Single Mom, Billionaire Boss Read online

  “But you got through it.”

  Yes, she’d gotten through it. And now she was glad it was over. Ivy came back to the table to climb onto Garrett’s lap and drink some of his leftover shake. He gave her a few bites of the apple filling from his dessert, too.

  And suddenly everything was right with Meagan’s world again, just the way it was supposed to be.

  * * *

  The following week, Meagan was hit with startling news from her brother. Neil had contacted Tanner.

  “What did he say to you?” she asked.

  “Nothing. He called me at the office, but I wasn’t there. So he left a message, asking me to have you call him. He left his number, in case you didn’t have it anymore.”

  She felt weak in the knees. Not the sweet dizziness that Garrett made her feel but the kind that came with fear and nausea. She sat on Tanner’s sofa, fighting the sickness coming over her. “Did he say why he wanted to talk to me?”

  “No. But I wouldn’t trust that jerk if he was the last guy on Earth.”

  “He probably found out that I’m dating Garrett and wants to poke his nose into it.”

  “How would he have found out about you and Garrett?”

  “I bumped into someone from the past, and I introduced her to Garrett.” She explained the Burbank Billy’s encounter. “I don’t think she was aware of who Garrett was, though. Nor did she seem like a threat. She never even liked Neil.”

  “Maybe you should call him to find out what he’s up to. If you don’t, he might try to see you in person. And we don’t need him sniffing around your door.”

  “You’re right. It’s safer to call him.” Neil knew where her brother lived, and most likely he knew that she lived on the property now, too. “I’ll bet he’s going to try to use me to get some money out of Garrett.”

  “Whatever he’s trying to pull, we won’t let him get away with it.”

  “Thanks, Tanner. I’m going to go home and call him now. Will you keep an eye on Ivy?” Her daughter had crashed on his floor, with a blanket and a bunch of toys, but she would probably be waking up soon. “I don’t want her anywhere near Neil, even if it’s just when I’m talking to him on the phone.”

  “Of course. I’ll let Candy know what’s going on, too, when she gets home from her yoga class. Are you going to call Garrett and warn him that Neil surfaced?”

  “Yes, but first I want to talk to Neil. Then I can give Garrett the full story.” Whatever the twisted story was.

  Tanner gave her Neil’s number, and Meagan walked the garden path to her house, taking in the air, hoping the breeze would help. Her stomach was churning like a vat of spoiled butter.

  She went inside and made the call.

  As soon as Neil said, “Hello?” her stomach churned even worse, the sound of his voice horribly familiar.

  “It’s me,” she replied. “It’s Meagan.”

  “Well, if it isn’t the billionaire’s girlfriend.”

  She fired back, “I’m not anyone’s girlfriend.” She refused to give him the satisfaction of hearing her admit it.

  “Who are you trying to kid? I saw Andrea the other night. She was drunk as usual, stumbling around a club. She gave me an earful about how you’d moved on with some guy named Garrett. She hasn’t talked to me since she dumped Todd, and then she comes at me, spouting off about you.”

  Of all times for Andrea to be brave, Meagan thought.

  “Anyway,” he said, “I got curious to know if there was even the remotest possibility that the Garrett in question was Snow. And sure enough, I discovered that’s who he is. Apparently, you’re working for him. And getting cozy with him in burger joints, too.”

  “What’s this really about, Neil?”

  “Our daughter,” he harshly replied.

  Oh, God. He was going to try to use Ivy as his pawn? Meagan’s heart skipped a beat.

  He continued by saying, “I’m well aware of my mistakes and how I did her wrong. But I want to make amends and be the kind of father she needs.”

  Meagan would rather die than let him get his hands on Ivy. “That’s a load of crap and you know it.”

  He ignored her accusation. “Have you considered that Snow could be playing a game? Reeling you in to get back at you for ripping him off? I’ve heard that he has a ruthless streak.” There was a long pause. “Unless it’s you who’s up to no good, trying to take him for whatever he’s worth. Either way, I have concerns for our daughter being subject to that kind of environment.”

