Eight Reasons Why Read online

  Eight Reasons Why

  Jeannette Winters

  An original work of Jeannette Winters, 2019.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Contents

  Jeannette Winters

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Epilogue

  Also by Jeannette Winters

  By Jeannette Winters & Lena Lane

  Jeannette Winters

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  Hate to say goodbye to your favorite characters? The perfect solution is a Synchronized Series! One world. Three authors. Character cross-over. Triple the amount of books. Binge reading at its best.

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  Each author’s books are full stories you can enjoy individually! But putting them all together weaves an even more pleasurable reading experience.

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  Eight Reasons Why

  Caydan Pintino had been preparing his whole life for this; to avenge what happened to his mother. He was willing to risk it all.

  * * *

  Allyson King worked hard and sacrificed a lot for this promotion. The Hendersons were counting on her to keep New Hope on track. She wasn’t about to let them down.

  * * *

  When Caydan takes a job at New Hope, everyone believes him to be perfect, all except for Allyson. She finds him brash, arrogant and oh so hot.

  * * *

  Will their attraction be what sets them up to fail, or will they find there’s something neither of them are willing to risk losing? Their love.

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my grandson. You are my reason why...Mémère loves you!!!!

  * * *

  Karen Lawson, Janet Hitchcock, E.L. King and Marion Arche, my editors you are all amazing!

  To my readers who continue to inspire me with endless messages and kind words. Always make time for romance.

  Chapter 1

  The remote smashed against the wall. “Fuck them all,” Caydan Pintino growled. No matter what he tried, the Hendersons always seemed to come out on top. The world news glorified them as though they were royalty. Caydan knew otherwise, and if it was the last thing he did, he was going to find what he needed to reveal the truth about them.

  “I told you this wasn’t going to be easy. The Hendersons are one hell of a powerful family and their allies, the Turchettas, seem very . . . loyal to them,” Roger replied.

  Caydan had never anticipated a family like the Turchettas banding together with the Hendersons. Turchettas were supposed to be about honor. But they’d chosen the wrong family to back; any friend of the Hendersons was an enemy of his. And of Tabiq’s. “I don’t pay you to tell me the obvious. You’re supposed to—”

  “Tell you the truth. The harder you push, the more these guys dig their heels in. I don’t see you winning this battle.”

  It was something Caydan had been working on almost his entire life. Nothing Roger said was going to deter him now. “Maybe I don’t have the right person for the job.” He knew Roger was willing to take the hit for a few of the questionable things that had taken place. Hell, when Caydan tried to prevent Drake Fletcher from joining forces with the Hendersons, Roger made sure Caydan’s name was never brought up. Caydan couldn’t ask for a better friend or more loyal assistant. But when it came to the Hendersons, Caydan was blinded by . . . hate.

  “I have no issue with getting my hands dirty, but their hold on Tabiq is strong. It’s going to take a lot more than money to change that at this point,” Roger said.

  He knew that. Money had ruined Tabiq in the first place. As far as Caydan was concerned, the only thing that had changed since the old man’s death was the Hendersons had found a different way to exploit the Tabiqian people. “That’s why I need those documents.”

  “And you think getting a job at New Hope Resort is the way?” Roger asked.

  “I do.” If he couldn’t bring them down from the outside, it was time to do so from within. Caydan shrugged. When he learned Drake Fletcher was looking for someone to manage the resort in Tabiq while he and his wife, Isa, attended to High View Falls, the casino in the States, he didn’t hesitate. He’d thought about sending Roger in, but he didn’t look the part. He was too . . . American. Caydan’s only concern was stepping out from behind his curtain and showing his face. The last few years he’d been able to keep his identity secret. That was about to change. He was scheduled to meet with the human resource manager and then Drake.

  Standing up, he adjusted his tie. Armed with the fake résumé Roger provided him, Caydan knew it was show time. He wasn’t worried about pulling it off. The interview with the human resource manager was only a formality. It’d be a totally different story if he was meeting with one of the Hendersons. Keeping his cool face-to-face might not last very long. Although there would be some satisfaction in knocking a Henderson out, it wouldn’t be the end of them. Get the job, earn their trust, and watch them implode.

  “Okay. I cancelled the limo, as you requested; the taxi is waiting.” Roger shook his head. “You still want me to head back to Tabiq?”

  Nodding, he replied, “I’m going to be there one way or another.” Hopefully as the manager of New Hope Resort. Landing a job with the Hendersons was the last thing he ever thought he would want, but the way things were lining up, it was perfect.

