Picture Perfect (Book 2 of the Billionaire Bad Boys)

16

Cassia hung up the phone. She’d been calling Lance all night, but he wasn’t answering. It was strange because he always answered. There was a knock at the door, and Cassia put her cell on the counter and went to answer the door. It was likely Dominic; he’d been popping by rather regularly all week making sure she was ok and didn’t need anything. He’d even taken her out on the town a few nights showing her the New York nightlife.

Last night he’d taken her to the VIP, a huge nightclub catering to the rich and famous owned by an old family friend of their grandfather who had long since retired and left the running of the club to his much younger wife.

Cassia opened the door and found herself presented with flowers. Cassia chuckled and accepted the roses Dominic offered. “I thought the place could use a new set of flowers I noticed last night the other ones were getting droopy.”

“Well thank you.” She said taking the vase off the center table and taking it into the kitchen with Dominic behind her. She tossed the wilted flowers in the trash and dumped the old water out and refilled the vase then placed the fresh flowers in the vase and returned it to the table in the foyer. “So, what brings you around?”

“Dinner.” He suggested. “I’m taking you out for dinner, and I’m not taking no for an answer.” He said with a confident smile. “We’re going to this quaint little French place I know in Manhattan.”

“I don’t know; it sounds like rich food. I bet there is nothing low-cal on the menu.” She said frowning.

“Oh please, you do not have a weight problem. Look if it makes you feel better, I’ll show you how to use the swim-gym, and you can swim the calories off when you get back. I’m sure breaking the rules once, and a while won’t hurt.”

“I-”

“No,” He said placing his finger against her lips to silence her, “Unless the next words out of your mouth are ‘yes I’m starving’ I don’t want to hear it. We’re going to dinner.”

Cassia couldn’t fight the smile on her face. Dominic reminded her of Lance, strong, confident, and demanding. “Ok, I’m going to go change.” She said heading up the stairs to the master bedroom. Cassia selected a black dress from her suitcase and reached for the zipper of the dress she was wearing. She pulled and pulled, but the zipper seemed to be stuck. She couldn’t get a proper grip on the zipper. Her arm twisted but she couldn’t budge it.

She needed help. Cassia walked to the top of the stairs and called down to Dominic. “Dominic, would you mind coming up here a minute?” She asked heading back to the bedroom. It wasn’t long before Dominic appeared in the bedroom doorway. “Would you be a dear and help me with the zipper? It’s stuck.” She asked turning her back to him. When he didn’t come in Cassia looked back over her shoulder to see him still standing in the doorway looking unsure about coming in. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He said coming into the room. Dominic stood behind Cassia and took hold of the zipper. “Usually when I undress a woman like this I’m getting laid.”

Cassia chuckled. “Easy big boy I’m just asking you to unstick a zipper.”

“I shall try to keep my wits about me.” He promised playfully and pulled on the zipper, but it wouldn’t go down. “Wow, this is stuck what did you do super glue it when you put it on?”

“You’re a big strong guy are you going to let a little zipper beat you?” She teased glancing back at him with a smug smile.

“Oh, hell no, if I have to I’ll rip this dress off by the seams.” He promised. “I will not live with the shame of being showed up by a zipper.” He laughed and pulled on the fabric.

“Give it hell.”

He pulled harder and pulled the taut fabric pushing on her back firmly then the zipper gave way suddenly. The force he applied nearly knocked her over and Dominic grabbed her from behind to keep her on her feet. “Sorry, that happened kind of suddenly.” Dominic apologies his arm around her waist she was held against him for a moment, and Cassia looked back at him over her shoulder to see the smile on his face. “I told you I’d get you out of that dress.”

“What the hell?” A voice startled them both.

They both looked back at the door to see Lance standing in the doorway with his suitcase on the floor in the hallway. “Lance?” Cassia barely managed, she was so surprised to see him. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Obviously.” He said shooting a nasty glare at Dominic who was still holding Cassia.

Dominic looked down at Cassia and instantly released her backing away quickly. “Oh no, Lance, this is not what it looks like.” He assured his brother.

Lance just lifted a skeptical brow. “Because it looks to me like you were making a move on my girlfriend in the bedroom. Getting her out of that dress to quote you.”

