Hooked By Love Page 14

  ‘Our shareholders aren’t fools. They joined with us because they knew our father. They knew he was honourable as a father, friend and businessman. They didn’t join us for pure profit. It was about Hilton O’Neil and his honest, personal approach to business, was it not?’ I asked the people around the table.

  Many of them nodded in agreement. They needed a reminder of what Berkley, O’Neil and Associates was about, not what Craig wanted them to believe. Most of them had known my father and thought very highly of him. They knew that he hadn’t been a rigid money whore.

  ‘Our business partners deserve what they bought into: growth and profit based on trust and moral decisions, not the destruction of lives for the sake of making more money,’ I told him as he rose from his chair, face shivering and red.

  ‘How dare you,’ he shouted. ‘We’ve made a two hundred and fifty per cent profit in the last two years alone thanks to my deals. What the hell have you done?’

  ‘How about I tell you what I haven’t done. I haven’t cheated, bullied and bribed every official I’ve come into contact with and I haven’t dragged this company’s name through mud. You have.’ I turned my attention to the men and women who sat, listening. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, my father built this company from nothing, using only moderate persuasion and sound business ethics. You know this. Now, because of the Young Minds Centre’s unnecessary, imminent destruction, we are rapidly losing our reputation as a property company bent on the betterment of neighbourhoods. Have we forgotten what Hilton O’Neil was about, what my father set out to achieve with this company?’

  I could see their wheels turning, although they said nothing.

  ‘If we demolish the Young Minds building, we are sure to become public enemy number one,’ I explained. ‘Our name will be synonymous with bribes and corruption. It’s professional suicide in my opinion.’

  Craig was beside himself, clenching his fists in silence.

  I continued. ‘I have plans drawn up for a new, exciting complex of flats to be erected around and on top of the centre. It would preserve our integrity and bring in quite a profit. It would be a win-win situation for us all and we would salvage what was left of our tarnished name. So vote if you must, but unlike Craig, I’m working towards garnishing more respect for us. Respect builds bonds. Money is expendable. Our reputation is not.’

  With that, I gave them a nod and turned on my heels. I went into my office, closed the door and sank into my chair, weary of the constant problems I had to deal with to keep my father’s company adrift. Did I really want to be involved in a company with Craig at the helm? I needed to do some soul-searching; otherwise, my happiness was in as much danger as the centre.

  Chapter 27

  Amber

  I was curled up on my sofa in front of the TV, watching a bad old horror film with a proper stash of marshmallows and soup—not together, of course. Outside, rain showered down over London and I was elated that I’d taken two days off this week to catch a break from all the organisation and stress. I’d just dozed off when my phone rang, but I wasn’t complaining.

  ‘Hello,’ I muttered.

  ‘Why aren’t you at work, young lady?’ Josh said. ‘I’ve been trying to reach you all day. You’re not ill, are you?’

  ‘No, nothing like that. Anyway, what do I owe the pleasure of this call?’

  He exhaled loudly in a sigh similar to that of his unsettled demeanour from a few nights ago. I didn’t like it one bit.

  ‘Oh no, Josh. Was Zack mean to you again?’ I asked, hoping I was wrong.

  ‘No, no, he’s out with his new friend, Paul.’

  ‘Oh, that’s nice,’ I replied.

  ‘Yes, it is. Which means I’m at a bit of a loose end.’

  ‘That I don’t believe for a minute.’

  ‘It’s true. Do you want to come over? I have some news I’d rather tell you in person.’

  My heart sank. Those words usually meant the news was too hard to handle and had to be conveyed where a shoulder could be offered.

  ‘Do I have to come over? Can’t you tell me on the phone?’ I begged for one reason and one reason only: I couldn’t imagine driving all the way to his house in a state of apprehension about the fate of the centre.

  ‘Please do,’ he pleaded amicably. ‘I promise, I’ll make it worth your while.’

  ‘Give me an hour.’

  ‘An hour? Are you coming via Edinburgh?’ he jested.

  ‘Yes, but I’m stopping for bratwurst on the Rhine first,’

  ‘All right, all right,’ he conceded. ‘You’re worth the wait.’

