Held By The Ruthless Billionaire

~CHARACTERS~

Ethan Quint is rich, arrogant, possessive, and confident not to mention the fact that he's a mafia boss. Ruthless and dangerous. Two words to describe him.

Cat Grant is shy, primitive, timid not to mention the fact that she's daughter of his biggest rival. The perfect pawn in his game.

The plan seemed simple on first thought, easy and quick to achieve. Use her to get rid of a much bigger problem. Too simple.

Nothing is ever too easy as in the blink of an eye Ethan Quint realized something much bigger. Something he wasn't expecting. A new plot in the game making the tables to be turned but not in his favor. This is where it all begins.

How does it all play out in the end?

!!DISCLAIMER!!

The story contains high use of smut languages, It may also contains sex scenes and violent tendencies.

Kindly Note:

Updates may seem slow at first but this would improve over time. I have a very busy schedule and other books on some other platforms.

You can also check out my book "GIRLFRIEND FOR HIRE" it's completed, so I'm sure binge readers will find it a worthy read.

Enjoy! Much Love, C

**CAT**

My hands are firmly rested on my cheeks, I resist the urge to push my glass up a little while I pretend to listen to some small talk my dad is giving me, it's a good thing he is not right here with me, I might yawn out of boredom. To prove my point, I fiddle with the edge of my nails, roll my eyes a few times and even dance my leg around. Will this torture ever end?

The answer to my question comes shortly as he introduces his closing remarks, those signature words. He talks about boys. Like they have ever been a problem. Tch. With one hand on my nails, I give him another eye roll then toss my shoe aside. I zone out on his final remarks then take a look around. My house is empty except for the pieces of furniture and I look back to my previous birthdays. I take a deep breath then mutter a birthday wish to myself. Happy sweet twenty-three. Today is my birthday and instead of wishes, I got nothing but advice from my absent dad.

My father didn't recall his daughter being born on this day. I'm not surprised, daddy has many more important things to do than worry about me.

I try not to dwell on the pain in the pit of my stomach. As a young adult, I'm not supposed to put much meaning to birthdays, I didn't want something fancy or a huge occasion, a call or one sentence tense would suffice. I will not stretch that far to expect it at midnight, but waking up to one might not have been a bad idea. Guess what I got? Zilch. No one did anything. Then when my cell did ring, I saw his ID and hurriedly clicked answer, he was in the middle of a meeting and had to send them away before speaking to me properly. I have been on the phone for almost thirty minutes, with no mention of a birthday. How pitiful.

Unconsciously, I parted my lips and yawned, he couldn't see me and he sure as hell didn't hear that although I will not mind at this point. I dart my gaze to the clock hovering at the top of the wall. I click my tongue, an excuse pops up in my head and I return to my dad, read to interrupt his lifelong lessons on the evildoers called men.

"I have to go now, dad. I don't want to be late." I spit out as he crosses the top of sex. I'm so glad we did not get there. I'm not going to discuss my sex life with my father. Like I had one anyway. Still, it's not done.

"Alright dear, please don't forget to be careful."

He reminds me of the hundredth time. I roll my eyes, twitching my lips in disbelief. I'm not a kid.

"It's a school for the rich dad. I've survived two years already. I'll be fine."

I set out my reminder then retrieve the phone from my ear, I can almost hear it sigh in relief.

"Bye dear, I love you."

It takes a whole lot of self-control and growth not to scoff at him, shade, or let out that it was my birthday. I simply chuckle then click the send button, toss my phone aside then plop on the couch. I'm late for class.

"So much for a happy birthday."

I murmur as I gathered my things, groaning and complaining to no one in particular, I didn't have anyone to complain to even if I want to. I'm alone in this world.

****

I plug my headset in, playing some music while moving towards my car. I nod my head to the beat of the song, checking the locks in my home once more, courtesy of my dad, I became an extra secure person. Not like anyone is looking to get me, he just acts over the edge, it creeps me out but I got used to it after being with him for a while. College is my escape from his clutch, I dreamt of the day when I get to gather my things and act Independent. I didn't get one hundred per cent of the dream, but at least I got over half.

