by M. Malone
contents
Back Cover
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Excerpt from FINN
Books by M. Malone
About the Author
Copyright
~ GABE (BLUE COLLAR BILLIONAIRES #3) ~
I am a good guy.
I help little old ladies cross the street. I recycle. Anyone looking at me will see a solid, respectable, upstanding member of the community.
Which is exactly what I want them to see.
Gabe Marshall is tall, charming and a successful businessman. He’s also a skilled con artist. Now that he's heir to the billionaire father he never knew, everyone gives him what he wants. Except Sasha Whitman.
After Sasha is humiliated on national television, she seeks solace in her plans to open a jazz lounge. But she’s not a businesswoman and no one has time to help her except the last man she would ever trust.
Before long, Gabe is matching wits with the one woman who can see through his game. And finding out that all the money in the world can't protect you when the sins of the father pass to the son.
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chapter one
SASHA
Two months earlier…
"Five minutes, Sasha."
The words from the set director race through me, leaving a string of nerves that feel like live wires. I roll my head and turn back to the mirror, scrutinizing every aspect of my appearance. A costume would have felt over the top, so instead I chose to wear a black cocktail dress with a flirty hem and delicate cap sleeves. My makeup is minimal and I've pulled my ultra-curly black hair up into an elegant knot on the top of my head. My skin glows despite the harsh lighting backstage.
Everything I've done the past year has led me to this moment. Networking, auditioning and finally being chosen to appear on the show SuperNova, a televised competition to win a recording contract, has been the culmination of a lifelong dream. I have worked so hard and sacrificed so much.
My hand shakes as I reapply my lip gloss. Chaz's earlier words run through my mind.
All you care about is this stupid competition.
Do you seriously think you have a chance?
You're not good enough.
You're nobody.
I shake my head to dispel the negative thoughts and rub my thumb below my lip to catch a stray bit of color. Then I leave the dressing area and walk to the left-side stage entrance. It's true that I've sacrificed a lot for this, including time with family and friends, but I'm ashamed to realize how little my boyfriend actually thought of my dreams. How little he believed in me. All the time I'd spent with him trying to make up for the long hours rehearsing and the Saturday nights when I couldn't go out because I was performing, would have been better spent with my parents or my sisters.
I take a deep breath and place a shaky hand against my lower belly. The muscles clench beneath my fingers and I suck in another breath as I listen to the roar of the crowd. Despite the sudden attack of nerves, competing on a major show like SuperNova is everything I’ve ever dreamed of. I’ve been performing in clubs and coffeehouses for years all with the same goal: to end up having a chance like the one I have right now. I won’t let personal issues derail the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me.
“Miss Whitman, you’re up next.”
A harried backstage attendant hands me a microphone and then hustles away before I can respond. Another contestant smiles at me before peeking around the curtain. The man with her strokes her cheek and she buries her face against his shoulder. My eyes burn watching the loving embrace. Chaz was supposed to be here with me, supporting me, but now I’m alone with his last words to me ringing in my head.
You're nobody.
I shake off the negative thoughts when I hear my name being called. Head held high, I step out from behind the curtain.
* * * * *
Present Day
“Being a godmother is awesome.”
I hold out my arms and my best friend's one-year-old daughter, Hope, crawls obligingly into my lap. She’s the mirror image of Kaylee, especially her big, dark eyes. Holding her always gives me a sharp stab of envy. I’ve always loved kids and wanted a big family.
Unfortunately I’d need to be able to pick out a half-decent guy in order to make that happen.
Kay's future in-laws brought their kids and they're all running around the backyard of her new house. By the sound of their happy shrieks and squeals, they’re having a ball. Hope looks over my shoulder at a particularly loud scream right near the window of the living room where we're sitting.
“You’ll be running around with the big kids before long too, sweetie.” I snuggle my face into her soft, dark curls and inhale that perfect baby smell. Until I can get my own personal life sorted, I’ll indulge my need for snuggles with Hope.
Kay bites the top of a package of cookies, trying to pull it open with her teeth. “Thank you for bringing me cookies. You are the best godmother ever. And the best friend ever.”
At her words, I reach over and squeeze her hand. I’ve been right there by Kay’s side ever since she got pregnant by the douchebag ex-boyfriend who promptly ditched her, so I know how hard things were for her in the beginning. Her parents are just as conservative as mine so she was hit with a double whammy of parental guilt and the shame of being an unwed mother who suddenly couldn’t show her face in church.
I wanted nothing more than to track that guy down and rearrange a few body parts but Kay is such a softie. She doesn’t like violence or harsh words. What she needed most from me was support. So I had to put my homicidal urges on hold so I could be there while she dealt with being pregnant and suddenly having a child to support. Luckily it wasn’t too long before she met her fiancé. Kay is a singer just like I am, except she’s got the kind of voice that sends chills up and down your spine. A local producer took her under his wing and she ended up falling in love with his older brother.
