The Billionaire's Scandal (The Blank Check Series Book 3) Read online

  Alex shook his head. “If that was the case, he’d be here as well as his team. But he makes a point of knowing more about our family than we’d like him to.”

  “Meaning the reason I’m here,” Gareth said flatly.

  “Exactly. I will have to admit, this has come as a shock to me as well. I’ve been one of the family members who didn’t want to learn anything more about our father or his parents. But that has changed.”

  “Because of Audrey?”

  “She has always been a concern, but now more than ever. Unfortunately both our families are part of a club we wish we weren’t in.”

  He wasn’t sure what club that was. “What the hell does that mean?” Alex leaned back in his leather chair and stared at Gareth for what seemed like an eternity. He knew Alex wanted to tell him, but was holding back. So he pushed. “I could be out enjoying my day with—”

  “Yes. One of my employees. So I’ve heard. We’ll talk about that later. Right now, I’m trying to figure out where to start or more importantly where to end.”

  “Maybe it’d help if I told you what I know so far.” Alex agreed and Gareth spent the next hour sharing everything Brice had told them and then added more of what his family life had been. Alex didn’t seem shocked at all as Gareth talked about their great-granddad and what he did to Aunt Audrey. “What has me puzzled is what Tabiq has to do with it all. I know your father came here and participated in some very . . . disgusting things. But why are you all here? I would think the last thing you’d want would be to step foot on this soil. Hell, I wouldn’t think they’d want you here either.”

  Alex said, “You know more than I expected. And actually, you’ve enlightened me to things I wasn’t aware of. Seems my brother Brice still tries to control shit.”

  “He said it is to protect the family,” Gareth corrected. I know what he means. I’m doing the same thing.

  “Who is he to determine what any of us have the right to know? I knew my grandmother was fucked up. Hell, it explains a lot about my father too. But no one informed me they believed she killed her husband’s first wife. Not that this should surprise me. From what I already knew about her, pure evil ran through her veins, not blood.”

  “I’m sure what Great-granddad did to her didn’t help any. If anything, it probably magnified the problem. Hate and resentment are powerful tools and can be very destructive in the hands of someone . . . unstable.”

  “And now we’re left with the cleanup,” Alex said with a heavy look on his face.

  “What does New Hope have to do with what your father did?”

  “Seems Brice left out a large piece. I get it. It’s personal and fucking ugly as hell. No one would want such things about their family exposed. But you’re family. And unfortunately, your family is involved. I hope you don’t have any plans for tonight, because it’s going to be a long evening. I let Ziva know I won’t be home till very late.”

  Since it wasn’t even dinner time, what Alex was about to say might be more than Gareth was ready to hear. But would he ever be ready? He’d come this far for this information. Just because it wasn’t something pleasant, didn’t mean he should walk away. In his gut, he’d always known it wasn’t good. Nothing about Aunt Audrey has been.

  “I want to know it all. If takes all week, I don’t care.”

  “Before we start, I want to remind you, this information could destroy my family. I’m trusting you with it because how closely linked you are to it as well.”

  “I’m here because I believe we can’t protect our families by turning a blind eye to the past. That is what got us all in this problem in the first place.” If Great-granddad hadn’t ignored what was going on with Aunt Audrey, their lives would all be different. Hell, we might not even exist.

  “Okay. So let’s start with exactly what went on here in Tabiq. My father was a very sick and cruel man, but he wasn’t the only one. There were men willing to back him financially, so they could all achieve greater wealth. That includes a Lawson as well.”

  “Brice had mentioned something about that. He didn’t go into any details. Probably because he didn’t want us to know what happened here.”

  “My brother and I handle things differently. He holds it all in and tries to control it that way. I, on the other hand, think of my family history when I’m at my laptop writing a horrific scene. No matter how gruesome I make it, I know my father and grandmother did worse.”

  Gareth nodded. “Unfortunately I understand that all too well. So tell me everything, and then maybe I’ll understand what I, I mean we Lawsons, need to do in order to fix it.”