While in here, my dad keeps a tight lid on me, a close watch and an invisible cage over my body. It sucks.

After a few months, I fought my way into getting my first car. The only thing I'm currently grateful for. I'm a daddy's girl. It's not like I could be anything else. I have no idea where I came from. Babies are supposed to come from a mother and father whereas my mom is just plain non-existent.

As I grew older, I try to ask questions but my dad brushes them off. I try to research but he controls everything about me and it ends up a dead end. I didn't give up, I grew tired. It remains at the back of my mind but the will to search for her just isn't there. My dad reduced it to nothing. I didn't come up empty-handed thought, before he cut me off I managed to find something out.

Two years ago when I got into college, I hired a private investigator and six months later he came back with the same story. The only thing I could find out was her name, Tina Grant. I had no idea how she looks or what happened to her, just two words, her name, her identity. Nothing else. The man who knew it all wants nothing to do with it. At a young age, I learned to accept events, pick up, then move on. I did just that. Occasionally, she pops up in my head and for a second, it wears me down. The thought of her Alive or dead made me uneasy, not knowing drove me crazy and not being able to do anything about it made me feel useless.

Shrugging my mind off depressing thoughts, I pushed my car door open, stepped in and inhaled its sweet musk due to the air freshener embedded in it.

Getting the car was more like the third world war, it took months before he handed the paper, then he hires a driver. I refuse and throw a tantrum. Soon after, he gives in to my demands for that time only. As I ignite the engine, my phone chines notifying me of a text. Only a few persons call or text, so most time I already know who it is. I peak at the lit screen, scanning through the one-line message. It warms my heart. I remove my hand from the ignition, pick my phone up and re-read for clarity. It's just one statement, yet it's more than enough.

*Happy Birthday beautiful, Noel*

My heart did a flip flop staring at the text. Finally, someone remembered my not so special day. I exaggerate a little sometimes, just like earlier; I noted that I didn't know anyone. Well, I know one person in the entire college. He's the only person I speak to, the others are merely a walkthrough. Noel is my study party, that's a thing, he's been like that for a few months. Noel is your typical privileged kid only without the attitude.

If you want a mental picture of him, it's easy. You think of a tall, brown curly, dimpled, and smart boy. That's a little vague, I'll go deeper and say he has the prettiest blue eyes, his hair is sometimes let down, it falls over his face and when his smiles widen at a joke, his dimples go even deeper, you get the picture.

I can't deny it, I may just have a tiny crush on him well not tiny but still, I couldn't help myself. He's the sweetest being.

I closed the screen as well as the car door getting in properly before staring off the engine and driving in the direction of Hart way college.

*****

I arrive shortly later and students are trooping in and out rapidly. My thoughts are of students talking or adding an extra one or two weeks to the break, yet it seems students are as eager to resume as I am for school activities.

The holidays just ended and I spent mine alone. The only time I felt partly better was with Noel keeping me company. My father didn't want me because he will rather go on his numerous business trips. I'm grateful for your life he's provided for me but I still needed a father and he is just a caretaker. He acts like one at least.

I park my car, step out and lock the door inhaling the fresh air. Welcome to Hartway college.

Just then, a bag is placed over my head and a strong figure slowly shoves me into a van or a car I couldn't tell, I was being kidnapped. Scream godamnit!

Like he read my mind, he quickly places a hand over my lips so I will not scream even if I want it.

"You have to come with me. If you want to live."

He says in a gruff voice, at the back of my neck, straight into my ear.

I keep mute, my decision to trust my alleged kidnappers may be questionable. I watch the car drive off wondering how I was just kidnapped without any student noticing.

****

The car drove for a short while then stopped and the bag is placed back on.

"Who are you?"

I shook tenderly asking him a question.