As if on cue, Elliott Alexander sticks his head into the room. He's a gruff, no-nonsense kind of guy with big muscular arms and a permanently brooding expression. In other words, the last person I would have expected my sweet friend to end up with. But there's no denying the way he feels about her. His dark eyes immediately laser in on Kay.
“Are you okay, baby?”
Kay grins up at him. “I'm fine. And you’re supposed to be meeting Nick today, aren’t you?”
He walks into the room, his eyes running over her. The heated looks between these two make me want to open another window. If we weren’t such good friends, I would be completely sick with envy every time I looked at Kay. She has everything I’ve ever wanted. A recording contract, a man who looks at her like she’s his oxygen and a sweet little girl.
I cuddle Hope a little closer. These types of feelings make me feel like such a jerk. Kay has always been my biggest cheerleader and she deserves every bit of her good fortune.
“Hey Eli. You can’t bear to let Kay out of your sight for even one afternoon, huh?”
Eli grunts but the corners of his lips turn up slightly. When we first met I was completely intimidated by him but after witnessing how the big, strong guy turns to absolute mush at one word from my best friend, I know his gruff looks are just a mask. He’s one of the good guys.
“Hey, Sasha. I
’m glad you’re here.”
“Eli, I’m fine. Don’t keep your brother waiting.” Kay sounds completely exasperated so I have a feeling this is a familiar argument. Even though I’m jealous of the way Eli looks at her, I’m not sure I could deal with that type of alpha male. That much attention at once could be exhausting.
“I’m going. Put your feet up,” Eli orders and then kisses Kay on the forehead.
Once he’s gone, Kay immediately sits back up and grabs the package of cookies again. “So what’s been going on with you? Dating anyone new?”
“I’m not dating.”
At that blunt statement, Kay looks over at me sharply. “Since when? Have you taken some religious vow that I’m unaware of or something?”
“Let’s just say I’m on hiatus. I have a knack for picking the wrong guys so I think staying single is the best thing I can do for myself right now.”
Kay purses her lips. I know this look. She’s trying to figure out how to tell me that she disagrees without hurting my feelings. “That seems a little drastic. You just need to meet the right guy. Eli could introduce you to some of the guys who work for him.”
“I don’t think a set up is the answer. When I’m ready I’ll start dating again.”
“No offense sweetie, but you have broken radar when it comes to men. It’s time you let someone else choose for you. I was actually going to try to fix you up with Tank before he started dating Emma," she says, mentioning one of Eli's employees.
“The fact that you were thinking of putting us together proves my point. Setups never work. Tank and I didn't even like each other at first.” Even though I've always thought Tank was sexy in a dangerous sort of way, we didn’t exactly hit it off when we met. Probably because he suspected me of stalking Kay and manhandled me a few times.
Kay crunches on another cookie. “My point is that he’s exactly the type of guy you need. One that Eli has done a background check on so you know what you’re getting into. What about Tank's brother?”
I shake my head. “Finn is engaged, remember? Emma invited you guys to the surprise engagement party she’s throwing for him.”
She gives me a knowing look. “Not him. The brother he asked Eli to find. Luke? I’ve seen his picture and he is a cutie.”
Dang. I was hoping to throw her off but I guess she’s already heard about Tank finding some long-lost family members. Kay doesn't know that I've met Luke before.
"He's some sort of computer genius. He's also young. Really young." I'm hoping she'll stop asking questions about Luke. She can be like a dog with a bone sometimes when she gets an idea in her head.
Kay rolls her eyes. “He’s our age, I’m pretty sure. Early twenties.”
“Really?” I actually hadn’t known that part but knowing Kay she snooped and looked at the background check Eli did on him. “He looks like a baby. You know I like my men a little more mature than that.”
“I guess I can’t argue with that.”
Kay definitely understands how I feel on that score since her fiancé is about a decade older than we are.
"You know how people do those cleanse diets? Well, that's what I need for my dating life. I'm on the stay single plan. A man fast!"
Kay doesn't look impressed.
“Well, whenever you get tired of your man-less diet, I'm sure I can set you up with one of Eli’s cousins or something. As fine as the Alexander boys are, you know there have to be some hot cousins on that family tree somewhere.”
By the excitement in her voice, I know she’s not going to let this go. So I just nod and then try to think of something, anything, to distract her.
“You’re still coming to the engagement party right?” It's hard to believe that it'll be here so soon. When Emma found out that I was opening a small business, she asked Finn to introduce me to some local business owners. This party is going to be a networking dream. I’m excited but also nervous.
“Yeah, we’ll be there. Eli has gotten to know Finn pretty well lately. It’s good for him to get some guy time in. It'll be good for you, too. You've been holed up so long ever since the show—"
“No talking about that day! You know the rules.”