  ***

  Through the thunder and lightning, I braved the roads just before 10:00 p.m., cussing at the bad drivers and praying that my petrol tank would hold out. I could never admit to Josh I was broke, let alone call him if I should break down or run out of petrol. This time of month was the worst for me—a week before payday.

  Relieved that I’d made it to his house on my last fuel, I found him waiting on the doorstep. After I parked my Mini a few yards from the house, he ran through the drenching rain with an umbrella to meet me.

  He crushed me against him. ‘Hello, Miss Cross. Care to escort me to the house under the brolly?’

  ‘Why, I would be honoured, Mr. O’Neil.’ I relished his warm body against mine and his all too familiar scent that always bewitched me.

  We raced through the rain into the vacant house and he made me some hot chocolate before we sat down at the dining table.

  ‘You do know I’m a nervous wreck, right?’ I asked him.

  ‘No need to be. I only have news to share, nothing bad. As a matter of fact …’ He sipped on his steaming beverage. ‘First, the bad news.’

  ‘Oh God, there is bad news,’ I moaned.

  ‘Not for you, just news in general,’ he consoled. ‘Craig resigned from the company.’

  ‘That’s good news, isn’t it?’ I asked. ‘Truthfully, I say bloody good riddance.’

  ‘Well, yes but my dad would have hated to see Craig’s time at the company come to an end like this.’ A flash of annoyance crossed his features. ‘Do you know what he did? He actually tried to get our board members to vote me out! Can you believe that?’

  ‘The only thing I can’t believe is that you’re at all surprised. I put nothing past that man. Nothing. So what’s going to happen next?’

  ‘It’s now my duty to rebuild the company’s name. And the good news for you …’

  ‘What? What?’ I pressed.

  Josh deliberately prolonged the reveal to hear me beg.

  ‘Josh O’Neil!’

  ‘Okay, all right. The centre will stay exactly where it is.’

  ‘No! Seriously? Are you serious?’ I asked, in genuine disbelief that the whole ugly matter had been cleared up.

  The war was over. I couldn’t believe we could stay. I lunged forward and threw my arms around him. I could hold on to him forever.

  I drew back. ‘So, how did you get them to change their minds, then?’

  ‘I presented a new solution. We’re still going to build flats there, but around and on top of the centre. Not only will it keep the centre going, but those apartments could also house many of the people you guys are helping. It’s perfect, isn’t it?’ he said, very proud of what he’d accomplished.

  ‘Genius,’ I cooed. ‘Sheer genius!’

  My phone pinged in my pocket but I ignored it.

  ‘Don’t you want to check your message?’

  ‘Message?’ I asked, having already set the tone I’d heard out of my mind.

  ‘I won’t think you’re rude, you know.’

  Oh my God. Can you be more perceptive of me?

  I checked the e-mail. It was from the company I’d applied to for a job, reminding me of my interview the following week. I’d been so caught up in the fight to save the centre that I’d forgotten all about it. But now that the centre was safe, it would be great to finally tell someone the truth.

  ‘I have an interview f
or a job next week.’

  ‘An interview? What about the centre?’

  ‘As sad as I’ll be to leave it, I really need a better-paying job,’ I said as I put my phone back in my bag.

  ‘Do you know anything about property? I could always use a PR mastermind to rebrand the company,’ he mentioned in between sips of his hot chocolate. ‘Just putting it out there.’

  I imagined working with Josh every day. He certainly wouldn’t let me struggle financially, although I was very aware of the red lights going off, warning me about working with a romantic interest. I wasn’t about to relinquish my attraction to Josh for a job. I’d rather have a job elsewhere and Josh O’Neil.

  ‘I’ll keep that offer in mind,’ I said slowly lowering my eyes with the intent of looking naughty.

  As always, Josh read right into it.

  ‘I have others,’ he replied.

  ‘Others?’

  ‘Offers.’

  ‘Like?’

  ‘Like … how would you like to stay the night in my bed this time? I promise there’s no danger of teenagers coming home unexpectedly until at least 3:00 a.m., if you catch my drift,’ he said eloquently.

