Hawke: Christmas in Paradise (Billionaire Boys Club)

by Ellie Masters

  “Seems like it’s exactly the time, when one of your torrid affairs affects our business.” Her long fingernails click on the glass tabletop. “I suppose I understand now why you rejected their proposal.”

  What’s this? My stomach does all kinds of swooping looping maneuvers, making me clutch the back of the chair or risk falling over.

  “I rejected it before…” Hawke clears his throat and locks stares with his mother as she lifts an imperious finger and cuts him off.

  “Before you slept with her? Is that what you’re going to say?” She shakes her head with disappointment.

  “Before I met her.” His eyes pinch. “Do not test me.”

  I’m getting wicked bad vibes between Hawke and his mother. It’s feral and rotten.

  “Never could keep it in your pants.” Her derisive snort curls my fingers. I want to gouge her eyes out for speaking to Hawke like that.

  Mrs. Sterling turns her attention to me. “Hawke toys with his playthings, Miss Hayes, but tires of them all too quickly. I doubt you lasted more than one night. If you thought to insert yourself into his bed to receive preferential terms, your efforts came to naught. As for you, Mr. Aiken, while this project has some degree of merit, the business plan behind it is bungled beyond repair. It’s true. My son wanted to drop the project altogether. You’re here at my behest, but I must say after your vulgar use of profanity, I won’t do business with you at all. You just cost your associate,” she makes a dismissive wave in my general direction, “millions.” She sneers as she says the words while I stagger.

  Millions?

  All color drains from Scott’s face as she dresses him down.

  “And as cute as it is to see a girl supported by her brothers, a woman doesn’t need men to protect her interests. That alone is reason to dismiss this project altogether. I can’t bear weak women.”

  I’m about ready to fly across the conference table and claw her eyes out.

  “I’m not weak.” Finally, my voice finds itself. I can’t get beyond that question. “You say Hawke, um Mr. Sterling, rejected our proposal, then claim you’re the one who asked us to come. You see merit in what we bring to the table. A shrewd business woman wouldn’t dismiss that. Or did you bring me here to humiliate me? Or maybe your son?”

  “You give me far too much credit, my dear. This is the first I’m hearing about your little dalliance with my son.” Her focus swivels back to Hawke. “No surprise, this was at Euphoria. Again—terribly disappointing, but not unexpected. My son, Miss Hayes, likes to play with his toys. You may not have known who he was, but I’m certain he knew exactly who he invited into his bed.”

  I roll my shoulders back, hating the way she speaks to me and my brothers, but more than anything, I despise the way she dresses down her son in public. Hawke doesn’t deserve that.

  “Mrs. Sterling, you can degrade those who work for you until the cows come home, but I refuse to stand here and have you talk to me like a child, or worse—one of your son’s disposable flings. What happened between us, is frankly none of your concern. As for MindScapeVR, it’s a solid investment. Spectacular in fact. We’ve tested it in aged-care facilities, and it shows remarkable progress in slowing, halting, and even reversing the signs of dementia. I did that. My team accomplished that. My virtual reality simulation brings adaptive mental challenges to those individuals. You may want nothing to do with investing in my company, but others will. And when you see them profiting off something you walked away from, you’ll regret not getting in on the ground floor. Good day.” Ready to march out of the room, Gideon’s words halt me in my tracks.

  “Not to mention the applications it has in construction.” Gideon’s steady baritone rolls right through the tense silence. “That’s why we’re putting five million of our own capital into Quinn’s project.” Something happens to my heart. I clutch my chest, waiting for it to beat again. Gideon places his hand on my shoulder and gives a firm squeeze, telling me to hold myself together.

  Five million?

  We’ve never discussed the family investing in my project. I would never put them in the position where they had to refuse me. Five million is half of what we need to get started.

  Half.

  Surely, I can scrounge up the other five million elsewhere?

  It’s a surprise how well I keep it together, but the wheels in my head spin like a hamster in a hamster wheel. We’re not dead in the water as I feared.

