That’s the thing about greed. It knows no bounds.
“I have a meeting in five minutes and they’ll probably keep me for the afternoon.” Daniel swipes his sweaty brow. He’s a good seventy pounds overweight and even on his tall frame, it’s too much girth. “Can I count on you not to fuck this up?”
I force a smile. His wasn’t the most wholehearted vote of confidence, but I’ll take it. “Of course.”
“He’s cocky, strong-willed and needs a knot tied in his tail,” Daniel says, not quite finished with his tirade. “You’re strong. Smart. The perfect candidate to take him on, Viv.” His voice gentles, and I feel an odd catch in my chest at the compliment.
The last man who praised me was my father. When I learned I couldn’t trust him at the end, I wondered if every ounce of praise he gave me before was a lie. There are two versions of him in my head. The man who encouraged me to believe in myself and never give up, and the man who told me those things while stealing money from innocent people.
Disgusting.
“Shut him down,” my boss repeats. “Let’s teach him a lesson.”
I draw my chin up at those words. Owen needs taught that you can’t do what you want and give the rules the finger.
“Grab a hardhat from the back. Don’t want you busting that pretty noggin of yours and then suing me.”
Aaaand…moment over.
“Sure thing,” I reply blithely.
I grab a hardhat from the back and walk outside to my 2014 Hyundai the car salesman assured me was “reliable.” I don’t even miss the sleek black Audi RS I used to own. Okay, I do a little. But a car is a car. This gem will deliver me to Grand Marin just as well as that Audi.
Grand Marin is a soon-to-be massive live-work community. An open-air style shopping, dining, and retail area interspersed with offices for professionals as well as apartments for young, vibrant tenants who want to live in the middle of—or above—the action.
Live-works have been growing in popularity, and whenever there’s a trend, I’ve noticed the Owen family has their mitts all over it. I’ve never had any personal dealings with Owen, but I know rich people. They’re not that great.
As a former rich person, I speak from experience.
I also know that Gary, the city’s former mild-mannered inspector, came into the office with his bottom lip dragging the ground each and every time he had to deal with this site. Gary was a softie, and we all liked him. He was rocking a five-foot-three frame and had a shy way of watching his shoes when he talked. Then he blows up at Daniel? I wouldn’t have guessed he’d raised his voice a day in his life before today.
People can surprise you, though, and for me that should come as no surprise.
Gary’s despondence, and the possibility that he took a bribe, proves what a bulldog this Owen guy can be.
Bring it on, buddy. I’ve already been through the wringer.
Daniel’s grumping about the mayor isn’t totally inaccurate. Rumor has it the Owens grease palms. Mayor Dick Dolans might well be their pet.
I come to a stop the moment I merge onto the highway. So much for taking a shortcut. I-70 is a parking lot, and the heat index on the car’s thermometer reads 97° F.
Worse, I’m wearing a synthetic-but-made-to-look-like-real-silk shirt and it’s sticking to me like a second skin. Waves of heat waft off the road as if the cars are in the process of being melted down into one big metal glob. The month of June is going out like it has a score to settle.
Again: relate.
I crank the A/C down and rest a hand on the steering wheel. I refuse to panic. I’ll get to Grand Marin when I get there. I wish I would have dug up some much-needed intel about the site before Daniel rushed me out of there. I know next to nothing about it.
At least I’m wearing my nicest, most slimming pencil skirt and high heels. Not the best getup for tromping around a construction site, but it’s a good look when wanting to bust some billionaire balls. I smile to myself, straightening my shoulders.
I’m out for a win for the good guys. A win for justice. I picture myself as Wonder Woman and lift my chin. If she did it in a bustier and panties, I can do it in a pencil skirt and knockoff silk.
Ready or not, Nathaniel Owen, here I come.
About the Author
A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), or eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create a life you love.
Jessica Lemmon's romance novels have been praised as "purely delicious fun" and "lavish, indulgence-fueled romance" by Publisher's Weekly, as well as "wonderfully entertaining" and "a whole lot of fun!" by RT Book Reviews. She is the bestselling author of over thirty books that have been translated into a dozen languages and sold in over 30 different countries worldwide, with her debut novel releasing in January of 2013.
Her work has been honored with awards such as a Library Journal starred review, an RT Top Pick!, iBooks Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Month. She has been recommended by USA Today and NPR.com, and has achieved the rank of #1 bestseller on Nook as well as earned a seal of excellence nomination from RT Book Reviews.
Through witty banter and fun, realistic situations and characters you’ll want to “sit down and have a drink with,” Jessica tackles tough relationship issues and complicated human emotions while delivering a deep, satisfying experience for readers.
Her motto is "read for fun" and she believes we should all do more of what makes us happy.
Also by Jessica Lemmon
Blue Collar Billionaires series
Once Upon a Billionaire
Charmed by the Billionaire
Billionaire Ever After
Billionaire Bad Boys series
The Billionaire Bachelor
The Billionaire Next Door
The Bastard Billionaire
A Crane Family Christmas
Real Love series
Eye Candy
Arm Candy
Man Candy
Rumor Has It
America’s Sweetheart
Visit jessicalemmon.com for a complete book list.
Charmed by the Billionaire Page 23