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

by Jeannette Winters

  So she stood watching, anticipating as the waves crashed upon her toes. As he drew closer, she knew he wasn’t Gareth. The man was fit, but she had kissed and nibbled every inch of Gareth and his body was etched permanently in her mind. The only place he exists.

  “Good morning,” she said as the guest walked past her. He nodded and quickly continued on his way. That was fine with her. She wasn’t in the mood for small talk. Actually, she felt more like crying. Her heart was so heavy. “Gareth, why didn’t I tell you when I had the chance?” she whispered.

  “What would you have said?” a voice asked from behind her.

  She spun around to find Gareth holding a bouquet of gardenias. “Gareth. You’re here?”

  “Yes. And wanting to know what you wished you had told me.” He stepped closer, now only inches away.

  “I . . . I . . .” she stammered, not sure how to say it. They were the three little words she ached to say, but he deserved more. “Gareth, how are you doing?”

  “I’m good. Healed for the most part. But that’s not why I’m here.”

  “Why are you here?” She felt like a coward putting this on him. She knew how she felt. She’d told him each night as she looked at the stars.

  “I’m here to see you,” Gareth stated.

  “How did you know I was back?” Alex had to have told him.

  “Would you believe me if I said your father told me?”

  My father? No. “You called my father?”

  “No. I went and saw him.”

  “In Panama?” That made no sense. Why would he do that?

  “Not my kind of place, but yes, in Panama.”

  She had spoken to her parents last night, and neither of them mentioned anything about Gareth visiting them. “Were you there on vacation?”

  “No.”

  He wasn’t making it easy for her. Then again, she hadn’t answered his question either. Maybe she needed to ask the right questions.

  “Did you go to talk about me?” That was pretty clear.

  “I did.”

  And that’s not much better. “About what?” How could he avoid that one?

  “Us.”

  Really? “Gareth, just tell me why you were there. What you talked about.”

  “Hmm. Why don’t you tell me what you wished you had said before?” Gareth asked with a wicked grin.

  Well played. “Fine. I would’ve told you that . . . that I love you.” There. She said it. Her stomach was doing flips and she waited, hoping to hear those words back. All he did was smile. Maybe he didn’t love her back. He’d made it clear he enjoyed his carefree bachelor life. But I changed. I thought maybe you did too. “Now I believe it’s your turn to answer me. Why did you go see my father?”

  He stepped even closer. “To tell him that I love you, and I want to marry you.”

  “You . . . you . . . what?”

  “You know, the old-fashioned, ask your father for your hand in marriage thing. I’m hoping this is where you say yes.”

  She blinked and wondered if this was all a dream. Her father was one tough man when it came to men in her life. No one went to speak to him, definitely not willingly. Yet Gareth went there on his own and actually came out in one piece. Should she be impressed or scared?

  “Brooke, are you going to answer me?” he asked.

  “Gareth, I’m . . . you’re . . . sure about this, right? I mean . . . there is so much you don’t know about me.”

  “And so much you don’t know about me either. But if you say yes, we’ll have a lifetime to find out.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “Brooke, until I met you, I never thought I’d want to settle down.”

  “I know. You told me. That’s why I . . . I don’t know why you’re asking me to marry you now.”

  “Sometimes you don’t know you’re missing something in your life, until you have it. And once you have it, you can’t picture being without it. For me, that is you, Brooke. Home is not the walls that surround us. It’s a feeling you carry inside. For me, home is waking with you in my arms every day. Whether it’s here, back in New York, or in Panama, I want to be where you are. Brooke, I’m not asking you to give up your life, I’m asking to be part of it.”

  Her hands trembled, her legs wobbled, and her stomach fluttered. “Gareth, can you . . . will you . . . ask me again please?”

  Gareth reached out to take her hand in his and dropped down on one knee. “Brooke Cortes, would you do me the honor of marrying me so we can spend the rest of our lives laughing, loving, and learning all about each other?”

  “Gareth, no one can make me laugh like you do, and I have never felt so loved. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  Gareth rose, dropped the flowers on the ground, and scooped her into his arms. She felt him wince as he kissed her. She loved the feel of his lips on hers, but she also felt how tense his body was.

  Breaking their sweet reunion, she said, “Gareth, put me down.” He let her slide down him and back into the cool water. “You’re . . . hurting, aren’t you?”

  “The only thing that would’ve hurt is if you had said no.”

  She placed her hands on his chest. “If I’m going to be your wife, you might as well start telling me the truth. Are you okay?”

  He shook his head. “I’m not supposed to be lifting anything more than ten pounds until I see the doctor again.”

  “And you picked me up? Are you crazy?” she blurted.

  He laughed. “I’ve been crazy about you since the first time I saw you.” Gareth pulled her even closer. “And when you kiss me like that, I freaking lose my mind.”

  “So, you’re saying this is all my fault?” she teased.

  “Absolutely. You stole my heart and won’t give it back. Now you’re stuck with me.”

  Brooke smiled and stood on her tippy toes, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I hate to deliver bad news, but I’m holding your heart hostage. We can negotiate its return in about seventy years from now.”

  Gareth laughed “I’ll be one hundred three by then.”