  As Caydan left the hotel room and headed to the lobby, he tried to focus on the upcoming meeting with Scott Townsend. Townsend took his HR management role very seriously and did everything by the book, so Caydan hoped he could use that in his favor. He got inside the taxi and headed to High View Falls, ready to begin the first phase of his attack.

  This wasn’t his first trip to the States, but his were usually his business trips to New York or Boston. Nothing about today was usual. As the taxi traveled to High View Falls Casino and Hotel, he couldn’t help but appreciate the view. This part of Connecticut, although still busy, was more to his liking. The highest building in sight was Drake’s, but even that had been built to fit its surroundings.

  Caydan had been spending too much time in big cities and luxury hotels. They were great for a short time, but he missed the sight of tree-covered hills and lush green lawns. For the briefest of moments, it reminded him of . . . home.

  Tabiq might not be a financially wealthy country, but it was rich in beauty. At one time you could drive from the mountains to the ocean within a few hours and experience a wide ran
ge of colors along the way. But now the view had changed along with many other things in Tabiq. The oceanfront view had been reserved for the rich who could afford to stay in the resort. Tabiqians only saw it from inside when they were hired to work there. The next generation of Hendersons were using Tabiq to grow their empire. It sickened him, because they seemed to think they were better than James, their father. Caydan didn’t see any difference. They were all monsters. But the bigger they get, the harder they’ll feel the fall. And the more satisfied I’ll be.

  He knew innocent people would be caught in the crossfire. No matter how he approached it, those working at New Hope would suffer financially, but that was easy to rectify. He could compensate them. Though they now carried the Hendersons name, Isa and Ziva were both Tabiqian. It appeared they hadn’t been forced into marriage, but no one knew for sure. Only time would tell. If they truly loved those assholes, they were about to learn they had married the wrong men.

  Caydan arrived at the hotel, went inside, and gave the desk clerk his information. Security came over, gave him a temporary badge, and escorted him to the elevator. “Mr. Townsend is waiting for you on the lower level. Be sure to stop at the desk and return your badge when you leave.”

  The guy had no personality, and if that was how he greeted everyone, Caydan was shocked that Drake still had a business, never mind a fast growing one. Before the doors closed, he noticed there was more security than he’d been led to believe. Was Drake expecting trouble? Are they here because they know who I am?

  Roger hadn’t been wrong before, but it would suck if this was his first. What he’d done—planting chips and falsifying videos—was illegal. No one had been charged, and Drake had reinstated the employees who’d been affected. In the scope of things, it seemed to have worked out very well for Drake. His business grew and somehow he landed a wife and child in the process. Neither Fletcher nor the Hendersons suffered any long term negative effects. Still, the authorities would frown on Caydan’s involvement.

  When the elevator doors opened, Scott wasn’t alone. A woman with red hair and the greenest eyes he’d ever seen stood beside him.

  “You must be Mr. Pintino. I’m Miss King. I’ll be sitting in on the interview since you will be with me in Tabiq if you’re found suitable for the position.”

  That definitely was a new development. Although he had no objection to working so closely with a woman, he found it more difficult to lie and mislead them. Treating women badly is the Henderson’s specialty, not mine.

  “You don’t look as though you’re from Tabiq,” Caydan stated as he followed them to the office.

  With the click of her heels against the floor, she huffed and said, “I’m from Chicago, not that it’s any of your business.”

  Not a good start. He didn’t miss the warning tone, yet what he said shouldn’t have gotten such a response. Did she have a chip on her shoulder? Was she out to prove she could do a job she wasn’t cut out for? Normally that wouldn’t be his problem. But if she was going to be in Tabiq with him, she might try interfering with his plans. Someone so young and eager was going to be a rule follower, and Caydan was about to break them all. The last thing he needed was some hotheaded woman watching his every move. So instead of a snappy retort, he decided to cool his jets so he could remain under their radar. There’ll be plenty of time later to show them what an asshole I can be.

  He turned his attention to Scott, who didn’t seem fazed in the least, as he took a seat and gestured for Caydan to do the same. “Mr. Pintino, your résumé is . . . quite impressive.”

  “Thank you,” Caydan replied. He’d been concerned Roger may have built him up so well that it raised a red flag.

  “Allyson and I have one question.” He looked directly into Caydan’s eyes and asked, “Why New Hope? Why Tabiq?”

  Caydan had prepared for many varied questions and this one had been on the top of the list. The pay was great, the location . . . that was questionable. At least if you knew anything about Tabiq’s history. From their expressions, they didn’t. “Whether in Tabiq or here in the States, Mr. Fletcher’s reputation is well known. He’s the type of person I want to work for.” Just not for the reasons you think. Drake Fletcher had the reputation of being a fair man. But since he willingly went into business with the Hendersons, and now was part owner in the New Hope Resort, Caydan didn’t believe any of it. You lie down with the dogs, you get up with fleas. Those opinions weren’t going to be voiced. Not yet at least.

