TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright
DISGUISED with the Millionaire…
Contact Information
DEDICATION
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MORE ABOUT DEBRA’S BOOKS
BOOKS IN THE DANGEROUS MILLIONAIRES SERIES:
DISGUISED
with the
Millionaire
Debra Andrews
ELUSIVE STAR PRESS
Copyright
All Rights Reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information or retrieval system, is forbidden without the prior written permission of Elusive Star Press, and the copyright owner of this book.
DISGUISED WITH THE MILLIONAIRE
Copyright © 2014 Debra Andrews
All rights reserved.
Ebook
ISBN: 978-0-9881805-2-9
Paperback:
ISBN: 978-0-9881805-3-6
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locals is entirely coincidental.
Editor, Patricia Thomas
Photos for cover:
www.RomanceNovelCovers.com
bigstockphoto.com
Printed in the U.S.A.
Updated 10-29-15
DISGUISED with the Millionaire…
Kate Meyers’ brother dies in a construction site accident involving faulty equipment. After the police clear the company owner—millionaire Trent Farrington—of wrongdoing, she lands a job with the company to do her own investigation. While Kate searches for the data to convict Trent, she has to work closely with him. She hates how her traitorous body reacts whenever he is near, while he appears to enjoy her reaction immensely. She vows to find the evidence and get out, but she soon learns nothing is as it seemed… Whoever is sabotaging the equipment and products might be an outright killer!
Contact Information :
Subscribe to Debra’s Newsletter for upcoming releases and fun information on her website!
http://eepurl.com/ZKIsb
Website: http://www.debraandrewsauthor.com
****
OTHER BOOKS AVAILABLE BY DEBRA ANDREWS
BOOKS IN THE DANGEROUS MILLIONAIRES SERIES:
(Books can be read in any order and are stand-alone stories)
WEEKEND WEDDING DECEPTION http://amzn.to/1GrT5Th
DANGEROUS PARADISE http://amzn.to/1GodmsW
DISGUISED WITH THE MILLIONAIRE http://amzn.to/1YUfDr9
HIS WYOMING LAIR (Coming 2016—to be notified when released, sign up for a new book release alert: http://eepurl.com/ZKIsb )
DEDICATION
This one is for my sisters and my mom. You are the best.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’d like to thank all those who helped me with this story: my incredibly patient sisters, my critique partners over the years, and other writer friends who have helped with this book.
I’d like to give a final thanks to my fabulous editor Patricia Thomas.
CHAPTER ONE
Kate Meyers rushed through the glass doors leading into the hospital’s emergency waiting room. “I’m here to see Matt Jackson,” she said breathlessly as she reached the main desk. “He was brought in by ambulance a few hours ago.”
The receptionist glanced over wire-rimmed glasses. “Next of kin?”
Kate blinked back tears. “Yes, I’m his stepsister. Is he going to be all right?”
“Miss, I’ll notify the doctor that you’re here. Now, please, take a seat.”
“Kate.” She turned at the familiar voice of Matt’s good friend and co-worker.
“What happened, Bobby?” she asked.
Dressed in a t-shirt, jeans and scuffed construction boots, he ran his fingers through his brown hair. “Matt was working on the fifth floor. His harness broke and for a few minutes he dangled from the line. Then his tether snapped. I’m sorry, Kate.”
She gasped. “You mean he fell five floors?”
“A tree broke his fall, and he’s alive. We’ve got to hold on to that.”
Kate collapsed onto a couch and dropped her tear-stained face into her hands. “Last week, he told me he’d discovered a piece of equipment he’d used was nearly worn out, and some of the materials seemed sub-standard. He promised me he’d be careful when he worked at those heights.”
She shuddered and went on, “Something was going on there, Bobby. Matt told me that when he asked about the condition of some of the supplies, his supervisor said Trent Farrington must be trying to save money and he was told to keep his nose out of it if he wanted a paycheck.” Sniffling, she pressed a tissue to her nose. “I pleaded with Matt to leave such a dangerous and corrupt outfit.”
“Kate, in my department, I’ve never seen the Farringtons run anything but a reputable company,” Bobby said.
“Ms. Meyers.” The receptionist waved Kate over to the desk. “They moved him to ICU. You can go back to be with him now.”
When she reached Matt’s door, a doctor in green scrubs stepped out. “He’s stabilized, but in critical condition. We’ll know more, if he makes it through the night.”
If he makes it through the night. Kate’s knees nearly buckled. “Is he awake?” she asked in a shaky voice.
“He’s been in and out, but he hasn’t fully regained consciousness.”