  “I’m not—do you hear me? not—going to let you see Ivy. So whatever game you’re playing, you can end it right now.”

  “You can’t stop me from getting to know my own child. I have rights as a father.”

  “I’ll use the courts to stop you.”

  “Right. As if you’re the poster child for motherhood, dating one of your victims.”

  “My relationship with Garrett is none of your business.”

  “If there’s nothing shady going on, then why are you getting so defensive?”

  “I’m hanging up now. And I meant what I said about you not seeing Ivy.”

  “Yes, well, we’ll see about that.”

  He ended the call before she could, leaving her in a fresh state of panic, with a flood of tears running down her cheeks.

  * * *

  Garrett rushed over to Meagan’s house when she told him about Neil. And now she was shivering like a half-drowned cat.

  Garrett took her in his arms, determined to calm her frazzled nerves. She’d taken a long, hot shower before he’d arrived. He assumed that she was trying to wash away the grimy feeling talking to Neil had given her. Her freshly washed hair was still damp, and her tear-marked face had been scrubbed clean.

  She peered up at Garrett with red-rimmed eyes. Earlier, she’d told him that Ivy would be staying the night with Tanner and Candy. But he understood that Meagan couldn’t bear to let her daughter see her like this.

  She said, “Tanner said that if Neil comes around here and hassles me to see Ivy, I should file a restraining order against him. But I don’t think Neil is going to do anything to hinder his chances in court. He’s not going to make himself look bad in the eyes of the law, not if he expects them to grant him visitations with Ivy.”

  Garrett smoothed a hand down her hair, catching some of the wet strands between his fingers. “I’ll help you do whatever is necessary to keep him away from Ivy. I won’t let that SOB come within breathing distance of you or your little girl.”

  “I think his main objective for now is to figure out exactly what my relationship is with you and use that to his best advantage. But the only way for him to infiltrate our lives is through Ivy.”

  A stab of guilt punctured Garrett’s chest, forming a bloody wound deep in his soul. “If I hadn’t pressured you to take our relationship public, none of this would have happened. He wouldn’t even know about us.”

  “It’s not your fault.” She held both of his hands in hers. “You were right about us dating openly. I don’t regret it, Garrett. Not for a minute. But I’m still terrified of the power Neil holds over me. I’m the one who’s a parolee, who’s dating one of her victims, who struggled with a severe form of depression. Neil has a lot of things to use against me.”

  “Your postpartum depression shouldn’t be an issue. You recovered from that, and you’re an exceptional mother. As for you and me, I’ll testify on your behalf that our relationship is good and pure. I’ll open up my entire life to them if I need to.”

  “What about the three counts of embezzlement I served time for? Neil probably doesn’t even have a traffic violation. I lied to the police about how he wasn’t involved in what I did. I can’t go back now and say that he helped me plot those crimes. Sure, the detectives on my case suspected it. But there was
no proof of his participation and there never will be. Neil got away with it, and if he gets away with this—”

  “He won’t,” Garrett reiterated. “I’ll talk to my attorney and have him recommend someone who specializes in family law. I’ll make damned sure that you get the best lawyer money can buy.”

  Her hands went clammy. “I can’t afford someone like that.”

  “I can.”

  “I can’t let you pay my way.”

  “So consider it a loan.”

  “Oh, God.” She squeezed her eyes shut, and when she reopened them, they were filled with another round of tears. “I never wanted my relationship with you to be about money.”

  “It’s not about that. What I’m offering is to save you and your daughter from Neil.” Garrett would do whatever it took to keep them from getting hurt, no matter what the cost.

  Thirteen

  Garrett sat on a bench in front of a gourmet coffee shop, located on the boardwalk near his resort. He was waiting for Neil.

  Yes, Neil.