“Ok, I know this looks bad, but I promise it was completely innocent,” Dominic swore. “Her zipper was stuck, and I was just helping her with it, and she fell over, and I caught her, and then you walked in, and it looks like we were fooling around but we weren’t.”

Lance didn’t look like he believed his brother. “It’s true Lance,” She said drawing his attention. “The zipper was stuck, and I asked for his help. We’re not fooling around.”

“Yeah right.” Lance turned around to leave. He picked up his suitcase and walked away.

Dominic and Cassia shared a look. “I’ll go after him,” Dominic said and left the room. Cassia quickly changed and went after them both.

***

Lance was almost at the door when Dominic came bounding down the stairs after him. “Lance, wait up, we got to talk.” Lance put down his bag, turned around, and punched Dominic in the face so hard his head snapped back. “What the hell?” He snarled holding his nose which was now bloody.

“I trusted you!” Lance snarled. “I’m your brother how could you do this to me?” He growled and tackled Dominic the two of them fell into the table knocking it over and smashing the glass vase.

“I didn’t do anything.” Dominic snapped as he defended himself. The two men rolled around on the floor each trying to get the upper hand as they both threw a few lucky punches.

“Liar!”

“I swear,” Dominic said trying to push Lance off him. “I’m your brother; I would never do that.” He said finally getting Lance off him.

Lance saw red. He was angry and hurt. Betrayed by the woman he loved and his flesh and blood. “She was mine.” He said sitting with his back against the door trying to catch his breath with his hand over his aching side.

Dominic sat across the foyer with his back against the wall. “She still is. I swear on our Mother’s life I never touched her and I had no intention of doing so. It’s harmless. A misunderstanding.”

Lance thought about what his brother was saying. “On our Mother’s life?” He repeated. All the boys adored their mother after all she gave them life and made them the men they were today.

“I swear it,” Dominic said crossing his fingers over his heart. “Hand to God.” He promised.

Cassia appeared in the foyer gasping when she saw the damage. Without hesitation, she rushed to Lance’s side fussing over him. “Are you hurt, did you reopen that wound? Oh, my look at your face.” She said letting the pad of her thumb caress his cracked lip.

“Yeah, I’m fine too thanks for asking.” Dominic groaned trying to get to his feet.

Cassia laced her arm under Lance’s and helped him to his feet. He flinched with pain and grabbed his side. The knife wound had healed, but the muscle was still tender when stressed and a punch to the rib cage counted as stress. Cassia walked him to the kitchen where she made an ice pack and placed it to his aching side.

Dominic stood by the sink with a cloth to his nose to soak up the blood. “You broke my nose.” He complained.

Cassia walked over to Dominic and took the bloody cloth aside to inspect his injury. “You’re fine.” She smiled. “I’ve seen broken noses; it’s just a little swollen.” She said returning the cloth to his nose. “Just wait for the bleeding to stop.” Cassia came over to Lance and lifted his shirt to get a look at his side. He didn’t know what she was looking for. “I think you’ll be fine too.” She said with relief and then she smacked him upside the head. “What the hell is wrong with you? How could you think I’d cheat on you? For Christ sakes you Lance Sanchez.” She snapped. “You’re the greatest man I’ve ever known.”

“Way to feed his ego,” Dominic muttered.

“Tell your brother you’re sorry for kicking his butt.”

“Um, I think I held my own pretty well,” Dominic said offended.

Lance glared at his brother and then looked at Cassia suspiciously. He still wasn’t sure what he saw was harmless. His eyes searched hers looking for the telltale signs of guilt but saw none. Either she was a really good liar, or they had honestly not been doing what it looked like they were doing. She crossed her arms over her chest awaiting his reply. There was no way she could be that good a liar. Maybe he had jumped the gun with his accusations.

He hated to admit he was wrong yet he was relieved to find out he was. It was a rather conflicting emotion. On the one hand he was happy Cassia wasn’t cheating on him and, on the other hand, he really didn’t like apologizing to anyone. Admitting he was wrong was never easy.

His jaw twitched and his teeth clenched as Lance turned his eyes to Dominic. Lance muttered a quiet apology only for both of them to stare at him. “Fine… ok… I’m sorry to have accused you of sleeping with Cassia.”

“He apologized.” Dominic chuckled he tossed the bloody cloth in the sink. “It must be very cold in Hell right now.”

