The Billionaire's Final Stand Read online

  “How about you? Any offers to see the historic hotel? Come on, does a pickup line get any cheesier than that?”

  “Oh yes, yes it does. One guy came up and asked me if I was going to be in line to catch the wedding bouquet? I thought he was doing a count or something, so I told him I would. You know Cassie would kill me if I wasn’t there. Worse than that, she’d stop the proceedings and have me paged over the loudspeaker. So then he says, Is it just me, or are we destined to be married, as he holds up a garter belt. I don’t know where he got it because Max hasn’t even thrown Kinsey’s yet. I just walked away. Really! What else was I supposed to do?” Kinsey said as she started laughing.

  “Oh my gosh. Okay, you win. That’s freaking fantastic,” Shelby said between fits of laughter.

  They shared more lines they’d received at various weddings through the years. Kinsey didn’t understand how men ever got dates with some of the things they said.

  “Excuse me, but I noticed you looked thirsty,” a man said, interrupting the two women.

  Kinsey looked up, her body vibrating as she recognized Austin Anderson. He was gorgeous, melt-in-your-mouth good looking.

  And he knew it.

  She also knew from Cassie that he liked to date – a lot. There was no way Kinsey was getting involved with a guy like him.

  She shared a knowing look with Shelby before giving him a cool glance.

  “How nice of you, but no thanks,” she said, then turned and walked away. She was grateful she didn’t fall on her face as weak as her knees were feeling.

  She made it across the dance floor in one piece, then quickly downed the first drink handed to her. She had a few hours to go and a bit of liquid courage wouldn’t hurt.

  The rest of the men she’d turned down that night had been quite easy to walk away from. For some reason, Austin Anderson was like a magnet, trying to pull her in.

  Kinsey realized her stomach was growling. She’d been so busy trying to ensure the day was perfect in every single way for Cassie that she’d forgotten to eat.

  She found an empty table, suddenly too tired to visit with strangers, and sat down.

  “How are you doing tonight?” one of the waiters asked as he showed up almost instantly. Kinsey smiled at the young boy, thinking again about how Joseph went over the top.

  She’d been to some spectacular weddings, but none of them compared to her best friend’s.

  “I’m great, thank you.”

  “Go ahead and look at the menu in front of you to make your selection. While you’re doing that, I can get your drink and appetizers,” he offered.

  “That would be wonderful. I’ll have a Manhattan, please.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  She looked at her choices, smiling at the five-star menu. She knew most of the people attending wouldn’t bother to eat, not when there was an open bar.

  “Here you are,” the waiter said, quickly returning. He placed her drink and a plate with a variety of appetizers, the smells causing her mouth to water. There was no way she was passing up such a delicious meal. She wanted to try something she’d never had before.

  “I’ll have the Shorthorn Beef Carpaccio with crispy fried quail’s egg for my dinner and the caramelized bread pudding with amaretto poached pear, vanilla clotted cream and spiced almonds for desert,” she said after narrowing down her options. She wanted to try a little of it all, just because some of the names were so unique.

  “Very good choices. Is there anything else you’d like to add?”

  Kinsey didn’t want to order items she knew she couldn’t eat, so she shook her head.

  “I’ll have the yellow fin tuna with vierge sauce and vegetables. Also, we’ll have the Karat Pure Gold Ossetra Caviar and a plate of oysters on the half shell to share,” Austin said as he took the seat next to her.

  Kinsey looked at him, at a loss for words. She knew he was overconfident, but she hadn’t expected him to be rude. She hadn’t invited him to sit.

  “Great choices, Mr. Anderson,” the young waiter said, his face beaming to be serving one of the family members. Geese, Kinsey thought, people acted like the Anderson’s were royalty.

  “Thanks, Tommy. Are you enjoying yourself tonight?” Austin asked, surprising Kinsey. He knows the kid?

  “Yes, Mr. Anderson. I really appreciate the job. The guests have all been so nice,” he quickly responded.