  Garrett had already consulted his attorney about Meagan’s situation, and although a top-notch lawyer specializing in family law had been recommended, Garrett and his advisor had also discussed another alternative. A quicker, easier, cut-and-dry way to keep Neil away from Meagan and Ivy, and that was the route Garrett had decided to take.

  He hadn’t talked to Meagan about it, though. He wanted to spare her the details until it was over, until he could hold her in his arms and assure her that Neil would no longer be a problem.

  So here he was, wishing the other man would hurry up and get here. But Neil, the cocky bastard, was late.

  Garrett gazed out at the beach. It was a chilly afternoon, with the wind kicking up sand and the ocean crashing onto the shore.

  He’d chosen this spot because it was one of his favorite places on the boardwalk. Meagan had already gotten off work and taken Ivy home from day care, so there was no chance of her happening by.

  Garrett shifted his gaze and saw a long-limbed, fair-haired man dressed in jeans and a leather jacket coming toward him. He knew it was Neil. Earlier, he’d checked out Neil’s social media accounts to view his pictures, most of which were arrogant selfies. He was younger than Garrett, with blue eyes and pretty-boy features.

  Neil plopped down beside him, making a smart-aleck expression, as if he found this whole damned thing amusing. Garrett wanted to ball his hands into tight fists and beat that smug look right off his face, but that wasn’t on the agenda. He needed to stick to the plan.

  “So did Meagan give you my number?” Neil asked.

  “No. I got it on my own.”

  “Does she even know that you arranged this meeting?”

  “No,” Garrett said. “And you’re not going to say anything to her about it. In fact, after today, you’re never going to speak to her again.”

  “I’m not?” Neil raised his eyebrows. “And how do you propose to make that happen?”

  “By giving you a shitload of money to stay away from her and Ivy.” Garrett had no intention of beating around the bush. He wanted to get this done and over. “My attorney already drew up a document, where you’ll be relinquishing all claims to Ivy. After you sign and accept the money, for all intents and purposes you will no longer be her father.” Garrett slanted him an icy glare. “Not that you are, anyway, not where it counts. But legally, you’ll be giving up your parental rights. There’s also a nondisclosure agreement you’ll need to sign, prohibiting you from speaking about this for the rest of your miserable, soon-to-be rich life.”

  “How rich?” Neil slyly asked.

  Garrett removed a slip of paper from his pocket with the figure written on it.

  Neil’s head nearly swiveled on his neck. “Did you bring the documents with you?”

  “They’re at my attorney’s office. I’ll text you the place, day and time. But you’ll need to bring your own attorney to read the legalese to you.”

  “I can read. I can—”

  “Just bring a lawyer.” Garrett wasn’t going to let this conniving prick come back later and say that he’d been railroaded into this. Or that he didn’t understand the fine print. Or any other cock-and-bull thing he might try to concoct.

  “If I sign a nondisclosure agreement, what am I supposed to say to my friends?”

  “About your sudden windfall? I’m sure you’ll come up with a plausible story to tell them.” Considering what a good liar he was.

  Neil jerked his chin. “This better not be a scam to make me look bad in court later. Like you’re filming this and are going to present it as evidence. Because that will create trouble for you, too, bribing me the way you are.”

  Garrett cut his reply to the quick. “This isn’t a bribe. It’s a business arrangement, and you’d do well to know the difference.”

  “Okay, hotshot. But what if I don’t accept the terms you’re offering? What if my attorney thinks I should hold out for more?”

  “Then the deal is off.” He shoved the paper with the figure on it back into his pocket. “And I’ll never offer you another dime again.”

  “You’ve got it all figured out.”

  “Yes, I do.” And Garrett wasn’t wavering. “So you’ve got two options—take it or leave it.”

  And he was certain that Neil would take it, since Garrett was giving the lowlife exactly what he wanted.

  Monetary wealth in place of a sweet, beautiful child.

