Free The Millionaire's Secret by Susan Stevens, Jasmine Bowen Page A

methadone coursing through her system.
    It had been her that suggested an outpatient treatment program first, before they tried anything more drastic, and Adam had been more than happy to comply, whatever she needed. She was dancing the lead in Kulanu in the evenings, a show he had yet to see. It meant for a busy schedule, but also meant that they had days free for themselves. She had wanted to be by his side continuously, so she had attended any meetings he had, including the dismissal of Maurice. It had all been very civil, especially for a drug lord. But it turned out Maurice had a soft spot and a wife he had loved very much in his youth. So, although he made a few lewd comments about Behati, he had let them go with minimal trouble.
    Tonight, Adam had plans to see her show, sitting front row, alone, much as he had the first night that they met.
    “Well, I’m glad that’s over with,” Behati said. “Although not quite the way I planned it when I landed here.”
    “And you’ll have to return, at some point, to Latvia,” he said, and she turned to him.
    “Yeah, about that. I talked to them about the extension of a loan, and it turns out, a loan extension of y services out runs my contract.”
    “Hmm?” he asked, as he started the car.
    “The last contract I signed with Latvia was for 3 years, and that runs out next week. SO technically…”
    “You don’t have to go anywhere,” he said, piecing it together. “Behati, I don’t want you to make that kind of choice, especially for me. You love to dance.”
    “And I’m 27, and I can’t dance forever,” she reminded him. “But it’s more than that. They were restricting me. Fame aside, the stuff I’m doing with Kulanu is much more interesting. I would much rather be doing stuff like that the rest of my life than do swan lake for the hundredth time. Mind you, the money is not as good.”
    “What do you have need of money for?” he asked her, softly. “You are a Katz now, free and clear. You will want for nothing. Is that what stopped you before?”
    “I don’t want to take anything from you,” she said. “I can take care of myself.”
    “But it’s my pleasure,” he answered. “To take care of my wife. Anyways, you won’t be taking anything from me. My father set up a trust fund for our wives, as soon as it had happened. Technically, you should have had money 10 years ago. So I’m sure there’s quite a back log.”
    “Adam,” she rolled her eyes. “That’s so…rich people.”
    “It is,” he answered, with a laugh. “But that’s what it is. So if money has stopped you from performing the kind of dance you want, than you need not worry any longer.”
    “Any other secrets you want to tell me?” she teased him, as they cruised down the road.
    “Just that I love you,” he said, glancing at her. “And I’ve been quite a fool to deny it all this time.”
    “That’s not a secret,” she answered. “ I think I’ve loved you this whole time as well. I just was afraid of doing it.”
    “Well, you don’t need to be afraid any longer. How are you feeling my dear? Do you want some lunch?”
    “Lunch would be wonderful,” she said, delighting in the impromptu date they could have now.
    That night, as he dressed for the theatre, Behati already back stage somewhere, he realized his heart was beating fast with anticipation. He hadn’t been excited about seeing her, up until now. But he felt an immense sense of pride as he took his seat in the front row, the lights dimming.
    The first night he had seen her, he had been enchanted, much as now. But things were different, then. That first night, when he sat in the seat, his suit had been a day old, his schedule not allowing him for sleep. He had gone to the ballet for a break, looking for somewhere he could be anonymous in the dark. He had been exhausted, and more than a little drunk on pre-show champagne. His mind had been constantly turning over possibilities for the company and was still