The Proposal (A Billionaire Romance)

by Nikki Wild

  Shane and Grant Tanner sat together on a shaded bench near the waterfront area, waiting for Jon Ohana to arrive across the channel from Lanai. It continued to be their good fortune that Fong’s yacht was too large to dock on the less developed island.

  “I’m enjoying our little caper. I can’t wait to give Fong a piece of my mind.”

  “Me too dad,” Shane said, getting quiet for a moment before continuing, “You know, pretty soon I’m going to have a little kid calling me that.”

  “You’ll make a splendid father Shane. Now get your head in the game. I think that speedboat is pulling in right next to Fong’s yacht. Is that Ohana stepping out onto the dock?”

  “It sure as shit is. How much time do you think we should we give them? Maybe ten minutes to sit down and get situated?”

  “That should be enough. Let me know when you’re ready son. I can’t wait to show them the Tanners are a force to be reckoned with.”

  Exactly ten minutes later Shane slapped his father on the knee and said, “Okay, let’s go get ‘em!”

  Father and son entered the yacht and quietly descended the stairs leading down below to the very same room where Shane had recently dined with Tony Fong. Jon Ohana was busy unpacking stacks of papers and legal folders from his briefcase onto the long table in front of them while Fong watched in obvious pleasure.

  “Good-afternoon gentlemen,” Shane said as he walked through the doorway with his father. “What do we have here? I hope we’re not interrupting anything?”

  Fong rose up out of his chair in anger. “What do you think you’re doing Tanner? Leave immediately or I will have you both arrested for trespassing.”

  “You’ll have us arrested? That’s a good one isn’t it dad?”

  “It sure is son. Criminals aren’t usually in the habit of calling the cops.”

  Jon Ohana stood up and started nervously fidgeting with his briefcase, swiftly stuffing everything back into it. “Looks like that concludes our meeting for today Mr. Fong,” he said as he tried unsuccessfully to squeeze past the impenetrable wall of Tanners.

  “Not so fast Ohana. You’re not slithering out of here. Sit down. You think I don’t know that you’re here to finalize the sale of your property to Asian-Pacific and that you never had any intention of selling it to me?”

  “Now wait a minute Tanner. I’m in charge of land sale negotations and I am fully within my rights to finalize a deal with anyone. This is certainly not a crime.”

  Grant Tanner couldn’t contain himself. “Drugging and poisoning a man is a crime you little fucking snake. I’m sure you knew all about that little plan when you set up the meeting between Fong and my son, didn’t you Mr. Ohana?”

  Ohana and Fong looked nervously at each other.

  “Mr. Tanner that is a very serious accusation. Fortunately false allegations are not enough to prosecute somebody in your country. I believe evidence is a requirement.” Fong smiled smugly.

  “If only we’d thought of that!” said Shane, laughing. “Really Mr. Fong, do you think we would come here if we didn’t have all the evidence we needed? Before we get into that little ball of fun, why don’t you try explaining how Mr. Ohana could be at a meeting on this ship last Friday when he was in the Philippines? We’d also be interested in hearing how two controlled substances and an illegal poison found their way into the Sake I was drinking on your yacht. Something tells me lacing rice wine with a rare poison from South America wasn’t an accident.”

  Jon Ohana looked at Tony Fong in false disbelief. “You poisoned him?”

  “Don’t pretend to be so innocent Mr. Ohana. You can’t talk your way out of this. We know you were in this together with the Fongs. Getting my hands on your personal banking records was quite expensive, but it turns out you’ve done a terrible job hiding the bribes that Mr. Fong has been providing you with,” Grant Tanner chimed in.

  “Setting me up and destroying my relationship with Dani would strip the support of the entire Hawaiian community. Your fellow islanders couldn’t possibly blame you for putting your stamp of approval on selling this land to Fong, the only other bidder. You’d appear perfectly justified in doing so, and that leaves you free to profit from all of Asian-Pacific’s future Hawaiian development without local interference. You weren’t just selling some land… you were selling your soul.”

  Tony Fong remained outwardly unshaken. “That’s pure speculation and conjecture. Now if you’ll excuse us please, we have some unfinished business to take care of. Mr. Ohana let’s not delay any longer. Mr. Tanner is obviously suffering from an overactive imagination. Shall we get started signing those papers now?”

  Shane stood in-between both men and handed down his final ultimatum.

  “I don’t think so Fong. That land can never be yours because I’m buying that property. I’m the one who’s going to sign those papers, not you. You are going to leave these islands and never return.”

  “And why am I going to that Tanner?”

  “Because you’ll do as I say unless you want tomorrow’s headlines to read billionaire arrested for pimping his wife, kidnapping, and smuggling poison into U.S. aboard this beautiful yacht. We have the Harbor Police waiting outside with a subpoena to search this boat for illegal Curare as soon as I give them the green light, and given your obvious interest in rare and exotic narcotics, I’m guessing that’s not the only thing they’re going to find on board.”