When she stepped into the room, her stomach clenched at the bruises marring her brother’s face. Swathed in bandages, he lay on the bed, hooked to an IV and numerous monitors.
Tears blurred her vision as she walked on shaky legs to his side. “Matt, it’s me—Kate.”
His eyes flickered open.
Relief rushed through her. Swiping away the wetness from her cheeks with the back of her hand, she leaned closer. “I love you.”
Through each labored breath, he rasped out the words, “The supplies…grandson… Trent…tell…found…”
She rested her palm over his cold hand and choked back a sob. “Matt, please, don’t talk. Save your strength.”
“Jeopardizes…integrity…building…” He groaned and panted between his words.
He closed his eyes and drifted away from her. Only the hum of the machines broke the silence as the minutes passed.
Breathing in the strong medicinal odors, she laid her face against the cool white sheets on the edge of the bed. He had to be okay. Everything in their lives was
getting better. She’d been on her way to tell him the newspaper had hired her to take over her late Aunt Kate’s local advice column. However, none of that mattered now.
“Supplies…” he murmured. Kate raised her head and leaned over him. His icy fingers rubbed hers, as if desperate for her to understand something. “Farrington…Trent…”
She sucked in her breath. He was the owner’s grandson and vice president of Farrington Construction—Matt’s employer. “Is Trent Farrington responsible for your accident?” she demanded.
“Tell…police…” Matt closed his eyes. Suddenly, an alarm went off on one of the monitors.
“Matt, no,” Kate cried. “Please don’t leave me.” Her stepbrother had been her rock in this life and had protected her from her stepfather and other evils of the world more times than she could count.
Within seconds, a team of nurses and doctors entered with a crash cart and surrounded her brother.
A doctor yelled, “He’s flatlining! Get this lady out of here.”
A nurse propelled Kate into the corridor.
Fifteen minutes later, a hospital staffer stepped into the hallway and put an arm around Kate’s shoulders. “I’m sorry, dear. We couldn’t revive him.”
“But I—”
“There’s nothing you can do. He’s gone.”
In the waiting area, Kate collapsed on a couch beside his friend, Bobby. She buried her face in her hands and let the tears flow. “He’s never going to get married, or have children, or do any of those things he dreamed of doing. I just can’t believe he’s gone. He was my hero and meant the world to me.”
There was nothing she could do…
* * *
Six months later, Kate entered the plush executive offices of Farrington Construction in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Still shaky after her horrific ride in the glass elevator, she took a seat in the reception area, glad to have a moment to calm herself. She hated heights.
She had arrived thirty minutes early for her appointment, hoping to get a glimpse of the competition for the Human Resources Manager position in the company that had employed her stepbrother. Could she really go through with this?
With a trembling hand, she reached into her briefcase and extracted the envelope containing the four-month-old newspaper article. She held it and reminded herself why she had to get this job, why she had to find the person responsible for Matt’s death. After months of nothing from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the police, she had finally decided it was up to her to find justice for Matt. She’d been unable to forget Matt’s last words, or to let it go. She was determined that the company, and whoever was responsible or negligent, wouldn’t get away with it.
It’s all up to me to get irrefutable evidence. I’m going to find out who is responsible, Matt. Pushing her glasses further up on her nose, she reread the devastating news again:
Tropical News – Fort Lauderdale – Police have cleared Farrington Construction of any wrongdoing in the death of employee Matthew Jackson who failed to take proper safety precautions. Trenton Farrington, spokesperson for the company, said he was satisfied with the results of the investigation, having complied with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s regulations (OSHA) and the highest of safety standards…
Kate put the article away. The highest of safety standards! The pain of her brother’s death returned like a reopened wound. Yeah, she knew in her gut that someone in this company was responsible.
Even so, OSHA and the police had cleared the company. Afterwards, Farrington, a handsome man with dark hair and dark eyes, had been on every local news channel where he’d put on a grave face. He called Matt’s death an ‘unfortunate tragedy which had taken a promising young man from his family.’ However, Kate didn’t think Farrington felt anything close to what he described.
Farrington had gone on to say Matt had violated long-standing safety measures by not checking his harness. To Kate, he’d made it sound as if Matt had been a careless hothead who’d gotten exactly what he deserved. She had wanted to throw something at the television to obliterate the man’s strikingly handsome face.
To calm herself, Kate took in several cleansing breaths. She wasn’t about to blow her cover, or change her plan now. She glanced around the lavish office with its costly furniture and expensive oriental rugs on highly polished hardwood floors. Obviously, the company was prosperous.
