Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: The Billionaire's Code (Kindle Worlds Novella)

  Text copyright ©2017 by the Author.

  This work was made possible by a special license through the Kindle Worlds publishing program and has not necessarily been reviewed by Melody Anne. All characters, scenes, events, plots and related elements appearing in the original Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe remain the exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of Melody Anne, or their affiliates or licensors.

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  The Billionaire’s Code

  Aliyah Burke

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  About the Author

  Additional Books by Aliyah Burke

  Other books in Melody Anne’s Billionaire’s Kindleworlds series

  Blurb for The Billionaire’s Code

  Sometimes doing the right thing, is not doing what you’d first intended.

  All it took was heavy rain, a motorcycle, and a poor decision and Royal Hamilton who made his living acquiring and developing property, found himself under a tree, having been robbed and with no memory of who he was. Jules Tarrington isn’t sure what to make of the strange man she finds on the back end of her horse farm, he doesn’t look like a man who’s used to hard physical labor. However, she can’t just leave him there so she takes him back to the house and sends for the doctor.

  As he recovers his strength he works beside Jules at her farm. During which bits and pieces return to him about who he is. When it all clicks into place, he finds himself in a unique dilemma, does he continue to pursue the property for the money or should he follow his heart’s advice and leave it alone for it belongs to the woman he’s fallen in love with. Better question would be, will she believe he hadn’t pretended about his memory loss to turn her affections?

  Dedication

  Thank you so much to Melody Anne for allowing me to write in her world! Thank you to her readers who took a chance on a newcomer in the world. I hope you enjoy the story. To, DH, thank you again for understanding when I go from one job to the next with little more than a “hi” as I get sequestered in my office to meet deadlines. To all the readers, thank you for your support, I’m humbled everyday by what you show me.

  Chapter One

  “I don’t know Tanner, I’m tired of it all. Right now, I want to get away and take a break.” Rex paced back and forth before the large window overlooking Vancouver and over the Columbia River to Portland. He loved it here, and not just Vancouver, but all of the Pac Norwest. On the hand’s free set, he continued to walk back and forth, as he spoke to his friend Tanner Storm on the other end, “I need to get away from everyone. I’ve got people here who can handle everything. I want to go someplace where no one knows my name, or wants something from me because of my wealth.”

  Tanner’s deep laugh streamed over the line. “How do you think that’s going to happen, Royal?”

  “Christ, you only call me that when you’re trying to get under my skin. I hate that name.” Born Royal Hamilton, he much preferred to be called Rex.

  “I thought you had some deals coming up,” Tanner said.

  Making his way back to his large oak desk, he sat in the high back leather chair. “There are a few properties we’re closing on within a month, but again, Dan can handle it all. I just need something else for a bit.”

  “You know Uncle Joseph would be happy to have you come visit.”

  Joseph Anderson was the patriarch of the Anderson family. Tanner and his brothers had found out they were related to him a while ago and he’d gone with Tanner a few times to visit. Joseph and his wife Katherine had welcomed him with open arms as if he were family as well. Humbling really, he’d known Tanner a long time and thought of him as one of the few he considered family. For a while, the man wasn’t hugely close to his family—that was changing now—but Rex had been around him as Tanner made some smart investments and made his own money. Rex had done the same thing, but with his money, he’d gone into buying property, building hotels and resorts for the rich to spend their money. And in the process, he lined his wealth even more.

  “I know he would, but I don’t want to head back East. I actually want to get on my bike and ride.”

  “You still have that Harley?”

  “I do. Haven’t taken it out in a while. No time and it’s been a bit wet. We’ve had a nice dry spell for a bit.”

  “You know you can always come up here to Seattle and see us. Or you could just go find some woman and sleep with her for a night.”

  He leaned back and propped his feet up on his desk. “I would love to come up there but we would just start talking business. I’ll be in touch in a few days. Give your wife a kiss for me.” He wasn’t about to address the sleeping with some faceless woman subject. Nope, not going there.

  “I’ll give her a kiss from me. Not you,” he teased. “Take care of yourself.”

  “Always do.” He touched his ear and ended the call. “Always have.” And he always would. Thumping his feet to the thick carpet, he pressed a button and got his assistant, Lissette.

  “Yes sir?” she asked.

  “Have Dan in my office in five minutes.”

  “Right away, sir.”

  Pushing away from his desk, he strolled to his private bathroom and stared at his reflection. He hadn’t even gone home last night but slept on his couch. Hell, he hadn’t been home all week. Lissette had been to his place more recently than he had. There’s an issue with that. He owned a mansion and almost never went home. Wasn’t the first time that happened and he knew it wasn’t going to be the last. He did note that his scruff needed to be knocked off.

  “Rex?”

  “Give me a sec, Dan.” He splashed some water on his face and wiped it off on the fluffy white towel hanging there. Leaving the bathroom, he smiled at his right-hand man. “I’m taking off for a few days. Keep doing as you normally would, call me if necessary but I’d prefer not to be bothered.”