"Your saviour."

He responds leading me somewhere. My hands are not tied, he did not possess a gun nor did he threaten me. Is he saving me? From who or what?

"Saviour, what do I need saving from?!" I voice out my thoughts as he takes the bag off once more.

"From not having the best birthday ever."

He responds and I stood perplexed. What the?

"SURPRISE!"

Loud voices yell and I look forward. Oh, fuck me.

I face my dad and more than fifty people who I'm sure I barely know and about ten which I do yet don't speak more than five words to each semester. I hold my chest trying to control my phobia. I hate surprises and too bad my caretaker has no idea. If he isn't so busy with trips all the time, I might have let him in on this secret. Too late.

"Cat!"

He yells and the room keeps spinning before everything went dark. I slump to the ground catching a few gasps and girly screams before fully passing out.

***

**CAT**

I regain consciousness to the sound of a beeping monitor. My headaches, I feel slightly woozy, forcing my body to get up causing me to stumble slightly. My memory is impaled as I can't recall why I'm in a hospital nor his I got here. There's a slight ringing at the back of my head, I groan in retaliation shifting sideways slightly. It becomes worse once I'm exposed to light, I winced in pain struggling to return to the body.

Once I laid down, I press my eyes as I try to retain a calm demeanour then think of how I got here and why I'm here. Flashes of images rush in and I snap them back open. I remember falling which explains the pain at the back of my head then the loss of time and memory. I remember too many persons crowding me at once causing my fall. Finally, I remember my dad planning the surprise event without caring about my fears, he has no prior knowledge of them in the first place. Speaking of him, I expect someone to lurk around while waiting for me to wake. The room is empty, void of a single soul. No surprise there, once again I'm alone.

I look over at the room, tears brim at the edge of both eyes, the sight before me is depressing. Why didn't he wait for his daughter? Did he give a shit if I live or die? What business is more important than he has to run off, leave me in a strange scenery with no familiar face. I sniffle then bury my face in my palms. I don't get why this hurt so much. It should not. I'm accustomed to this behaviour.

I'm a grown Twenty-three-year-old young adult, I'm not a kid nor a child. I can take care of myself, that starts with checking myself out of this institution. Like skipping my day isn't enough, he ends up guaranteeing I sleep through most of it. It's after two pm if the hospital clock was accurate. I missed classes and college because of him. I kissed Noel.

I move a little but feel a slight pain at the back of my head, another effect of my fall. I'll request pain meds from the pharmacy before leaving.

I manage to stand up, take a seat on the edge of the bed. I struggle to reach my bag, wincing at intervals. When I do, I unfasten the screen and take a look at my notifications.

"At least he sent a text."

I shrug my shoulders, glancing at the title informing me of a text from my father. I swipe it off the screen with an eye roll, I don't feel any remorse for ignoring him, he deserves much more. Besides, I already know what the text contains. A simple apology for ruining my birthday, one I doubt he composed himself having so many employees to cater for his needs. Doesn't matter. He still hurt my feelings.

Unknowingly to him, he made my day worse by throwing me a party. Girls my age ate those parties up, he figures I'm one of them. Another side effect from nog knowing his daughter. I admit it's a nice gesture, I appreciate it but it's not something I'll ever want. A room full of students I don't interact with, people who are fake and will walk past me on any other day.

I'll prefer a quiet day with Noel even if all we did is the seat and not speak a word. His presence is more than enough. After all, in my books, he's the only one who made my day tolerable.

"The same guy whose text you still haven't answered."

My subconscious reminds and my eyes widened. I force my entire weight to move and grab my phone for the second time, the force results in the same pain in my lower back. I ignore it and search for his text.

"How can I be so silly? I should have reacted as soon as I saw it. He'll guess I didn't care about his gesture. Stupid!"

I exclaim while peering at the text for the third time. I flicked my eyes over the words, the reaction remains the same. I shake my head a few times then place both hands on the keypad. How do I say thank you without making a full of myself? Here reaches the hard part.