  “Thank you for your time, but MindScapeVR is no longer interested in any capital investment from SVC Inc.” I hate leaving. It feels like I’m walking out on Hawke for the second time. All I want is to run to him and fold into his embrace, but he’s not sending any signals I’d be welcome in his arms.

  In fact, he stands ramrod stiff. The muscles of his jaw clench as his astute gaze pins me in place. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but the smoldering looks and the heat which licked between us, is still there, stronger than ever before. I know I’m not imagining it.

  It doesn’t help one bit that I walked away from him. From us. This feels incredibly final.

  Gideon releases me, which allows me to complete my dramatic exit. I storm out while Scott remains sitting, struck dumb by our conversation.

  With my brothers at my back, I exit the room, leaving ten million in venture capital investment on the floor. We head past the library where Tom sits in conference with the rest of Mrs. Sterling’s team.

  “We’re leaving.” I wave him out.

  “Leaving?” Tom stands, surprise scrawls all across his face. “But?” He gives the suits in the room another quick look, then stands and joins me in the hall. “Where’s Scott?”

  “Who cares. He ruined this for us.”

  That may not be entirely fair. My illicit affair with Mrs. Sterling’s son ruined things as much as Scott not keeping a lid on his foul mouth. We stand at the elevator, waiting for it to take us back down to the garage.

  “What was that?” I turn to my brothers and crane my neck

  “What was what?” Gideon can’t help the idiotic grin on his face. “Did we forget to tell you?”

  “There’s no way Hayes Construction is putting five million into a VR startup, but I appreciate the support.”

  “Damn thing’s taking forever.” Brett stabs at the elevator call button.

  Steven and Ian remain suspiciously quiet, rocking back on their heels and exchanging smug expressions. My gaze darts between them, jumps to Brett, and finally lands on Gideon.

  “You made it all up.” I expect him to give in and admit he was posturing the whole time.

  The elevator arrives and the doors hiss open. Tom keeps looking between me and my brothers.

  “What happened back there? I’m assuming we didn’t get the funding.”

  “Well, maybe not the ten million you wanted, but you have half.” Gideon steps into the elevator and crosses his arms. We all pile in behind him. “I made none of it up, sis.”

  “What do you mean, we got half?” Confusion spins in Tom’s eyes. “They gave us five million? That’s not enough for what we need.” He scratches his head. “I guess there are a few other options out there. We can canvas for smaller investors. It means more hands in the pot. More opinions…” His voice trails off in thought.

  Poor Tom. He’s trying to figure it all out.

  “Gideon was just posturing back there.” I still don’t believe him. “Hayes Construction doesn’t have that kind of capital to risk on a startup.”

  The elevator doors begin to close, but then Scott jogs up and shoves his arm between the closing doors.

  “Well, look who it is.” I roll my eyes. “You really screwed the pooch on that one Scott. Did it ever occur to you to keep your damn mouth shut?”

  “Did you know who he was when you fucked him?” Scott points an accusatory finger at me.

  “Whoa.” Ian reaches out, grabs Scott’s finger, and gives it a hefty twist.

  Scott cries out and jerks his hand free. He backs down as St
even, Brett, and Gideon puff out their chests. The testosterone level in this cramped elevator escalates a thousand-fold.

  “You probably don’t want to speak to our sister like that,” Ian says. “Especially after you fucked her best friend. I think who she sleeps with is no longer your concern.”

  Tom glances at me, his eyes widening.

  “Not that your question deserves an answer.” I feel a need to explain. Not to Scott, but rather to my lead engineer and maybe my brothers. Tom doesn’t deserve any of this. “I didn’t know who Hawke was when we met. As for the rest, it’s none of your business. You lost the right to it being your business when you fucked Sadie after proposing to me. And as for the rest of this, I’m not sure what they thought about the business plan, except they were willing to back us with some kind of contingency surrounding that. As far as I see it, you’re no longer a part of this project.”

  “I own the company.”