  “Hmm. Do you know studies show a healthy, active sex life can actually add years to your life?”

  “Really? I have no problem living to be one hundred fifty if it’s with you. But I think we should start working on it now. What do you say?”

  Brooke said, “Okay, but until you get the all clear from the doctor—”

  “Don’t you dare say we can’t make love,” Gareth warned.

  Brooke snickered. “I was going to say, I’ll be on top.” She pulled him closer and said, “And I say we shoot for one seventy-five.”

  The moment their lips made contact, she knew it was no dream. Dreams didn’t come as sweet at that. She’d come to Tabiq to learn about a culture, but in actuality, Tabiq had taught her more about herself. She hadn’t been searching, she’d been running. And for the first time in her life, she wasn’t dreaming of what came next. Because she had everything she could possible want.

  Epilogue

  If anyone had told him this day would come, he’d have told them they were nuts. Lawson Steel had always been his life. But it was time for a change, and this was it. He was branching out on his own. Well, not totally. Brooke was by his side.

  “I can’t believe you’re really doing this. You never said how you came up with the name of the company,” Charles inquired.

  “This journey all started because of a secret, so I figured since the secrets are out, why not call my company, The Answer.”

  “It’s actually genius. You sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

  That wasn’t going to happen. The paperwork was complete, and he already had his first client waiting for him. Gareth was moving forward and not stopping until he made Brooke proud. “You guys don’t need me taking up office space,” Gareth replied.

  “You underestimate your value to the company,” Charles said seriously. “Just remember, you’ll always be part of Lawson Steel, even if you’re not working here.”

  “T
hanks, Charles. It’s been a good run.” I hope for as much success with the next one.

  “I have to admit, I never would’ve thought you’d start your own construction company. I know I’m out of the loop on some things, but what exactly brought all this on?”

  He wasn’t going to explain the little mishap in the kitchen at New Hope, but that had been a large piece of it. “I’ve been thinking about doing this for years. But getting to see what the Hendersons have been doing in Tabiq, made me want to get more hands-on.”

  “From what you told me, hands-on is exactly what you’ll be doing. Are you sure the doctor has cleared you for that type of work? If not, I have a feeling you’ll find yourself tied down to a bed and not in a way you’re going to enjoy either,” Charles teased.

  Gareth laughed. It was nice to see his big brother cracking jokes. “Don’t worry, Brooke already threatened me. And being tied down to a bed would be gentle compared to what she said. Have you ever noticed women can be so tiny and fragile looking, but do something stupid and they can—”

  “Scare the shit out of you?”

  Gareth nodded. “Her father is not as intimidating as Brooke is when she’s mad.”

  Charles asked, “Not worried about Tony being your father-in-law some day?”

  It was a valid question, one he’d have asked if any of his brothers were about to do the same thing. There was a time when Gareth would’ve distanced himself, but doing so would hurt Brooke. Tony was her father, and even though Gareth didn’t like the way the man did business, they had an understanding, one that he felt Tony would honor. That didn’t mean Gareth wouldn’t keep his eyes open. Tony wasn’t a fool, and he knew the scandal it’d cause for his daughter if he wasn’t…careful. Gareth knew Tony would do anything to protect Brooke. And so would I. Gareth looked over and saw her parents talking to Alex, Ziva, and a few others of the Henderson clan. The Hendersons knew very well what Tony Cortes was all about, yet there was no sign of any tension between any of them. The one thing they all shared was love of family.

  “With everything we’ve learned about our dear ole great-granddad and his involvement with the corruption in Tabiq”—that was putting it lightly—“I’ve learned you can’t control anyone else’s behavior, but you don’t have to put up with their shit either. I wish we were around when they were fucking with Tabiq. I’d have loved to straighten their asses out and—”

  “Made them pay. In a way, we all have to consider ourselves lucky.”

  “You mean because most people in this room are descendants of assholes?”

  Charles nodded. “We have Mom to thank for our good genes.”

  “The Hendersons thank Sophie Barrington. Brooke still seems ignorant of her father’s business dealings.”

  “That’s sad, because someday that secret will come out.”

  They all do in time. “And I’ll be there for her when it does.”

  “We all will,” Charles said. “She’s good for you, Gareth.”

  “Yes, she is.” He looked across the room and smiled as he saw Brooke chatting up a storm with Rosslyn. They probably were talking about wedding plans by the look on their faces. He loved seeing her so happy and looked forward to making her smile for years to come. “I can’t picture my life without her.”

  “I know I told you before that going to Tabiq had been a mistake. I was wrong. It was exactly where you needed to go. You found a lot more than the answers we were looking for.”

  “Yes, I did. When Alex told me what our great-granddad had done, I was so filled with hate. If it wasn’t for Brooke being there, it might have consumed me. At one point if I could’ve changed my last name, I would have.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  Gareth smiled. Falling in love. “I learned the past can’t be changed, but you have control over the future.” She’s mine.

  “I can’t agree with you more. There’s something Rosslyn and I were going to share later once it was only Lawsons around, but I think Rosslyn will forgive me if I tell you now.”

