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

  “Are you kidding me? Ziva was the one who texted me last night about the dress. She loved it too. By the way, they really liked you. Ziva’s exact words were: You need to find a way to get her to stay in Tabiq.”

  Brooke laughed. “You better pick up that pen again, because that’s not happening. It’s nothing against Tabiq or anyplace. I just enjoy traveling. That’s why I wanted only a one-year contract with New Hope.”

  “I get it. You’re single and young, and it’s your time to live your life. But don’t you ever think about settling down? You know, getting married and having a family?”

  “Of course I do. But I work so much and with my lifestyle, I can’t see that happening any time soon.” And she wasn’t looking for it either. Her parents might be thrilled, but she wasn’t so sure about that either.

  “You don’t plan that. It just happens. I told you the way I met Vinny.”

  “Yes you did, maybe ten times,” Brooke teased. “By the way, it’s a very romantic story. I think you should write a book about it someday.”

  Janet laughed. “I’m no author.”

  “No, but I bet Vinny would be happy to give you a lot of material for that book.” Brooke loved watching Janet blush. It was nice to see happily married couples. Some of her friends had married. Happy was not a word she would use to describe them. Then again, their reason for marriage wasn’t the same either. It was all about status and money. Joining forces to create an empire. But where was the love? The passion? Nope. Only dollar signs. Maybe that was what kept Brooke moving around so much. She didn’t want to end up like them.

  “Just remember, this romantic love story you’re talking about wasn’t planned. They never are. One minute you’re happy in your life and not looking to change a thing, then bam, some sexy man comes along and sweeps you off your feet. You don’t even know it’s happening until it’s too late. You’re in love.”

  Brooke leaned back in her chair. She didn’t get enough sleep for all this . . . joyfulness so early. “Janet, how did we get on this subject?”

  “You were telling me about Gareth, and I guess I was—”

  “Running off on a tangent and about to plan my wedding. I think I’d rather have the written warning right now.” Brooke snickered.

  “Don’t try to pretend like you’re not interested in him. I’ve seen the way you look at him.”

  Brooke crossed her arms. “I don’t remember ever bumping into you when we were together.”

  “Exactly. Because when you’re with him, the world around you seems to vanish. It was a few days ago, and you were on the beach. I gave you the afternoon off. I worried that you might not be heeding my advice and actually relaxing. I was wrong. You two were all cozy on the blanket.”

  “We were having lunch.”

  “I saw that. But trust me, Brooke, I see people all the time. You like him. Why won’t you admit it?”

  Because it doesn’t matter. He’s leaving. “Janet, I’m not here to meet someone.”

  “And?”

  “And I don’t believe he is either.” That was the truth. It wasn’t as though he asked her to his room last night. She would’ve said no, but he could’ve tried. I want him to want me so I can say no? That’s so screwed up. No, that wasn’t it. She was afraid of getting attached. Then when he left, it would hurt like hell. It was better not to know what she would be missing.

  “For someone so well-traveled, you are horrible with relationships.”

  “I’ve dated.”

  “But when was the last time you dated someone like Gareth?”

  “I don’t—”

  “Date handsome sexy men? Why?” Janet asked.

  “No. I don’t date men with money,” Brooke blurted.

  Janet cocked her head. “I wasn’t prepared for that response. You want someone broke?”

  “No. It’s complicated.”

  “So it seems. Let me get this straight. You don’t want to date him because he’s rich?”

  “When you say it like that, it sounds stupid,” Brooke stated.

  “Yes it does. Glad you realize that. So what do you have against people with money?”

  “I don’t have anything against people with money; I just don’t want to date them. Love has nothing to do with material things. Money clutters it up, and when it’s gone, sometimes you find there’s nothing left.”

  “I can see your point. So you’d rather have nothing, so you can’t lose it?”