  “That’s good. How are your studies?”

  “Great. I got an A on my science project because of you,” he answered. Kinsey looked back and forth between them. The kid obviously idolized Austin, but she couldn’t figure out the connection.

  “You did it all on your own, Tommy. Be proud of that. Once you understood the basic concept, there was no holding you back.”

  “Yeah, I guess. I better go turn this in. I don’t want to make you wait,” he said before turning.

  “Oh, Tommy, can you also bring out the bottle of 1978 Montrachet white wine?”

  “No problem, Mr. Anderson,” he said before practically running inside the food area.

  “What was that all about?” Kinsey asked, momentarily distracted from her irritation of him joining her without permission.

  “What?” Austin asked, looking perplexed.

  “Ah, the whole science thing?”

  “Oh, that’s nothing,” Austin said, brushing it off.

  “Considering you joined my table without asking, it’s my right to have you either provide a decent conversation, or remove yourself,” Kinsey said, looking him in the eye.

  She was surprised when he laughed, a deep-in-your-gut-make-your-stomach-hurt laugh. When he finally came up for air, Tommy was back and silently setting his requested appetizers on the table, along with the bottle of wine.

  “Would you like me to open it?” he asked.

  “No, it’s fine. Thanks,” Austin replied, and Tommy disappeared.

  “Well?” Kinsey pushed.

  “Okay, okay. I get it. I tutor some kids at one of the high schools nearby. It’s not a big deal,” he said, shifting in his seat, looking uncomfortable.

  Kinsey was shocked. She knew the Anderson’s donated a lot of money, but she didn’t know any of them did actual volunteer work. She didn’t want to learn this about Austin, didn’t want to see him as a caring guy instead of the playboy he was.

  “Oh,” she finally responded, at a loss for words.

  “You have to try this,” Austin said, quickly changing the subject as he held up a light cracker with caviar on it. Kinsey looked at it with suspicion, but she’d wanted to try new things so she reached her hand out.

  He pulled back so she couldn’t take it, then lifted it to her lips. Automatically, her mouth opened to take the delicate morsel, a flare of heat flashing inside her as his thumb brushed her bottom lip. She didn’t even taste the food as she swallowed, hoping she wouldn’t choke.

  “Thanks,” she murmured as she picked up her glass, only to realize her drink was empty. When had she finished that?

  “Try this,” Austin said as he opened the bottle of wine and filled a glass before handing it to her.

  She accepted it from him and took a sip, the delicate flavor drifting across her tongue and down her throat.

  “Do I get to know your name?”

  Kinsey looked at him, debating whether or not she wanted to give it to him. She knew he’d find out anyway, as she and Cassie were best friends. She didn’t know how they hadn’t run into each other before this night.

  “Kinsey Shelton,” she finally answered.

  “Mmm, Kinsey. Beautiful name for a stunning woman.”

  “Oh, please. Mr. Lady Killer can certainly come up with a better line than that,” she mocked, relieved to gain a bit of her wits back.

  He once again laughed. She frowned at him, wondering what she could possibly do to annoy him enough to find other prey to hunt.

  “Kinsey, you’re quickly becoming unforgettable,” he said, his face growing serious as his blue eyes loc
ked in on her brown ones.

  “That’s no good as I have no interest in being remembered,” she answered, her breath coming out raspy instead of forceful as she wanted.

  Tommy arrived with their food, and they continued bantering back and forth as they consumed the exquisite cuisine. By the time Kinsey was staring at her empty dessert plate, she was regretting the amount she’d consumed. It was fantastic, but she’d have to work out for a week straight to burn off all the calories.

  “Dance with me,” Austin commanded as he rose from the table.

  “You must really enjoy being told no,” Kinsey said, surprised as she wobbled a bit when she got to her feet.

  “I enjoy each sound that escapes from your delectable mouth,” he countered as he stepped closer and placed his hand on her waist to steady her.

