Free Forbidden Disclosure (A Billionaire in Disguise) by Terri Marie Page B

him know he was on his way home, then got in his pickup and headed to the airport. He looked down at his feet and noticed he’d forgotten to put his work boots on and give Rosie back her husband’s cowboy boots. I’ll mail them to her. I’m not going back in that house just to say goodbye to her again. Daniel felt such pain in leaving this woman, and he had the feeling that even if she needed help from him, she wouldn’t ask. She’s the most selfless person I’ve ever met.
     
     
     
    Daniel was midflight before it dawned on him that he didn’t even know Katherine’s last name. He never bothered to ask. He didn’t know the last names of hardly any women he was with. He didn’t care. Now he did.
     
    The flight in coach went a lot smoother. He sat by quiet people, and the seat directly in front of him was empty. He was grateful for the extra leg room. After the plane landed, he worried about where the keys to the red pickup truck would be. He certainly didn’t want to pay for a cab, or even worse, call his father and tell him he needed a ride home.
     
    “Daniel!”
     
    Daniel turned his head and saw Carl yelling out the back window of the limo.
     
    “Carl, I was just wondering where the red pickup keys were.”
     
    “You were really going to drive that thing back home?” Carl laughed at the thought. When he saw how serious Daniel was, he stopped.
     
    “Carl, if you’re going to make jokes, I’ll just pay for a cab.”
     
    “No, Daniel. Forgive me, please.”
     
    The ride back to the penthouse was quiet. Daniel tried to close his eyes and rest, not interested in looking at the dirty environment, the people hurrying, and the tall buildings. He definitely wasn’t in the mood for more conversations with Carl. He didn’t dislike the man, as he’d known him his entire life, but he didn’t feel up to fielding questions.
     
    “Here is your wallet, money, and cards, Daniel. In the wallet is the key to your penthouse. Call if you find yourself in need of my assistance. Goodnight.”
     
    Saying goodnight and thank you, Daniel got out of the limo and motioned for the guards to let him into the secured parking structure so he could quietly take the back elevators up to the penthouse. The guards paused, but only briefly. They didn't dare question Mr. Daniel Giordano. There sat his white Lamborghini. He stopped by the car and looked over its shine, its sleekness, and the waste of money. The cost of this one car would provide for Rosie for quite some time. Hell, it would even pay for most of Katherine’s education and a decent car. Tomorrow, I’ll sell it.
     
    He listened to the bland elevator music on the way up to the twenty-fourth floor. Unlocking the door, his first smell was leather. Expensive leather . The fresh air he was exposed to was long gone. He looked out the windows and saw the Empire State Building. I’ve been there only once. Why was this view so important to me? I’d trade this for the view of the rolling meadow any day. The view of Katherine’s face. He walked further around the penthouse that his father had paid tens of millions for. It had been a surprise for Daniel’s birthday. Why do I need five bedrooms or five and a half baths? Why did I think I needed any of this? What I need is gone…
     
     
     
    Daniel sat down on the soft white leather sectional and got his phone out. He looked up the phone number for The Corral. Dialing, he hoped that Andy didn’t pick up the phone. The last thing he needed was for him to worry that he wanted to bring harm to Katherine. I already have.
     
    “Hello?”
     
    Daniel was relieved to hear the boisterous voice coming from the background.
     
    “Stop answering the damn phone like that! This is a business I’m trying to run. What’s the matter with you?”
     
    “Alright already! Thank you for calling The Corral . Can I help you?”
     
    “I wanted to send a note of thanks to the owner. I know his first name is Andy but I’m not sure of