“Granted, but you have to admit that she deserves some recognition for what she did.”
“So you summation is that I praise her for a job well done and forget about her reckless behavior?”
“Now Logan, all I am saying is …”
“I know what you are saying, Shane and I commend you for appointing yourself as her protector, but I will handle the situation as I see fit. She will be taken to task for her recklessness, that is a promise!”
“Just don’t destroy what has already developed between you.”
Logan was quiet for a long while, battling with the emotions running wild in his chest. He thought back over the past twenty five years and knew there was no way he would ever open himself to destruction such as his father suffered at the hands of a woman. Destruction he suffered alongside his father!
“Therein lays the problem with both Madison and you. You believe there is more than sex between us. You know me Shane and believe me, nothing has changed. I am just not prepared to share her with others, that is the only difference to all the other’s that shared my bed before her.”
“You mean whose bed you shared. You’ve never brought anyone to your bed.”
“Nor have I her and I have no intention to either.”
“There is a slight difference, brother dear. You never go back, maybe once, but never more than that. Somehow I get the impression that you’ve been back for more and have no intention of stopping.”
“It is still no more than just sex!” Logan said adamantly.
Shane shook his head. No matter how much Logan denied his feelings, his actions spoke louder than words. It was more than just possessiveness; he already had feelings for her. The only problem was the hate he carried around in him since he was a boy was so deeply entrenched in his soul, he was afraid that even Madison might not be able to dislodge them. Not before he destroyed her totally in the process!
Shane insisted that they take Madison with to the ranch house. They were better equipped to look after her there than Logan on his own at her cottage. For once Logan did not oppose him and carried her directly up to his room. Shane chuckled remembering his adamant resolve that he would never take her to his bed. Of course he would say it was not the same thing, but the reality was that he could have put her to bed in one of the six spare bedrooms, that were always made up and ready for use.
The same thoughts spun through Logan’s head, but he brushed them away. She was only there for a day or two and only to recuperate. He did not see any reason why he should inconvenience himself and put her in another bed, when she could sleep in his where he could look after her and get some well needed sleep.
He undressed her quickly and realized she was covered in black residue and oil. He would have to wake her to get her clean. He gently shook her, but knew it would not be of any use. She did not even blink her eyes when she was shuffled from Shane to him or when he carried her upstairs. She was sleeping the sleep of the dead. She had to be exhausted as well. No matter how hard he opposed it, she scurried around the whole week, assisting wherever she could.
There was no other way than to put her in the bath and get her clean even if she did not wake up. It took nearly thirty minutes and a lot of swearing, but when he placed her gently back on the bed, she was clean. He frowned at her wet hair, not wanting her to get sick on top of everything. He fetched a towel and sat next to her towel drying her hair when Shane knocked on the door. He leaned down and pulled the sheet over her up to her neck before he answered his call.
“Come.”
Shane peeped around the door and sighed dramatically.
“Phew, at least I did not catch her naked, in case I got clobbered for …”
“Okay Shane! Get over it! I never denied that this woman brought out a very possessive side of me, but that does not mean anything permanent or that any feelings are involved.”
Shane wondered if Logan eve realized the romantic and loving picture he presented sitting next to her and drying her hair. He clearly also got her clean while she slept. He smiled and walked deeper into the room, only to take a stance in front of the window and stare out to the dark night.
“Who do you think is behind these fires? The spreading of the fire to the Petrobel-run platform could not have been natural. We had the fire nearly under control at that point.”
Logan continued drying Madison’s hair, his face pensive.
“I have been racking my mind for days and I can’t come up with anyone that could wish us harm. Except if it is one of the opposition that is trying to drive our backs against the wall. Keep our attention on the fires and then dama …”
He glanced at Shane as realization hit them at the same time.
“They’re planning to hit the offshore rig. That is the only thing that makes sense. Everyone in the industry knows we are hands on and would be at every fire. Lord knows how far they could have progressed with their plans by now.”
“You think they mean to blow up the rig in the Gulf? Or one of the others?”
“I am relatively sure the one in the Gulf is what they or whoever is after. I am not so sure however, if it is to blow it up, or to take it away from us.”
“You’re right. There was major opposition when we bought that rig from the Mexican Government. We are still in the probation period before the final handover can take place. If anyone wants to take it from us, they won’t blow it up, they’re planning a hostile takeover.”
“Gmphf. Let them try. Get on the phone right away and talk to the OIM at the rig, Gary Oelofson. Ask him to send you a list of all the new employees for the past six months, as well as any visitors or maintenance subcontractors that set foot on the rig. I want to know who is behind this sooner rather than later!”
“No problem, I’m on it. You have not had a wink of sleep in over a week. Please sleep, otherwise you would be no good to us, and we need your sharp intuition.”
“Yeah … I am tired. Thank you for all your support, little bro. I couldn’t have achieved any of this without you by my side. Wake me in the morning if I’m not up by myself.”
He nodded with burning eyes and headed to the door. Logan never praised, so this was another first for him.