  She knew she’d kick herself later, but she was tired of fighting her attraction to him. One dance couldn’t hurt. They were surrounded by people.

  “Okay,” she said, enjoying the momentary surprise in his eyes.

  He quickly recovered and grabbed her hand, leading her to a dark corner of the dance floor. He immediately pulled her into his arms, pressing her body close to his as the music played a romantic ballad.

  One song led into the next, and time slipped away as she melted into him while he whispered in her ear, his lips trailing along her neck, his breath sending heat straight to her core. He moved his hands down the small of her back, then lower, his fingers caressing the rounded top of her backside, pulling her close, leaving no doubt he was aroused by their foreplay.

  The music stopped as someone announced it was time for the bouquet to be thrown. Kinsey found it hard to process the words as she pulled away and found herself looking into his turbulent blue eyes, capturing her own and refusing to let go.

  “You’ve bewitched me,” Austin murmured before his mouth descended and he captured her lips for the first time. She knew kissing him would be good, she just hadn’t known it would short circuit her brain.

  His tongue caressed her mouth, leaving her no choice but to open for him. She knew in that moment she couldn’t fight him or the surreal vortex that had been pulling them together all night. She gave herself over to him.

  Slowly, he moved his head back, just enough to look into her eyes. His own filled with a sea of raging passion. Then, without saying another word, he let go of her, only long enough to take her hand as he led her to the hotel.

  Chapter Two

  Present Time

  “Lucas Anderson, please?”

  “This is him,” Lucas said while glancing at his clock. It was two in the morning. At the professional tone of the person on the other end of the line, Lucas became fully alert. No call at this hour was a good thing.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but there’s been an accident. We’ve admitted Joseph and George Anderson here at Harbor View Medical Center. We have you listed as an emergency contact in Mr. Joseph Anderson’s belongings. The only information I have at this time is that they were in an auto accident. The sooner you arrive, the better.”

  It took several moments for the woman’s words to sink in.

  Accident.

  Joseph.

  George.

  Arrive quickly.

  Lucas said nothing further as he dropped the phone into the receiver and jumped from his bed.

  “Lucas, what’s wrong?” Amy asked as she woke up.

  “My father and Uncle George. That was the hospital. They’ve been in a wreck and the person who called said we needed to come quickly,” he croaked. All traces of sleep were wiped from Amy’s expression as she quickly sat up, fear in her eyes.

  “I’ll let Marcia know,” Amy replied as she quickly climbed from the bed, threw on her robe, and left to alert the nanny they were leaving.

  Lucas turned off all emotion – not allowing the panic inside him to rise. He was the eldest son and it was his responsibility to notify the rest of his family. He had to maintain a calm he didn’t come close to feeling.

  Information. He needed more information. He couldn’t make a proper assessment until he knew all the facts. Were they alive? How bad were the injuries? What could he do?

  Lucas knew he couldn’t get answers until he reached the hospital, so he started moving.

  First, he dialed his cousin. It would go much faster if two of them split up the calls. Fear tried finding its way into Lucas’s heart, making it constrict as he waited for Austin to answer. With great effort, he pushed the fear down, knowing the emotion was useless.

  “This better be damn good,” Austin snapped.

  “Our fathers are at Harbor View Medical Center.” Lucas didn’t waste time on greetings.

  “Who else needs to be notified?”

  “You’re the first one I dialed.”

  “I’ll call my siblings, you call yours. I’ll meet you there,” Austin replied, his tone alert and clipped.

  “Thanks,” Lucas whispered before dropping the phone for the second time. He quickly called the rest of his siblings, then breathed a sigh of relief as Amy rushed back into the room. She immediately went to their closet and grabbed him a change of clothes, dropping them on the bed in front of him before going in and grabbing her own items.

  They changed quickly, neither of them talking as they rushed to get ready. As the seconds ticked by, Lucas found himself fighting harder not to let the panic rise.

  His father was invincible, he told himself.

