Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: Against the Billionaire's Will (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Love Against Odds Book 3)

by Mandy Harbin

“So how could he be sure it was her father she was talking to?”

  “Er.” The officer looked to his boss and glanced at Dawson again. “Because Sid is six and half feet tall with long braided hair. Always wears a leather vest. Hard to mistake him for anyone else.”

  The urge to run after her was almost too powerful to ignore, but Dawson knew when to bring in men more equipped to handle dangerous situations. He didn’t care about that needle. He cared about Brindle. He pulled out his cell phone and hit the number to his head of security. Without greeting he said, “I need everything you have on Sid Attree, Jr. Brindle Attree is missing and was last seen with him and an unidentified man. I want her found. Now.” He hung up without waiting for a reply, and turned to the sheriff. “I want every employee here questioned, starting with Trent Presley.”

  “Look, mister, Brindle Attree is the boss at this ranch. She knows the ins and outs. Word around town is you might be closing down this place, which means her days are numbered here. Makes sense for her to snatch a little prize of her own to make some cash. Not easy getting a job around here.”

  “She’s not a criminal,” he said with a calm he’d crafted over years of dealing with ruthless businessmen.

  “But her daddy is. She was seen with him, and you have a horse missing. Like I said, this don’t look good.”

  Dawson leaned in really close, almost nose-to-nose with the man. “My grandfather left this ranch to Brindle. She has no reason to steal from herself. Now if I have to tell you again to find Trent Presley, I will have your job. Do you understand me?”

  The older man’s face turned red and he sputtered before saying, “All right.” He turned quickly and stormed off, the younger officer hot on his heels.

  Worry and impatience warred within him, and he couldn’t sit still waiting on answers. He waved at one of the ranch hands. He needed a ride back to the house to get his SUV. But he also knew he needed help right now. He dug out his cell phone again and hit the number he hardly ever called.

  “Yeah?”

  “Gage. I need your help. It’s personal.”

  It was very, very personal indeed.

  Chapter Nine

  Brindle’s head ached, but she didn’t dare look up. She stared at the drying blood on her sleeve and listened to her father and Trent argue about what to do next. She should’ve known Trent was part of this. She got the feeling that they hadn’t intended on taking her, but she’d shown up while they were at the house, going through Dawson’s things, looking for money and anything of value. She hadn’t heard them say anything about the horse, and she had to fight to keep from asking.

  “I say we ransom her,” her worthless father said. Of course, he’d say that. Didn’t matter that she was his flesh and blood.

  “They aren’t gonna pay nothing for her,” Trent said with derision.

  “We can leave her here and meet up with Bob. He said Torres is gonna pay us a lot of money for that horse. I say we focus on the sure thing.”

  Torres? The manger at the neighboring stud ranch? Why would he want a baby female horse? At least she knew the newborn was okay. Well, that they hadn’t intended on harming the poor little thing.

  And Bob? Surely not Bob Kerry? He was one of her employees. One of the hardest working men she had. Bob was a common name. It could be anyone. But Torres? She knew deep down that they were talking about the jerk she’d had many dealings with over the years.

  One thing she kept saying a silent thank-you over was the fact they these two had no idea she was inheriting the ranch. If they had any clue about that, they could ditch whatever plans they had for the horse, even kill her to cover their tracks, and focus on using her to get whatever money the wanted.

  A phone rang.

  “Why don’t you take that outside,” Trent said.

  Her father answered as she heard him walking away.

  The air in her lungs froze when Trent’s steps came closer to her. She closed her eyes right when his boots came into view.

  “Look at me, doll. I know you’re awake. You never could fake sleep.”

  She ground her teeth together before looking up at him. His smile was soft, but she knew the danger that lurked beneath it.

  “Here’s what’s gonna happen,” he whispered as he knelt before her. “Your old man is gonna take the fall for the horse heist. ’Course, he’s a greedy old sonofabitch. Figured you’d be out there with the police for a while and wanted to get some of rich boy’s loot.” Trent laughed without any humor and then his gaze hardened on her. She couldn’t stop the involuntary shiver that enveloped her. “But I know you’re sitting pretty on that ranch.”

  Uh-oh.

  “Oh yeah, I know it’s yours. Heard you talking to Ritchie Rich about it. I’d wanted to swoop in and finger your old man behind the missing foal. Be the hero and all. But you showing up ruined that. So plan B.”

  “Which is?” she asked.

  “I know you hate your daddy. He’s still going down. But now, instead of me pretending to be the hero, I’m gonna give you the chance to cooperate.”

  She watched him, waiting for the rest. How did he expect her to cooperate with him? He wasn’t making any sense.

  “You continue playing possum, and when then time’s right, I’ll knock out your old man. When the police get here, I’ll say I saw him carrying you away, so I followed and saved you.”

  She gaped at him. Surely she hadn’t heard him right! “Why on Earth would I go along with this?”

  “Because if you don’t, I’m gonna tell Sid all about his daughter’s inheritance. You either play nice with me or deal with your sleazy father.”

  “You wouldn’t,” she whispered heatedly, even though she knew how crazy it was to even say that. Yes, he would do such a thing. Of course, he would. “You’re a jerk.”