“And Shane, when you come to wake me in the morning and the sheet does not cover her anymore, you better make sure not to ogle her, you close your eyes!”
Shane burst out laughing and left the door, his dry comment loud enough for Logan to hear.
“Yeah … yeah … and he claims it is only possessiveness!”
Logan took a quick shower and got into the bed, drew Madison’s warm body close against his before he pulled the sheet over both of them. He fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow and for the first time in his life, with a woman in his arms.
Shane stood staring down at the couple on the bed. He never thought to see the day when his brother would actually sleep with a woman in his arms.
He had a lot of socialites on his arm all the time, but Shane also knew he was not the rake the tabloids made him out to be that slept with one and all of them or as often as they claimed. He only took a woman to bed when his need had to be fed and then he was very particular about whom he chose. Shane for the life of him could not remember that Logan has ever had sex with the same woman more than twice. One thing he knew for a fact was that Logan never spent more than an hour or two with any woman. He left and found his own bed to sleep in.
He shook his head and smiled. He prayed that this was the first step in Logan opening his heart to love.
Logan moved as if to turn on his right side and realized there was a weight bearing him down. He frowned and opened his eyes. The moment they came to rest on the woman sleeping deeply in his arm with her head on his shoulder, he relaxed and turned on his left side, drawing her even closer.
“Harumphf … morning big bro. Sorry to be a spoiler of your bliss, but you asked me to wake you.”
Logan stiffened and quickly pulled the sheet higher to cover Madison completely, but he
made no move to extricate him from her arms that wrapped around his back the moment he pulled her against him.
“What time is it?” He asked in a sleepy voice, gently stroking Madison’s back.
Shane glanced at his watch. “Just after nine.”
“Hmm … give me another hour.”
“No can do. I managed to get hold of Gary Oelofson last night and he just arrived. He has serious concerns and flew in early this morning.”
“I’ll be down in thirty minutes.”
Logan sighed, his body relaxed for the first time in over a week. Madison’s breathing was slow and deep, which indicated she was still sleeping soundly, to his regret. His body screamed with need after being pressed naked against her the whole night.
Reluctantly he loosened her arms from around him and she moaned softly and turned on her back. Logan pushed up and sat on the side of the bed, least he could not tear himself away from her if he stayed any longer.
Chapter Ten
Jonathan was also present by the time Logan joined them in the study. They elected to meet at the ranch seeing as it was Saturday. It was also more private in case someone on their staff was involved with the current sabotage.
“Morning Dad, Gary. Thank you for joining us at such short notice. Anyone joining me for breakfast? I am starving.”
Everyone agreed and Shane went to ask Thomas, their chef, to whip up some breakfast. He walked back shaking his head and Logan lifted his eyebrow questioningly.
“He is already nearly finished with breakfast. Actually, he was quite affronted that I thought it necessary to come and ask!”
“Shane told me about what Madison did. How is she?” Jonathan wanted to know.
“She’ll be fine. Doc gave her a sedative and she is still sleeping. She has to rest for the rest of the weekend, so we brought her here to keep an eye on her.”
“I’d like to say hello before I leave. She did something amazing. Even the people at Keller are talking about it.”
“More like she did something stupid and reckless!” Logan’s anger bubbled to the surface again.
Shane shook his head unobtrusively at his Dad and he realized it was a tender point therefore refrained from saying anything further.
After breakfast they retreated to the study. It was a large room with two big executive desks on the one side and comfortable couches on the other. It was set up to be a fully operational office as Logan sometimes chose to work from home.
“Shane mentioned that you have concerns, Gary. Why don’t we start with that?”
Gary shuffled uncomfortably in his chair and glanced at Jonathan. Logan frowned and looked at Shane who shrugged his shoulders.
“I …eh … this is somewhat awkward and I do not want to upset any of you. We had an unexpected visit three months ago. No appointments were made, they just arrived by chopper.”
“Who were they?”
He glanced briefly at Jonathan.
“Your wife and some of her Business Associates.”
“My wife! Stella?”
Logan’s jaw turned rigid, his face expressionless. He looked at his father.
“I thought you divorced her?”
Jonathan rose and stood in front of the big windows overlooking the swimming pool. He rubbed his neck wearily.
“At first I was so angry and hurt I did not even think about it. The longer I waited, the less important it became and then I just didn’t care anymore. I thought she would start the proceedings from her side.”
Logan could not believe his ears. Through his whole life all his father filled his head with was how his mother betrayed him, how she threw his love back in his face and left with another man who meant more to her than him and her sons. To hear twenty five years later that she was still married to him and never married her lover was a shock; even more so, the fact that his father never severed his ties with her.
“Who were her Business Associates?” Logan’s face was expressionless and his voice hard.
“They never said, but she demanded to be taken through the whole plant. I could not get hold of any of you. It was during the week you were all at the Oil Summit in Europe. Soon after that we had resignations, lots of them and not just from Rougnecks. Drillers, Tool men and even two of our Subsea Engineers.”
