The Billionaire’s Creed

MYKEL

“Jade, it’s nice of you to call.” I FaceTimed with my son almost every day. He barely talked, but I was happy to see him so often. I knew it was not a good idea to expose a three-year-old kid to gadgets, but I was taking my chances of getting close to his heart. “What is he up this time?”

Jade chuckled. “Oh, my God, Mykel. You put me in a difficult position. He keeps reminding me of going on an airplane. So yesterday, I brought him to a toy store and bought a toy jet just to make him forget, but he did not.”

I laughed out loud. My voice echoed in the office. “I’m sorry, Jade. Adley and I have already planned everything for the weekend. You and Jax will come to New York, and then we will fly to one of Adley’s residences.”

“I’m also sorry. I know how busy you both are. Jax just gets too excited about his first trip.”

“Well, we were kids once. I know how it feels. And I’m also sorry that I have to move the trip. You know Adley is terrified of flying, and she’s also pregnant. She had just stepped in as the new CEO, and her grandfather had left her a lot of work. Then my father’s wife just gave birth. I also went on business trips. These past weeks were so crazy. Adley even purchased a massage chair and put it in her office to chill herself.”

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know that you both have been this busy.”

“Not all the time, but yeah. Especially Adley. She used to work with her employees. She’s pretty hands-on.”

“How’s her pregnancy?” I felt lucky that the woman I had a son with still cared about my wife.

“She’s doing great. She’s moody.” I chuckled. “But she’s trying her best to keep her hormones at bay, and she’s tough.”

“I can see why you two are a match made in heaven. You always appreciate her, even her mood swings, and so as Adley. Don’t mess this up, Mykel. You won’t be this happy with another woman.”

“I won’t. And how about you and the guy you’re dating? Adrien.”

She cracked to laugh. “I think you know Adrien better than me.”

I told her about her boyfriend. I wanted to know the guy who spent time with my kid, so I asked the firm for a background check. And since I had just invested in the firm, I quickly got what I wanted.

“It would be a red flag if he has no parking tickets, Jade. Other than that, he has no history.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Are you okay with this?”

“If you and my son are.”

“Thanks.”

“You took care of our son for three years, Jade. You deserve to be happy. Anyway, tell Jax I’ll be seeing him soon. Tell him Daddy loves him.”

“I will. Take care, Mykel.”

“You too.”

I worked for a couple of minutes when Elise knocked and popped her head in the half-opened door. “Boss, you’re late for your date.”

“Shit.” I was quicker on my feet. I snatched my suit jacket and put it on. “What time is it?”

“Six forty-five.”

“Fuck. Adley is gonna be so pissed at me. She’s been anticipating this date, and I’m ruining it for her.”

“Enough talking. Sax and Kye are waiting for you in the parking lot.”

“You’re the best.” I headed to the elevator. “And Elise, go home.”

“Blaze is working late, so I’m staying here for a while.”

“Tell him not to work so hard and sacrifice his relationship. Or I’m kicking his ass.”

“I’ll tell him you said that.” She chuckled.

“Do that. Love you.”

“Love you. Enjoy your night.”

The elevator door slid close. I checked the time on my phone. It seemed that it ran so fast if you were in a hurry. And I didn’t think I would make it to the restaurant in less than twenty minutes.

How in the fucking hell did I forget about our date?

“How fast can we get there?” I met the guys in the parking lot.

“Mrs. C won’t mind you being late as long as you get there safe,” Kye said.

Sax backed the car up. “We’ll make it. Since when did you appear late?”

“I was on the phone with Jade. It’s my son. He’s too enthusiastic about his first trip.”

“You’re a good father, boss. Who would have thought-”

“What?” I cursed under my breath when Adley just sent me a text message. “Never mind.”

“Is everything okay?”

“I am really running late. Adley just texted me.”

I called her instead. After I apologized and felt terrible for being late, she still said she loved me. Adley was the kind of woman who made you fall in love over and over again. I always asked myself how I could be so lucky, and I didn’t even deserve someone as beautiful inside and out as Adley Kross.

My phone rang again.

Surprisingly, it was Jade.

“Jade, is everything okay?”

“Who’s this?” Who the fuck just dialed my number on Jade’s phone, and where was she?

“Who are you? Why do you have her phone?” My heartbeat raced as I double-checked the caller ID. It was Jade’s number, but a man called from her number.

“You’re the last call she made.”

“Of course, I am.” I felt my world start spinning. I had this feeling in my gut that something was terribly wrong. My mind went straight to my son. “Who the fuck are you, and where’s Jade?”

As a billionaire, I was aware of the risks. That was why I had Sax and Kye, but my son had no one to keep him safe other than his mother.

“Are you related to Jade Scout?”

“Tell me first who the fuck are you before I answer your question.”

He blew a deep breath before speaking, and I felt his words could change the course tonight. “I apologize for not introducing myself. I’m officer Dewi. I’m afraid there’s been a terrible accident involving Miss Jade Scout. She’s been rushed to the hospital, but the damage is severe.”

For a split second, my breathing was suspended. Goosebumps erupted all over my skin, and I found myself leaning back. “W-was she with someone in the car?”