Samantha had to admit that the news was somewhat vindicating, especially considering that Anthony was throwing them out of their house. But she really didn’t care what happened to Anthony. Her biggest regret was Finn. He’d left a hole in her heart that would probably never be filled again. Since that terrible day, when he told her to leave, she’d not heard a word. Several times, she’d been tempted to call him, but she could never summon the nerve. She kept hoping to get a call or text from him, but nothing. Most nights she dreamt of him and would awaken with a sense of loss overtaking her. Maybe that’s where Finn would always remain—in her dreams. The sum of all of her regrets. She hadn’t realized how much she loved him—until she lost him. He’d shown her what it was like to truly love. And no matter what happened, she knew that she would never settle for anything less than true love in the future.
The doorbell rang. Dani looked at her. “Are you expecting anyone?”
“Oh, the auction company called. They said someone would stop by today to do an assessment of the contents.”
Dani scowled. “Are they afraid we’re going to steal our own things?”
“Probably,” Samantha said dryly.
“Don’t answer it.”
The doorbell rang again. “I’m not gonna answer it,” Samantha said darkly. “They can come back tomorrow … after we’re gone. As far as I’m concerned, Anthony’s little minions can stick it.”
“Amen,” Dani hooted. She gave her an appraising look. “It’s good to have my spunky sister back.”
Samantha chuckled. “Yeah, that’s one good thing that came out of this. I regained my self-respect.”
“Hey, don’t knock it. Self-respect’s a tough thing to come by sometimes. You certainly earned yours the hard way.”
“Unfortunately.”
A couple of minutes later, Katia’s voice floated up to them. “Samantha, Dani, can you come downstairs for a minute? You have a visitor.”
“Dang it,” Dani muttered. “Mom answered it.” She wrinkled her nose. “What visitor?”
Samantha shrugged. “I haven’t the foggiest.”
When they went downstairs, they were surprised to see Liam standing in the foyer. Dani let out a squeal and bounded into his arms. She planted a kiss on his lips. “What’re you doing here?”
“I thought I’d stop by to see how you guys are getting along.” He looked at Katia. “And I wanted to meet your beautiful sister.”
“Oh, stop,” Katia gushed, loving every word. Her eyes twinkled. “Dani, you’re right, he’s very charming. And I love the British accent. Liam, we can’t thank you enough for all that you’re doing for our family.”
“It’s nothing,” he said, blushing. He looked at Samantha. “I hope you don’t mind, but I brought a friend.”
She cocked her head. “Rebel? How did you get her on the plane? Did you use a kennel?”
Liam grinned. “Not exactly.”
“I don’t think a kennel’s necessary, although Liam might disagree,” Finn said as he stepped through the door.
Samantha gasped, hardly believing what she was seeing. “W-what’re you doing here?”
He stepped up to her, his green eyes shining. “I’m sorry,” he said earnestly. “I acted rashly. I should’ve given you a chance to explain, but I was hurt and angry.” He gave her a tender look. “Can you ever forgive me for being such a fool?”
Was she dreaming? Was he really here? He was even more handsome than she remembered. The familiar flame leapt up in her breast, making her feel lightheaded.
“Say something,” Dani urged.
It was almost too much for Samantha to take in. “I-I don’t understand. What made you change your mind?”
Finn chuckled. “Well, it didn’t take long for me to realize I’d let the best thing that ever happened to me walk out of my life. And then there was the long talk I had with Dani.” He scrunched his nose. “Well, she talked and I listened. A good tongue-lashing from her set me on the right path.” He looked at Liam. “I wouldn’t recommend getting on her bad side.”
Samantha spun around to Dani, who had a sheepish grin on her face. “What did you do?”
“I simply told him the truth. How you shackled yourself to Anthony to save the family. And how you gave it all up for Finn. You had everything to lose, and you chose love.”
“What?” she spluttered. “When did you talk to him?”
“Remember when we were getting ready to go the airport to fly home? And I told you I had some stuff to take care of?”
Samantha thought back. She remembered very little about that horrible time—it was all drowned out by hurt and the overwhelming sense of loss.
“Anyway, I used your phone and tracked Finn down.”
A crooked grin came over Finn’s lips. “She was very convincing.”
Samantha’s brows knitted together. “But that was three weeks ago. Why didn’t you come sooner?”
“I’ve been a little busy,” Finn said.
Liam nodded. “It’s true, he’s been very busy.”
She cocked her head. “Busy? How?” The realization of all that was happening was starting to set in. Happiness was bubbling inside her, and she could hardly wait to throw her arms around Finn and give him a long, passionate kiss.
Finn and Liam looked at each other as silent communication passed between them.
“What’s going on here?” Dani said, her hands going to her hips.
“Well,” Liam began, “I did bring Rebel.” He jutted his thumb in the direction of the door. “As a matter of fact, I need to get her out of the car. She’s probably getting a little anxious.”
“Oh, no,” Finn said, “you can’t leave. I need backup.”
“Backup?” Samantha said dubiously.
