Boss Daddy (Billionaire Baby Daddies #10)

Chapter 1

VEDA

My hand trembled as I flicked open my banking app and noticed the sheer number of zeros following that first digit.

Never in my life had I seen such a large balance. I lifted my jaw back into place before looking back into the bluest eyes I'd ever seen.

"Half now… Then you produce results for me and I'll pay you in ten-percent increments for everything you give me, and when the job is complete and I finally show the board who my brother really is, you'll have the full million.

" Clayton Locke leans back in the booth under the harsh glow of the yellow bar light overhead.

My throat worked around the knot trying to choke me as I tried not to vomit. All of this was happening so fast.

I only met this man last night—well, talked to him, really. He'd been in this bar several times before and never said a word to me other than his drink order and to pay.

Then Regan had to open her big mouth about drunk men not tipping well.

I licked my lip and sucked in a deep breath that expanded my chest cavity, easing some of the stress of the moment. "This is… I mean…" Yes, I gave him my bank routing information because he was very convincing.

I almost thought maybe I was getting scammed, but I took the leap because who wouldn't?

A million dollars just to seduce someone's brother?

I'm not a hooker.

Please don't get me wrong. But this man was so serious about this and my college tuition was mounting to the point it made it hard to keep the lights on at times.

Working as a bartender paid the bills because I got decent tips.

But transitioning into a base pay that was half of what I made at The Pub meant not being able to afford rent, and working both jobs at once felt overwhelming.

"Yes, it's a lot of money for a woman like you." I hated the way he said that, like I was a disease or something because I wasn't rich. It was the saving grace in this strange interlude between us.

Men like Clayton were all the same, sleazy, degrading, and judgmental.

I assumed his brother would be no different, and probably pretty easy to seduce if he was a drunk like Clayton told me.

I sucked in a breath again to keep myself from snapping at him. "All I have to do is get him to sleep with me and record it?" A twinge of guilt pinched the back of my neck as I said it aloud.

Until the number appeared in my account, I really thought this was some sort of practical joke or something, but this got really real, really fast.

Clayton spun the empty whiskey tumbler on the table between us and cocked his head sideways for a second while lifting one eyebrow.

"I guess maybe I can throw in something extra if you make it look like he's sexually harassing you.

" A devilish smirk stretched across his face as he leaned forward.

"Get him to play into some dominant boss kink or something and make it good. "

I knew nothing about Asher Locke except that his commercials were on television during prime time, which meant he made a lot of money.

Advertising during prime time television was expensive, and judging by the suit and tie his brother, seated across from me now, wore, it meant even his board members were well compensated.

The half-million in my account was also more proof.

"This sounds really sketchy," I admitted as I locked my phone and sighed.

Regan still hustled the bar alone while I sat here making a deal with the devil.

I would've done anything for a million dollars, but suddenly, I was having second thoughts.

Destroying a man's career and reputation seemed sadistic and unethical.

Guilt threatened to make me change my mind and send this money right back where it came from.

But the idea of paying off my college debt, getting a better apartment that wasn't so crappy in a bad neighborhood, and finally being able to transition into the job I'd been hoping to obtain since graduation last spring—all of that made it hard to say no.

"What'd Asher do to you to make you so angry with him?" This felt like more than sibling rivalry. It had to be.

No one hated their family enough to pay someone a million dollars to destroy their reputation and career.

No one.

There had to be something Mr. Locke was doing that made all of this fanfare necessary.

Clayton pushed the glass away and sat back, shrinking into the shadows again while he drummed the fingers of his right hand on the tabletop.

He was clearly drunk—bloodshot eyes, slightly slurred speech—and he seemed annoyed with my hesitation.

But If I was going to agree to this, like actually go through with it more than just dipping my toe in the water to see if it was a scam, I had to have a good reason.

"Well," Clayton said before hiccupping. "He's drunk at work pretty much every day. He's tanking huge accounts, and he's got the board so wrapped around his finger, they can't see right through him. Of course, he was Daddy's little favorite, so…"

He lifted a finger until Regan nodded at him, and when she looked at me she offered a "How's it going" sort of expression.

I shrugged a shoulder, already too ashamed to admit to my best friend the deal I was making.

Or that was already made.

His money was in my account.

How was I supposed to back out now?

"And there's proof of this?" I asked, feeling better about it now. Those were things I'd be able to see firsthand when I showed up on day one.

No one would have to tell me whether a man was drunk or not. I'd spent the past three years bartending my way through college.

"Look, lady, if you don't want to do this, I can find someone else. Maybe your friend over there?" He scowled at me and threw a thumb over his shoulder in Regan's general direction. "I thought you needed money. Beggars can't be choosers."

I cringed at that word. I most definitely wasn't a beggar, but I did need his money.

"Fine. I'll do it." The huff that escaped my lips was nothing short of melodramatic, but I had to start practicing for the role of a lifetime.

"And you're certain the position is an internship for corporate communications? "

My degree fit too perfectly with this little scheme he'd cooked up.

And CEOs never take interns for stuff like this, so it didn’t make sense to me.

I just didn’t want to show up on day one and see that I was nothing more than a glorified secretary.

Taking the CEO down for sexual harassment might mean losing the job, but any of the legitimate work I did while at Locke Global would be applicable experience on my resume—if it was in my field of study.

"Yes and no…" Now he changed his tune? I almost scoffed but he continued.

"I've already approved the role through the board.

Your official title will be intern, and you'll definitely work with the communications team.

But the board agrees he needs a babysitter.

So you'll report to me anyway." His eyes seemed to teem with hatred or animosity, like swarming bees or a school of piranha attacking.

"And when it's all done, you’ll make sure I have a good recommendation so I can continue working in this field. It won't blow back on me?"

"Here ya go," I heard and looked up to see Regan's smiling face as she slid Clayton's drink in front of him. "Need anything else?" she asked, but she was looking right at me.

"Yeah, you out of my hair," he grunted, then he pushed a twenty at her and she scowled before retreating.

This man could pay me a million to discredit and destroy his brother, but he didn't seem much better himself.

"When do I start?" My hands were still shaking slightly as I pocketed my phone and stood. I had to get back behind the bar to help Regan.

A party of five new regulars showed up a few minutes ago, and I knew she didn't like the lot of them.

"Monday morning. Wear something sexy… How about one of those tight skirts that's a little too short, and leave the top buttons of your shirt open? You have a nice rack." He smirked at me as he gulped the drink, while I felt like bugs were crawling across my skin.

"Anything else?" I grumbled. He had some nerve telling me how to dress.

"And smile more. The resting bitch face does nothing for your looks. You're a pretty girl. Asher will love that."

I had to walk away before I smacked him, but I paused long enough to see him pull his phone back and stop the recording—done, he said, to "ensure both of us are protected.

" If Asher was anything like his brother, I'd have no problem landing this within the first week.

Clayton Locke was as sleazy as they came.

Too bad it wasn't him I was taking down.