Lance then looked up at Cassia feeling a little foolish. “I’m sorry I thought you would do that.”

Cassia put her arms around Lance and kissed his lips making him flinch. “Sorry.” She smiled kissing his cheek instead. “You have to believe I would never do that. Dominic is a nice guy, but he’s not you. I love you.” She said framing his face with her hands. “And I’m so happy to see you.”

A smile curved his lips; she’d said what he wanted to hear. “You love me?” He asked happily.

“Of course, I do.” She smiled.

“I love you too.” He said, and he kissed her anyway damn the pain.

“Well aren’t we all happy now.” Dominic snarled still bitter about the beating he took.

Lance looked at his brother. “I am sorry.”

“Yeah-yeah, I know. But if you hit me again, I’m telling Mom.” He threatened playfully. Dominic was good-natured he never held a grudge.

Lance reached into his jacket pocket. “While I’m thinking about it I have something for you.” He said taking out the ring box and offering it to Cassia. It wasn’t the most romantic time to propose, but he didn’t want to wait a minute longer.

Cassia opened the box and looked at his grandmother’s ring a questioning look claimed her face. “Are you giving this to me?”

“I always thought I’d give this ring to my wife.” She looked at him with uncertainty. “So, what do you say do you want to be a Sanchez?”

She smiled and looked at the ring and then him. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

“I am.”

“I will.” She said hugging him.

Lance took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. It fit well like it was made for her. Cassia held out her hand admiring the ring she now wore. Even Dominic was all smiles. “Congratulations and welcome to the family.” He then looked at Lance. “Mom is going to freak.” His little brother was right their mom wasn’t likely to take the news well, but he didn’t care. He loved Cassia, and she loved him, and they were going to be married.

Cassia looked worried about telling their parents. Lance had a feeling her family wasn’t going to take it any better than his folks. She bit her bottom lip with worry. “He’s right. Your mom doesn’t like me.”

“She doesn’t like anybody.” He said trying to ease her mind. “She’ll get over it when she sees how happy we are together. We’ll tell them tomorrow at dinner.”

“Why wait?” Dominic smiled as he took out his cell phone and pressed speed dial. “Hey Mom, you’ll never guess who’s in town…. Lance.” Lance shook his head no at his brother who only smiled. “I’ll ask. Mom says come over for dinner.”

“No,” Lance whispered.

“He says he’d love to we’ll be home in half an hour.” Dominic ended the call with a grin. “Now you can tell them.”

“Why would you do that?” Lance snapped.

“Hey, you punched me.” He reminded Lance. “Sweet vengeance is mine.” He said with an evil cackle and then smiled. “You have to tell them eventually. Why wait?” Now he had no choice. They had to go.

***

They changed for dinner and then followed Dominic in one of the many cars they stored in the underground parking lot. They took one of their brother’s sports cars and drove out to Westchester. It was a very lovely neighbourhood with million-dollar houses and gated communities.

They pulled up to an iron gate of a large mansion. The security guard pressed a button, and the gate slid open allowing them to enter. Dominic pulled his car into a four-car garage. In each bay was a car and parked in the drive were two more. It looked like everyone was home tonight.

Climbing out of their cars, Dominic smiled at Cassia. “You’re in luck all the boys are home. You get to meet everyone now.”

“Well, Lucas isn’t here,” Lance said knowing for a fact his brother was not in New York. “You’ll have to meet him another time.”

They walked up the stone steps to the front door, and Dominic let them in. “We’re home.” He called out and Eve Sanchez came around the corner to greet her boys.

She hugged Lance hello and then looked at Cassia with a forced smile. “How nice to see you again.”

Cassia was sure she wasn’t happy in the least, but she was civil. At that moment a tubby Mexican woman in a uniform came down the hallway chattering something in Spanish and then she stood by the foot of the stairs and yelled up. She then looked at Lance said something and then hugged him before heading back the way she came.

“That’s Maria,” Lance explained. “She’s the cook, maid, and babysitter all in one. She lives here in the house. It’s a good gig; she only has to work while we’re here and when we’re jet-setting around the world, she has the whole estate to herself.”

“She’s been with us since the boys were very young,” Eve said. “She’s like part of the family.”

