On the night that Charlotte Slate was betrayed by her husband Andy, she did something she had never done before--have a one-night stand with a mysterious stranger. Little did she know, her one-night stand was none other than billionaire philanthropist CEO Micah McKaine, also known in some circles as Kingpin Kane, the most dangerous man on the West Coast. Neither one thought they’d see each other again. But the universe had other plans. When Charlotte takes on the persona of Scarlett Bellarina to make ends meet as a burlesque dancer, a twist of fate brings these two back together as their paths cross unexpectedly under the stage lights. When Micah sees her perform for the first time, his passion is rekindled and he is even more determined than ever to make her his--especially when he learns that she is the wife of double-crossing protege Andy, Micah devises a plan involving her to take down a common enemy. Can Micah convince this “good girl” to be his avenging angel?
View More[Charlotte] My hands are still shaking when I make it to what I assume is McAllister’s private jet, as it is the only plane on the tarmac. He must be very powerful and very rich to make himself such a high priority. My suspicion is confirmed when one of his plain-clad security detail comes down the stairs to greet me. “Mrs. Slate.” “It’s Ms. Monroe now,” I try to smile. “My divorce was final about an hour ago.” “Ms. Monroe,” he corrects himself without missing a beat. He doesn’t say another word as he holds out a hand to help me navigate the steep jet steps. As soon as my eyes adjust, I can make out McAllister in the back of the jet, surrounded by his associates. He waves me to him as he shuts his cell phone. Standing, he takes my hand in his. “May I be the first to congratulate you on your divorce,” he gives me a wide, genuine grin. “Andy is a snake. You deserve better, Ms Monroe.” “Than..Thank you,” I sputter, surprised. “Now if you could take a seat,” he motions to the ch
[Andy] When I got home this evening, there was a message waiting for me on my phone and a packet of paperwork in my mailbox. “Bad news, Andy,” my lawyer droned. “Your divorce is final and you have lost all parental rights as well. She has also been awarded the house and all of your assets. You are penniless, Andy. And if I were you, I'd start looking for a new place to live. Preferably by the end of the week." I open the envelope. Eviction papers. The bitch is kicking me out of my own house! “Fuck!” I scream at my phone. Not that my idiot lawyer could hear me. Why was I paying that asshole if he couldn't even do his goddamn job for five goddamn minutes? “McKaine did this! Fucker thinks he can steal my wife!” Charlie wasn't smart enough to fuck me over this completely. This has Micah's fingerprints all over it. It is going to feel so good to fuck him over when this all comes apart at his feet. I punch a hole in the wall. If she wants this house so bad, I'll make it worth her t
[Charlotte]I still have an hour until I need to meet McAllister. An hour to process my evening and prepare myself to be who I need to be to survive what comes next. Violetta and I spend some of that time discussing our plan. With McAllister meeting me at the tarmac with his private jet and sending along this invitation, it is obvious that he plans on taking me back to Portland with him. Rather than allow him to take me by surprise, I will arrive ready. But I can't look too ready, so I won't be able to bring much more than myself. "He'll want to at least appear like he has the upper hand," Violetta shrugs. "With men like him it is all about ego. Besides, bringing luggage will look suspicious."Since I won't have more than my purse, and anything I take with me might be confiscated at any time, Violetta put trackers in very creative places, some so intimate I hope he doesn't check for them. She also gives me two phones. One phone to use more obviously, and another sewn into the linin
[Charlotte] I grabbed Micah’s fallen phone and contacted Roger. I didn’t have to say much, he knew that if I was calling him on Micah’s phone, it must be something vitally important. Roger came immediately. I was playing the part of the concerned employee, although I’m sure I was doing a terrible job of it, especially considering I needed to be practically dragged off of his body. If people didn’t know I was in love with him before that moment, they are either willfully blind or purposefully ignorant. Which I guess describes Andy to a T. As Micah’s bodyguards hoisted him out of the room, Andy grabbed my arm, holding me back. “Let me go, Andy,” I twist out of his grasp. “I need to go with him I need to…” “No you don’t,” Andy insists. “We’re free of him now, don’t you see? The poison…” “Poison,” the word comes out like a strangled hiss. “Who? Did you…?” “No,” he grinned, “But a little birdy from up north told me that this could be a possibility… that is if he liked what he s
