The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 63

Marcus rushed to the garage. Grabbing the keys to the Mustang he had been driving since his Porsche was still in the shop. The engine roared to life as only an American muscle car could. Shifting it into gear he flew out of the garage narrowly avoiding the guest cars parked around the circular drive. Reaching the highway he floored it willing to pay any ticket if he got to town faster. He didn't breathe easier until he pulled up along the curb outside Regina's apartment complex. But now his heart was practically beating out of his chest. They were up there: Regina and the kids...his kids. "Calm down," Marcus gripped the steering wheel. "Calm down, jeez you don't want to scare them."

Taking a deep breath he finally climbed out of the car. Marcus tried to maintain a calm demeanor walking up to the entrance and held the door for someone on their way out. He used the opportunity to enter the lobby. He thought it before when he brought Regina home but there was no security and the outdoor lock was barely a lock. It made him nervous knowing they were essentially unprotected.

But that would change. He was determined to bring them home tonight. Marcus wasn't sure what rooms to put the kids in but he was certain his grandfather had plenty of ideas. In fact the old man was probably ordering staff all over the place to prepare rooms for them. After all, didn't his grandfather tell him not to come home empty-handed?

With that thought he practically bounded up the stairs. Reaching the right floor he paused once again to catch his breath. Once he collected himself he headed down the hallway to their door. Hesitating Marcus knocked. He could hardly wait to see Gabriella's face when she saw him. She would be so excited. Didn't he promise to come back today?

When his first knock went unanswered he tried again. Again, no answer. Marcus's brow furrowed. He leaned closer to the door. In fact he didn't hear any noise from the apartment. "Excuse me. Can I help you?"

Marcus turned toward the voice to see an older lady hauling a basket of laundry on her hip. She looked at him curiously but also wary. He hesitated. No doubt she had been there when the kids were taken. It probably traumatized the entire building and everyone was wary of strangers.

"I'm looking for Regina."

"Does she know you're coming?"

"Yes, well she doesn't know I was coming today. It's sort of a surprise. I wanted to take her and the kids to the park. Are they not in?"

The woman pressed her lips into a thin line weighing the sincerity of his words. Marcus hoped he looked friendly enough.

"Oh, it's you."

They both turned to see another door was open. A teenage girl stood in front of it eyeing him shyly and he suddenly recalled the young babysitter from his last visit.

"You know this man, Dessi?" the woman asked.

She nodded, "He came home with Regina last week."

The woman looked back at him finally coming to a decision, "They aren't at home. Regina took the kids to see their grandmother."

"Oh..." Marcus frowned fighting his disappointment. "Are they coming back soon?"

"...I'm not sure. They have a lot of packing to do."

"Packing?"

"They are moving to Texas."

"Texas? Why? When?" Marcus suddenly jerked to attention. No, they couldn't, not after he just learned who they were.

"She has an uncle there. He's going to hire her as a secretary."

"Secretary? But she's a singer," Marcus protested.

"I don't know where you are from, young man, but singing doesn't pay the bills and I don't know anyone who would turn down a steady job with benefits."

Marcus gritted his teeth. Why would Regina suddenly decide to move to Texas? Why now? She was a singer. She belonged on stage. But...She was a mother too. Her concern was for taking care of her children. No doubt it was difficult especially considering Gabriella's medical needs. A steady job with health benefits would be a godsend.

Dignity is a small price to pay. Regina said that. If dignity was cheap why not dreams? He couldn't let her do that. She deserved to live her dream.

He was here now. He could help. Gabriella would be taken care of; all the kids would be taken care of. She would be able to pursue her dreams without worry. He had to find them.

Glancing at his informer he nodded, "Thank you. Do you know where her mother lives?"

The woman gave a small shake of her head. She seemed to hesitate before saying, "Although she's probably at her job now. She's a housekeeper."

Marcus nodded and turned back the way he had come. He slowly descended the stairs. Almost robotically he headed to his car. What was he going to do now? He couldn't just wait for them. Glancing around he noticed his car was getting quite a few looks. He was attracting a lot of unneeded attention. If only he knew where they had gone...

Her mother works for the Stantons.

The Stantons...

Lucas...

Marcus stiffened. Pulling out his phone he paged through his contacts. It had to be there.

Yes!

His finger landed on Lucas's name. Tapping it he waited for the ring before bringing the phone to his ear. It was several rings before it picked up.

"...Lucas Stanton."

"Lucas? It's Marcus."

"Marcus? Oh, Marcus! What's up?"

"Where do you live?"

"What?"

"I mean, your housekeeper. Would she still be at your house or is she done for the day?"

"Oh, Ulima? Ah yeah, she's probably still there. Sarah's working on her book so she needs extra help with the kids. Why?"

"Because I need to talk to her daughter. They're probably at your house. So...can you send me the address?"

Lucas was silent for a moment. Marcus could almost imagine him slowly weighing his words. His answer however took Marcus by surprise, "So...you've finally decided to get out of the boat."

"What?" Marcus froze recalling their last conversation about pearl divers and felt his face warm. He could almost see Lucas smirking.

"Astoria," Lucas said with a chuckle. "The house is in Astoria. I'll text you the exact address."

"Thanks."

"Oh, Marcus..."

"Yeah?"

"Good for you."

With that he hung up. Marcus fought a smile and his embarrassment. Now if only Regina was willing to give him a chance. Hopefully she would hear him out. His phone chimed with a new message. Opening it he saw it was from Lucas with the promised address. Practically leaping into his car Marcus inputted the address into the phone's GPS before pulling away in a hurry. Fighting traffic Marcus was on the edge of his seat.

Please, let them be there. Please.

Even before the GPS chimed to tell him he had reached his destination he spotted a car that was now familiar to him. Pulling up behind it he stepped out and stood at the driver's door to confirm. When he saw the three car seats in the back of the teal monstrosity he breathed a sigh of relief. Marcus clenched his jaw as he looked over the vehicle again. The first thing he was going to change was this. Regina would not be driving this death trap any longer. But before that he had to convince her to stay.

Taking a deep breath Marcus headed for the front door. He still had no idea what he was going to say. Trembling he raised his hand and knocked.