Two teenage boys came ripping down the staircase. One looked Cassia’s age while the other couldn’t be more than sixteen. They were bickering and shoving when they reached the landing each stopping instantly when their mother fixed them with a hard glare. “Sorry.” The older one said while, the younger one hung his head.

“Boys, I want you to meet Lance’s girlfriend, Cassia.” Eve introduced her. “These are my youngest boys Brandon and Justin.” They both said hello and then headed the way Maria had gone quietly bickering, and then Brandon shoved Justin into a wall and disappeared around the corner with Justin going after him. Eve looked at Dominic’s swollen nose and then Lance’s cracked lip. Her eyes narrowed with annoyance. “Have you two been scrapping?” Both men quickly said no making up some lame lie about falling down the stairs at the penthouse. Neither one wanted to admit to their mother they had been fighting. They both seemed almost scared of her. She clearly didn’t believe either of them from the look on her face, but she just listened to their excuse, and when they trailed off incoherently, she turned and started down the hall after the boys. “This way dinner’s ready.”

Eve led them into a large dining room where there was a long mahogany table already set for seven. Damien came into the room and smiled at Cassia. “How nice to see you again. How are you enjoying New York?” He asked taking the seat at the head of the table. Eve sat down on the other end, and the three boys sat along one side while Lance pulled out the chair across from his brothers. Cassia sat down, and Lance took the seat next to his father.

“New York is very exciting,” Cassia said with a smile. “Dominic has been kind enough to show me the sights, but I think I still prefer LA.”

“Me too,” Damien said with a grin. “But New York has a sense of sophistication.”

“Oh, I agree,” Cassia said politely.

“So how is your shoot going?” Eve asked. “Almost done?”

Cassia got the feeling her question was more to do with when she could get Cassia out of their penthouse and less to do with actual interest in her career. “It’s going very well.” She said as Maria placed the food in front of them. It was very different than back home. It was far more, fine dining restaurant than the down to earth family style cooking she got back home.

“Lance, I thought you had a shoot back in LA, isn’t that why you didn’t come up here with Cassia?” His mother asked.

“I did, but I wrapped it up and flew out here to spend the rest of the week with Cassia.” He said taking her hand in his and smiling at her. The little sign of affection put a scowl on his mother’s pretty face.

“How nice.” His mother said sharply, as she reached for her wine glass. “Brandon just got accepted to Harvard Law.” His mother said proudly.

“Good for you.” Lance smiled. “We’re going to have a hotshot lawyer in the family.”

“What kind of law are you studying?” Cassia asked curiously.

“Criminal law. I’m going to be a defence attorney. It will take a few years, but I intend to be top notch.”

“And he will be. A Sanchez can do anything if they set their minds on it.” His father said supportively.

“And what do you want to do?” Cassia asked Justin.

“I’m going to be a photojournalist. I’m already in the school newspaper. I just got back from covering one of Lucas’ shows in Sana Monica a few weeks ago.”

“He’s pretty good with a camera,” Lance said. “I taught him everything he knows about cameras.”

“Talent runs in the family,” Justin said happily. “I can only hope to be as successful as Lance in my chosen field.”

They all seemed very close. “Hey, Lance has some good news,” Dominic said cutting his fish with his fork. “Go on Lance tell Mom and Dad the good news.”

Lance shot a death glare across the table, and now everyone was looking at Lance expectantly. Lance nervously cleared his throat and took a sip of his wine to steady his nerves. He looked scared to announce their engagement. “Um well, I…” He cleared his throat and took another sip of his wine. Cassia looked at him unsure why he didn’t want to tell them. “I asked Cassia to marry me, and she accepted.” He barely got out.

Suddenly everyone was looking at Eve, and her expression was that of utter horror. “Why is she pregnant?” Eve asked outright.

“No,” Lance said calmly. “We’re in love.”

“You’ve known the girl six weeks you can’t possibly be in love.” Eve snapped.

“You married Dad after only knowing him two months. How is this any different?” Lance asked. “At least I’m making a conscious choice, unlike your drunken mistake.”

“Lance.” His father barked, Cassia could see the anger in Damien’s eyes, and it was frightening. “You will speak to your Mother with respect, or I will personally tan your ass.”

“I’m twenty-seven.” Lance snarled. “When are you two going to stop treating me like I’m a child?”

