Wins the Game: Lucas (The Andersons #1)

Prologue

It’s just not right, Katherine!”

Joseph slammed his fist down on the table, making the dinnerware shake.

“Those kids just don’t listen to us — not a one of them. Can’t they see that we aren’t getting any younger? I should’ve had grandchildren bouncing on my knees years ago.”

Katherine smiled as she listened to her husband complain about his disobedient children.

She knew what he said was nothing but empty words.

He adored their kids as much as she did.

She had to agree with Joseph, though, that a few beautiful women rocking babies would be an excellent addition to the house.

She’d always dreamed of the day she’d be holding grandchildren while her table was surrounded by those she loved.

“Now, Joseph. You know if you go meddling again, the boys are going to disown you,”

Katherine warned.

“If they don’t do something about this grandchildren situation, then I’m going to disown them,”

he growled, though with zero conviction in his voice.

“Since you retired last year, you’ve had too much time on your hands, Joseph Anderson. The boys have been tossed a lot of responsibility already. Are you sure you want to add more to their plates?”

she asked, knowing the answer already.

“The boys are ready for love and marriage. They just need a helping push.”

The decision had already been made. He’d have at least one grandchild in his empty mansion before Christmas.

Katherine suppressed her sigh, knowing nothing she could say would change her willful husband’s mind.

Where did he think their sons acquired that particular trait? Even with their flaws, she couldn’t possibly love any of them, including her husband, more than she already did.

“Lucas will be first,”

Joseph said in his booming voice, startling Katherine out of her reverie.

“I’ve already found him the perfect bride.”

Joseph leaned back in his chair with a pleased expression.

Finally, he had a project to keep himself occupied — with the prize of grandchildren as his reward.

Lucas was in for wild adventures come Monday morning.

Katherine watched the self-satisfied expression on Joseph’s face and thought about warning her sons about what was coming.

She decided against it because even though she didn’t agree with Joseph’s meddling, she really did want those grandbabies . . .

Amy was giving herself a lecture on her long elevator ride up to the twenty-fifth floor of the Anderson Corporation.

Her stomach was in knots as she began her journey into the corporate world.

You can do this. Walk in there with confidence. Who cares if this family is worth more than Bill Gates and Elon Musk combined? You were hired for this position, and you need this job. They obviously see something in you so keep your head held high.

She brushed a few strands of escaped golden hair from her face, more out of nervousness than necessity.

She considered herself to be of average looks and tried to downplay the assets she’d been given.

She wanted to be respected, not lusted after, like her mother. She had long hair she couldn’t find the will to cut off, although when out, she always placed it in an unflattering bun.

She tended to hide her curves from the world.

She was well endowed in what an ex-boyfriend had called “all of the right places,”

and she was self-conscious of the fact.

She also didn’t like the fact that her green eyes gave away every emotion she was feeling, and that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t manage to fix it.

She still couldn’t believe she’d been hired as executive secretary for Lucas Anderson.

Anyone who lived within a thousand miles of Seattle, Washington, knew who the Andersons were.

Their corporation had a variety of divisions, which required a large staff. They dealt with everything from construction and farming to high-end corporate takeovers. Although their headquarters was in the U.S., they did business around the world, and she was excited to be a part of it.

Her job was in the corporate headquarters, working for the fairly new president, Lucas Anderson.

All she really knew was that he’d taken over his father’s position about a year ago.

Though she’d graduated with honors, she was still fresh out of college and felt a little bit overwhelmed at the prospect of working for such a powerful man.

She hadn’t actually met Lucas yet, just his father.

She’d first met Joseph at a college job fair toward the end of her senior year.

He’d given her his card and told her to call after graduation, telling her he was impressed with her college transcript.

She’d called the day after her commencement ceremony, and he’d gotten her in for an interview faster than she’d dared to even hope for.

As she continued the long ascent in the elevator, she let her thoughts drift back to the previous week when she’d interviewed for the job . . .