Page 1 of The Billionaire's Secret
Chapter One
Locke
“Anindiscretionwouldindicatesomething improper happened,” I respond to my grandmother’s lecture on my missing morals.“There’s nothing wrong with two consenting adults engaging in wall banging sex.Or floor banging.”
She doesn’t smile at my attempt at humor.“You’veconsentedenough to develop quite the reputation.”
“It’s idle gossip.”I sit on the sofa and rub the back of my neck to ease the ache from work stress I’ve been dealing with for the last few weeks.
“Your latestidle gossipapproached me while I was dining at The Royal Crown and Garden.”Her expression is stony.“With an asinine giggle she introduced herself as the one you love and said she’s my future granddaughter-in-law.”
“She’s lying.”I hate lies.Especially when they’re used to excuse so-called love that turns men into selfish bastards and makes children live with the consequences.
Rising from the executive chair behind my desk, my grandmother moves to stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.Though my office isn’t as big as the one my brother Theo uses, it still boasts the Montclair touch of expensive leather furniture and high-value art.
My grandmother silently observes the view.For the past few weeks Laketon Heights has enjoyed blue skies and sunny days.But today, raindrops merge on the windows and run in narrow trails down the glass.
She turns back to face me.“She told me if I wanted her to go away quietly,I should give her a substantial amount of money or else.”
I pity anyone who tries to force my grandmother’s hand using threats of blackmail.It never ends well for them.She obliterates opponents without breaking a sweat.
“And?”
“She quickly recognized her mistake and then I made it clear to the woman that you’re engaged.”
I stare at her.“That’s news to me,” I say calmly.“Who is this supposed fiancée?”
“Poppy Perry.I ran into her at the Global Business Icons meeting last week.”
I frown.“Wait…Poppy?The woman you told Theo to marry?”My brother managed to thwart that union by faking a relationship with a woman he fell for and ended up marrying.
“Yes, Poppy.She’s still interested in a match.It doesn’t matter to her which one of the Montclairs she marries.”
“It matters to me,” I say.“I’ve never wanted to strip off her panties and go at her against a wall.”
A heavy silence descends.
I don’t usually clash with my grandmother.I respect her not only as family but for the balls-to-the-wall way she built the Montclair empire when men told her it couldn’t be done.Some called her a dreamer.Then they called her ruthless.Like my brothers, I call her a kingdom maker.
“Your impending wedding announcement isn’t the sole reason for my visit.I’ve appointed you as the CEO of our luxury resorts.I want you to fix the problematic ones.”
“I don’t want it,” I say firmly.
“Become the CEO and make those resorts profitable or marry Poppy.”
“Option C,” I say.
“Not on the table.”
“Then I officially decline.”
“You’re fired and I will make that official if I need to.”
She holds my gaze without blinking.Not bluffing.
Fuck.She’s got me by the short hairs.Though people assume I’m part of the family business because I have no choice, that’s not true.This company means the world to me and I never want to leave it.
Trying to buy myself time, I say, “I’ll need to find a new assistant first.”
