Page 8 of The Billionaire's Off Chance

“I need to get to the police station. My stepfather has been arrested for a DUI.” She looks ashamed and pulls away.

I have questions, but I keep them to myself. “Okay, I’ll go with you. I might be able to help. Get dressed, and we can leave” She nods, wiping at her face surreptitiously as she leaves. I can’t help but wonder what her family is like. She and her stepfather might share an uncomfortable history.

We get dressed and leave the penthouse. We get into my car, and I drive to the police station. Chasmin is awfully quiet.

“Are things that bad at home?” I ask softly. She looks away from the window, her attention falling on me.

“Somewhat. My stepdad, Paul, and I don’t have the best relationship.” She gnashes her teeth, anger flashing in her eyes.

“Then why are you doing this? What about your mom?”

She folds her arms across her chest, withdrawing into herself. I keep my eyes on the road. I hear her sigh. “I’m sorry, it feels uncomfortable talking about this. Mom can’t know he’s been arrested. She’d be devastated and worried if he’s away from home for too long.” She looks at me. “I feel an obligation to make things right at home, especially for Mom. I can’t make her go through the stress at the police station all because her husband is so selfish and got arrested for a damn DUI!”

“We’ll get him out and take him home as soon as possible. Everyone will be happy,” I utter and smile hopefully.

She pouts. “I hope so,but not me.” She whispers the last part and looks out the window.What does she mean by that?

We arrive at the police station so the conversation will have to wait.I’ll get to the bottom of what she meant by that comment after we post bail for her stepfather. We park and enter the police station. With my help, we get Paul out of custody rather easily. The officer brings out a middle-aged man with suspicious gray eyes and sharp features softened by old age. He swaggers out, trying to keep a modicum of his dignity even in his crumpled clothes.

He stops in front of us and scans me, with a glint of greed in his eyes.I’m beginning to see why Chasmin doesn’t like him much.

Paul smiles at Chasmin. “Thanks for coming for me, baby.”

Chasmin steps away from his touch, and he scowls. “What? Since you’ve got a man you’ve grown wings, huh?” he says harshly.

“Paul, I came to get you out and that’s it. Mom will be worried sick if you don’t get back home soon. Go to her.” Chasmin looks sick being around him.

I stand closer to her, holding her hand. She gives me a grateful smile.

“Your mom and I are fine. You haven't come home since you left. It seems you aren’t as pure as you claim. Is this one of your catches?” He leers at her, a look of triumph on his face as if he has been proven right.

Chasmin pales; I understand what Paul has insinuated. “Hey man, that’s enough. You don’t get to talk to her that way. You should be grateful that she came to spring you from jail.” Since Chasmin and he aren’t on the best of terms, I feel free going off on him. “The next time you say something disrespectful, I’ll make you regret it. For one, spending time in jail reflecting on your choices. Now, be a good sport, go home, and be with your wife.”

He looks from Chasmin to me, anger and shame plain on his face. He snorts, walking quickly away. Chasmin sighs in relief. “Thanks. Can we get out of here? The atmosphere is depressing.”

I take her hand, and we leave the police station, heading home. We get home; she is still withdrawn and won’t speak.

“Come…” I sit on a couch, gesturing for her to sit on my thigh. She is hesitant, so I pull her hand so she has no choice. Her soft ass comes in contact with my crotch. She slides off my lap and takes a seat beside me, looking pensive.

“We shouldn’t, Lance…” she starts to say, but I touch her cheek, stopping her.

“There is no harm in sitting, Chasmin. Relax, you’re thinking too much. I don’t want your pretty face to have worry lines too soon.” I smooth the creases on her face. Then I pull her closer until she rests her head on my shoulder, breathing slowly and deeply.

She wraps her hands around me, relaxing. I feel at peace, thoughts of her filling my head. She’s so delicate; she needs to be protected. With me being her first, I feel this is my responsibility. I kiss her forehead and she starts giggling uncontrollably – a sound I always want to hear from her.

The next week, we go to work. At Chasmin’s insistence, we keep a professional distance, not wanting to give the rumor mill anything to gossip about.

Igor, my second older brother, enters my office unannounced. “Good morning, brother. You’re glowing…must be a new woman in your life. She must be a special one from what I’m seeing.” He sits opposite me, crossing his legs. Igor and I have been inseparable for the longest time. We dote on our younger sister, the last born, Marie, while Lorenzo, the eldest and CEO of the company acts like our unofficial parent.

I chuckle, picturing Chasmin's beautiful face and kind heart. “Probably. You know me. I met someone, and although it's new, I can’t help but smile every time I think of her. She is special, Igor. I can’t describe it.”

He leans on the desk about to ask for more information when I receive a call from my older brother, Lorenzo, the CEO of the company. I answer the call.

“Brother, to what do I owe this honor?” My tone is a mix of respect and joviality. He’s the oldest sibling, acting as our stand-in father since the death of our parents. Sometimes, he can be quite overbearing and protective.

“Lance, if I hadn’t called, you wouldn't have checked in on me.” His cool voice doesn’t show his displeasure. “How’s the company? The holiday season is here; so just checking in to see if you’re okay and all deadlines are being met?”Classic brother.Start with a harmless introduction then launch a hardball question. He’s been away from the company for a while, currently running the California branch while I’ve been the one running things here in the UK.

Even with him away, he seeks to teach me and control every aspect of the business and all my decisions. It makes me feel like a child, which I hate. I’ve made it clear to him countless times. “All is fine, Dad,” I reply sarcastically.

---