The Unknown Billionaire (Captured by Love Book 6)

by Charles,Miranda P.

  “Is everything okay?” Marilyn asked when they were alone.

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “Just sensed that you were somewhere else at times while we were eating.”

  “Yeah, I was still upstairs in your old bedroom,” he said in a loud whisper.

  “Oh, really? But you didn’t look like you were thinking about sex.”

  He suppressed a sigh. “Actually, the mention of Biz Q&A earlier reminded me of a problem at work that I’ll have to deal with first thing Monday morning.”

  “Something stressful?” Marilyn asked sympathetically as she transferred some leftovers to a smaller dish.

  “A bit. You know how it is with delayed projects.”

  “You want to call it a night after we finish here so you can have a good rest? We did have a very tiring afternoon,” she said with a grin.

  He chuckled, warmth suffusing him both from her sweetness and her naughtiness. “You know, I think I’ll need more loving than rest tonight for me to feel completely relaxed for Monday.”

  “Uh-huh. Who are you gonna call for that?” Marilyn asked as she started to load the dishwasher.

  “What?”

  “I said who are you gonna call for that?”

  Did Marilyn not hear him right? “I said I’ll need more loving tonight.”

  Marilyn glanced up at him, her expression casual. “Yeah, I heard you.”

  “Who am I gonna call for some sex?” he asked incredulously.

  “Yes,” she said, deadpan.

  He scowled at her, his chest compressing. Hadn’t they agreed this wasn’t a casual relationship?

  A goofy grin appeared on Marilyn’s face. “So I’m the only one you want, right?”

  “What do you think?” he asked with a huff.

  Marilyn walked to him, a cute, irresistible, forgive-me smile on her beautiful face. “Just teasing you.”

  “If your parents weren’t close by, I’d give you a smack on that hot bum of yours for asking such a ridiculous question,” he said with a growl.

  Marilyn giggled. “I think it’s the wine. It’s making me playful.”

  And just like that, she’d made him horny again.

  “Can we go home after cleaning up here?” Jarryd asked in a low voice, sending her a heated look. He would have taken her in his arms, but that would guarantee an obvious erection that he couldn’t afford with her parents about.

  “Okay,” Marilyn said readily, running a hand down his chest. “Then I can give you all the loving you need.”

  He inhaled through his mouth. “Chop-chop, then. Let’s finish up here quick smart.”

  They did finish cleaning up in record time.

  And Marilyn did give him incredible loving that went on for the whole weekend.

  He hated that he had to lie to her about why he had to leave her bed so early on Monday morning. But he had a meeting with the CEO and COO of Greeves Minerals.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Jarryd walked down the corridor leading to several meeting rooms in the Greeves Minerals headquarters in Sydney. He wasn’t looking forward to this meeting with Olivia Greeves and her son Elliot—who was now the company’s chief operating officer. Olivia and Elliot each owned twenty-five percent of Greeves Minerals, since they’d received the shares that would have gone to Harold and Margaret’s son when Harold had died.

  Lilah, the young receptionist, let him inside a modern light-filled room with a round six-seater table in the middle. “Mrs. Greeves and Mr. Greeves will be with you shortly, Mr. Westbourne. Can I get you anything in the meantime?”

  “I’m fine, thank you, Lilah.”

  The receptionist closed the door and Jarryd looked around, that surreal feeling descending on him again. It was plain crazy. He had little knowledge about mining or the workings of this multibillion dollar company, yet his slice of the pie was larger than anybody else’s. Whatever did he plan to do with it? What the hell was he doing here?

  “Hello, Jarryd.”

  He twisted to smile at Olivia Greeves, who looked striking in her black suit and white dress shirt. He gestured for a handshake. “Olivia, good to see you again.”

  “Thank you. You too. Elliot is still on a phone call, but he won’t be long. Have a seat, please.”

  “Thank you.” Jarryd sat on the leather chair opposite Olivia.

  “Have you decided whether or not to sell us some or all of your shares?” Olivia asked.