  “No, but my love is not for sale.” She’d received many expensive gifts over the years. They meant nothing to her, because they’d been no effort for the guy to obtain. It would’ve meant more for someone to put a quarter in a gumball machine and win a cheap plastic ring for her. Same sentiment, but it wasn’t about showing off. I don’t need bling. I need heart.

  “I get it now. You are looking for the real thing, just afraid you won’t find it. So you shut it down before you can be disappointed.”

  Brooke sat back and thought about that statement. It wasn’t really hard to see how Janet was able to deduce that from this conversation. She had dressed up last night for Gareth, wanting his attention. It wasn’t like she’d thrown herself at him, but it was clear she was interested. That didn’t fit with what Janet said. Not really. Doing all this for a man she knew was going to be leaving didn’t mean anything. It just meant there were no expectations for anything afterward, that’s all.

  Damn it. That’s exactly why I’m doing this. Because I know it can’t go anywhere. But she did like him more than she wanted to admit. If he didn’t leave soon, that feeling might develop into something she didn’t want. The last thing she wanted was to find the real thing with someone who didn’t feel the same way.

  “I guess it’s a good thing there’s a policy about dating the guests then. I don’t have to worry about falling in love.” And getting my heart broken.

  “That’s a good defense. Doesn’t change anything. You still like him. And this is going to make it harder for you: Alex said he had no issue with you dating him. So there you go. No excuses. What are you going to do now?” Janet asked, looking quite pleased with herself.

  Brooke didn’t understand why Alex would change the policy based on one guest. She had to be missing something. She thought they had just met and were business associates. Yet last night she picked up on something more. Janet’s comment only confirmed it. Was it worth looking into? Yes, since it seems to now include me.

  She asked, “Janet, you don’t find that odd?”

  Janet shrugged. “Nothing in Tabiq surprises me anymore.”

  Brooke wasn’t concerned about Tabiq. Gareth had her puzzled. Why exactly was he here? Granted, he was full of mystery, and she was slowly getting to know him. After last night’s after-dinner conversation, Brooke understood why the Hendersons were so protective of Tabiq. Was Gareth here to help rebuild the country? God knows the Lawson family has the assets and money to do it. Maybe he wasn’t leaving Tabiq for long. That would explain the extended job offer from Ziva too.

  She had to agree with Janet. Tabiq was full of surprises. But she had one for all of them. She wasn’t extending her contract. She might like it here, but she was leaving in two months, and it was going to be a one-way ticket.

  There was a knock on the door and Brooke was thrilled for the interruption. Janet called out for them to enter.

  “Excuse me, but there is a problem in the kitchen. One of the pipes has broken and water is spraying everywhere.”

  “Oh no. Did you shut off the water to the kitchen?”

  “We don’t know how,” the man exclaimed.

  Janet got up from behind the desk, and they all dashed to the dining room. Water was shooting out of the sprinkler pipe on the ceiling. She turned to Brooke and asked, “Do you know what to do?”

  Brooke knew nothing about construction. So she pulled out her cell and rang Gareth’s number. She blurted out what was happening and he said he’d be right there.

  “Who did you call?” Jane
t asked as she watched the water.

  “Gareth.”

  Janet turned to her and said, “A guest?”

  When she had dialed the number Brooke wasn’t thinking of him as a guest, but instead of someone who’d come to her aid. And really the one person she knew she could turn to. “Do you want me to call him back?”

  It was too late. Gareth was already in the kitchen rushing over to her. He obviously hadn’t been up and ready yet as he was only wearing a pair of shorts, no shirt or shoes.

  “Where is your maintenance room?” he asked.

  Janet pointed. “It’s the door across the room. I’m not sure what good that will do. We don’t know what to do.”

  “Let me worry about that,” Gareth replied.

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking when I called him,” Brooke said to Janet as she watched him walk beneath the spraying pipes and disappear into the maintenance room.

  “Like I said, Tabiq is full of surprises.”