  His implications were obvious and my body rushed with ecstasy at his words. With the centre safe, I could rest assured that he had no hidden agenda for getting me into bed. Not that I hadn’t wanted this since I laid eyes on him.

  ‘You said offers.’ I tilted my head. ‘What else?’

  He stood and pulled me into his arms. ‘The chance to share my shower with me.’

  The nearness of his body flustered me and my heart leapt in response to his suggestion. Josh and me naked? In a shower?

  ‘In that case’—I wrapped my arms around him and rose to my tiptoes—‘how could I refuse?’

  A groan of pleasure worked up the back of his throat, and I gulped at the heated desire in his eyes.

  ‘You can’t,’ he said.

  My heart hammered in a frenzied rhythm as he settled his mouth on mine and kissed me long and hard, his tongue probing and searching every inch of my mouth. I drew back when his excitement pressed against my thigh.

  ‘I think we’d better get you upstairs before you explode.’

  In the scent of vanilla that permeated the bathroom from the votive candles he’d lit, we took a hot shower. I’d never felt so wanted or desired. Josh didn’t have to say a word; his chiselled body spoke volumes. His breathing was heavy against my neck as his fingers found their way to the inside of my thighs. My skin pulled taut as his lips covered my breast. I let out a little moan when his tongue circled my nipple. I didn’t even remember when exactly, or how, we exited the shower and fell into his warm bed. Our bodies were still wet under the romantic light while lightning flashed through the curtains, illuminating Josh’s striking eyes. They filled me like he did and much later, as my body vibrated with the strength of an earthquake, I knew I never wanted to be without his shadow on me again.

  Chapter 28

  Josh

  A loud click of the front door ripped me from a crazy dream. I assumed it was Zack sneaking in, thinking I would reprimand him or something, but nothing could possibly derail my mood after last night.

  The rain had subsided and I gradually woke after my blissful time with Amber. A long time had passed since I’d felt so connected to a lover, if ever. When I realised that she was lying in my arms, I remembered how we’d fallen asleep, exhausted and totally spent.

  Amber’s naked body was warm and soft against mine and I breathed in the sweet scent of her hair. I kissed her temple, her silky soft skin still moist from the exertion of our lovemaking. I traced my fingertip down her arm and over her hip. Under the sheets, I gripped her firmly to pull her into me again. I could barely contain myself. I’d never wanted a woman so much in my life but I didn’t want to wake her. Not yet anyway.

  She was sleeping, her breathing deep and slow in the silence of the house. Again I heard the front door slam shut.

  Did Zack really have to make so much noise?

  ‘I don’t want the woman I love to be disturbed,’ I whispered almost inaudibly to myself, revelling in the last bit of my sentence.

  Despite the banging, my goddess didn’t move, clearly a deep sleeper, so I decided to take a quick shower to cool myself down. I carefully slipped out of bed and headed for the bathroom, where I stood under the showerhead for a good ten minutes, letting darting pellets of water massage my shoulders and neck.

  I was finally happy. I’d been searching for what seemed like a lifetime for someone to fill the void that no amount of money ever could. To think I never would have met Amber had Craig not bought their building. Some things are just meant to be.

  I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a fluffy white towel around my waist. As I reached for the door, I caught an unmistakeable whiff of smoke. I yanked the door open and for a split second, I stood frozen to the spot.

  Horrified, I watched the billows of smoke curl and crawl around her face. ‘Jesus! Amber, wake up!’

  I raced to rouse her, but she was unconscious. The room was thick with smoke. I lifted her body, wrapped in sheets, and carried her downstairs. The kitchen and spare room on the ground floor were on fire, lighting up the entire place in bright hot flames. I carried her outside and placed her on a patch of grass.

  ‘Amber? Amber, can you hear me?’ I screamed.

  The neighbours had started to make their way to the house. I yelled at a woman I recognised to call the police and an ambulance and she quickly retreated back down the drive.

  ‘Here, let me see her.’ A man’s authoritative voice came out of nowhere. ‘It’s okay, I’m a doctor.’

