Читать книгу: «His Marriage Demand»

One

Two weeks later

“Stewart Technologies is in dire straits,” Fallon told her parents over Sunday dinner.

Thinking about the past and what she’d done to Gage Campbell had weighed heavily on her mind ever since she’d had drinks with Shana a couple of weeks ago.

Fallon had never been able to forget the hateful stare Gage had given her moments before her father had closed the cottage door all those years ago. She’d never learned what had happened to Gage and his mother after they’d left Stewart Manor. She hadn’t wanted to know because she’d been the cause of his mother losing her livelihood and the guilt had eaten her up. She’d felt so bad that she hadn’t balked when her parents had sent her to a finishing school her final year of high school to avoid her spending time with the “wrong crowd.”

“Must you be so dramatic?” Nora Stewart said, glancing at her daughter from the opposite end of the table. Even though it was just the three of them at dinner, her mother had insisted on eating in the formal dining room when Fallon would rather be in the kitchen.

Her mother was the epitome of sophistication, wearing cream slacks and a matching cardigan set. Her smooth chestnut-brown hair was stylishly cut in a chin-length bob while her makeup was perfection. Nora was well-preserved thanks to personal trainers and weekly visits to the salon and spa for massages and facials. Since marrying Henry Stewart and becoming pregnant with Fallon, Nora hadn’t worked. Why should she when she was lady of the manor?

“I’m not being dramatic,” Fallon responded. “We’re bleeding money and it has to stop.”

“And whose fault is that?” Henry inquired. “You’ve been CEO for two years now.”

When she’d turned thirty Fallon thought she’d finally achieved the height of her career only to find out it had been built on quicksand. Stewart Technologies was leveraged to the hilt all because of her father’s poor judgment and her mother’s notorious spending habits. Every few years she was constantly redecorating Stewart manor to keep up with the latest fads and, as for fashion, there wasn’t a bag, shoe or piece of clothing in her mother’s closet that didn’t have a designer label.

“Not mine,” Fallon said hotly. “Stewart Technologies was in trouble well before I became CEO.”

“You’re the leader now and it’s up to you to fix things. It’s what you said you wanted, Fallon,” her father replied. “It’s time you show what you’re made of instead of running to me.”

Fallon bristled at that. She’d come to level with her parents, but clearly they were beyond reason. They wanted to stick their heads in the sand and refuse to accept the inevitable: that they were running out of funds and wouldn’t be able to live in the style to which they were accustomed. “I have shown my commitment to the company over the last decade. But since it’s clear I don’t have your support, I’ll take my leave.” She rose from her seat and made for the door.

“Sit down, Fallon.” Her father trained his hazel-gray eyes on her, causing Fallon to pause and retrace her steps.

“If you’re going to talk business—” Nora used her napkin to lightly tap the sides of her mouth “—I’m going to make myself scarce because it’s such a bore.”

Fallon sucked in a deep breath and reminded herself to count to ten, which was more than enough time for her mother to depart. She loved Nora, but she found her exhausting.

“Yes, Father?” Fallon turned and, for the first time, truly looked at her father. She saw more salt and pepper in his normally black hair and a few more lines were etched across his features, showing life wasn’t as easy as her mother portrayed.

“I’m sorry if I was harsh before,” Henry said. “I know you’ve been doing your best.”

“Which isn’t good enough,” Fallon stated. “Don’t you get it? We could lose everything.”

“Surely it’s not as dire as you predict?” Henry countered.

“It is. I’ve exhausted all options,” Fallon said. “I even asked Ayden for the money.”

Her father’s eyes widened. “Why on earth would you do such a thing? He isn’t a member of this family. How much did you tell him of our circumstances? What did he say?”

Fallon waited for her father to finish peppering her with questions before answering. Did he wonder if Ayden had told her about his infidelity with her mother? “I was desperate. But I didn’t get to explain because he told me he isn’t interested in bailing out our company because he’s not a part of this family.” She didn’t share that Ayden had had a change of heart and had come to her days ago.

Henry sighed. “It’s just as well. We don’t need him. You can figure this out, Fallon. There’s a reason I let you become CEO.”

“Let me?” Fallon repeated. “I worked hard to get where I am. I don’t recall Dane or even Ayden getting in line to step in your shoes.”

“Listen here, young lady—” he began.