  He hid a smirk. Olivia was straight to the point. “Not yet. I’d really like to take my time before I make a decision. Right now I’m happy with the current arrangement—to be a shareholder and leave the management of the company to you guys.”

  Olivia nodded. If she was disappointed by his answer, she didn’t let on.

  Part of him did want to sell his stake in the company to Olivia and Elliot as soon as possible. After all, they were the ones running the show. Mother and son had worked here for years in managerial positions under Harold and Margaret’s direction, and this business had to mean more to them than it did to him.

  But Margaret had chosen to leave him her fifty-percent shareholding in Greeves Minerals. That fact had a massive effect on his decision. Even though his adoptive parents were loving and wonderful folks, Margaret O’Neill had plugged a hole in his heart that he hadn’t even realised existed until they’d met. He was still grieving for his birth mother, who’d shown him genuine love in the one year they’d known each other, so he couldn’t bear to sell the shares. It touched him deeply that he’d meant that much to Margaret.

  Plus, he had that secondary reason of not wanting to touch his inheritance while Patrick was thinking of challenging the will. He didn’t want anyone questioning his honesty.

  The door opened and in came Elliot—a slightly built man who was about his age. “Sorry I’m late,” Elliot said, extending his hand towards Jarryd.

  Jarryd stood up and shook it. “No problem. I just got here myself.”

  “So have you decided to sell us your shares?” Elliot asked as he sat down.

  “I was just telling Olivia that I’m happy with the status quo for the time being.”

  Elliot stared at him, clearly dismayed. “What makes you want to hold on to the shares? Were you always interested in mining companies?”

  Jarryd gave him a tight smile. “It’s a good investment, from what I’ve learnt about the company so far. Plus, Margaret did leave me the shares. I want to make the right decision regarding them.”

  Elliot sat back in his chair, arms locked behind his neck. “Did she really leave them to you?”

  “Elliot,” Olivia said sharply.

  Jarryd narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean, Elliot?”

  “You have to admit it’s highly suspicious that Aunt Margaret would leave you almost all of her wealth when she’d only known you for a year.”

  “She did give birth to him, Elliot,” Olivia said, her tone warning her son to back off.

  Elliot smirked. “I’m just saying.”

  “I expect that my decision to keep the shares will not affect the way you run the company,” Jarryd said, holding his temper even though angry heat rose up to his face.

  “Of course not,” Olivia answered placatingly. “We care about this company.”

  “Yes, we do,” Elliot said.

  “Good,” he said with icy calm. “Now, is there anything else we need to talk about?”

  “Nope,” Elliot said. “Pity you had to come all the way here. You could have told us your decision over the phone.”

  “I thought I’d let you know face-to-face, just to be polite.”

  “Look, Jarryd, I apologise for Elliot’s outburst,” Olivia interjected. “We’re just still surprised—shocked, actually—about you and Margaret’s will. We never knew you existed until after her death.”

  Jarryd took a deep breath. Hell, even he was still incredulous about the whole thing. And even though he resented having his integrity questioned, he had to admit that he’d be suspicious too, i
f the shoe was on the other foot. He nodded. “I understand where you’re coming from. I’m still as shocked as you are. And, for the record, I assure you that in no way did I manipulate or coerce Margaret into writing me into her will.”

  There was silence for a long minute as Jarryd stared at the two. They didn’t meet his eyes.

  “Well, I better go,” he said finally, feeling like he’d made his point. “Thank you both for taking the time to see me.”

  “Sure,” Olivia said with a smile, escorting him to the door while Elliot gave him a lazy goodbye wave.

  “Please excuse my son, Jarryd,” Olivia said as they stopped by the elevators. “I’ll talk to him. He was wrong to insinuate that you’re dishonest.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that. See you again soon.” He followed Olivia with his eyes as she walked back to the meeting room. He might own half of the company, but if he happened to demand changes, there’d be a stalemate if Olivia and Elliot both disagreed with him. Not that he saw any reason to go against the two at this point in time, but he was pleased that Olivia didn’t seem to have any animosity towards him.

