Betrayal of a Billionaire (Hearts and Holdings #5)

Chapter 1

GRANT

G rant’s muscles tensed, and he tightened his grip on his glass of bourbon, his gaze lost in the long shadows stretching across the front lawn of Harrington House. The last four months of his life had been a tightrope walk ever since Julia revealed Lydia’s involvement in DG Industries.

The door opened and Worthington, his butler, slipped inside. “Mr. Harrington, you wished to see me?”

“Yes,” Grant said as he collapsed into the supple leather of his desk chair and swiveled to face the man. “Do you know anything about this family meeting Sierra called?”

“Yes, sir, I am aware of it.”

Grant’s stomach clenched, and he sipped the bourbon again.

He didn’t like surprises, especially when Sierra’s reputation hung in the balance.

One slip up on their part and Lydia had threatened to expose compromising pictures of his daughter.

Did her sudden insistence on this get-together have anything to do with that? “Any idea what she wants to say?”

Worthington clasped his hands in front of him and bobbed his head. “I have some, sir, yes.”

“What is it?”

“I am afraid I cannot disclose that under threat of death.”

Grant heaved a sigh as he let his glass clatter across the mahogany wood of the desk. “Come on, Worthington.”

The man pressed his lips into a thin line and shook his head. “I am much too fearful of Miss Sierra to give away the nature of her…announcement.”

“Worthington, I’m the one who signs your checks, not Sierra. I think I deserve a little loyalty here.”

“It is nothing to be worried over,” Worthington said tactfully.

Grant’s jaw tensed as he sipped his bourbon. “Given everything going on lately, I can’t help but be worried.”

“With Ms. Lydia?” Worthington asked.

Grant nodded with a sigh. “It’s been four months, Worthington. And it’s been way too quiet. Outside of a few blips here and there, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. Julia’s doing an excellent job of playing her part with Lydia, but I hate this.”

“I cannot imagine it is comfortable, no. Perhaps, though, this is an excellent moment to strengthen the bond with the current Mrs. Harrington.”

Grant’s fingers tightened around his glass again, tension building in his shoulders. “You’re right, but…”

“But, sir?”

Grant licked his lips as he considered it. “Nothing. You’re right. Julia came to me with the information about Lydia. She trusted me. And she’s been out of the woods with her health for a while. Maybe now is the time when we’re not in a crisis.”

Worthington lifted his eyebrows, offering Grant a knowing smile.

A loud bang interrupted their conversation. “Grant!”

Grant’s fingers tightened around the chair’s arm as Lydia’s shrill voice pierced the air, bringing the usual instant and visceral reaction–a knot in his stomach and a tightness in his chest. The pounding continued. “Grant, are you in there?”

“Yes!” he called reluctantly, letting out a sigh.

The doors burst open, and Lydia stormed inside, instantly changing the atmosphere with her presence. The room’s air shifted, a new chill in it as if an impending storm was coming. Lydia’s clicking heels sliced through the air like a sharp blade. “We need to talk.”

“Okay,” he said, trying to keep his voice tempered. Since the revelation of her involvement with the shady organization, he had a hard time even looking at her, let alone talking to her.

“I need something from you.”

“Don’t you always?”

Lydia eyed Worthington, still standing in the room. “Buzz off, baldy. We have important business to discuss.”

“Hey,” Grant snapped, “watch it, Lydia. Before I bounce you from this house.”

“Bounce me from the house? The last time you tried to do that, Julia had something to say about it. Are you willing to risk her ire?”

Grant clenched his jaw before he waved a hand at Worthington.

The man strode from the room, closing the doors behind him.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, a weary sigh escaping him.

The weight of keeping Sierra safe, the constant charade with Lydia–it was like juggling grenades.

And with Julia caught in the crossfire…He couldn’t let her down.

“Okay, what are you bilking me for now?”

She ignored the insult. “I’m starting a charity.”

Grant barked out a laugh. “For who? Oh, let me guess, you.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. This charity will be doing the hard work to provide the underprivileged with opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have had.”

Grant arched an eyebrow. “How philanthropic of you. I can hardly wait to hear what you’ve suddenly become so passionate about.”

“I’ll get to that in a minute. Before that, we need to talk about something.”

Grant shifted in his seat. “What?”

“I need you to host a lavish charity gala within the next month or two. I don’t have the dates pinned down just yet, but I want work started immediately, so I can approve the details.”

“Wait, wait, you want me to host a gala to feature your charity?”

“Yes,” she said with a self-satisfied smile.