“When you start acting like a man.” Eve snapped. “You are still acting like a child. Some love-sick teenager blinded by a pretty face. This is Missy Darcy all over again.”

Lance stood up. “It is not. I know my heart, and I love this woman, and you are either going to accept her or lose me. I’m marrying this woman so you can come to the wedding or not, but if you don’t show up don’t ever call me again because you’ll be dead to me.” Lance took Cassia’s hand and led her away from the table.

“Thank you for dinner,” Cassia said as they left the room.

“We’ll stop in town and get dinner,” Lance said as they walked out the front door.

“That could have gone better,” Cassia said getting into the car. “Do you think they’ll come around?”

“I don’t care.” He said pulling out of the drive. “I’m tired of worrying what they think. When the shoot is over, we’re going back to LA.” He said as they drove down the road. “How do you think your dad will take the news?”

“Probably as well as your mother.” She dreaded telling her father she was engaged. He was likely going to have the same objections Eve did. “Do you think we’re rushing things?” She asked worriedly. “Maybe we should give everyone some time to adjust and calm down.”

Lance looked at her with worry. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“No, I just don’t want to be the thing that comes between you and your family.”

He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips kissing her knuckles lovingly. “Babe, you are my family. It’s forever you and me.”

Cassia smiled and caressed his face. “I love you.” Despite how his family took the news she was happy with Lance. It had happened fast, but it felt so right. “You and me against the world.”

***

“We cannot let him go through with this travesty,” Eve said pacing the bedroom floor.

Her husband lounged on the bed watching her wear a groove in the floorboards. “Eve honey, I don’t think we can stop him. He’s a grown man, and he’s going to do what he wants whether we like it or not. I suggest you learn to accept it.”

“I’m not letting this happen.” She sapped. “He’s making a grave mistake. That girl is a gold digger I know she is. What sort of girl marries a man she barely knows?” Damien smiled and Eve pointed a warning finger at her husband. “Don’t even go there I know what you’re thinking and that is totally different.”

“How?” He chuckled. “At least he thinks he’s in love we got married so that we could have guilt-free sex.” He said getting up.

“We were in love.” She said as he took her in his arms.

“Well, then you remember things very differently than I do. I remember thinking I’d made the biggest mistake of my life. Remember I wanted an annulment but you wouldn’t give me one. You pretty much trapped me in a loveless marriage.”

“Loveless?” She asked eyeing him with annoyance.

“Don’t take it the wrong way. I learned to love you, and you became the best mistake I ever made. Cassia may very well be the same thing for Lance. Don’t you want him to be happy?”

She did, but she was positive Cassia was only using her son. “I want him to be happy, but I don’t want this girl to bleed him dry. He’s not thinking with his head. Lance has always been blinded by pretty faces and false worship. I give them six months before he finds out she’s doing the pool boy.”

Damien rolled his eyes and walked away from his wife. “Eve, just let it lie, don’t meddle or he’ll never talk to you again. You don’t want to push him away, do you?” He asked dropping down on the bed.

“I’m going to talk to that girl.” She said making up her mind.

Damien shook his head and glared at her. “Eve, listen to me; do not talk to the girl. Nothing good will come from it.” He remembered the last time she’s spoken to one of Lance’s girlfriends.

“I’m just going to test her. If she passes the test, I’ll let them get married without protest, but if she fails the wedding will be over. Since you are too weak to talk sense into our son’s head, I will talk money with Cassia.” She said formulating a plan in her devious mind.

“Eve, do not do this,” Damien warned.

“Isn’t it better to know now than after they’re married I bet the foolish boy won’t even be smart enough to get a prenup?”

“I’ll talk to the boy about a prenup, but I want you to leave Cassia alone. Don’t meddle.”

Nuts to that she was going to prove Cassia a gold digger, and she didn’t care how much it cost her.

***

Lance sat down at the table across from his father. “Drink?” Damien asked gesturing to his own. Damien flagged down the waitress and ordered his son a drink.

“So, what did you want?” Lance asked still annoyed with his folks.

“First of all, you’ll lose that tone, I don’t appreciate it, I’m your father, and I deserve a little respect. Second, your mother and I want you to know while we do not approve of your decision to marry this girl we support you in your decision. We want to see you happy.”

