A Suave Billionaire's Secret Life

Billionaire Mitch Prescott’s secret life was his escape from the glamorous lifestyle he was expected to live, but he never dreamed his underground-fighter alter ego would lead him to the woman of his dreams. Rescuing Kelsey St. James from a mugger in a shadowy Bronx alley sparked an undeniable bond—one he’s determined to protect by hiding his wealth, fearing her past heartbreaks from affluent men will push her away. He’ll tell her the truth once he’s shown her that he’s different from the men in her past—that’s the plan, at least.

Kelsey sees Mitch as the perfect everyday hero—strong, charming, and refreshingly real. Their connection, from adrenaline-fueled moments at ringside to tender confessions under starry skies, build a chemistry that's electric and pure. But when his billionaire status explodes into the open at a glittering charity gala, surrounded by princesses and pretenders, Kelsey's trust crumbles. Handsome saviors from alleys aren't always what they seem, and this revelation stings like betrayal.

Honesty might be the best policy, but sometimes the truth hurts. With Kelsey set to leave for Africa and old insecurities resurfacing, will she let Mitch explain and fight for their future, or will she close her heart forever, leaving paradise unclaimed?

Kelsey St. James pulled her cardigan closed, hugging her body for warmth. Her sensible ballet flats padded silently down the sidewalk of a road littered with garbage. Run-down apartment buildings towered overhead and lined either side of the street. A simple faux leather purse hung at her side, its strap resting diagonally across her chest. It slapped her hip with each hurried step she took.

A man wearing a stained and wrinkled trench coat stepped out of the shadows of a seedy looking alley between two of the buildings she approached. Black, greasy hair curled up from beneath a stocking cap covered in filth. He wasn’t much taller than her five-foot, eight-inch frame, but what he lacked in height he made up for in boldness. From the smell of him, Kelsey imagined that he must have spent the better part of the day napping in one of the rusty dumpsters sitting in the alley.

He invaded her space with an outstretched hand. “I’m trying to get home. Got any money?”

Shocked by his forwardness, Kelsey stepped back until she bumped into the corner of the apartment building. She clutched her purse to her chest. “I’m sorry, but I don’t carry cash.”

The man’s eyes darkened as a menacing sneer crept onto his face. “Why don’t you open up your purse and prove it.”

Kelsey’s heart leapt into her throat when he pulled a long-bladed knife from his coat. He used his body to block the weapon from view of anyone happening to drive down the street. Her lungs pumped air in and out of her chest at a frantic pace, but she still couldn’t catch her breath.

“Take it. Just take the whole purse and go.”

“It’s not that easy. I’m going to prove you out to be a liar. Step into my office.” The blade glinted in the light of the streetlamps as they flickered to life for the night. Pressing its pointed tip into her ribs, he wrapped the grimy fingers of his other hand around her arm.

Jagged, yellow fingernails snagged the delicate fibers of her sweater when he slung her up against one of the buildings lining the alley. Her stomach twisted with panic. Dread filled her heart as she realized she was about to become the latest crime statistic in the Bronx—the burning question in her mind was, which crime? With eyes darting from side to side, she searched for a way of escape.

“Let’s have the bag.” Placing the knife dangerously close to her heart, he caught the purse strap with the edge and sliced through it with a flick of his wrist. Tearing the bag open, he rifled through it until his fingers landed on her wallet at the bottom. He threw her purse to the ground, sending its contents rolling across the alley. “Now for the goodies,” he said.

Rage flashed across his face when he popped her wallet clasp open. “What is this?” His ragged voice shook her to the core. “It’s empty.”

“I-I told you. I don’t carry cash.”

He slammed her wallet to the ground. “Well, we’re about to have a problem then, aren’t we?”

“Yes, we are.” A deep, masculine voice called out a challenge from a short distance down the alley. “Walk away, and you won’t get hurt.”

Kelsey craned her neck to get a look at the speaker, but he was hidden from her line of sight by a dumpster leaking a stomach-turning soup of putrid liquid.

Her mugger turned on the man, concealing his weapon in the shadows. “Nobody likes a hero. Walk away and you won’t get hurt.”

“Not happening.” The confidence in the man’s steady voice made it clear he wasn’t going anywhere. Kelsey placed a hand on her stomach, clutching her shirt with white knuckles.

“You want to do this? Come on, let’s go,” said the greasy-haired man in front of her.

Kelsey’s heart thundered in her ears as her rescuer stepped into view. A single, yellowed incandescent bulb from across the alley illuminated his chiseled features. His square jaw line was set with determination as he pinned her attacker with a no-nonsense glare. He squared his broad shoulders, taking a defensive posture as the criminal stepped toward him, his powerful build leaving a long shadow along the cracked pavement beneath his feet.

“He’s got a knife!” Kelsey screeched a warning the moment the thief whipped his blade out and lunged for the stranger who was risking it all to save her.

The newcomer was all business as one of his powerful hands took control of the man’s attacking limb with a vice grip on the wrist. With the other, he struck the mugger’s grimy shoulder open-palmed, driving him backward. This superhero-esque New Yorker sidestepped his assailant and came in behind him. Every move was so fast that Kelsey wasn’t quite sure how it had happened, but the violent man’s arm was now locked into a merciless submission hold.

She clapped her hands over her mouth when her rescuer let loose with a wild flurry of knee strikes. The trapped man’s legs finally gave out, bringing him to his knees. Relief washed over her at the metallic clatter of the knife hitting the ground. Her new favorite person in all the world landed a final, savage blow to the man’s ribcage before shoving him to the side and securing the blade.

The defeated man in the trench coat scrambled away as best he could. He stumbled off into the darkness, leaving Kelsey alone in the alley with her good Samaritan.

Her breath caught in her throat when he rushed up to her, concern coloring his handsome face.

“Are you all right?”

Kelsey couldn’t form a single word as his bear-like hands came to rest on her upper arms. Finally, she sucked in a deep, shaky breath. “Kelsey. I’m Kelsey.”

Her cheeks flushed when his concern melted into a smile, amusement flickering in his green eyes. “Nice to meet you, Kelsey. I’m Mitch.”