Finn looked into Samantha’s eyes. “There’s something you don’t know about me. Something I should’ve told you sooner.” He scratched his head. “Um … it’s rather complicated … I mean … I just want you to understand …”
“For goodness’ sake. Spit it out,” Dani huffed.
Finn took a deep breath. “Okay, here goes. I love surfing.”
Samantha nodded. “I know.”
“That’s one of the reasons why I moved to Hawaii,” he continued.
“Okay.” This was like pulling teeth. “And?”
“And I’m not really a full-time surfing instructor. I talked the real instructor into letting me teach you surfing lessons.”
Dani laughed. “That’s your big admission? Big whoop.”
“I fell hard for you that day in the airport, and I knew I had to see you again,” Finn said.
“I fell for you, too.” Samantha raised her eyebrows, amused. “Is that it?”
“No, there’s more. I’m not the simple surfer that you think I am.”
Liam couldn’t handle it a minute longer. “As it turns out, the happy-go-lucky surfer is actually a billionaire.” He turned to Finn. “Sorry, man. I didn’t mean to rat you out, but I thought it would be better to just lay it all out there.”
Samantha’s head started to spin. “What?”
Finn winced. “It’s true.” He rubbed his neck. “I was a partner in a software company. The thing took off. We sold the company a few years ago. I still sit on the board, which was the main reason I was flying back from Sacramento the day we met. Of course, I really did stop by and visit my mother and sister.” He spread his hands. “I should’ve told you earlier, but I wanted to make sure you loved me for me, not my money.”
It all made sense, clicking through her mind like frames of a camera. “That night we went walking on the beach, I wondered why you suddenly changed the subject when I asked you what you did before coming to Hawaii. And then there was Lynette’s strange reaction when I asked her if you talked to the kids about surfing on career day.” She paused. “That friend you spoke of—the one who never tells anyone how much money he has. It’s you, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “Ashton’s my middle name.”
&
nbsp; “The house at Pupukea is yours.”
“Yes.” He locked eyes with her. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“That day at Goat Island, when you said you had something to tell me. That’s what it was, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Tell them the rest,” Liam urged.
Samantha frowned. “There’s more?” She didn’t know how much more her heart could take.
Finn cleared his throat. “Um … the reason I’ve been so busy is because …” He paused, looking uncomfortable. “… I bought the house.”
“I beg your pardon?” Samantha leaned forward. “What house?”
He motioned, his hands encompassing the room. “This house and everything in it.” His boyish grin reminded Samantha of the surfer she fell in love with.
Dani let out a whoop. Undiluted joy shone in her eyes. “Did you hear that?”
“Oh my gosh.” Katia’s face drained of color. “I need to sit down.” Liam helped her to the couch.
Samantha and Dani rushed to her side. “Are you okay?” Samantha asked.
She reached for Samantha’s hand and squeezed it. “Yes, it’s great news. I just can’t believe it.”
“It is great news,” Samantha said somberly.
Finn watched her closely. “Then why don’t you sound happy?”
She stepped up to him and touched his arm. “What you did …” Her eyes grew teary. “It means the world to me, but I can’t accept it.”
“What do you mean?”
She straightened her shoulders. “I almost married for money once. I promised myself I’d never do it again.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Marriage, huh?” He leaned in, a husky edge to his voice. “I didn’t realize our conversation had escalated to marriage. This is getting more interesting by the minute.”
Heat crept over her. “I wasn’t presuming—” she began, but stopped when she saw the teasing in his eyes. She playfully shoved him. “I’m serious. I can’t accept this.”
“I didn’t do it for you,” Finn countered.
She looked unconvinced.
“Well, not just for you,” he amended. He caught hold of her hands. “Samantha Fairchild, I’m in love with you. I know it happened fast, and heaven knows you fought it. You know as well as I do, we’re meant to be together. Please let me do this for you … and your family.” A quirky smile lifted the corner of his lips. “It’s the least I can do. Considering you gave up everything for me.”
“I’m not giving up anything.”
A funny look crossed his features. “You’re not?”
Samantha laughed. “No, I’m gaining everything. I love you too, Finn Ashton Croft. And I can honestly say that it has absolutely nothing to do with the money.” The sun had finally broken through the thick clouds and was radiating beams of joy straight into her heart.
“That’s good to know,” he said, a twinkle in his eye. “I guess the true test will be if you can love me in spite of my money.”
She pursed her lips. “Hmm … I suppose I’ll manage somehow.”
“I like the sound of that,” he murmured.
Time got deliciously slow as he gathered her in his arms and covered her lips with his.
Dani clapped her hands together. “Who would’ve guessed? The surfer’s actually a billionaire. Unbelievable. I just love happy endings.”
Liam put an arm around her and smiled. “Me too.”
Thanks for reading. If you’d like to continue the story and read Liam’s sweet romance, simply click here to get the next book in the Hawaii Billionaire Romance series, Love on the Rocks, from Jennifer Youngblood and Sandra Poole.
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Book Excerpt
From bestselling author Cami Checketts comes Caribbean Rescue—a tale of adventure and romance on the high seas. Click here to get your copy.