  * * *

  Meagan was at Garrett’s house, sitting in a patio chair beside his pool with her hands clutched to her chest, listening to him tell her about the deal he’d orchestrated.

  He finished with “I spoke to Neil yesterday about it, and he signed the papers this morning. It’s over. You won’t be seeing or hearing from him ever again.”

  Speechless, she just sat there, his news swinging like a razor-edged pendulum, slicing her emotions in two. Neil was out of the picture, gone from her and Ivy’s lives.

  She could have wept from gratitude, cried from absolute joy. Except for the other part of it...

  Garrett had given Neil money. He’d gone behind her back, using his power and influence to “fix” her problems, and that made her feel like his cheap-hearted mistress. An ex-con sleeping with a billionaire. A woman who would never live an honest or upstanding life.

  When she finally spoke, her vocal cords rattled. “You shouldn’t have done that, Garrett.”

  He gave her an incredulous look. “What?”

  “You shouldn’t have paid him off. You shouldn’t have even approached him without talking to me first. The decision should have been mine.”

  “But I wanted to spare you the trouble of being involved. I just wanted to come to you and say that it was done.” He shook his head. “And why does it matter, as long as he’s gone?”

  “Because I wouldn’t have agreed to your method.” Her hands were still pressed to her chest, where a hollow cadence beat its way to her throat. “I just couldn’t have gone through with something like that.”

  “You wouldn’t have taken the easiest and quickest method of getting rid of Neil?” He looked at her with accusation in his eyes. “Why the hell not?”

  “For so many reasons.” She hated that this was turning into a showdown. That she couldn’t speak her mind without him taking offense. “But mostly because I can’t stand the thought of you giving him money and putting me and Ivy in the middle of it. As scared as I was about facing off with Neil in court, I would have stood tough when I needed to, fighting my battles the legal way.”

  “There was nothing illegal about the way I handled it,” he shot back.

  “Then why does it feel so criminal to me? I was already uncomfortable about hiring a pricey attorney and borrowing the money from you to pay the fees. That was al
ready weighing on my self-esteem. But this goes beyond anything I could’ve comprehended.”

  “So what are you saying? That I did something that damaged you?”

  “Not purposely. But you made a decision that wasn’t yours to make. You controlled a portion of my life that wasn’t yours to control.”

  “Like Neil used to do?” Garrett scowled at her. “How am I supposed to feel with you comparing me to him?”

  “I wasn’t doing that. I wasn’t—”

  “Yes, you were.”

  Meagan struggled to remain as calm as this discussion would allow, to keep from breaking down in confused and frustrated tears. “You’re putting words in my mouth.”

  “Do you know how long a court battle could have taken? Or the anguish it would have caused you and your family?” His scowl deepened. “Neil would have put you through the wringer, trying to finagle a way to make a buck out of being Ivy’s dad. He would have been there at every turn, using you and your daughter to get to me.”

  “So you beat him to the punch? Why can’t you at least try to understand my perspective?”

  “And do what? Apologize for paying that bastard off? No way.” He got out of his chair, pacing the poolside pavement. “No effing way will I ever be sorry for that.”

  “You rewarded him for his bad behavior.”

  He stopped pacing, turning sharply to face her. “At least you and Ivy will never be burdened by him again.”

  “I’m so incredibly glad he’s gone.” She couldn’t pretend otherwise. “And for that, I’ll be eternally grateful to you. I know you meant well.” God help her, she did. “But, on the flipside, you can’t just go around paying people off to make things easier for me. I already told you that I didn’t want our relationship to be about money.”

  “I did what I thought was right.”

  “But it wasn’t right for me. I’ve been working tooth and nail to be a better person, to complete my parole, to meet my obligation and pay the restitution I owe. But now I owe you for getting rid of Neil, too.” And that was a debt she would never be able to repay. “I’m not like you, Garrett. I’ll never earn that kind of money, not in an entire lifetime.”