed up with Aidan on multiple charitable endeavors, and then became a full-fledged member of the Billionaires of Miami. His movies, which he starred in, produced andwrote, had made him a billionaire. “It does seem to be catching.” The words were said under his breath, meant for no audience, and with just a taste of longing. He shook his head, and gestured to the spacious seating area, to where the other Billionaires of Miami congregated, including several women who’d married the sought-after men. Although in this group, the men played predator.

The trio walked over, and Laura smiled at the group. “It’s so nice to spend time with all of you.” Although she’d met most of them at the wedding, there had been over five hundred people at the grand affair, and this was the first time she’d spent any time with them. Aidan led her to the sofa and drew her down next to him, so they pressed against their entire length. “I’m impressed by all the charitable work you do.”

A series of hand waves, headshakes and assorted denials replied, from men and women who did far more than they would ever admit. “Aidan does as much as the rest of us.” Cameron Drake, a recently wed billionaire lawyer, shared. His smile was all genuine as he regarded his friend. “We are so happy for you and little Jeanie. No one deserves it more.”

Aidan grinned like a child who just discovered Santa Claus was real. “Jeanie and this beautiful woman have changed my world.” He squeezed her hand. “Theyaremy world.”

The Billionaire’s Secret Child– it sounds like a romance novel.” Dominick Knight, CEO of one of America’s hottest technology companies, grinned. “You should write it down.”

“Oh no.” Laura laughed. “I wrote an article for my paper to share our side, but that’s it. What about you guys?” She gestured to the three married couples sitting among the assorted men, Dominick and Adriana, Kaitlyn and Cameron and Elora and Royce. “Anyone have interesting stories of how you met?”

A thought cleared. Someone coughed.Everyonelooked away.

Like a conspiracy theorist about to break open a case, she leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Come on guys, I shared my story. There were some secrets involved, but I can’t be the only one. Even my great-great-great-grandparents had secrets when they got together.”

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