  Yes it is. A few seconds later, the water began to ease up and finally slow to drips. Gareth came out and instead of walking back over to them, he climbed up on a counter and tapped one of the pipes. He shook his head and jumped down.

  “Not good,” he said.

  “What’s the matter?” Brooke asked.

  “An issue I’ll have to speak to Alex about. But the kitchen is not going to be functional for a while.”

  Janet’s eyes widened. “You mean hours?”

  “Days if you’re lucky, but it could take weeks. I’ll let Alex know what’s going on.”

  “Would you care to fill me in?” Janet asked.

  Gareth shook his head. “I’ll leave that for Alex.” Then he turned to Brooke and said, “Looks like you have to change. Want to walk back with me?”

  Janet gave her a look then nodded. Brooke hadn’t realized her white blouse was practically transparent since she’d gotten sprayed. “I think that’s a good idea.”

  As soon as they were back in the hall, Gareth said, “I’m glad you called me.”

  “I feel horrible. It’s not your job to rescue us.”

  “I wasn’t rescuing anyone. I came because you asked me to.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. He came for me.

  Nothing else needed to be said. Gareth took her hand in his and did as promised, walked her back to her room. When they arrived at her door he said, “I have a meeting today with Alex. I have a feeling it’s going to go longer than I expected with this new development. Would you be interested in having a late dinner with me?”

  “Gareth, I really want to say yes, but people are beginning to notice I’m not following the rules.”

  “You’re not going to be fired.”

  She’d already figured that out, talking with Janet. “But it is not right that I can do what others can’t.”

  “So have dinner with me in my room.”

  Well there goes the rule entirely. “Gareth, I want to, but . . .”

  Gareth reached out and placed his hand under her chin, tipping it up so she couldn’t avoid his gorgeous dark eyes. “Neither of us is going to be in Tabiq forever. Let’s enjoy the time we have. I want to spend that time with you.”

  So much for her wanting to keep things private. Gareth leaned over and kissed her, and she didn’t even try to resist. She’d expected that last night. This morning, it was unexpected, and even sweeter than she could’ve hoped for.

  His lips lingered, kissing her gently. When he pulled away she found herself leaning against his bare chest, not wanting the moment to end.

  “Dinner?” he asked.

  “I . . . I can’t go to your room. But I’ll be here if you want . . . to have dinner in mine.” Her room was far away from all the others, and the odds of anyone seeing them were slim.

  He peered down at her and said, “I’ll bring something for dinner. No need to order anything.”

  She wasn’t thinking about food. All she needed was a few more of those sweet kisses and she’d be lost. “Let me guess, you’re going to surprise me,” she teased.

  He pulled her closer against him. “You, my dear Brooke, are the one full of surprises. And I’m starting to enjoy them very much.”

  He claimed her lips again, this time teasing and tracing her lips with the tip of his tongue. When he let her go, she was breathless and leaned against her door for support.

  “I’ll see you later for dinner.”

  And I’ll bring the dessert.

  She watched him strut down the hall, his body still glistening from the water. He was right. Neither of them were going to be in Tabiq for long. It was laid out on the table, no promises of tomorrow. How could she be disappointed when her knight in shining armor was so honest with her? She was getting what she wanted. Something real. Just something not lasting.

  Gareth didn’t want to be the one to deliver Alex the bad news, but facts were facts.

  “You mean the pipe is rotted right through? How can that be? It’s not like they’ve been there for twenty years,” Alex stated.

  “No. But the salt water and climate all come into play.” Never mind the shabby materials used.

  “This isn’t good. And you think this could be a problem throughout the resort?”

  Gareth replied, “I have no idea. If you want, I can have a team come and look into it. Was it all done by the same contractor?”

  “No. So what you’re saying is I need to call my brothers and deliver them this lovely news. Where should I start? That the resort might need some major repairs or that you’re the one who found it?”

  “I thought they knew I was here,” Gareth stated.