“Don’t bother chastising me, Father,” Fallon interrupted. “I’m the only child you have who cares one iota about Stewart Technologies, so I suggest you stop fighting me and get Mother to understand we are just a few steps away from going broke.”

Fallon shot to her feet and, without another word, left the room, her stunned father sitting with his mouth open at her insolence. She walked quickly to the door and headed for her cottage. Her haven. Her safe place.

The cool night air hit her immediately when she exited. The leaves that had begun falling a few weeks ago crunched under her heels, signaling fall was in full swing. Once inside the cottage, Fallon turned on the lights and sagged against the door. Why was it she felt safe here? The one place that had once caused such misery to others.

Her mother had long since renovated the cottage after the Campbells left. It now had an open concept with a stainless-steel kitchen, sitting area, master suite with en suite bath as well as guest bedroom and powder room. It was all Fallon needed while allowing her to be close to her horse, Lady.

Kicking off her boots, Fallon plopped onto her plush leather sofa, leaned back and thought about the weekend. Once again, she’d scoured the books looking for ways to make cuts and keep the company afloat, but it was pointless. They were going under. And tonight was a complete bust. Her parents refused to accept their new reality: they were broke. The only bright spot had been on Friday evening when Ayden had shown up at her office. He’d looked drawn and tired, and there were lines under his eyes, but he’d wanted to talk. She’d been hard on him because he’d treated her like the enemy for years. She and Dane had been the chosen ones, the children Henry Stewart claimed while leaving Ayden to languish in poverty with his mother.

Fallon understood she’d had the life denied him: the houses, cars, travel, fancy clothes and schools. He’d listened when she’d explained it hadn’t been easy for her, either, with a disinterested, self-absorbed mother and a demanding father who’d pushed her to excel. She was angry that Ayden blamed her when she’d only been a child. However, Ayden had told her he was sorry for ignoring her calls and for turning down her requests for a loan. He wanted to start over, to try to be a family, a brother to her and Dane.

Fallon had been overjoyed. Then Ayden had held her hand and shockingly offered to give her—not the company—a personal loan. Fallon knew the sacrifice it had taken for him to make the offer. But, after everything he’d been through, her pride wouldn’t allow her to accept his money, knowing how their father treated him. He hadn’t supported Ayden as a child. Not to mention she’d had more advantages than Ayden had ever had. She couldn’t take his hard-earned money, money he might need one day for his future. He’d nodded and let her keep her pride. And they’d agreed to take baby steps and work on their sibling relationship. Fallon couldn’t wait to tell Dane. She hoped he would be as happy as she was to forge a bond with their big brother.

* * *

“Welcome back to Austin, old friend,” Theo Robinson said to Gage Campbell when they met up for lunch at the country club. They were sitting outside on the terrace by the fire pit, drinking brandy and reminiscing about the good old days.

“It’s good to be back,” Gage said. And it was. It had been well over a decade since he’d lived in Texas. After finishing college at the University of Texas at Austin, he’d gone on to New York and then overseas to make his fortune. Now that he was a successful man in his own right, he’d come back to his hometown to settle down and take care of his mother. Though he doubted Grace Campbell felt she needed taking care of. Although she’d retired a few years ago, his mother was active and traveled the world with her circle of friends. She deserved it after all the hard work she’d endured to ensure he’d had a future.

“What’re your plans now that you’re here?” Theo inquired.

Gage sat back in his seat and regarded his friend. “Settle in, find a nice home and a good woman and have some babies.”

“Oh, really?” Theo raised an eyebrow. “Since when? I thought you were a die-hard bachelor.”

“I was. Hell, I still am,” Gage replied. “I’m still indulging until I find Mrs. Campbell.”

“Look out, women of Austin!” Theo laughed and drank his brandy.

“There’s only one woman who should ever fear me,” Gage said, a serious tone to his voice.

“Let me guess. Fallon Stewart? I would think after all this time and your success, you would have forgotten the mistakes made by a young, naïve girl.”

“She wasn’t so naïve if she had the audacity to show up to my house half naked,” Gage responded. He’d never forgotten how stunned he’d been after having a few beers at the bar only to come home to find Fallon in his bed.

“She was sixteen with a crush on you,” Theo said. “She was feeling herself, but then her parents caught her. She got scared and lied about what happened.”