  He switched his attention to the indicators that flashed the levels the lifts were currently on, and he felt the need to go to the bathroom before leaving the building. He walked to Lilah’s desk. “Excuse me, could you tell me where the men’s room is on this floor?”

  The woman flashed him a simpering smile. “I think you should use the executive restrooms, Mr. Westbourne. It’s right next to Boardroom One, two doors down from the meeting room you’ve just been in.”

  “Thank you.” He was surprised that the receptionist appeared to know his status as the leading shareholder of the company.

  He turned to the corridor and was about to pass the meeting room where he’d met with Olivia and Elliot when he heard Olivia’s raised voice—muffled but clear behind the closed door.

  “All I’m asking is for you to be nice to him! Is that too much to ask?”

  Jarryd couldn’t help but stop in his tracks. Were they talking about him?

  “I can’t stand the man!” Elliot said, his voice just as loud. “And who knows? I just might annoy the hell out of him enough that he’ll sell his shares so he won’t have to deal with me anymore.”

  “That’s stupid thinking. He might want to annoy you back and keep the shares. Just let me deal with him alone next time. We don’t want him sticking his nose in our business.”

  The hairs on Jarryd’s neck rose. He looked around, ensuring there was no one about, and leaned closer to the door as Olivia and Elliot’s voices calmed down.

  “Fine,” Elliot said. “You deal with the idiot. Patrick obviously doesn’t want to tarnish his wholesome image.”

  Jarryd scowled. What the hell did that mean? Were the two in cahoots with Patrick in Patrick’s mission to strip him of his inheritance?

  He grabbed the doorknob, intent on confronting mother and son.

  “Fucking Grant Ace is another problem,” Elliot said. “We have to stop them.”

  Jarryd froze.

  “Be careful what you say out loud,” Olivia said, her tone steely.

  “Sure, Mother,” Elliot said with sarcasm. “Anyway, I’m late for a staff meeting. I’ll see you later.”

  Jarryd hurried to the next room, instinct telling him not to get caught.

  Bloody hell. Olivia and Elliot seemed to be doing something dodgy. And it involved him, Patrick and the Grants.

  *****

  “I don’t know, Jarryd,” Carl said, stroking his jaw in contemplation. “What you heard might have sounded suspicious, but there’s nothing concrete about any of it. They do want your shares, so it’s understandable that Olivia wants Elliot to be nice to you so you’ll cooperate. As for mentioning Patrick’s name, well, they obviously know of his conflict with you. Maybe what Elliot said was just an observation on his part about Patrick’s reluctance to take a definitive step against you. And their comment about Grant Ace could simply mean they want to stop them winning Well of Brilliance by outbidding them.”

  Jarryd let out a heavy sigh. He’d been running Olivia and Elliot’s conversation over and over in his head in the last couple of days, and he knew Carl was right. Nothing he’d heard warranted putting a noose around Olivia’s and Elliot’s necks. But his instinct insisted it wasn’t all innocent. “I know there’s not much to go on, but I think we need to check up on it. I’ll hate myself if I just sit and wait, knowing they might be planning something detrimental against me and the Grants.”

  “You want Bray Hayden to sniff around?”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  Carl called the private investigator and put him on speaker. Jarryd got him up to speed.

  “No problem,” Bray said. “But you also have a good chance of picking up something of substance, Jarryd. You have a reason to keep meeting with Olivia and Elliot and questioning them about things. And you’re still friends with Marilyn Grant, right? You can do some subtle poking around without revealing your secrets to her. She might let it slip that her parents have known enemies, for example. Then we’d have something to sink our teeth into.”

  Jarryd stared at Carl’s phone. Bray was right. He did have the opportunity to get some good information. Unfortunately, this was further reason why he couldn’t tell Marilyn and her parents about Margaret and his inheritance.

