Free The Billionaire’s Valiant Rescue by Nic Saint

told.”
    Fat lot of good the ten grand his cousin had promised him for this ‘operation’ would do him if it landed his ass in prison. On the other hand, if he’d never have to set eyes on Jeannine again, it might be worth it. And in prison he could probably paint as much as he wanted without being disturbed by deranged would-be kidnappers.
    For a few blissful moments he mused on the roseate picture of devoting his life to his art, the burden of his livelihood generously taken over by the state.
    Then he thought better of it. With his luck, he’d probably have to share his cell with Seth, and knowing his psychologically unbalanced cousin, he’d never let him live it down.
    He directed a pleading look heavenward. Oh, God, he thought. Why have you forsaken thy humble servant?
    Before the good Lord could put in a reply, Jeannine intruded on his musings. “Yes,” the crazy bitch croaked. “One good blow to the head should do the trick. Make him think twice about poking his nose into our business.”
    “What about the dog?”
    She shrugged. “Get rid of the mutt.”
    His eyes went wide. He liked dogs. “You mean… permanently?”
    “Off course permanently, bird brain.” A cruel grin spread across her hideous features. “And perhaps we can extend the courtesy to Jack Carter as well. That way he’ll never bother us again.”
    Rainer slowly turned his head. Was she serious? Judging from the vicious glint in her eye, she was.
    “Look, I didn’t sign up for this, Jeannine. Kidnapping? Fine. But murder?” He shook his head adamantly. “That’s a whole other business altogether.”
    Jeannine gave him a mean stare. “You’re not just short on brains, you’re a lily-livered piece of chicken-shit as well.” She tossed her gray mane. “Fine. I’ll do it. So you don’t have to get your delicate little hands dirty.”
    He shrugged. He was used to her vile tongue by now, and as long as he didn’t have to get involved, she could do whatever she wanted.
    “Fucking billionaire,” she raged. “We should string him up on the highest tree for all the world to see, along with the rest of his parasite breed.”
    Rainer frowned. Billionaire? Then it dawned on him. “Jack Carter is the Jack Carter? The billionaire?”
    Jeannine cackled. “Welcome to earth, bird brain. Of course he’s the Jack Carter.” She rubbed her hands together with obvious glee. “Let’s kill us a billionaire tonight, shall we?”
    Rainer shivered involuntarily. Killing Jack Carter would open up a huge can of worms, he just knew it.
    “I don’t think—”
    “Shut up! You know what?” She jabbed at the door handle, and shoved open the passenger door, then gave him a vicious push. “Get the fuck out of my car. If you’re not gonna cooperate, buzz off.”
    “But—”
    “I don’t care if you’re Seth’s cousin. My God. I’ve never met anyone like you for whining and moping and generally pissing me off!”
    Shaking his head at so much vileness, Rainer finally shifted his bulk so he could exit the car. Jeannine’s boot in his rear did the rest, and five seconds later he was standing on the sidewalk while Jeannine slammed the door shut again and gave him the finger.
    Morosely but secretly happy, he started down the street, his hands shoved into his pockets and his head down.
    When he’d reached the corner, he glanced over his shoulder at Jack Carter’s house, then decided to put the whole sordid business out of his head, and walked away.

Chapter 17

    Magali Chambers, Jack’s housekeeper, let her gaze drift across the kitchen, only to find its gleaming surfaces, neatly arranged cupboards and polished hardwood floor returning her scrutiny and meeting her expectations. Even the shelf with Jack’s Disney figurines, presiding over the window, was spotless, as was Rufus’s placemat with his water and food bowls placed near the kitchen door.
    In Jack’s absence she never allowed the house to gather a single mote of dust or sliver of