A woman with an upswept hairdo, and wearing an expensive suit, sat beside her in the waiting area. “Are you here for the interview, too?”
Her palms were perspiring as Kate nodded and clutched the briefcase on her lap. In comparison to this sophisticated woman, Kate had arranged her blond hair into a tight, plain bun. Her simple suit was anything but stylish. However, she hoped she appeared older than her twenty-six years.
“I’m sure they want experience, honey. I have a master’s degree and over twenty years with several well-known large corporations.” She pushed her sharp nose closer. “And your credentials?”
Kate lifted her chin. “I have some experience.”
“Probably not enough.” The woman turned her attention back to the business magazine on her lap.
Kate shrugged. The truth was she’d worked at the Children’s Crisis Center and hired the occasional worker. While she had majored in psychology, she had minored in human resources in college. It was nothing in comparison, but she wasn’t going to divulge anything to her.
Thankfully, after she’d made the appointment for the interview, she’d gotten the idea of embellishing her own credentials with that of her late great-aunt Katherine, who’d been a psychologist. She was the last of Kate’s blood relatives and had always been called Kate, too. Aunt Kate had died three years ago, so Kate didn’t think her charade could hurt anyone. The name was close––except Kate’s full name was Katelyn.
Kate would prefer to use her own credentials completely, but she didn’t think she would stand a chance to get the job.
Another professional-looking applicant in a dark suit exited the office where the interviews were being held. “Thank you, Mr. Farrington.” The applicant shook the hand of an elderly man who, despite his age, had a full head of wavy gray hair and was dressed in a navy suit that oozed wealth and power.
James Farrington. Kate gulped. When she did her research, she’d seen his picture. He was the patriarch of the company and probably knee-deep and in cahoots with his grandson––the man who was probably taking risks with employee safety so he could skim money off the top.
“Mr. Clark, you’ll be hearing from us,” James Farrington said. “We have several more applicants to interview before we make our final decision.” He returned to his office.
Can I really go through with this? All she had to do was walk out the door and this charade would end, but she sat frozen in her chair.
Mr. James Farrington’s secretary ushered in the snarky woman who’d quizzed Kate earlier. Fifteen minutes later, the woman exited the office. “Good luck, honey,” she said with a confident smile as she strode by Kate on her way out.
Kate winced. It was obvious the woman was confident of her success and didn’t think Kate stood a chance to get the job.
Mr. Farrington strode into the waiting area. When his gaze roamed over Kate, a smile tugged at his lips. “Come on in, my dear,” he said and waved her inside. “I’m James Farrington, President of Farrington Construction and Farrington Enterprises. Can I get you anything? Coffee? Water?” he asked politely.
“No, thank you.”
“Then let’s get started.” He waved his hand toward a chair and sat across from her behind his desk. She sat down primly. “We’re looking for an immediate replacement for our Human Resources Manager who was forced to retire because of ill health.” While he scanned her resume, her stomach knotted. “I see you’re a psychologist?” He gazed at her over the rim of his reading glasses.
“Yes, sir.” She hated to lie. One day it would be the truth if her studies paid off, an
d she justified her lie because she needed to get into the company to get evidence against James Farrington’s grandson.
“Why, your being a psychologist might be handy around here with…” He cocked a shaggy, gray eyebrow. “The name Dr. Kate Meyers does sound familiar.”
She could be in serious trouble if he remembered her aunt. “So you’ve heard of my reputation?”
“I believe I have.” He said nothing more, but gave her a shrewd look. “So, you’re not engaged? Married? Have any children or anything?”
Why was he asking her these questions? “No,” she said, puzzled.
He smiled brightly. “Good.”
Kate locked her gaze on his and frowned. Surely, he wasn’t hitting on her at his age. He must know those were illegal questions to ask an employee in this day and age, too.
As if he read her mind, he shrugged and returned an almost boyish grin, his baby-blue eyes twinkling. “I’m asking because if you take the job you need to be aware that on occasion there might be long hours here at the office.” He studied her for a moment. “Do you have any experience hiring construction personnel?”
She shook her head. “No, but I am a quick learner.”
He asked her more questions about her background in human resources. She told him the truth about the Children’s Crisis Center.
“All right, Dr. Meyers. I’m hiring you on the spot. I like you. I think you’ll be good for the company.” Shock spread through her when she realized she’d landed the position. “Now don’t worry about not having a construction company background. I have just the person to help you—my grandson, Trent Farrington. He likes to have his hands in all aspects of the business.”
Kate’s back grew rigid. “I’m sure he does,” she muttered.
Disguised with the Millionaire (Dangerous Millionaires Series Book 2) Page 1