  No way they’d believe he was only interested in helping Grant Ace if he told them he owned fifty percent of Greeves Minerals. Given their past experience with Marilyn’s deceitful ex-boyfriend, they’d most likely think he only wanted them to back off as Greeves Minerals’ competition for Well of Brilliance. That would hurt Marilyn so much.

  He let out a heavy breath. As far as he could see, his only acceptable option was to keep them in the dark until he had something concrete to share with them. And he had to be careful not to arouse their suspicions while he tried to draw out some information. If there was anything he didn’t want to lose, it was Marilyn’s trust.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Marilyn hurried to the coffee shop where she’d agreed to meet Jarryd for lunch, the several bags she was carrying making it hard for her to walk as fast as she wanted. She hated making him wait, but selecting outfits for the various Christmas parties she needed to attend had taken longer than expected. And frankly, shopping was one of her favourite things to do.

  She entered the café and immediately spotted Jarryd sitting at a table near the window, playing with his phone and looking oh so handsome.

  Her lips curved up happily. Heck, she could even feel her heart smile. They’d both been so busy trying to get things done before the holidays that they hadn’t had time to sleep together during the weekdays. Fortunately, they’d be spending another weekend together.

  She navigated her way through the aisles, careful not to annoy people sitting at their tables with her bags.

  Jarryd looked up when she reached him, his grin blinding.

  “Hi, babe,” he said, standing up to give her a peck on the lips.

  “Hi. Sorry I’m late. I had to finish my shopping since I won’t have any other free time before the parties.” She placed the bags under their table as she sat down in the chair next to him.

  “Looks like you bought the whole store,” Jarryd joked. “What did you get?”

  She took out a black-and-gold V-neck sheath dress from its carry bag. “What do you think of this? This is what I plan to wear to the Christmas Eve party my parents are hosting at their place.”

  Jarryd’s gaze went to her cleavage, then back to the dress, then back again to the valley between her breasts. His forehead creased and his lips pursed.

  “It does show a little skin,” she said, surprised by his expression. “I thought you liked my boobs.”

  “Of course I do. But I don’t relish the thought of having to poke out other guys’ eyes at your parents’ party.”

  Marilyn raised her brows. “What?”

  “Which of your exes are going to be
attending? You said before that you’ve gone out with sons of your parents’ friends.”

  She suppressed her smile at his jealous tone. “I only dated a couple of them a long time ago. I wasn’t at all serious with them or them with me.”

  Jarryd leaned close to her, his gaze intense. “I still want to be introduced to them.”

  “Why?”

  “So I can hammer it into their heads that you’re mine now.”

  She grinned, loving that he was possessive of her. “No need to bring anything from your toolbox. One of them is already happily married and the other one is Simon—and you already know Simon.”

  Jarryd narrowed his eyes.

  “Don’t tell me you’re jealous of Simon. You know he’s one of my best friends.”

  “He wants to get in your panties,” he said with a low growl.

  She laughed, remembering Simon’s joke at Lexie and Rick’s place. “He does not. You know how he loves to tease. And as if I’d want to sleep with him. He’s like a brother to me.”

  That seemed to placate Jarryd. He kissed her lips and smiled at her. “I was thinking of getting a new suit today for your parents’ party, but I’ve changed my mind. I think I’ll get it on Wednesday or Thursday instead.”

  She gasped delightedly. “I didn’t know you planned to go shopping today. We can get it after lunch.”

  “Nah.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’d rather we go back to your place.”

  “But why? This is the perfect time to get it. I really don’t mind. I can help you chose, since you seem to hate shopping so much.”

  Jarryd snorted, and his actual intention dawned on her.

  “Tell you what,” Marilyn said coquettishly, running a finger on his arm. “You can imprison me in my bedroom all weekend...”

  Jarryd’s nostrils flared as he sucked in a deep breath.

  “If we get your suit after lunch.”

  Jarryd groaned, slumping back in his chair.

  “I’ll help you choose,” she said pleadingly.

  “Okay, then,” he said resignedly.

  She clapped her hands.

  Jarryd chuckled. “So what else have you got here?” He bent down to check out her other purchases.