  That piqued his interest. He normally wasn’t the first to learn of anything. “What’s that?” Gareth asked.

  “Penelope is going to have a baby brother.”

  Gareth turned and looked closely at Rosslyn, who didn’t look pregnant. “You’re serious?”

  “I am. She’s only nine weeks, but we already know it’s a boy.”

  “So the torch gets passed on,” Gareth said. It was bittersweet, but he was happy for Charles.

  Charles shook his head. “We’re actually naming him after Rosslyn’s father. The legacy stops here. There will not be a Charles Joseph Lawson the Eighth.”

  “Fuck yeah! Damn, Charles. I’m not sure if I’m happier about the baby or the name.”

  “Just remember, no one knows,” Charles said in a low voice.

  Gareth nodded. “Dad is going to flip.”

  “Let him. I love Dad, but this is my life. I’m done being told what I have to do because it is family tradition. We are not like our ancestors, and there is no way in hell I am naming my son after them. Like you said, it’s time to make some changes.”

  “I bet we’re going to pave the way for a better future for our children. Well, someday if or when I actually have some.” He and Brooke had discussed children, but they were taking one step at a time. They were both young. No need to rush into everything. Although he’d like his children to grow up with their cousins.

  “I’m thinking you’re going to have the most kids out of all of us.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  Charles laughed. “Because you’re the one who said he never wanted any. You’re not even married and already talking about them.”

  “Don’t put any money on that bet. Let me start with one first,” Gareth laughed.

  “You two look like you’re in a deep conversation. Anything we should know about?” Dylan asked with Sofia by his side. Seth, Jordan, and Ethan joined them from the porch.

  “Charles and I are taking bets on who will have the most children. Do you want in?” Gareth asked. The single brothers looked at one another and seemed to decide to get out while the going was good. Each of them rattled off an excuse why they couldn’t stay.

  Seth was the last to go, stating, “I just broke free from a lengthy conversation with Charlene on the porch. The last thing I want to do is talk about marriage or children.”

  Gareth looked closely at Seth before he dashed off. Rosslyn, could you be right? He’d never wish that on his brother, but then again, opposites do attract. Seth didn’t need settling down, he needed some excitement to shake up his work 24/7 life. Tread carefully brother, or she’ll have a ring on her finger before you even know what hit you. Gareth decided not to share that warning out loud.

  When he turned his attention back to Dylan, who hadn’t bolted, he had that look in his eyes that said he was eager to partake. Gareth and Dylan competed in almost everything growing up. This was much different. But before Dylan could respond Sofia said, “Don’t you dare play that game! I haven’t had this one yet and I know how competitive you are.”

  Dylan laughed. “Sofia, you know you want a dozen.”

  “Roses? Maybe. Children? I don’t think so,” Sofia snorted.

  Charles said, “Oh, I might need to change my bet. Dylan is very competitive.”

  Sofia shook her head. “We are supposed to be here to celebrate The Answer, not to place bets on babies.”

  “We said congratulations. What else do you want us to do?” Dylan asked.

  “Not talk about babies. Maybe we can all talk about the wedding instead,” Sofia suggested.

  In unison the men all said, “No!”

  She laughed. “Fine. Then I’m going to talk with Brooke and Rosslyn. I’m sure their conversation is much more interesting.”

  Gareth watched as Sofia walked over to Brooke and then pointed in their direction.

  “I think we’re in trouble,” Gareth said.

  “What makes
you think that?” Charles asked.

  “The look on the ladies’ faces. Just so you know, I’m blaming you.”

  Charles asked, “What did I do?”

  “You’re the oldest. It’s your job to keep us in line,” Gareth teased.

  “Nope. That’s what you’re getting married for,” Charles shot back. “Not that I want details, but how are the wedding plans coming? I thought you’d have a date by now.”

  He hadn’t expected Charles to be asking about the wedding. Usually he was all business. It wasn’t like they hadn’t just celebrated Dylan’s wedding a few months ago. Then again, Rosslyn probably hounded Charles to put the pressure on. “Still ironing out a few things,” Gareth said.

  Dylan laughed. “You’ll still be doing that the day of the wedding. Hell, why can’t they just send us a text telling us where to be and when. I think it’d be less stressful for them.”

  Charles said, “As Rosslyn reminded me several times, it was our wedding and wanted to make sure I had everything I wanted. I did. I had her. Nothing else mattered to me. Definitely not scanning through flowers and decorations.”

  Gareth had to agree. But these weren’t things he and Brooke needed to worry about any longer. Both of them wanted to keep it out of the tabloids. That meant keeping it low-key. At least they were on the same page as to what they wanted. Hopefully everyone they loved would accept that.

  Charles had shared some private information, and he wished he could do the same. But Gareth had promised they would make their announcement together. This was the perfect venue to do so. Everyone was there. Her parents, his parents, all his siblings and even all their new found family, the Hendersons with their spouses were in attendance. That might be what had shocked him the most. When he asked Brice why all the Hendersons had shown up, besides the fact they were invited, Brice informed him they were family and family supported each other through both the good and bad times. It was going to take some getting used to, not looking at the Hendersons and wondering what they were hiding and just looking at them as family that had their back.