“Sasha, it's really not that bad. I saw the video—”
"Kay!"
She looks a little scared, probably because of the death glare I'm giving her. "I'm just saying that you've cut yourself off from the world for the last two months. Yes, whoever uploaded that video to Youtube is a jerk but you can't let this keep you from living your life."
She stops talking and sits back with a disgruntled look on her face when I make a cutting motion with my hand across my neck. “Okay, okay, no talking about it. I’m just saying it’s not that big of a deal.”
“Everything is going to be fine." I don't look at Kay, trying to keep a lid on my emotions.
After my disastrous appearance on the reality TV show, SuperNova, I had retreated from my life for a while. I'd known that going on the show had been a long shot but I'd assumed that I'd get some publicity. Several of the past contestants so far had been offered recording contracts even if they didn't win.
I'd been so sure that I could impress the judges and walk away with a contract, a career, anything other than the heaping dose of humiliation I'd gotten from choking on stage on live television.
"I know you've been worried about me but you don't have to be. My whole family is investing in my new venture and I think this is going to be the start of something wonderful. For all of us.”
I lift Hope up in the air and nuzzle her belly, prompting a round of charming giggles from her.
Kay's eyes are shining. "I'm so proud of you, Sasha. I know everyone in the community is excited about having our own jazz club. Eli's cousin, the one who's a reporter, will be there. I'm sure you'll be in the newspaper. And all the other local business owners are going to be out to support you. This is the perfect opportunity for you to meet someone new.”
I’m about to protest again when Kay reaches out and grabs my hand. “I know you don’t want to. I know you think it’s a waste of time. But honey, that’s just because you’re so used to bad guys. There are some amazing men out there. I got lucky enough to find one of them and I just want the same for you. You deserve that.”
I close my eyes and let the feeling of contentment wash over me. Kay and I have been friends since elementary school and I’ve never had a friend who has supported me the way she does. No matter how many times I fail, no matter how many stupid decisions I make, she always believes the best in me.
When I open my eyes, ready to agree just to make her feel better, I smile at the sight before me. Kay is snuggled into the pillows of the couch, her hand that’s encased in mine completely slack.
She’s fast asleep.
I pick up Hope and snuggle her against my shoulder. "Come on sweetie, let’s go for a walk and let Mommy have a nap."
And hopefully when Kay wakes up, she'll have forgotten all about her plan to fix me up.
chapter two
GABE
There are many things that I'm willing to do for family. Several things cross my mind that I've done in the past, things I'm not particularly proud of and that are one foot over the line into illegal territory. But as I listen to my brother Zack, I'm seriously considering rethinking my stance on family loyalty.
"She's a friend of Emma's. Finn wants me to help her with setting up her business. Mentoring if you will," Zack explains.
"So let me see if I understand correctly. Finn asks you for a favor and you want to pawn it off on me? Nice."
Zack chuckles. "Oh come on. You know I'm not good with shit like this. You're the one who handles the customers at the shop. It shouldn't take that long, maybe a few afternoons explaining how to get started. Showing her the paperwork she needs to file. You know, stuff like that."
I shift my cell phone to my other shoulder. "Do you really think I'm the best person to be a mentor? Wouldn't she be more comfortable with someone she knows? A
nd why the hell didn't Finn ask me to do it?"
Zack snorts. "He knows how you are with women. I'm sure he doesn't want his female friends anywhere near you. Look, he's going to set up a meeting but I figure I can just claim to be sick and send you in my place. Finn won't know until after the fact."
I groan and look impatiently to the long ass line I've been standing in for what feels like forever. Zack is lucky he caught me when I'm feeling generous. Whoever this poor girl is, if I don't agree, she's going to have to suffer through an afternoon with Zack grunting and scowling. Standing in the local business office reminds me of when I was first starting out and had no one to help me. The least I can do is pay it forward, especially to help out a friend of a friend.
"Ok, I'll do it. But I'm only committing to a few days and then after that she's on her own."
"Awesome. I'll let Finn know to set up the meeting. Thanks. I'll owe you one."
I hang up and slip my cell phone back into the inner pocket of my suit jacket. Today I've dressed the part in a simple two-button pinstripe that never fails to convey responsible business owner.
The auto garage that Zack and I own has been doing really well for a few years now. He's been trying to convince me to open another location for six months. Since most of the counties in Virginia require you to appear in person to gain a business license, I've been putting it off. But after running reports and seeing the proof in black and white that our business has been on a steady increase for the past year, I finally agreed.
But as the voices of the women in front of me increase, so does my feeling that I should have waited longer to tackle this particular issue. Preferably when we were big enough to be a corporation and I could designate someone else to handle these sorts of things.
"This is the wrong form. You need an application for a business license, not a liquor license."