**I'm sorry I didn't respond. It's been a long day. Thank you for the text, it was lovely. Cat**

I clicked send, place my palms over my face then squeal. That sounded so flat, why did I send that? Oh God, I am dumb. I toss my phone on the bed groaning in frustration. Almost immediately, my phone beeps, a new text came through, can't be from dad, he didn't care that much to send two texts. Maybe, just maybe Noel was waiting for my response. The thought made my heart flutter harder, but I decided not to think over it too much like last time, I quickly opened the text so I can reply,

**It's not a big deal, but I'm a little worried since I didn't see you in class today, is everything alright? Any problems? Or you decided to spend your birthday elsewhere. Lol. Noel**

I sighed before clicking reply. He has no clue. None at all.

**It's a long story that involves my dad. Cat**

I click send once again. Ten seconds later, he sent a reply. He's fast. Is the seating by his phone like I am waiting for a reply?

**That's understandable. Do you Want to talk over it at dinner? Noel.**

My phone slips from my grip nearly hitting the floor. I can't believe my crush is asking me out on a date. It has to be a date because the semester is just resuming, there's no way we're going to be studying. Oh my God! Don't overthink, just reply.

My phone beeps once again and I quickly picked it back up.

**Umm, that was kind of unexpected. It's fine if you don't want to go or you have after plans. Noel.** Is he crazy? Of course, I want to go with him. Just reply to Catherine before something goes wrong.

**I want to. Just tell me when and where. Cat.**

I bit my lips waiting for his response. I start counting seconds eager for a notification from my phone. A minute later, I jump at the tone from my phone.

"Finally!" I exclaim.

**I'll pick you up at your place by six pm. Sounds good? Noel.** I drop the phone then dance around on the bed a little. Shit! Reply!

**Perfect. I'll be ready. Cat.**

I squeal a little excited over my first date. I hope I don't screw it up. I like Noel.

I shift my gaze when the doorknob twisted slowly before opening. I arch my brows wondering who that is. A nurse maybe.

"Darling! Thank goodness. You need to come with me."

My dad says placing his phone on his ears. Seriously? Not how are you Cat? Are you fine? Do you have a mild concussion? He walks in and orders me around. Perfect.

"What! Where?"

"I'll answer those later. We need to go now." He commands, listening to whatever or whoever was speaking to him at the receiving end.

"I don't understand dad. If I'm going back anywhere, it's back to my apartment. Dad."

I state firmly.

"My darling you don't understand...." My darling! He always calls me "my darling" whenever he screws then tried to smoothen it over. Not this time!

"Of course I don't understand. You never tell me anything, you just tell me what to do, how to act and now I'm supposed to follow these orders without question. Right?" His expression informs me of the answer. A hefty yes. Not this time.

"I guarantee you, I'll clarify everything once we get to a safe place. Just listen to me Catherine, we need to go. You need to come with me, it's not safe..."

"Safe? What's coming for us?" I slash him mid-sentence trying to decipher if this was a new technique from him or we are genuinely in danger. I always wave it off as his paranoia, is this real? Is there truly a threat out there?

"Not here. I can't. There's no time." He yanks me back to reality with a short answer. I snap my gaze fully on him. No time? Seriously? Time is all we have. It's all we've had for over two decades and he prefers to neglect it at this point. Typical. He picked the wrong day.

"I'm not going with you dad. I have a date in a few hours. Sort your problems out yourself because I'm a grown-ass woman who can make her own decisions. I decide to go out with a guy I like, you ruined more than half of my birthday, do not be a monster by not letting me enjoy what remains!"

I retort making my stand. I sound bitchy and slightly snappy, I'm on edge and the events of the day are making me feel dizzy. I just want to dress and look fancy then seat across Noel while talking about random shits. Daddy dearest will not obstruct me. There's no danger to my life or his, there hasn't been one for years. It's not shifting now.

******