  “No. I monitor the guest list with Bennett. When I saw your name, I told him not to say anything to anyone. I’d handle it personally.”

  No one handles me. If Alex hadn’t been so upfront and forthcoming, they might have gotten off on the wrong foot. “And this is where all our secrets start to bite us in the ass. I guess it’s best not to mention my name. Brice was adamant that we not connect with any of you. He’ll suspect that I came to Tabiq looking for answers he wouldn’t provide.”

  “And he’d be correct.”

  “Yes, he would. Do you regret telling me?” Gareth asked. He knew Brice had similarities to Charles. As the oldest they felt the need to protect everyone. While all the others felt as though they were being controlled. It was nice to see that Alex didn’t have an issue with being his own man.

  “Only time will tell if I regret my decision. I guess it really depends on what you plan on doing with the information. Hopefully Ziva and I have explained what took place in Tabiq enough for you to recognize the ongoing need here.”

  “You have my word, the Lawson family wants all this to stop as much as the Hendersons. I’m sure if I spoke to my brothers, they would be more than happy to donate the steel required to make any necessary repairs to New Hope. It is important to continue bringing in industries that will strengthen the country.”

  “You haven’t even told them what happened here, and you’re that confident they’d be supporters to our cause?” Alex asked.

  “This issue wasn’t caused by just your father, Alex, and you know that. My family holds part of the blame. It is only fitting that this generation bands together to repair some of the damage.” Repair might be too strong of a word. The best they could hope for was to make amends and try to stabilize the country enough so they weren’t at risk for it happening again.

  “So what you’re saying is you’d like to be on the phone with me when I deliver this lovely news to Brice?”

  It’d be better if done in person, but it wasn’t like they had time to fly to Boston to address the pipe issues.

  “Why don’t we fix what we know is broken, and then you talk to your brothers when you’re ready.”

  “And you’re going to do what? Have the piping flown out here?” Alex asked.

  “Why not? It’d save a hell of a lot of time if we handle the problem ourselves. Actually it might be the best w
ay to address it right now. Just say the word, and I’ll make the call.”

  “You’re flying it from the States? Doesn’t sound practical.”

  Gareth answered. “It wouldn’t be, but a year ago we set up a steel mill just a few hours’ flight from here. We’re going global and needed to ensure quicker access to a quality product. Since we don’t trust others, we set up our own plants. I’m sure you understand the trust issues we have. Sad when you find out you weren’t just being paranoid. And things really are that fucked up.”

  “It definitely makes you keep your circle of people small. Not what I want for my children.”

  “Seems like your little girl is going to be just like her mother.” Gareth said.

  “Watch out world, because Ziva is a force to be reckoned with.” Alex sat quietly for a moment and Gareth knew he was debating what to do. It all depended on whether Alex felt as though he could trust Gareth or not. Eventually Alex said, “Make the call.”

  “Okay. Do you need men to do the repairs or just the parts?” Gareth asked.

  Alex shook his head. “We try to utilize as many people from Tabiq as we can. They can use the work, and they definitely need the money.”

  Gareth pulled out his phone and dialed the plant. There was no time to dick around so he went directly to the director of the facility. He placed the order and said, “This does not get keyed into the system. I will be paying for this delivery myself.”

  “I do not understand, Mr. Lawson. This isn’t for a customer?”

  “No. It’s for my own personal use. And by the way, I need that delivered today.”

  “Yes sir. We’ll have it transported to you immediately. Is there anything else, Mr. Lawson?”

  Gareth wanted to say not to mention it to his brothers, but that would be like waving a flag of more suspicion. “No. That’s all I need right now.” He ended the call and slipped the phone back in his pocket. Turning to Alex, he said, “It’ll be here. Now let’s get this kitchen up and running.”

  Alex shook his head and said, “I never would’ve thought the Lawsons and Hendersons would be working on anything together, never mind here in Tabiq. If only our ancestors could see us now.”