  “Do you think I would ever allow any of this to harm me? My staff will gladly take responsibility for any illegal substances found onboard, and they will be well compensated for doing so. Did you forget that I am a billionaire? I am above your petty laws.”

  “And you might be right, if there wasn’t a star witness willing to talk all about your little photo session with my son.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mr. Fong replied, a bit of color draining from his face.

  “I’m talking about your so-called wife. The police picked her up in Honolulu. I guess she has a little problem with the nose candy, doesn’t she Fong? They found an ounce in her purse. Did you know that possessing an ounce of cocaine can be considered an intent to distribute? That’s a twenty five year prison sentence here on the islands. A little birdie tells me she might be extremely helpful in some pending investigations against you and your company in exchange for immunity from prosecution...”

  “She would never speak out against me,” Mr. Fong replied with anger in his voice.

  “To beat a drug charge? You’re probably right. After all, you can afford the best laywers and judges money can buy. Surely she would keep her mouth shut… except… you’d be surprised what a trophy wife will do for money. With the right amount of money she will fuck a tired old man on his yacht, or help drug and photograph an unconscious man to destroy his credibility. For a few dollars more, she will tell me how small your dick is. Do you really trust her to remain quiet once I open my checkbook?”

  Mr. Fong went silent.

  “Did you forget that I’m a billionaire?” Shane replied, laughing

  “None of this effects me. You can all stay here and work out your differences, but I am leaving.” Mr. Ohana said, making another attempt at reaching the door.

  “Ohana, if I choose to press assault charges against Dr. Strangelove I promise that I can drag you into this case as an accomplice. I’ll bend ears and make sure you spend the rest of your sad little life in a prison cell. So what’s it gonna be? My offer is simple. You’ll pull those papers back out of your briefcase so I can sign them. I’m keeping the discount you offered to Mr. Fong for my pain and suffering. Once I’m finished here, you can both get off my fucking island.”

  “If I accept your terms, what becomes of my wife?” Mr. Fong replied, his face cast downward toward the floor.

  “I’ll have her released on a technicality and placed on the first flight back to Tokyo. We’ll pretend none of this ever happened, and you won’t have to find out if her loyalty is as flexible as her body.”<
br />
  “Give him the papers,” Mr. Fong said, motioning to Jon Ohana. “Our business here is finished.”

  Epilogue

  FIVE YEARS LATER

  North Shore (Oahu, Hawaii)

  They ran playfully out of the surf, laughing as the three of them tumbled onto the blanket together. Then Shane towel-dried his son’s hair while Danielle reapplied some sunscreen to the boy’s small back.

  “Daddy can we dig a big hole now?”

  “Of course Danny. Mommy did you pack our sand shovels in that beach bag?” asked Shane.

  “Here you go boys,” said Danielle. “Can I help dig too?”

  “Is it okay if Mommy joins us little man?”

  “Sure!” Danny grabbed his shovel and ran to look for just the right spot to start digging a hole.

  Shane jumped at the chance to passionately kiss his wife while they were alone on the blanket. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

  Danielle laughed and kissed him back. “Not since this morning.”

  “Don’t you wish we could make love on this beach again, right this minute?”

  Danielle stood up and reached down for his hand. “Maybe later big daddy. Right now you need to grab those shovels……. we have a hole to dig.”

  The proud parents strolled over to their son together and plopped down in the wet sand beside him.

  A few minutes later they heard the joyous squeals of an excited little girl running toward them.

  “Mommy! Daddy! Look at all my shells!” she said as she set down her pail of treasures in the sand next to them.

  “Very pretty sweetie,” said Danielle.

  “Grandpa says I should share some with Danny. Do I have to? Hey can I dig too?”

  “Sharing would be a very nice thing to do Shania,” Shane chimed in. “Here’s a shovel for you my little kuuipo.”

  A minute later Grant Tanner came trotting up, slightly out of breath. “She’s running her grandpa ragged and so is her twin brother. But I gotta admit the little buggers are twice the fun! I think I’m going to need a nap before that wedding tonight.”

  “Turtle Bay is such a beautiful spot for a wedding, don’t you think?” asked Danielle. “Paolo and Max picked the perfect romantic location. They’ve been waiting such a long time to tie the knot. I’m so happy for them.”

  Margie came walking up after him and put her arms around his waist. “You’re just out of shape old man. I still say you should take up the hula. It’s great exercise. May and I would be glad to enroll you in one of our beginner classes.”

  “You’re wasting your breath old woman. You may have talked me into retirement but there’s no way you’re talking me into shaking my behind in a silly grass skirt. I gotta say this is the life though; kicking back on the beach, not having to worry about business. You two kids are doing an amazing job at the helm of the company. Tanner International is now the premier name in luxury resorts throughout these Hawaiian islands, thanks to your hard work.”