  Scott eyed him for a minute then said, “Mr. Fletcher will not tolerate anyone tarnishing it. Is that understood?”

  “Perfectly.”

  “Good, then let’s get on with the interview,” Allyson chimed in.

  For the next hour he answered everything the same way, one lie after another. But by the end, Caydan left victorious. He’d never admit it to Roger, but he hadn’t been sure he could pull it off. Midway through, Allyson had drilled hard and hadn’t let up. Scott had sat back and taken notes. Caydan didn’t know where the hell Drake found such impressive employees, but Caydan might need to revisit who he had running his own business. He knew going into the interview that if . . . when . . . he got the job, it would be a quick decision and an even faster start date. It wasn’t as though there hadn’t been other candidates before him, but Caydan made sure there wasn’t anyone who fit the requirements like he did. The only time Scott seemed to show any concern was his extensive list of world travel. Caydan turned that once again into a positive, and all agreed it showed the diversity he could bring as a manager. The truth was, Caydan hated being confined to one place too long. Nothing ever felt like home, a place he wanted to be more than any other. Probably because he’d never had one. His hardships weren’t anyone’s business, but they came in handy as a constant reminder of why he was doing all this.

  With the interview out of the way, they negotiated salary, which meant nothing to him, and it was done. He was now the manager of New Hope in Tabiq. Phase one completed. Scott’s assistant would organize his flights, and then . . . show time.

  Caydan had only a few loose ends to tie up, most had been taken care of prior to traveling to the US. His house in Switzerland was in good hands. His mother was staying there, and the staff would care for her needs. His business, on the other hand, would still need his involvement. At least there wasn’t anything pressing at the moment. Any new land deals would need to be put on hold until he could dedicate a hundred percent of his time to it. He hated the thought of missing out on prime real estate to flip for substantial profits, but he was willing to lose a few, hell he’d be willing to lose them all, in order to exact his revenge.

  As he entered the taxi, he sent Roger a text.

  LEAVING FOR TABIQ NEXT FRIDAY.

  HOW WAS THE MEETING WITH DRAKE?

  That had been his only concern, and after all that, the guy didn’t even show. It wasn’t as though Caydan had anything personal against Drake, it was once again, just poor choice on who he did business with. If it’s more than that, then I’m going after him next.

  HE WAS DETAINED ELSEWHERE. WASN’T REQUIRED IN ORDER TO GET THE JOB.

  Roger replied, MANAGER?

  Did you doubt it? Caydan replied, FOR NOW.

  They both knew Caydan wasn’t out to grow with the company, never mind own New Hope. Hell, he could’ve built his own resort there if he had thought it beneficial to Tabiq. It was pure arrogance on the Hendersons’ part to assume they knew what was best for the country. What do they know? They grew up in privileged Boston without a care in the world. What do they know about the cruelties of the world? Caydan wanted one thing: for those bastards to get a lesson and someday grovel, begging the Tabiqian people for forgiveness.

  Caydan put his phone back in his pocket. The Tabiqians might forgive and forget, but I never will.

  Not even Roger knew everything, and Caydan wasn’t about to share. This wasn’t business; this was personal. Caydan wasn’t Swiss. He was Tabiqian, if only by blood. Because of the Hen
dersons, that’s all he had. If it was the last thing he did, if it cost him all he owned, he would make them regret ever stepping foot back in Tabiq. It might not be my home, but it’s my homeland, and I want you out of it.

  * * *

  Allyson King had worked with Scott for four years. His recommendation had landed her the position in Tabiq. Maybe it was her . . . inexperience that had raised the hairs on the back of her neck, but there was something about Caydan Pintino that didn’t seem right.

  “You seem a million miles away. What’s wrong? Nervous about the new role?” Scott asked.

  Shaking her head she said, “Thinking about Mr. Pintino.”

  “You know the rules. No fraternization with staff.”

  Allyson shot him a look. “That’s not going to be an issue. And definitely not what I meant.”

  “Then I don’t see a problem,” Scott said.

  She wasn’t sure what she had seen. How could she tell Scott it was a gut feeling, especially when he hadn’t sensed it? This was the opportunity of a lifetime, and Allyson wasn’t about to let her nerves get the better of her.

  “His résumé, as you pointed out, was . . . perfect.” Just like every answer he gave. As though he’d rehearsed them.

  “Good. Because the two of you will be working closely together.” In a softer tone, Scott added, “I know you’re capable of doing the job, Allyson. But if you don’t feel—”