  Dan lowered his lean frame to the leather couch and put his ankle on his knee. “Where are you going?”

  “Not sure. Just out to ride.” He reclaimed his seat and turned toward Dan. “Are we set for everything?”

  “Yes, all is fine with everything except, Petrichor.”

  He paused and raked his brain to recall the name. “The farm?”

  Dan shrugged. “It’s a bit more than that but yes, the equine place.”

  “So, what? She’s not willing to sell? What’s the hold up?”

  A furrow appeared between Dan’s brows. “You’re really distracted if you don’t remember that. She not only refuses to sell, but she sent your offer back in tiny shredded pieces.”

  He grunted. Somewhere, he recalled hearing him mentioning that. “So, send another. Up it a bit and see what she says.”

  “She’s not going to sign it, the only thing sent that wasn’t torn up was her very explicit refusal.”

  He cocked a brow at Dan. “Send another. I want that property, so we can turn that area into a resort. It’s going to be beautiful. The view of the mountains and the river being near. I’ll make a nice profit with this purchase.”

  “I’ll send another.” Dan got to his feet. “Any other instructions?”

  “Yes, be nice to Lissette. I don’t want her to quit. I would have a hell of a time finding someone to fill her p
osition that I actually like.”

  Dan held up his hands, a sheepish grin filling his features. “She’s so much fun to pick on but fine, I’ll play nice while you’re gone.”

  Rex went toward the door. “See you do or you’re going to be pulling double duty and I’m harder on her than I am you. Not sure you could handle her position.” Yanking open the door, he said, “Lissette, have Terry pull around. I’m going home.”

  “Right away, sir.”

  With a glance over his shoulder, he shared a look with his friend. “I’ll be in touch.” Jacket in hand, he left, striding over the burgundy carpet to pause at Lissette’s desk.

  She looked up at him and tucked a flyaway strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “Terry is going to meet you, sir.”

  “Thank you. Don’t let him get to you.” He motioned his head towards Dan.

  She smiled and he kept on. The doors to his private elevator slid open and he stepped in, not turning around until after they closed. The walls were a polished golden hue and he could see himself in it. With a sigh, he tried on a smile and shook his head. He didn’t do that often but the prospect of riding his bike brought a tiny one to his face.

  Terry, his driver had the door open as he stepped outside. Sliding on his sunglasses, he took his seat in the back of the Bentley and sighed as the door closed out the noise. Right now, the only noise he wanted was that of his Fat Boy as he rode off down the road.

  Terry had been his driver for years and didn’t bother with small talk. Something else he felt grateful for. They got along but Terry always waited for him to initiate conversation. Not happening today.

  “Have a good day, Terry,” he said as he climbed out in front of his sprawling house on the outskirts of Vancouver.

  “You as well, sir.” The man shut the car door. Then with a tip of his cap, he slid behind the wheel and drove away.

  The warmth from the sun had him sighing and tipping his head back to get more of the light on his face. He had a four-car garage and went to the one that held his bike. Opening the door, he stepped inside then pulled the protective cover off. The black paint gleamed, as did the chrome.

  This time, the smile was real and came much easier. Work fell to the back of his mind and he knew this was exactly what he needed. Heading into his house, he strode over the marbled floor to his master suite.

  He grabbed a bag and stuffed a few days of jeans and t-shirts in there. He wasn’t putting on a suit for a bit and the prospect felt amazing. He grew up in jeans and wearing his suits daily wore on him.

  Rex took a quick shower and dressed. As he sat on the edge of his platform bed to tie on his boots, he gazed around his at his massive bedroom. Yes, he’d done well for himself. But that tended to create more enemies around him. Then every once in a while, he needed to cleanse himself from that environment.

  Boots on, he grabbed his leather jacket, slipped it on and headed out of the room, bag in hand. He stored his items, and started the bike. The rumble roared through him as he left the garage. Ensuring the door closed behind him, he headed for the gate and rode by after it opened. Idling by the gate, he waited until it latched behind him, then drove away.

  Not a cloud in the sky, he smiled as he wove through traffic for some unknown destination. Heading away from the coast, he began to relax bit by bit.

  At least until he saw the clouds beginning to swarm in.

  What the hell happened to having a few days of sunshine?

  No sooner had the question popped into his mind, did the skies truly open up. He’d already pulled off the main stretch and was on some two-lane dirt road.

  Shit.

  The conditions became treacherous and he slowed down a bit. Is there not even a house around here that I can get shelter at? Not that he could see. Nothing.

  Lightning cracked near him, hitting a tree along the road, and sending the pine toward him and the road.

  He yanked hard on the bike, desperate to get out of the way and it went down, taking him with it. Seconds later, the tree hit him as well and his world went black.

  αβ

  Jules wiped the rain from her face. Figures. I go for a ride to enjoy the day and get caught out in the rain. Just a fun ride, not working or anything like that.