  “That’s no way to talk to your future husband.”

  Her mouth fell open.

  He raised a challenging eyebrow.

  Everything slowly made sense. “You were going to try and win me back.”

  “Yep. Now we can drop the pretense.”

  “No way in hell would I ever marry you,” she spat.

  “Sweetie, you have no choice. The man outside isn’t the only one you have to worry about. You don’t play along, then that pretty boy who’s been hovering around will think you’re behind the missing horse. When your dad was busy looking for buried treasure in suitcases, I was planting some evidence against you.” He ran his hand down her hair and she jerked away from him. He grabbed her face to still her. “No choice, darlin. Now be a good little girl, and let me take care of my father-in-law, so we can get outta here.”

  He shoved her head to the side as he let go and stood.

  “You’ll never get away with this.”

  “I already have.”

  A crash sounded outside, and her head jerked in the direction of the sound.

  “What the hell was that?” Trent muttered. He walked toward the door, but before he made it half way there, it crashed opened.

  “Get down! Get down!” someone ordered as men filed in wearing armor and carrying guns.

  Brindle huddled as much as she could in her chair instinctively. She hoped it was help—good guys—and not a bunch of men working for her dad, joining in on this nightmare. Her body shook as a whimper escaped. Then she heard the sweetest voice.

  “Brindle?” Dawson shouted. She looked up in time to see him barreling through the door. One of the men in black struggled to get handcuffs on Trent, and they partially blocked her view of Dawson, but she didn’t miss when he punched that jerk and came straight for her without stopping.

  “Mr. Winthrop, you’re not supposed to be in here,” one of the men said and grabbed his arm.

  “Gage, get your man off me,” Dawson said deathly soft.

  “Roc! Let ‘em go.”

  Dawson shoved the other man loose and finally reached her. He worked on untying the knots and said, “You okay?” He ran his hands down her once her arm
s were free and then cupped her face. “Who hit you?” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. They’re both dead.”

  “You’re here,” she breathed.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Trent said he planted evidence and I was hateful to you.”

  “Shh.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “I know you didn’t do anything. I never thought you did, sweetheart.”

  “Dawson,” she breathed, relief crashing over her in waves.

  He tilted her head before his mouth landed on hers. The feel of his lips … of his support was too much. A tear leaked over and her lip trembled as she returned the kiss.

  He broke away and rubbed his thumb over the wetness of her cheek, the action soothing her. “Everything is going to be all right.”

  “Ms. Attree. We’ve recovered your horse.” She frowned at the officer. He looked almost nervous. “And I want to personally apologize for doubting you. Mr. Winthrop told us the truth about the ranch and—”

  She gasped, her gaze flying to Dawson. “You didn’t.”

  “I had no choice,” he said softly. “Your protection is more important than anything else.”

  “But the will. The ranch has to be sold now. I mean—”

  “I don’t care about that.” He pulled her out of the chair and held her to him. “You’re the only thing that matters.”

  She felt so right in his arms. Perfect. Protective.

  Loved.

  It almost lessened the blow that the ranch had just slipped through her fingers.

  Almost.

  Chapter Ten

  Dawson kept staring at the bruise over Brindle’s eye as they sat in Mr. Henry’s office. She’d tried refusing medical attention after he’d found her at the old farmhouse her father rented. No way was he going to let that happen. He had to make sure there was no internal damage. She’d gloated when the doctors had confirmed everything was fine, but he didn’t care. She could always be right and he’d always want to make sure she was okay. Yet still, looking at that bruise ignited an anger that she’d even gotten hurt in the first place. He’d make sure Trent Presley got the maximum sentence just for daring to hurt her.

  And her father? Jesus. It was no wonder why that man got into so much trouble with the law. Any criminal with half a brain wouldn’t take a victim to his own house. But Dawson was grateful for it. After calling in a favor with an old buddy of his with the FBI—or so he thought he still worked for them. He’d been working some gig in an Arkansas mechanical shop—he quickly learned the whereabouts of Sid Attree, Jr. Dawson had paced as Gage assembled his team.

  He never paced. He was always cool to a fault. But Brindle changed that.

  She changed everything.

  This woman had somehow in a matter of weeks become his world. He was still adjusting to this all encompassing feeling he had for her. That too was a new feeling—adjusting. Normally things were one way or the other. There was no in-between with him. But she was changing all the rules without doing anything but just being her. There was only one explanation to what was happening, and acknowledging that was much easier than he’d ever thought it would be.

  He, Dawson Winthrop, was falling in love with Brindle Attree.

  But what was even more beautiful about his budding feelings was the understanding that his grandfather had a hand in it.

  “I know you planned this,” he muttered up to the side.

  “Excuse me?” Mr. Henry asked.

  Dawson glanced across his lawyer’s desk at the man who represented both him and his grandfather. “Nothing.”

  “As I was saying,” Mr. Henry continued. “Ms. Attree, the provisions of the will clearly state that no one was to learn of your impending inheritance. Otherwise, you forfeit the right to maintain control.”

  “That’s a ridiculous rule,” she said crossing her arms. “I wasn’t even the one who said anything.”