“Why have you never brought that visit and these staffing issues under our attention? The summit was three months ago!”
“We were dealing with numerous small problems since then. If not labor related, it was maintenance or small blow outs. Nothing big to justify your attention, but because I was so busy dealing with them, it totally slipped my mind. I am sorry.”
Logan pulled his hands through his hair and sighed. He looked at Shane.
“You have been visiting and talking to her. What business is she in?”
Shane paled and shook his head.
“God no! She couldn’t be the one! She’s our mother, Logan!”
“She has never been a mother to either one of us, Shane! Even before she left, she always left us to our own devises! You were perhaps too young to remember. The only thing that was important to her was to socialize, to be seen as one of the elite! She did not give one iota for us!”
Jonathan paled and realized for the first time how deep Logan’s hate ran for his mother. Shane sat down dejectedly on the couch with his head between his hands.
“How could I have been so stupid? That was why she was so interested in what we do. She wanted to know about all our projects, our equity, liquidity … and I … Lord Logan! I gave her all the information! It was me! I am the one responsible for this!”
Logan expression did not change. “What does she do, Shane?”
“She … owns a small oil refinery in Florida.”
“Which one?”
“Starlight Oil.”
Logan stiffened and glared at him. She owns Starlight Oil and you never thought to tell me?”
“I did research on it, Logan. It is a small refinery.”
“Small yes, but with a growth of 65% over the past two years and with someone at the helm that has a direct association to us and very clearly been using it!”
He jumped up and walked around the room like a caged animal. Jonathan watched him and realized he was livid and very worried.
“What are you concerned about, Logan?”
“All the replacements on the rig are very clearly from Starlight or in a way associated with them. They now have all the inside information on the rig to either sabotage it or to turn all the staff against us. If the latter, it would be their way to overturn management and the easiest way for a hostile take-over. We could lose billions.”
Something triggered at the back of his mind and he cursed. He swung to Jonathan.
“Were you also so kind to “forget” to void the Dalton Oil shares that you ceded to her, Dad?”
Jonathan paled and sank down on a chair. “I can’t remember. That first year after … I … no, I did! I remember. I instructed Devlon, our attorney to void them. The ceding document was set up in such a way, that if we broke up it could be done without any court involvement. But it is easy enough to check.”
He quickly phoned Devlon and after a short discussion sighed in relief. “It was done. Thank God. She can’t lay her hands on any of it.”
“The other side of it is that she thinks she could get her hand on shares through Shane or even all of us. Since you told her how much we’re worth, she clearly wants to enrich herself. Maybe her aim is for you to take her back, Dad?”
Jonathan shook his head. “No, I will never take her back. Not after everything she cost me, cost you. That was never what I intended when I said I was going to find her. I only wanted to close the chapter. Besides, Logan, you are the one with the most Liquidity. You own the most shares, made all those investments. Shane and I together down have a pittance of what you’re worth.”
“Maybe, but she does not know that.” He walked back and forth in front of the window, his face pensi
ve.
“Shane, I want you and Gary to head up the investigation into each and every one of those replacement staff. Look for qualification fraud, any link to Starlight or … Stella Dalton. Gary, I want you to get hold of Marcus White, he heads up a forensic team in the Gulf. I want him to review all the video streams of the rig for the past four months. As well as dig deeper into those new employees and Starlight Oil. Give him the background; he will know what to look for.”
Logan turned to his father and glanced back at Shane.
“I want you to go ahead and … search … for your wife and find her. Do whatever your intention was when you decided to look for her. Shane, contact her and arrange for a meeting in Dallas. It is time I reconnect with Stella Dalton again.”
Shane and Jonathan looked at each other worriedly. Logan’s face was rigid as if cast in stone. His green eyes were hard as the gem they represented. His hands were fisted on his hips. He turned and his voice was stern and hoarse.
“Neither one of you let on that we know what she is busy with.” He hesitated for a moment and then asked Shane directly.
“What has she come to mean to you, Shane? If this is going to be too difficult for you, tell me know and I will leave you out of it.”
Shane looked at his brother and his heart swelled with pride. Pride in the man that Logan has become, in the man he made out of him. Pride to be his younger brother, who he looked out for better than any parent, could have, even at the age of ten. He would always have first loyalty to him, no matter what. He had tears in his eyes when their eyes met and he glanced briefly at Jonathan then back at Logan.
“I’m sorry, Dad, but this is the truth. You were the one that brought me up, big bro. You made me the man I am today. A man I am damn proud to be and I am so angry that I did not see through her deceit! I will see this through with you.”
Logan yanked him into his arms and they hugged each other fiercely. He slapped him on the shoulder and looked at his father, watching them with tears in his eyes.
He caught a slight movement out of the corner of his eye and stood frozen for a moment, staring in disbelief at the slight woman staggering down the pathway in the direction of her cottage.
The Wildcat that Tamed the Tycoon Page 10