Stolen: An Alpha Billionaire Romance (Heists & Hearts Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to the news articles. There are lots of stories about him buying positions in companies and then gutting them before selling them at a profit. My initial assessment of him being an asshole appears to be confirmed.
    Dirk St. James. I can’t really grasp his wealth and what it means to me. That he has just strong-armed me into calling him also confuses me. On the one hand I’m pissed. The rich bastard used his connections to disrupt my life just to get me to do what he wanted. On the other hand, he wants me. That’s… kind of exciting.
    Dirk St. James. I don’t want to call him by his name. He should remain nameless. A wild one night stand. I wonder if I could handle having him be my friend with benefits. Do billionaires do that? Or is it just the benefits without the friend part? Even as I think it over, I know the answer: Dirk St. James doesn’t need more friends.
    I’m still walking through the station when my cell phone rings. The caller ID shows as “private.” I normally wouldn’t answer, but the day has gone so strangely already that I’m pretty much prepared for anything.
    “Hello?” I answer, not so much as a greeting but as a question.
    “Ms. Benson?”
    “Speaking.”
    “My name is Roger Sayles, and I would like to discuss the investigative work that you will be doing for Dirk St. James.” I’m quiet, and Sayles continues, his voice full of uncertainty. “I’m sorry, I was told that the mayor talked to you. You are aware that Dirk St. James has hired you to investigate a private matter?”
    I can’t help but laugh. “No, the mayor did not talk to me. Neither did the chief of police or the precinct captain. Don’t worry, though, my sergeant talked to me, so I got the message.”
    “Ah, good. Rest assured that this case will not affect your police work.” 
    “I understand,” I reply. “I also understand that this isn’t optional.”
    “Oh, this is entirely optional, Ms. Benson.”
    “Right. Tell that to the mayor, the chief of police, the captain, or my own sergeant.”
    “I apologize if that is their understanding, Ms. Benson, but it is wrong. The intent was solely to clear away any potential roadblocks to you being able to do the work if you wanted to.”
    “Yeah, that may have been your intent, but the result is that I’m now stuck with this job.” I’m bitter, and I don’t mind showing it. I hate when someone describes something as voluntary when it is no such thing. 
    “That’s unfortunate, Ms. Benson, but perhaps you’ll think differently when you hear about the case.”
    “I doubt it,” I reply. Everything about what has happened annoys me. I’m annoyed that Dirk didn’t call me himself. I’m annoyed that he called the mayor to force me to do what he wanted. I’m annoyed that I think he can’t possibly truly be interested in me.
    “I am texting you an address. Please be there at seven o’clock. I believe your shift is over at six.” Of course he knows when my shift is over. It is just one more piece of information for Dirk to buy.
    “Great. Looking forward to it.” I didn’t work too hard to cover the sarcasm in my voice. “So what do you look like or are you going to come track me down as I wander around the address?”
    “Oh, I won’t be meeting you, Ms. Benson. That’s Mr. St. James’ office. He’ll meet you directly.” 

    DIRK
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    She looked annoyed, and it turned me on even more than seeing her in a tank top and tights at the gym. When you spur the horse, the ride may be rougher but you get to the destination faster. I was looking forward to a wild ride. 
    I strode over to her. “Jill, I’m so glad you came.” She looked at me, and there it was—a spark of desire. That it was quickly clouded over by a frown didn’t matter.
    “I didn’t have a choice, Mr. St. James.” We’re in the lobby of my office, which is in Victory Park. It’s a large building that I own, with a number of my businesses operating there. A number of people stop