“Cassia makes me happy,” Lance assured his father.

“Yes well, we only ask if you are hell-bent on doing this do it smart. Draw up a prenup to protect yourself.”

“A prenup.” Lance turned up his nose at the idea. He didn’t think Cassia would be happy about that. “That’s like planning to fail. This is going to be forever.”

“I know it sounds bad, but think of it this way. If it lasts forever, it won’t matter, but if by some chance it does fall apart, you’re protected from having her clean you out.”

Lance shook his head. “No, Cassia would never go for that. It’s insulting.”

“If she loves you, she wouldn’t mind signing one, but if she doesn’t then you have proof she’s only in this for the money. Better to know now than when it’s too late.”

The waitress placed a glass on the table. Lance stared at the glass of rum considering his father’s words. Maybe his father had a point. He knew this marriage would last so what would it hurt to draw up a prenup just to put his parents’ minds at ease. If it would help them accept the union he’d do it. The only question was how did he breach the subject with Cassia?

***

Cassia was seated in the makeup chair while the girl changed her look for the shoot. A few more hours and they would be done. She’d get paid, and she and Lance could fly back to LA. She was almost ready when Cassia spotted Eve in the mirror of her vanity. Cassia asked the makeup girl to give her a moment. The woman put down her tools and walked away.

Standing up Cassia turned to face Lance’s mother. “Lance isn’t here,” Cassia informed Eve.

“That’s ok I came to talk to you if you have a moment.”

Cassia looked back at the set and then to Eve. “Ok but I’m rather busy so can we make it quick.”

“I’ll get right to the point,” Eve said calmly. “I don’t think you and Lance were meant to be together. I think you’re in this for the money, so I’ll make you an offer, five hundred thousand dollars and all you have to do is leave Lance.”

Cassia was appalled by the offer. “No.”

“Ok, a million dollars and you leave tonight.”

Cassia took a breath to calm herself. “I don’t want the money. I know you might find this hard to believe, but I actually love your son for who he is not what he has.”

Eve didn’t look like she believed her. “Pretty speech but all that proves to me is that you’re smarter than the others. You realize you’d get more money out of him if you marry him. So just let me say this. If this marriage happens, my husband and I will write Lance out of the will, he’ll be disinherited, and we’ll freeze his trust fund. He’ll be penniless. So, you still won’t get anything.”

Cassia was outraged. “Fine then do it. I’d happily live in a cardboard box with Lance than lose him. So, do whatever you like it’s not going to change how I feel about Lance.”

***

Lance walked right through the shoot with two coffees looking for Cassia. He wanted to talk about his father’s suggestion, but he wasn’t sure how she was going to take it. He was reaching the dressing area when he spotted his mother talking with Cassia. Damn it; he knew she couldn’t stop from meddling. He was about to go in when he heard his mother offer Cassia a million dollars to leave him.

He ducked behind the wall and listened. When he heard Cassia refuse the money sounding almost insulted Lance smiled. Then his mother threatened to disown him and leave Lance destitute if they went through with the marriage, but Cassia told her to go to hell. Her outrage brought a huge smiled to Lance’s face. She did love him. He knew she was the right one.

Cassia stormed off in his direction and Lance hid behind a rack of clothes so she wouldn’t see him. He didn’t want her to know he’d been eavesdropping. He waited until Cassia was out of sight and then he confronted his mother. “What are you doing here?” He asked wondering if she would confess her meddling.

“I came to talk to Cassia. I wanted to make sure she wasn’t using you.” She admitted.

“I told you, she loves me.”

“She loves your money. Her refusal of my offer does not convince me. It only means she’s smart enough to know she’d get more out of you if she married you. She’s cunning I’ll give her that.”

He shook his head. “You are dead set against liking her. She could be Mother Tarrasa, and you would still think she was the devil. Well, I refuse to let you ruin this for me.”

“Lance, at least consider a prenup. Protect yourself.”

“Fine. I’ll get a prenup, and when she signs it, you will quit meddling.”

“If she signs it.”

“She will; I know she will.” He said putting the extra coffee on the vanity. He would get his prenup and show his parents they were wrong. And he had a few hours in which to do it. His family lawyer was right here in New York, and for the right price, he was sure he could rush some paperwork.