“Her lies cost my mother her job. And without references from the Stewarts, Mama couldn’t find work. It took her months to recover, especially since the Stewarts were paying her minimum wage to work day and night.”

“Well, she recovered and so have you. I mean look at you.” Theo motioned to him. “You’re the wizard of Wall Street. I’d say you’ve done well.”

“No thanks to the Stewarts.”

Theo sighed. “Then you’ll probably be glad to hear this. The rumor is that Stewart Technologies is leveraged to the max. No bank will loan them money and they’ve run out of options.”

“Serves Henry right,” Gage responded. “Though I have to wonder what happened. I thought he had a good head on his shoulders. I even looked up to him once upon a time, admired him when he took me under his wing.”

“Henry Stewart isn’t running the show.”

A knot formed in Gage’s stomach. He didn’t need Theo to say his next words; he already knew. “Fallon’s in charge.”

“She’s been looking for a handout from anyone she can and has come up empty.”

“Is that so?” Gage rubbed his jaw. Fallon Stewart had been taken down a peg and was essentially on the street begging for scraps. Now, if that wasn’t karma, he didn’t know what was.

“Could be a good time to go in with a consortium and pick up the pieces,” Theo stated. “Think about it.”

The two men parted right after lunch, but Gage didn’t return home to his penthouse at the Austonian in downtown Austin until late evening. It was a temporary oasis with all the modern conveniences a bachelor required. There was a large television with a surround-sound system, an enormous master suite with a king-size bed and a luxurious master bath with room for more than one occupant in the hot tub and massive steam shower.

He went to the wet bar, opened the snifter of brandy and poured himself a glass. He swirled the alcohol around and took a generous, satisfying sip. Sliding the pocket door to his balcony aside, he opened the living room to the oversize terrace with its panoramic views. Austin’s city lights twinkled in the distance, but Gage didn’t see them. All he saw was a beautiful teenager, wearing the sexiest teddy he’d ever laid eyes on, in his bed. Gage gritted his teeth and forced himself to remember that night. He hadn’t just been angry when he’d found Fallon in his bed. He’d been intrigued.

Fallon had been everything he wasn’t. Spoiled. Rich. Entitled. She’d had more money than she’d known what to do with, ponies and cars, while he’d worked two jobs. He hadn’t wanted to want her, but he had. He’d seen the coy looks Fallon had given him when she’d thought he wasn’t looking, but she’d been sixteen. Jailbait. Gage had been determined to steer clear, but she’d poked the bear and Gage had hauled her against him and kissed her.

If her parents had found them any later, the result might have been him being led off in handcuffs. Instead he and his mother had been shown the door. But now things had changed. He held all the cards and Fallon was on the bottom. He was no longer at the mercy of the Stewarts and whatever scraps they doled out to him. Gage relished how the tables had turned.

* * *

Fallon arrived at the Stewart Technologies’ offices the next morning feeling out of sorts. She hadn’t slept well the night before. She’d been thinking about her lack of a love life. It had been ages since she’d been on a proper date, let alone had a steady boyfriend.

She tried to focus on the day ahead. There were several meetings scheduled, including a negotiation to sell off one of the company’s long-held nanotech patents. Fallon didn’t want to do it—it was one of her father’s significant achievements—but she was running out of options. The cash influx would stave off the bank and ensure thousands of employees kept their jobs.

The morning flew by quickly with Fallon only stopping long enough to eat a quick salad her assistant, Chelsea, had fetched from the deli downstairs.

Fallon was poring over financials when a knock sounded on the door. “Not now, Chelsea, I’m in the middle of something,” she said without looking up.

“You don’t have time for an old friend?”

Fallon’s heart slowed at first and she closed her eyes, leaning back in her leather executive chair. Surely, it couldn’t be. Perhaps she was imagining things, conjuring up the past. Because she hadn’t heard that deep masculine voice in over sixteen years. Inhaling deeply, she snuck a glance at the man standing in the doorway of her office and was bowled over.

It was none other than Gage Campbell.

How? Why was he here at her office? A morass of feelings engulfed her and she tingled from head to toe. The last time she’d seen Gage there had been nothing but hatred in his eyes, not the amused expression he now wore. Fallon reminded herself to breathe in then breathe out.

Calm yourself. Don’t let him see he’s affected you.

So instead she took the offensive. “What the hell are you doing here?”