  “Fix it? That won’t happen. All we can do is try to build Tabiq back up to a place where it will be strong enough not to fall prey to assholes like—”

  “Us. Damn it, Alex. That is the underlying fear, isn’t it? That one day we learn we’re just as fucked up as they were.” It was something he’d seen in Dylan’s eyes when he learned he was about to become a father. No one wanted to pass this legacy on to their children. Gareth wasn’t one who had to worry about that, but he hated knowing it weighed on his brothers’ minds.

  “I think we all go through that, but as time goes by, we all have come to the understanding that we make our own paths. We’re not saying we can ever forget, but we refuse to let their actions define us as individuals. Since this is all fresh to you guys, you’ll need to go through that process just like we did.”

  “You mean the one where you wish you were born into a different family? Because that’s how it’s starting to feel.” The Lawson name, one he’d been so proud of, now felt like a noose tightening around his neck. And Charles worried that Dylan and I would be the ones who’d tarnish the family name. Ha. No scandal I’ve been in could touch this shit.

  “That is why New Hope means so much to us. And it’s not just the resort. There are schools, hospitals, and a police force that doesn’t report to the highest bidder. All this is what has made it possible for us to move forward with our lives. Happy ones by the way. And I believe the Lawsons will too. If you choose to, that is.”

  From what he saw the night before, Alex and Ziva were definitely happy. He could see his family starting to be the same. But they weren’t over the hurdles yet. “It’s my hope we do too. So, why don’t you start by telling me what our families really did to this country.”

  The next several hours were spent learning what the ugly side of wealth could do. That night he wouldn’t be able to close his eyes without seeing the faces of the Tabiqian people who worked there. He’d thought James Henderson had been the only one involved in the human trafficking. Never had he imagined James and his great-granddad had actually started it in Tabiq. Two brilliant businessmen who had everything but a heart and soul.

  He knew he needed to check in with Dylan, but he didn’t want to chat that night. Instead he sent him a quick text so he wouldn’t be concerned.

  ALL IS FINE. MET WITH ALEX. NICE GUY. WILL TELL YOU ABOUT IT WHEN I RETURN TO THE STATES.

  Dylan replied: IS THIS A GOOD THING?

  It can be. Meeting with Alex had provided one thing. Hope. Even though the Hendersons couldn’t change the past, they also didn’t run from it. Alex promised to take him around and give him a private tour of the inner workings of Tabiq within the next few days. That was the information he wanted to take back to his family. How this generation could make a difference as well. A positive one.

  IT’S A VERY GOOD THING. I’LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.

  Dylan asked: WHY SO LONG?

  NOW I’M TAKING A VACATION.

  He’d promised Brooke he wouldn’t stand her up, and he meant it. Besides, he wanted to get to know her better. And taste those sweet lips of hers again.

  What was it about Tabiq? Was everything an extreme? Even his desire to be near her, never mind with her, was more than he’d felt with any other woman. Gareth was going to need to tread carefully with this one. All the stress and tension in Tabiq had to be clouding his judgment. What he felt for h
er was nothing more than a strong sexual attraction. Lust didn’t rule him. And he wasn’t about to give in to it.

  The last thing I want to do is fuck with anyone here in Tabiq. As if we outsiders haven’t done enough already.

  It was funny, she looked like she was born there, dark hair, dark eyes, beautiful olive skin, but her accent wasn’t right. He needed to ask her where she was from. Then again, did he really want to get to know her more personally than he already did?

  Personally? Yes. Intimately? Fuck yeah! Neither was going to happen. So why the hell was he chasing her if he had no intention of following through? Cause she’s irresistible. It was a good thing he wasn’t going to be in Tabiq much longer. Being around her could become a habit. One he didn’t want. One that was going to be hard to break.

  5

  She didn’t need to tell Janet that Gareth kissed her. It wasn’t like a real kiss. Well it was a real kiss but not one that . . . Hell, it was so a real kiss. It might have been brief, but her entire body ached for more. She didn’t understand why he’d kissed her.