  “Correct. You’re right about that, but after you threw that in my face, I looked up our charter documents. The company is yours, but the IP rights are mine.” I’m nearly certain this is true. Honestly, I’m bluffing my way through this. I never really read our company’s articles of incorporation, trusting it all to Scott’s capable hands.

  But he slips. The shocked expression on his face tells me I nailed it on the head. Damn, but that feels amazing. I may not have the funds to push forward with my project, but it’s still mine. As for losing the venture capital, Tom and I will figure something out.

  Not Scott.

  “Does this mean he’s no longer my boss?” Tom’s gaze bounces between us.

  “Only if you quit.” I shrug. “But I’m pretty sure I’m going to need a lead engineer. It’s up to you if you want to jump ship.” I leave it unsaid that I’ll be making the same offer to all our employees.

  Well, all but Sadie.

  “You wouldn’t do that.” Scott’s mouth opens and closes as he struggles to add more to whatever it is he wants to say. Fortunately, we’re spared whatever it is as the elevator doors open.

  Gideon rushes me out of the elevator, putting distance between me and Scott.

  “Give me a call when you get home. We’ll talk.” I give a little wave to Tom.

  “Will do.” Tom makes a beeline away from Scott who remains sputtering where we leave him.

  “Damn, I didn’t think this would be that entertaining.” Brett huffs a laugh. “I’m glad we decided to come with you today. Little sister’s got some spunk in her. Well done, Quinney.”

  Although I didn’t ask for it, I appreciate their support. However, I agree with Mrs. Sterling on one little bit. I shouldn’t cower behind the protection of my brothers. I’m twenty-five, a grown woman, and no longer their baby sister.

  “Did that really just happen?” I rub my hand down my face and squeeze my eyes shut. Now that we’re no longer in that conference room, all that adrenaline racing through my body has nowhere to go. My entire body shakes. Fine tremors settle in my hands, making my fingers move on their own.

  My eyes open and I take a deep breath, only to find Hawke casually leaning against our SUV.

  Dressed in his tailored suit, he commands an impressive presence. He’s as tall as my muscular brothers, but his body isn’t hewn from hard physical labor like theirs. Not that it matters. There’s a certain gravitas about him, and he doesn’t back down before the united front my brothers present. His stormy gaze takes in my brothers, and he takes a step forward, advancing rather than retreating.

  My knees wobble beneath his stony expression. Muscles bounce in the clenching of his jaw. It begins as a twitching at the corners, then breaks across his face into a massive shit-eating grin. His smile, while arrestingly gorgeous, confuses the hell out of me.

  “Miss Hayes, I want to kiss you.” The look in his eyes says that’s not all he wants.

  “You’re not touching one hair on her head.” Gideon steps in front of me.

  “How did you get down here before us?” I glance around Gideon’s blocky frame. We left Hawke in the conference room with his mother.

  “Executive elevator.” He hitches his thumb over his shoulder. “It’s an express to the garage, very private.” Straight nose and strong jaw, his face is an expressionless void. At least until that smile reaches his eyes, fanning their golden glow into a lusty flame.

  The desire brimming in his eyes stops me in my tracks. Slowly, I take a moment to reacquaint myself with his hardened features and his expressive face with its sun-kissed glow. His infectious smile widens and deepens the crinkles at the corners of his golden eyes. Breathtaking is too weak of an adjective to describe him.

  But beneath the smile, turbulent emotions simmer on the verge of boiling over. My palms slick with nervous perspiration, forcing me to rub them against my skirt. It’s been less than a week since we saw each other, but it feels like a lifetime. I miss him. My body aches for him. Our chemistry is hard at work, electrifying the air between us.

  “You left my mother speechless, and I have to say it’s the first time that’s happened. I don’t think anyone’s ever had the balls to storm out on her. You’re fearless, and damn, I’ve missed you.” He spreads out his arms, urging me into his embrace. “Don’t make me beg, Quinn. You belong right here.” He thumps on his chest and holds his arms outstretched.

  My brother's protective shield, however, remains firmly in place. They have questions about Hawke and what he wants with their baby sister.