  “Actually, we were both talking about it when Presley overhead.”

  She glared at Dawson.

  He looked at the attorney. “But I was the one who actually willingly admitted the details to a third party. Granted it was law enforcement—”

  Mr. Henry slashed his hand through the air. “Doesn’t matter. I have to set up the sale of the ranch.” He turned his attention to Brindle. “You, of course, will inherit all proceeds. You’ll be a very rich woman.”

  “I’ll be a horse-less woman.”

  “It’s nothing personal—”

  “It’s very personal. That ranch. Those horses are my life.”

  “Be that as it may, the ranch will be listed at market value within the next sixty days.”

  Dawson leveled the steely stare he’d perfected over the years onto his attorney. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll pay double the appraisal. Property values have decreased slightly, so the appraisal is more than fair market value.”

  Mr. Henry’s mouth fell open, and Dawson found himself doing something he never did in his business dealings. He smiled. Sure, it was all teeth—a challenge to deny his offer—but it counted. If this smiling business worked, he’d do it more often.

  “Technically you went against your grandfather’s will. I’m not sure that’s ethical—”

  “That ranch is a part of my family. I’m not ready to part with it.”

  Brindle gasped. “Oh my god, did you sabotage me on purpose.”

  His calculated smile fell. Well, hell. He hadn’t thought she’d take it like that. He quickly composed himself, and said, “Of course not. I had no more knowledge about Presley listening to us than you did.”

  She glared.

  He smiled. “I’m thinking of focusing solely on pasture breeding. I could use a good ranch manager.”

  “You want me to work for you?”

  Dawson leaned back in his chair. “You don’t have to make it sound that bad. I’m a pleasure to work with, right, Mr. Henry.”

  “Um, well, yes. But I haven’t agreed to your offer.”

  Dawson cut his gaze to his attorney. “You will. And when Brindle is ready, we’ll negotiate the sale of the ranch back to her.”

  Brindle grabbed his arm. “Wait. You’re gonna sell it to me? What if I can’t afford—.”

  “You will,” Dawson said. Even if she bought it at fair market value, she would still have millions in the bank since she would actually earn double its value. She’d be able to buy it and still keep a large chunk of money. Not that she would need it. He had every intention of showing her the world. He shifted in his seat, hiding the small package in his coat pocket. Starting with this right here.

  “I—well, I guess it’s settled then.”

  Dawson stood. “Draw up the papers. I want it handled immediately.”

  Mr. Henry nodded before standing to leave the room.

  “Just what do you think you’re doing?” Brindle whispered heatedly at him.

  “Righting a wrong,” he said gently. And then because he didn’t want any confusion, “And making sure you’re always going to be a part of my life.”

  “Why?” she asked slowly.

  “Because I’m sort of falling in love with you, and I don’t want to do it alone.”

  She sucked in air, and he took her momentary shock to steal a kiss. She returned it, and he loved the feel of her mouth on his. It was a feeling he’d never tire of. He gently pulled away, dropped a few pecks on lips because he just couldn’t stop himself, and then pulled out the package from his pocket. He handed it to her.

  “What’s this?”

  “I want to show you everything. The world.”

  “Dawson,” she said though smiling lips. “You don’t have to show me anything.”

  He cracked a smile. “That’s so not true, sweetheart. Now open it.”

  She gently tore the paper and immediately started laughing before she got it all the way opened. It wasn’t as extravagant as a ranch, but he felt it was quirky enough to be incredibly romantic. He just hoped she felt that way, too.

 
“A deck of cards, really?” she asked holding them up. “Figured it’d be something related to the ranch.”

  He pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. “You’re already getting a bunch of horses. Besides, I can’t let my woman go through life not knowing how to shuffle.”

  “Mmm. Is that supposed to be some kind of metaphor about learning to love the cards we’re dealt?”

  He pulled back and frowned at her. “Of course, not. I love the hand I was dealt. Life gave me you.”

  “Aww, that’s the sweetest thing anybody has ever said to me.”

  “Plus, you really need to know how to shuffle. I’m embarrassed for you that you don’t—”

  “Dawson,” she said through a laugh, cutting him off, and then kissing him. He ran his hand through her hair as he held her to him, nibbling at her lips, and wondering how soon he could book their flight to Vegas for an up close lesson on shuffling.

  It’d have to be soon. Maybe then he’d tell her he named the foal Brindle’s Billionaire Shuffle.

  * * * * *

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  Melody Anne’s Billionaire Universe Launch Authors

  Desiree Holt

  Melanie Marchande

  Marian Tee

  N. Kuhn

  Casey Hagen

  Stephanie Haefner

  Mandy Harbin

  Yvette Hines

  J.A. Coffey

  Judy Angelo

  Liliana Rhodes

  Love Against Odds Series

  Against Company Policy

  Against The Wall

  Against The Billionaire’s Will (Melody Anne’s Billionaire KW crossover)

  The Bang Shift

  Before The Bang Shift (Prequel/Omega Team Crossover)

  Brody (Book One)

  Hunter (Book Two)

  Blade (Book Three Coming Summer 2016

  Shelby (Book Four Coming Fall 2016)