  It was stupid to overthink it, but that seemed to be what women did best. Women thought too much and men thought too little. Gareth probably hadn’t given it a second thought after he left her yesterday. Of course he was off meeting with the big boss. She really hoped it went well for him. Gareth seemed like an okay guy, minus the fact that he wasn’t exactly reliable. Maybe just on dates but with business he’s spot on.

  She laughed to herself. When she thought about him, the only steel she was thinking about were his abs. And biceps. And pecs. Damn he’s solid. Through that T-shirt he’d worn, she could see every muscle flex. It was hot in the sun, and she almost suggested he take it off, but that would only make it hotter for her.

  Had it been that long? Was that why every time she bumped into Gareth, she found herself horny? That wasn’t like her at all. She did enjoy sex, very much, but she wasn’t one whose blood pumped with something as simple as a peck on the lips. Yet Gareth had accomplished that. Maybe that was why she opted to dress a bit differently this time.

  Taking one last look in the mirror, she knew he wasn’t going to be prepared for her. She’d taken the time to straighten her long dark hair so it shined like silk. He’d never seen her with makeup either. Not that she wore much, but enough mascara to make her eyes pop and a hint of lipstick to entice. She only had one dress, a form-fitting black one that fell off her shoulders. With matching stilettos she felt pretty, but with the black strapless bra and thong she felt sexy as sin.

  Gareth called and said they were going to dinner off the resort. Since she’d never been anywhere but New Hope, she had no idea what to expect. So she dressed up instead of dressing down. Hopefully she nailed it. She’d know soon as she headed to meet him in the lobby.

  She took the elevator, and when the door opened another employee got inside too. He looked at her and asked, “Brooke?”

  “Yes. It’s me,” she replied. By the look on his face, the change was significant. This was the way she dressed back home. There was always some event or occasion that required dressing up. But it was expected at home. Here all she needed was her waitress uniform and shorts for when she was off the clock.

  “You look . . . different,” he stammered.

  “Thank you.” Brooke hoped he’d meant it as a compliment.

  When the doors opened and she stepped out, she strutted out with confidence. There was only one head she wanted to turn, but really, what woman complained about turning more than one?

  She held her breath as she turned the corner where Gareth should be waiting for her. Would he find her attractive too? She hoped so. This was all for him. When she arrived in the lobby, his back was to her, and she could tell he was on the phone. So much for a grand entrance. She could step back around the corner and try again, but why bother? She didn’t believe in forcing things. If he was meant to see her and be blown away, he’d have been looking in her direction.

  Brooke made her way to him and tapped him on the shoulder. Gareth, with the phone to his ear, turned. His eyes roamed over her, head to toe, nice and slow.

  “Dylan, I’ve got to go. Something’s come up.” Gareth didn’t seem to wait for a response as he slipped his phone into his pocket. “I’m sorry miss, but I’m waiting for someone. Don’t know if you’ve seen her. She’s a waitress here by the name of Brooke.”

  Since he was wearing a suit jacket, she had chosen well. Brooke smiled and stepped closer. “Would you rather I go and change?”

  He shook his head. “I thought you were beautiful the first time I saw you, but this dress . . . well it makes me want to skip dinner and . . .”

  “Oh no you don’t. You promised me you wouldn’t cancel again,” Brook warned.

  “I’m sorry. I guess the blood flow to my brain was temporarily interrupted.” He gave her a playful wink then added, “Dinner it is. Maybe I should’ve been clear as to where we’re going.”

  “Anywhere is fine with me. I’m looking forward to leaving the resort for a while.” And being with you.

  “Then you’ll enjoy where we are going.”

  “Good. I love surprises,” she said.

  “Really? I hate them,” Gareth said then added, “because they never are as good as you look.”