  Thirty-Three

  Hawke

  Quinn didn’t lie about her brothers. They shield and protect her from what they see as a threat. Which I am. I have every intention of taking her and making her mine. They know I’ve had my hands on their baby sister, and it pisses them off. That hatred simmering in their eyes is real.

  When they don’t budge, I weigh my options. Pushing could lead to a more physical confrontation. The odds are stacked against me, but I don’t run from a challenge.

  With Quinn hovering behind the largest of her brothers, I take a step forward. Not back. There’s no running from this. No backing down. A quick flick with my fingers, and my jacket button comes undone. I take it off, fold it in half, and drape it over the SUV. Slowly, with my eyes on Quinn the entire time, I unfasten my cuffs and methodically roll up my sleeves. I’m making a statement, not afraid of this confrontation turning physical.

  “You can stand aside, or not. Either way, I’m taking Quinn.” For the first time, I acknowledge Gideon. “Your sister belongs to me now.” And I’m stepping up to the plate.

  Gideon’s chest puffs out, then he reaches for Quinn. He pushes her solidly behind him, and fixes me with a glare. “I’d like to see you try.” He cocks his head toward his brothers, who form a Hayes brothers’ protective wall.

  I tilt my head side to side, loosening up.

  “Quinn, don’t make me repeat myself.” I will have her by my side, then we’re going to have a nice long talk. The moment she peeks around her brother’s shoulder, I beam in victory, but there goes Gideon again.

  Shifting and blocking my view.

  Keeping her from me.

  Not keen on a fight with her brothers, I will if it comes down to it. I firm my stance, refusing to back down. My attention latches onto Quinn.

  “What’s it going to be, Miss Hayes? You want a brawl or…?” I spread my arms out again. Not as wide, but certainly conveying my intentions.

  She peeks out from behind her eldest brother.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you’re the CEO of SVC Inc.? What were you trying to prove?” Accusation hangs heavy in her voice.

  “Technically, I’m the CEO of Sterling Enterprises. I thought you knew the whole time. You wouldn’t be the first woman who used me to get what she wanted.” The corner of my mouth ticks up, and I promptly erase that flicker of amusement.

  “I had no idea, but you did. You knew the whole time.”

  “I did.”

  “I never used you, Hawke. What we had…”

>   “Have.” I correct her and take another step toward the Hayes Brother Blockade. I’m not kidding about taking her. It’s only been a few days, but it feels like an eternity to me. I’ve had a lot of time to think things through.

  “Have?” She sounds confused. “We don’t have anything anymore.”

  This conversation wanders into dangerous territory. Time to reel her back in. Back to me.

  “Imagine my surprise when I realized you didn’t know who I was, that you weren’t using me to get what you wanted. What we have is real, and you’re not going to walk away from me again. Now, come out from behind your brothers where we can talk like civilized humans.” Not sure how wise it is to issue commands in front of her brothers; I’m taking a risk, but I know how she responds to me when I do. I want her to remember what it was like in my bed. The flush in her cheeks tells me she does.

  “Was any of it real?” Her whisper is so low, I have to lean forward to hear her. “Were you stringing me along because you thought I was using you?”

  “Is that really the question you want to ask right now?” We need to get to that but now’s not the time. “Did it feel like I was using you? And need I remind you that you walked out on me?”

  “Answer her!” Gideon practically shouts, but I ignore him.

  “I’ll answer all her questions—” I pointedly ignore Gideon, “but not while you hide behind your brothers.”

  “What do we have to talk about?” She glances back to the elevator, and I know what she’s thinking. SVC Inc. isn’t investing in her company. Unless she finds the capital she needs, her dream will never get off the ground. Fortunately, I have a solution.

  “Us for starters.”

  “There’s no us.”

  “You ran before we could work that out. I’m here to rectify that error. As for the other bit, I have some thoughts about MindScapeVR.” I lift my chin toward her brothers. “Are you really investing five million into her company?”

  “We are.” Gideon’s reply is not only nearly instantaneous but filled with pride.