Chapter 1
Madeline Panetto rushed down the lower hallway of the yacht, praying she wouldn’t run into one of her father’s men. A hand snaked around her arm and pulled her to a stop. Madeline swung a fist and connected with a muscular shoulder. The man grunted and yanked her against his chest.
“Don’t worry, la mia bella donna.” Bello breathed into her neck. Maddie cringed, wanting to punch him again. “It is only me.”
He was exactly who she’d been hoping to avoid. Bello made her skin crawl with his insinuations that she should be into him. Where was her father when she needed him? Bello had been quick to tell Maddie that his name meant handsome in Italian as he gave her a leering wink. During the past week and a half, she’d worked hard to avoid his wandering hands and suggestive looks, but it was a full-time job. He was handsome, tall, and dark, but his soul was twisted and ugly. She’d figured out his true character within her first five minutes on the yacht and changed his name to Bello the Barbaric. It had a nice rhythm, and it completely fit.
“I need to get dressed for dinner.” Maddie succeeded in pulling her arm free.
“I could help you change.” Bello winked and trailed his fingers along her collarbone.
Maddie shivered and backed up a step. “I’m a big girl; I think I can handle it.”
“You are a big girl.” His eyes slithered over her body.
Yuck. Maddie felt like she’d been dunked in a tub of manure.
“You know, every time we … stop a boat …” He cleared his throat and grinned like they were sharing some secret, like she didn’t know what kind of vicious and despicable scumball he was. “The women beg for me to take care of them. I think you’ll find you enjoy the experience.”
Maddie barely stopped herself from slapping him. Hands trembling with rage at what those poor women had gone through—what she might go through if she didn’t get off this ship—she scurried around him and ran down the hallway. Tripping on nothing, she righted herself quickly and kept moving.
“See you at dinner. I hope you’re wearing something special for me.”
“I hope you burn in purgatory!” Maddie screamed back, hating the smirk on his lips and knowing look in his eyes. He was going to force himself on her if she wasn’t very, very careful.
Her heart rate didn’t return to normal until she reached her own room and locked the door. Dressing quickly, she secured the heavy diamond necklace around her throat; a graduation gift from her father. She wished she could avoid facing Bello at dinner, but she’d be safe if she stayed close to her father. Bello acted like a gentleman when his boss was within ear’s length.
She checked her reflection, liking the floor-length, teal-colored lace dress. Teal worked with her dark hair and olive skin. She supposed she was a good combination of her Italian father and Spanish mother, but hoped she was nothing like them in moral structure. Maybe it was wrong to blame her mother for lying to her for twenty-four years. She had been a decent single parent and a good example of a hardworking, well-educated woman, but the lying … It made Maddie want to disown both her parents.
The luxurious Sussurro Yacht swayed slightly, but she’d gotten used to that after a few days. If only she could get used to being around her father and the awful men he called friends, business associates, pirate mates, mafia connections. Which name fit?
Maddie shuddered. Her father was a pirate. Didn’t see that one coming. She’d never thought of herself as thick-headed, but obviously she must have been not to have realized who or what her father was and then agree to sail around the Caribbean with him as a graduation present. Oh, to go back to the simplicity of college life. Her master’s thesis had been much easier than this ploy of a trip. F
aking that she was comfortable around Bello the Butthole made her want to wear baggy sweats to dinner and pretend she was deaf. But that wasn’t possible. Instead, she’d have to dress appropriately in her diamond necklace and Bergdorf Goodman evening gown—which was ridiculous, considering the price tag was probably over seven grand.
Loud bangs and thumps came from above. Maddie jerked and glanced at the ceiling as if it had the answer to the sudden disturbance. A gunshot rang out. Maddie ducked instinctively. Terror pricked at her spine as her hands grew clammy and her body trembled.
Where could she go to be safe? They’d look in the closet, and the bed frame was attached to the floor. Could she jump overboard and hope she could make it to one of the many Caribbean islands? Oh, man! She’d been ticked at her father off and on throughout her life, usually because she wanted his attention and he wasn’t around, but at this moment, she truly hated him. Maybe she’d get lucky and her father’s employees would shoot each other and leave her alone. Maybe this was just another idiotic way these men passed the time. The only reason they hadn’t used her to pass the time was that her father would’ve slit their throats. Piece of dung pirates.
Maddie grabbed a heavy picture frame off the table and crept toward the door. She wasn’t going to sit here and wait for somebody to come kill her. The walkie-talkie her father had given her to communicate onboard the ship buzzed as more shots and some loud thumps came from above. “Madeline,” her father panted out. “Meet me at my room. Now.”
“Is everything—” she started, but he’d clicked off.
Maddie clung to the walkie-talkie and the picture frame and slowly opened her door. There was no sound in the hallway. Hopefully all the action was upstairs, and she could make it down the passageway to her father’s room without being shot.
Another gun discharged, and she jumped and screamed. Forget caution. She sprinted down the hall—not an easy feat in a tight evening gown. A rip of fabric informed her she’d damaged the dress. The only reason she cared was that she’d hoped to resell the gowns to fund some humanitarian trips.
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