  “Luxury green resorts dad,” added Danielle. “Each one is 100% sustainable and environmentally friendly. That’s what we’re most proud of.”

  Grant and Marguarite Tanner suddenly felt a shovelful of wet sand hit their ankles.

  “Grandma and grandpa do you wanna help us dig?” asked Danny smiling up at them.

  The End, but don’t stop now! Keep turning pages because I’ve included several special bonus novels for my amazing fans, including Saved by the Bad Boy and my bestselling billionaire romance, Taking Beauty! You are the reason I write!

  -Nikki

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  Other Novels by Nikki Wild

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  Saved by the Bad Boy (A Devil’s Dragons Biker Romance)

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  Roughneck (A Bad Boy Motorcycle Club Romance)

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  British Bad Boys:

  Royal Prick (A Bad Boy British Romance)

  Arrogant Brit (A Bad Boy British Sports Romance)

  Rock Hard (A Bad Boy British Rockstar Romance)

  Played (A Bad Boy British Romance)

  Bad Boy Rockstars:

  Illicit Behavior (A Bad Boy Rockstar Romance)

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  Bad Boy Stepbrothers:

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  Bad Boy Billionaires:

  Protect And Serve (A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance)

  Pretend Married (A Sexy Billionaire Romance)

  Taking Beauty (Taking Beauty Series Book 1)

  Claiming Beauty (Taking Beauty Series Book 2)

  Owning Beauty (Taking Beauty Series Book 3)

  BONUS NOVEL: Saved by the Bad Boy

  A DEVIL’S DRAGONS MOTORCYCLE CLUB ROMANCE

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  One

  It was thirty minutes after I stopped hearing movement from Daddy’s bedroom that I pocketed my phone, whipped off the covers, and crept back out of bed.

  Project: Wayward Teen was a go.

  This wasn’t my first rodeo in sneaking out of the house. I’d already picked the right clothes, favoring black jeans, a dark shirt, and an all-black pair of Converse sneakers.

  Quietly, I slipped into the clothes in the darkness of my bedroom. I didn’t need anything but my little wallet, my phone, and my keys – and the keys were dangling downstairs anyway.

  Thinking ahead, I’d already packed the wallet in the jeans. The phone had helped keep my boredom down while I’d waited for Daddy’s fatigue to set in. He’d had a busy evening on shift, and I knew he’d be sleeping hard tonight.

  Which made tonight perfect for this.

  With nimble reflexes, I slipped down the hallway, avoiding the creaky floorboards right outside the bathroom door. Further down, I slipped past the end table and the vase on top, unwilling to let a brief bump of the hip, or shattering clay, announce my little rendezvous beneath the stars.

  My footsteps took me down the staircase, hooking around towards the front door. There were a few tricky floorboards here too, and the acoustics were painfully good in the open floor plan of the downstairs.

  As silently as possible, I snagged my keyring from the hook by the door, listening for any evidence of Daddy near the top of the stairs.

  Nothing. The coast was clear.

  I carefully turned the lock, slipping outside and locking the door behind me. I hesitated near the door, listening against the panel for any movement from inside.

  When nothing happened, I exhaled a thick breath of relief.

  Turning and strolling down the driveway, I found myself wondering what Mom would have thought if she’d still been around to see me now.

  I had been really young when she passed, too young to particularly remember her. Outside of her smiling face, gazing down upon me from portraits in the house, I had very little in the way of memories when it came to Mom.

  Naturally, that made Daddy cling to me harder, since I was now all that he had left. He was a stern but strong father, but very, very strict.

  Of course, as I glanced over at the weather-beaten Crown
Victoria car in the front driveway, I knew that this wasn’t the only reason why he was so careful about keeping me on a tight leash.

  My father was the local sheriff, working his way up through the force for the last twenty years.

  And there was no way he was going to be okay with his little girl sneaking out in the middle of the night… Especially if he knew where I was going.

  You might say that I have a problem… and his name is Hunter.

  My particular problem comes roughly six feet tall and built with powerful muscles. He had the short and thick wavy hair I loved, a seductive little chuckle, and handsome blue eyes.

  The kind that could never lie to you…

  Slipping into my little beaten-up Hyundai coupe, I pressed my keys into the ignition and turned. The engine cranked to life, and I quickly pulled back through the driveway and onto the streets of our neat, suburban subdivision.

  I always loved how our community looked at night. Passing under the streetlights, I glanced over clay-colored landscaping with its bits of desert shrubbery.

  This place was pretty nice, all things considered. We lived in a good part of Phoenix, although it certainly helped to keep the local neighborhood safe when you had the local precinct’s Sheriff living across the street.

  I wasn’t sticking to the nice parts of town. Not tonight… My little moonlight excursion was taking me about thirty minutes away. I was heading towards the seedy center of the city, the kind of place no self respecting good girl would find herself so late at night.