The Billionaire's Secret by Jeannette Winters

cell phone and began dialing Matt’s
number when an incoming call beeped in. It was Ross.
    “Morning, Ross.”
    “Hello, Jon. I’m surprised you answered your
phone.”
    “Why is that?”
    “Well, by the looks of the pictures in the
paper, you and Lizette seemed to have enjoyed yourselves yesterday.
I thought maybe . . .”
    “Maybe what, Ross? And what do you mean by
pictures?”
    “Well, I thought maybe you were too
preoccupied to answer the phone.” He laughed. After Jon didn’t
respond, he continued, “Let me guess . . . you’re at work on Sunday
morning and have not even turned on the TV or opened a newspaper.
Why am I not shocked?”
    “Yes, Ross, I’m working. I have deadlines
that need to be met, and I don’t have time for—”
    “Deadlines, commitments—Jon, I get it. We
all face similar challenges in our companies. But come on, that
woman is beautiful, really beautiful. I know you’re not blind. You
seemed to be enjoying her company Friday night. We thought she
might help you think of something other than work for a
change.”
    Well, she definitely was doing that, Jon thought. “What do you mean by ‘we’? Who is ‘we’? Don’t tell me
you three put Lizette up to this?”
    “What? No. Well, not exactly.”
    “What exactly did you do?”
    “Remember back in college when the five of
us used to . . . let’s say, help guide situations along?”
    Jon thought back to some of the crazy stuff
they had pulled on each other. Usually it was harmless pranks and
bets among the five friends. Mostly it was Drew, Trent, and Brad
who were the geniuses behind everything. How they never got caught
was beyond him. But they had been younger then. He had no time and
found no enjoyment in such things any longer. “Yes, I do. But that
was a long time ago. What does that have to do with me or
Lizette?”
    “Well, let’s just say Drew has not lost his
touch.”
    “What did he do?”
    “You remember the good ol’ days when we bet
a couple bucks on a certain outcome? Well, let’s just say Drew just
won fifty thousand dollars off of Trent. Don’t worry, as always,
the money will go to charity.”
    Frustration evident in his voice, Jon
demanded, “Answer the fucking question. What did Drew do?”
    “I am not sure exactly how he pulled it off.
You know he was the master who never divulged his secrets.”
    “And what did he pull off?”
    “Really, Jon, you are too focused on work.
Did you really believe Lizette won that raffle by chance?”
    Actually, yes , Jon thought. What had
he been thinking? Nothing to do with that evening had happened by
chance. He wasn’t sure what part Lizette had played in this scheme,
but he was going to find out. He didn’t like the thought of her
being involved with his friends. Had the fire and ice all been an
act, all part of a bet she’d made with his friends? It had been a
long time since anyone was stupid enough to play a prank on him.
His blood boiled with anger. Ross was still speaking when Jon hung
up the phone. This wasn’t going to end well for Drew or
Lizette.
    Jon hit the button on his intercom but got
no response. “Damn.” He’d forgotten it was Sunday. Matt wasn’t in
the office. Grabbing his cell phone, he called Matt.
    “Good morning, Mr. Vinchi,” said Matt.
    “Do you still have the number for Miss
Burke?”
    “Yes, sir, I do, one moment while I retrieve
it. And how was the date Saturday? Did you enjoy yourself?”
    “Just give me the damn number, Matt.”
    “Yes, sir, sorry, one more moment . . . ah,
here it is.” Matt rattled off the number. “Is there any—”
    Jon hung up and immediately started to dial
Lizette’s number. He did not finish. What kind of answers was he
going to get from her over the phone? No. This was going to have to
be done in person. He dialed Matt again.
    “Yes, sir, what can I—?”
    “Matt, I need the helicopter ready to leave
in thirty minutes.”
    “Yes, sir. Will you need any other
arrangements?”
    “Have the