  Patting the old mare beneath her, she laughed. “Figures, Gypsy. I’m sorry girl. Didn’t think we’d be caught out like this.”

  The mare snorted and sidestepped, head tossing as if she understood what Jules spoke about. This horse had been her first dressage horse and was now, too old to compete. But she loved the old girl and took her out to just enjoy spending time with her.

  “At least the lightning has stopped.” When it had started, she’d climbed off and sought shelter. Now that the worst of the storm appeared to have moved on, she was fine riding again. The rain didn’t much bother her. You just had to learn to work in it since in this part of the world, if you let rain bother you, you’d never get out your door to do a damn thing.

  “Let’s keep going,” she said, asking and receiving the forward motion from the mare.

  Gypsy stepped out and they continued along. They were a good distance from the barn, so there’d been no point in trying to outrun the turn of the weather.

  They began moving along a dirt road at the back end of the property, a place she had yet to clear to put up more fencing. Her horse moved through the puddles as they walked along.

  The scent of burning wood hit her. Then Gypsy snorted again, and tossed her head.

  “Easy girl. Looks like something got hit up here. Come on, I have to make sure there’s no chance of a fire spreading.”

  Not far ahead, she saw one of the tall sprawling pines, across the road. The smoldering trunk had been what she smelled in the air. She narrowed her gaze as she stared at the sight in front her. Something stuck out from under the tree toward the other side of the road.

  Moving closer, she gasped at the sight of a motorcycle wheel under it. “Ah hell, there’s someone here.” Wheeling Gypsy around, she rode to the other side and hopped off. “Hello? Can anyone here me?” Hands on the reins, she led the horse as she tried to see if anyone was there.

  A low grunt reached her over the sound of the rain hitting the ground and her.

  Looping the reins around a branch, she patted Gypsy and pushed through the thick boughs to see the booted feet of a man. Crawling on her hands and knees, she worked her way to his side. He lay on his stomach, a branch on his helmet.

  Thank God, he had the sense to wear one of these. “Are you okay?”

  “I think so,” he muttered. “What the hell happened?”

  “Looks like the tree knocked you off your bike. How long have you been here and can you move?”

  “No clue and I think so. A bit groggy but I don’t think anything is broken.”

  The branch was thick and heavy but she did her best to lift it off his helmet. “Back up.”

  Together, they slowly wove back out among the branches until they were out in the open. He remained sitting on the ground and she wiped her hands off on her pants before reaching for his face and sliding up the shield.

  Her breath zipped from her body as she found herself staring into eyes the color of dark amber. Instantly mesmerized, she couldn’t move and she couldn’t find the wherewithal to tear her gaze from his. A thick black lock of hair fell between his eyebrows and she had the strangest urge to touch it, move it back to have an unobstructed view of his face.

  “Hi,” he said, his voice a rich thread of temptation.

  It took her a moment to find words. “Hi,” she replied. “Can you take your helmet off?”

  “Yes.” He moved his hands, large with clean square nails up to unsnap the strap.

  She lifted with him and got it off showing her the full impact of his features. Damn, the man was fine. No way around it. His black hair instantly plastered to his head. Along his jaw was scruff and it was hot the way it highlighted the angles of his face.

  It took her a moment to r
ealize he was talking to her. Blinking the rain from her lashes—his appeared longer than hers, dammit—she sniffed. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “Where am I?”

  “Who are you?” she countered with her own question.

  She waited as he took a moment to blink a few times. “I don’t know.”

  “I don’t see any injuries but you may have rattled your head. I don’t know. Right now, I need to get you back to the house. I’ll have someone come for your bike. Can you stand?”

  He looked around before settling that amber gaze back on her. “Yes.” He moved his assessing stare over her.

  Now, she fought to urge to see if her nipples were poking through her shirt from the heat that blazed within them. She got up first and looked down at him to find him running a hand over his face. “Come on,” she said offering him a hand.

  Grateful for her gloves, she still gasped when he closed his large hand around hers. however long he’d been out here, he still retained warmth and it pushed through her glove seeping into her skin. Heating her. Of course, that could have been because of her visceral attraction to him. Right now, she had to focus on getting him out of the rain and out of those wet clothes.

  “Usually, a woman tells me her name before they want me naked.”

  Her eyes flew wide as it hit her that she’d spoken out loud. “I like my men a bit more aware. Never been one to take advantage of one who’s unable to recall his own name.”

  He pushed to his feet, did a bit of weaving that had her darting to his side and sliding beneath his shoulder to offer support. He smelled like heaven.

  “My bike.”

  “It will be fine. Someone will be here to grab it. Come on. Can you ride?”

  “I was riding.”

  “I mean horses. Because unless you want to walk the miles back to the house, that’s the only way we’re getting there.”

  “A horse?” He sounded as if she’d asked him to piss on an electric fence.