“What’s the charity?”

Lydia lifted her chin, her eyes staring into space as she swept a hand through the air. “High Heels for High Achievers.”

“What?” he asked.

Her eyes gleamed with mock benevolence as she outlined its purpose. “It’s a charity dedicated to providing luxury high-end shoes to businesswomen.”

Grant couldn’t help but snort. Empowerment, Lydia style. “Lydia, that’s the most ridiculous charity I’ve ever heard of in my life.”

Lydia glared at him, her eyes like daggers. “Oh? Is that your professional opinion since you know so much about being a woman? You have no idea what a pair of Louboutins can do for a woman’s confidence, and hence, her career. Of course, I won’t be giving them Louboutins.”

“No? Maybe another outrageously priced brand?”

Lydia arched an eyebrow. “Yes–my own. LydiLuxe.”

Grant stared at her, unable to process the information even without the added complication of her being the driving force behind a company out to ruin him. “You’re starting a shoe company?”

“Yes, I am. It’s going to take the world by storm. Now, as I said, I need a gala put together. I need it to be extravagant, luxurious, nothing less than perfect. And I need to ensure I’m the star of the night…well, of course, next to my shoes.”

“Lydia, I can’t–”

“I don’t want to hear your excuses. You have the resources. I expect to see preliminary plans within the week.”

“Within the week? Lydia, that’s impossible.”

Lydia strode to the door, spinning to face him. “Impossible was never part of your vocabulary. You’ve gone soft, Grant. I’m not surprised with the dimwit you’re married to.”

“Julia is not…never mind. I’m not going to argue with you about my wife. But I am going to insist you stop insulting her.”

Lydia rolled her eyes. “I will when she stops being a dimwit.”

“Lydia!” he called as she strode from the room. He heaved a sigh, annoyed by the encounter. He had no desire to throw together a gala for her, especially now. He imagined soon he’d get word from Julia that she’d pressured her to ensure it was done.

The demands from Lydia were getting to be too much.

A knock sounded at the door, pulling him from his rumination. Grant let his head thud against the chair’s leather. “Go away.”

“Really?” Julia’s voice called through the closed door.

Grant winced as he recognized her. He scrambled from the chair as he called, “No.”

A second later, he pulled the door open and smiled at her. “I’m sorry. I just had a visit from Lydia. Come in.”

“What did she want?”

Grant leaned against the desk as she eased into a chair. “Something ridiculous.”

“How ridiculous?” Julia asked.

“She wants me to host a gala for her new charity. Wait until you hear this. A charity that gives luxury brand shoes to women.”

The expression on Julia’s delicate features betrayed her confusion. “Is she serious?”

“I’m afraid she is. And here’s the best part. The shoes will come from her own shoe line.”

Julia’s jaw unhinged. “No.”

“Oh, yes. So, Lydia’s business will benefit from her charity.”

“And we have to host a gala for this.”

The corners of his lips turned up as she used the term “we” to describe them. He loved it when she referred to them as partners. “That’s what she’s demanding. Has she said anything to you?”

“No, this time she brought the request straight to you.”

“Well, be prepared, because I’m certain she’ll be pressuring you to make sure I do what she’s asked.”

“Thanks for the warning. Although, I wish she’d ask me to do something.” Julia pouted, drumming her fingers against her forearm.

“You can’t be serious.”

She raised her eyes to him. “I am. This is dragging on too long. I feel like I’m constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. She’s been way too quiet.”

Grant sighed. “I don’t disagree. We’ve had a few minor incidents, but compared to last year, things have been relatively quiet. Not that I’m complaining. After the year we’ve had, I’m happy not to fend off the board at every turn.”

“So am I, but…this just feels like a false sense of security.”

He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Let’s enjoy it while we can.”

She heaved a sigh, and he let his eyes linger on her a moment longer than he should have, enjoying the quiet closeness they’d found.

It was in the silent moments that he was reminded of the complex bond they had formed–one that started out of necessity but had brought him the most genuine moments of his life.

“Anything on your mind?” he asked when she didn’t respond.

“Not really. Just wondering why Sierra called a family meeting.”

Grant wrinkled his nose. “You and me both. You know, I asked Worthington, and apparently, he knows.”

“Well, what is it about?”

He leaned closer to her. “He won’t tell me.”

“Really? What did she threaten him with?”

“Death, I think.”

Julia slouched in her seat. “Oh, wow. I don’t like this.”

“Me either.”

“You don’t think…” She flicked her gaze to him.