  She blushed slightly, which was funny. Brooke wasn’t one who blushed easily. Was it the way he looked at her? Or maybe what he said? More likely it was her own thoughts, as she was tempted to tell him they could skip dinner because dessert was so much sweeter. They hadn’t known each other long enough to even think about . . . sex. Yet, it was as though he was eating her up with his eyes, and her body betrayed her, wanting more.

  The night was young and she wasn’t about to waste the opportunity to see someplace besides New Hope. And although her body might disagree, she wasn’t ready to take the next step with Gareth. She was still trying to figure him out. Realistically, he’d probably be gone before she did.

  She wasn’t going to think about him leaving, not when they had a lovely night ahead of them. Brooke could live in the moment, and this was one she didn’t want to miss. Hopefully he has a romantic dinner for two planned. Someplace private, with a view.

  “Gareth, I hope standing in the lobby wasn’t the plan,” she teased.

  He laughed. “No. But once again, I’m blaming you. You really took my breath away when I turned around.”

  Nailed it. “Thank you,” she smiled sweetly. “It feels nice to have a reason to dress up.” She tapped her foot lightly and added, “Which, by the way, is the hint for us to go, because I’m famished.”

  He laughed. “Oh, don’t worry, I picked up on it.” With a wicked grin he added, “And before you ask, it wasn’t the sound of your growling stomach that gave it away.”

  “That’s horrible, my stomach wasn’t—”

  “I know. It’s mine. I’m starving too.” He reached for her hand, and she slipped hers in his. “And at this point, I think we’re going to be late.”

  As they made their way out of the door, she asked, “What time is our reservation?”

  “I thought you liked surprises,” Gareth said, opening the back door of the waiting black SUV.

  “I didn’t think knowing a time was going to ruin it,” she chuckled.

  Inside he tapped the driver that they were ready. When they pulled away from New Hope, Gareth turned and said, “It’s kind of complicated.”

  “Dinner or the time?”

  “I love how quick-witted you are. I hope your sense of humor continues when I tell you where we are going.”

  “Let me guess, you’ve charted a plane and are stealing me off to some deserted island.” Of course Tabiq was quite beautiful, just . . . poor.

  “Nothing quite that elaborate. We’re having dinner with . . . friends.”

  Brooke turned to him. “I hate to break it to you, but I don’t have any friends here. Not that I’m unfriendly, but the people of Tabiq like to keep to themselves.”


  “Not all of them,” Gareth stated.

  Great. I’m here ten months and nothing. He’s here a week and has already been invited out. “So we are going to meet your friends at a restaurant?”

  “No. We’re going to their home.”

  Brooke started to panic. This was a bad idea. She hadn’t told anyone she was leaving with Gareth, and he was taking her to God-knows-where. She could only imagine the riot act she was going to receive from Janet when she fessed up. Was it too late to change her mind? Gareth surely wouldn’t force her to go with him if she asked to return to New Hope.

  That was the issue. She had no idea what he was capable of. So far she was letting her libido drive her actions. Stupid. Very stupid. Someone as world traveled as she was, knew better. Her heart raced and she tensed. Gareth must have noticed because he asked, “Are you okay?”

  This was her chance. She could tell him she had a headache, or felt queasy, or . . . or . . . just tell him the truth. “Gareth, I’m not comfortable with this.”

  “With what? Us having dinner together?”

  She shook her head. “There are reasons we’re told not to leave the resort. I’m sure your friends are very nice, but this is still . . . unwise.”

  “I’ll have the driver turn around if that is what you want. But do you really believe I’d take you someplace you might not be completely safe?” He waited until she shook her head before he continued. “I’m glad. Because you have my word, Brooke, I’d never let anything happen to you.”

  “Okay,” she said meekly. She wanted to believe that, but not knowing was unnerving.

  “Would you feel better if I told you where we are headed?”

  Brooke had told him she enjoyed surprises. Then she freaked out because he was doing just that. Should she go for three and change her mind once again? If she followed her head, she’d still have him take her back to New Hope no matter where they were headed. But her heart said she could trust him. Following one’s heart usually leads to one thing. Heartbreak. God, I hope I don’t regret this.