  I moved aside and glanced at my house going up in flames. Zack!

  I’d heard him come in, hadn’t I? I imagined him in his bedroom, slowly suffocating on the smoke.

  ‘Please stay with her,’ I said to the doctor and without a second thought, I ran back into the house.

  My skin nearly blistered as I ran past the inferno, heading for the staircase, but the fire had grown rapidly, enveloping the upstairs entirely. The tall flames danced all about the top landing, blocking off any path to Zack’s bedroom door.

  ‘Christ, no! No! Zack, wake the hell up! Zack!’ I screamed with every ounce of breath left in my lungs.

  The smoke infiltrated my body, choking me until I could hardly speak.

  My eyes filled with tears. ‘Please, God, not Zack!’

  My oesophagus pulled shut every time I drew in a breath. If I didn’t reach Zack, he’d die.

  A rough thick glove wrapped around my forearm, pulling me back.

  ‘Zack’s still inside!’ My voice grew weaker. Zack couldn’t survive that fire, even if they got to him now. ‘Please, save my nephew.’

  The last thing I saw before I passed out was the raging fire gutting my home.

  ***

  I woke long before Amber at the hospital. She was worse off than me, but she’d be okay, according to Dr. Benson.

  ‘Can I see her?’ I asked, my heart torn by the death of my nephew.

  ‘She should wake up any moment, but please, don’t excite her too much,’ he told me. ‘I’ll be back in an hour to check on her.’

  I stumbled to Amber’s side. Her pretty face was unscarred but patches of soot showed here and there. I ran my hand over her forehead and her eyes opened. She wasn’t supposed to see me yet, not until my bloodshot eyes had shed their awful pinkness, but she knew instantly that something terrible had happened.

  She tried to pull the mask from her mouth but I gently restrained her arm.

  ‘Don’t try and talk,’ I told her softly. ‘I’m fine.’

  Her eyes bored into mine. Her voice was muffled beneath the mask. ‘The house?’

  I contemplated lying to her but I didn’t have the strength to carry through with it. ‘It’s gone.’

  She closed her eyes as a single tear rolled down her cheek, then her eyes searched around the room.

  ‘Z
ack?’ she mouthed.

  I couldn’t answer. The words stuck in my throat. I couldn’t bear to think of him trapped in his room, waiting for me to save him. But just as I had before, I’d let him down. ‘He’s gone, Amber. Zack’s gone.’

  I buried my head in the blankets on her stomach and her hand rested on my head. I’d found the most beautiful woman in the world and claimed her, but at a price. Why was there always a price? Why did I have to give up my nephew as a sacrifice? How the hell was that fair?

  ‘I’m sorry to intrude,’ a voice said from the doorway. ‘I’m looking for Josh O’Neil.’

  ‘Just leave me alone,’ I muttered into the bedding.

  ‘I’m Detective Sergeant Harrison from the London Met, sir. I thought you’d like to know, the Fire Investigation Unit did a sweep of your house and no bodies were found.’

  A jolt of joy shot through my body.

  ‘Are you sure?’ I asked him.

  Amber sat up, looking decidedly better from the news.

  ‘Yes, sir. They’re absolutely positive. There was nobody else home,’ he reported.

  I looked at Amber with horrid suspicion. Again, she read my mind and shook her head.

  ‘It could very well have been him, Amber. He could have faked forgiving me just to put me at ease,’ I whispered.

  Amber tore the mask from her face and rasped angrily, ‘Do you really think Zack would resort to killing us? He might have been somewhat suicidal, but he’s no killer, Josh.’

  ‘Any idea who could have started the fire?’ I asked the officer.

  He looked at his report and said, ‘A neighbour saw a black Bentley drive away a few minutes before the blaze. Do you know of anyone who drives that kind of car?’

  Amber and I exchanged glances.

  I looked at the sergeant, ‘Yes, I do. Craig O’Neil.’

  ‘Craig O’Neil,’ he said, writing the name down in a small notebook. He looked up, wide-eyed. ‘Isn’t he—’