  “He’ll be fine, Lucas. Joseph is too stubborn to let anything happen to him,” Amy reassured him as her arms wrapped around him in a comforting embrace. Pulling her in closer, Lucas ran his hand down the familiar softness of her hair, and gently kissed the top of her head, the feel of her, calming him, giving him the needed strength to press forward.

  “I’m scared,” he admitted, finally allowing a trace of his fear to show.

  Amy shook in his arms as she tried to control her own emotions from spilling out. She and Joseph had a special bond.

  A father had been one of the many things Amy had been deprived of as a child. Joseph had immediately opened his arms to her and she rushed right in. She was the daughter he always wanted, but was never blessed with, and he was the father she’d always dreamed of. It would hurt her as much as Lucas if Joseph were to leave the world early.

  Amy pulled back and looked in Lucas’s eyes. Her own were red and glassy and he could see she was fighting the tears from falling, trying to be strong for him.

  “Thank you,” he whispered. She looked at him with confusion. “Thank you for giving me the strength to get through this. You humble me with nothing other than your presence. Thank you, Amy. You’re right. He will be okay. He’s far too stubborn to let go at such a young age. I’m ready now. We need to be there for Mom. I don’t want her alone.”

  Amy didn’t reply as her built up tears finally fell, silently running down her cheeks. He wrapped his arm around her as they rushed from the room.

  ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

  “Over here, Mark,” Lucas called as his brother and Emily stepped into the emergency room. The couple changed direction and quickly approached their group.

  “How are they? Why aren’t you with them? What’s going on?” Mark fired questions at the growing mass of people, containing his mom, brothers, cousins and many spouses.

  “We don’t know anything, yet. It seems the only thing anyone in this freaking hospital knows how to say is, The doctor will be with you shortly,” Alex snapped.

  “Alex, anger won’t help your father or uncle. Please be patient,” Katherine said, her voice strong, though her face was pale with worry.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I just…” Alex trailed off, anxiety written on his face.

  “How are you doing, Mom. Can I do anything?” Emily asked as she pushed past the circle surrounding Katherine and gave her a comforting hug.

  “I’m hanging in there, darling. Joseph isn’t ready to leave me just yet. I know that and so does
he,” Katherine said, though a tremor ran through her voice.

  “I’d just feel better if they’d let me see him,” Lucas thundered, his temper obviously close to the breaking point.

  “Soon, Lucas. It will be soon,” Amy said, gently rubbing her hand along his arm, immediately calming him.

  “Katherine, I got here as soon as I could,” Esther panted as she rushed into the room. “I’m so sorry. Have you heard anything, yet?”

  “No. We’re still waiting. Thank you for coming. I know it’s late,” Katherine said as Esther wrapped her in a consoling embrace.

  “Nonsense. I’d be terribly upset if no one had notified me. I have to be here. Let’s look at the positive. No news is good news, right? That means they’re fighting. Those men certainly know how to fight,” Esther said through her tears.

  “Yes they do, Esther, yes they do,” Katherine said with a watery laugh. She was obviously glad to have her friend there.

  “I remember times when you would’ve gladly run over Joseph. He’s got some thick skin and there’s no way one little accident will keep him down. Same goes for George.”

  “You’re right again, Esther. That man… Well, let’s just say he has a way of keeping my heart accelerated. They were out driving that blasted car I told him to sell months ago. I truly despise those tiny things,” Katherine said.

  The kids looked at her, all of them relieved to see her fear dim as anger took its place. At least the anger brought a bit of color to her cheeks.

  “Grown men trying to act like teenagers. What were they thinking? We’ll just have to talk to them,” Esther threatened.

  The two women continued to rant until they were interrupted by an approaching doctor.

  ◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

  “What do you mean, you want him released? Are you kidding me!” Kinsey snapped at the young doctor who didn’t even bother looking up from the notes he was writing in Joseph’s file.

  “He’s fine, nurse. Why don’t you do your job and let me do mine.”

  “I’m trying to do my job. I’m trying not to let you kill my patient!”