[Charlotte]Andy’s face is almost amusing if it weren’t so pathetic. His eyes are wide with fear while his mouth is drooped open in shock as if he never expected this day to come. The day when Micah McKaine finally got tired of his bullshit. Seeing Micah towering over him is terrifying. Like watching lightning before it strikes. The two blond women who had walked over with him take a step back, giving the two men a wide berth. Just a moment ago they were hanging all over Micah, and now they were slowly backing away.Something about this situation doesn't feel right. "Whaa...wait...why?" Andy stares up at Micah, confused. "What did I do wrong? I was just talking to my wife."Micah lifts his arm and looks like he is about to punch Andy when instead he does something even more shocking and unexpected.Micah claps him on the back like an old buddy and starts laughing. Not a small laugh either. It is a big, long, deep cackle. He leans his entire body weight on Andy, which makes Andy's kn
[Charlotte]“I would offer you my hand, but I would not want to draw the unwanted attention of your employer,” his stingy grin is thin, giving nothing but the barest reminder of a smile. “I am finally pleased to meet you in person. Of course, I am already quite familiar with your appearance.”Something must have shown on my face because he started to laugh.“I’ve had you thoroughly investigated, of course,” his laughter is reedy and high-pitched. “I’m sure McKaine did something similar when he brought you on board. Those of us with a lot to lose like to make sure we aren’t surrounding ourselves with sharks we do not know.” I remember that I’m supposed to be charming him, so I return his smile. “Are you calling me a shark?” I query. “I assure you, Mr. McAllister, I do not bite.”His eyes travel up my body, starting with my feet and working their way up in that assessing way that men have, when our gazes meet he gives me a genuine sideways smile. “That’s a pity. Are you sure?”“Well,”
[Charlotte] Our heads swing around. Micah gives Andy a scathing look but does not deny his request. Instead of using words, he merely grunts his approval turning his back to the both of us as he heads towards a group of potential investors. "Bring me a champagne cocktail and have last year's profit share numbers ready." he hollers at me over his shoulder. He is making it pretty easy for me to fake hate him. Scowling at Micah's back as he walks across the room, I turn all of my attention to Andy, who is smirking at my discomfort. Thinking of Andy's expression later tonight when he learns that our divorce is final, I turn on my sunniest smile and say, "Good Evening, Andy. Fancy meeting you here." He smiles at my pretense, buying it as truth. Holding out his arm he says "Care to dance with me, Mrs Slate? Then there is someone I'd like you to meet." Taking his hand graciously, I allow him to lead me onto the crowded dance floor. He pulls me in tightly and I try to think of the man
[Charlotte] It was strange watching the transformation take hold of him. Step by step, as we approached the open theater of towering arches, the marble dome lit with lanterns and fairy lights like something out of a dream, the man I love slipped behind an impenetrable mask and became someone else. Not Kane, not Micah, or at least not the Micah that I know and love. This is Mr. McKaine CEO and founder of MMK Industries. This is a man who can make or break the fortunes of others with a well-placed comment or investment. "Take my arm," he instructs. "You are technically my date." I blush everywhere. Date. We are out together on a very public date. "Now remember our roles. Here we are not equals. You are not my wife-to-be. You are my PA. Your job is to take notes and bring coffee. But tonight, I asked you to be my date because my girlfriend, Maven, and I recently broke up." I nod so that he can see my expression but do not reply with words. I'm trying to absorb my instructions w
[Micah] Gods, she’s so beautiful. She’s always lovely, but tonight, framed in moonlight, she is a vision. We are riding in the back of a limo tonight. We are showing off a bit tonight, even Roger is in a formal suit rather than his usual khaki pants and jacket. My maman outdid herself with Charlotte's gown. The way the pleated bodice gives way to a fitted skirt with just the right amount of slit to be both dangerously sexy while remaining demure is an art in itself. The silk is hand-beaded and rhinestoned, so when she turns just so, the dress seems to glimmer with pinpricks of light. Her arms are covered with opera-length gloves, a shade of nude only slightly lighter than her skin, that are adorned with small pearls giving her skin the appearance of being naturally bejeweled. Her makeup is impeccably applied, making her eyes appear larger and brighter. Juniper also did an excellent job styling her hair and jewelry. Charlotte's thick black tresses have been tamed and curled, t
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