The Corporate Raider's Revenge / Tycoon's Valentine Vendetta: The Corporate Raider's Revenge / Tycoon's Valentine Vendetta

Three

One month later, Laney bent down on her knees to set a dozen white carnations on her father’s grave. He’d always liked the simple traditional flower, sturdy and hearty, a bloom that would thrive a long time. Nolan Royal believed in longevity and in keeping his time-honored namesake hotels first-rate despite the newer, up-and-coming chains. He’d built a prestigious empire on that premise.

Now, the man was gone, but the empire was still alive.

Tears dripped from Laney’s eyes as she touched the fresh grass that had been planted over his resting place, as if the caress could possibly bring her closer to him, somehow. “Oh, Daddy,” she whispered, “I’m so sorry.”

She’d never get over the guilt she felt these past few weeks at not having been stronger for him, not having been the person he needed, not having helped him more when he seemed to need it most.

When she’d come home from the island after her extended stay, he’d been relieved to see her. He’d been dealing with the tension and pressure of the business failings without her, relying on his right-hand man, the only other person he trusted with inside information, Preston Malloy.

She’d promised her father right before his fatal heart attack that she would work her hardest to help get things back on track. The hotels had been plagued with a run of back luck or worse yet, they’d been deliberately sabotaged.

Her father had been perplexed, angry and frustrated at how so many things could go wrong in such a short span of time. Within months, many of The Royals across the continent had failed in one way or another.

Don’t worry, Daddy. I won’t disappoint you again. Laney made the vow in her heart and her mind. She was sole beneficiary to The Royal holdings and now everything fell in her lap. She’d assured her father she would keep the hotels thriving and she would do it.

“I’ll take care of things now,” she promised, staring at her father’s bronzed plaque. It rested beside her mother’s in a private section of the cemetery.

“I thought I’d find you here.” Preston Malloy came up behind her.

She rose from her knees to face him. “What is it?” she asked. “Is there another problem at Royal?”

Preston wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her close. “Not today, Elena.”

As close as they’d been through the years, she’d never allowed Preston or anyone besides her mother, father and best friend, to call her Laney. Yet, she’d given her nickname to one other person, on a sandy beach, on an island, at a time in her life when she really needed a friend. Now, those special moments seemed as if they occurred eons ago.

“I just came by to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You’ve been here every day since the funeral, five days ago.”

“I know. I need to feel connected. I want Dad to know I’m here.”

“He knows. He wouldn’t want you blaming yourself for not being with him when he died. We’ve already had that talk.”

Preston smiled. He was ten years older than her, but he’d become her rock lately, holding up the business end while coordinating all the funeral arrangements. Small wonder that her father valued Preston’s abilities and friendship. She was grateful that her father had Preston as his executive assistant. Now, Preston took on another heavy load, dealing with a grieving daughter.

Laney had always suspected her father would have liked to see something happen romantically between the two of them. But though she’d been on several dinner dates with him, nothing had developed in that regard.

“I wish I’d been there to hold his hand during his last moments.” Laney shook her head, grief eating at her thinking about her father dying alone.

He’d had an awful day she’d been told, his calendar full of meetings that afternoon. Many believed something or someone had upset him enough to cause his heart to fail. He’d never even made it to the hospital.

Sorrow and wrenching pain filled her with despair. She hadn’t gone to work that day, or the days before. Since coming home from Maui, she’d worked diligently beside her father and for the very first time, she’d really gotten a deep sense of the difficulties facing the corporation. Her father hadn’t taken the problems well, suspecting there was more than met the eye to these sudden, unexpected setbacks. Seeing the undue stress on her father’s face made her dig her heels in, promising him that they’d get to the bottom of the costly hotel mishaps that also had hurt the outstanding Royal reputation.

Laney worked day and night for three solid weeks and had begun to really get into a good stride—until she fainted at work from fatigue. She’d refused medical attention, thinking the long hours and her lack of appetite had contributed to her fainting spell. She’d gone home to rest that day. She thought she would feel better with some rest, but the weakness and fatigue continued. Her father insisted she not come into work until she felt stronger. Three days later, Nolan Royal had gone into cardiac arrest while sitting at his desk and died instantly.

Preston squeezed her shoulders gently. “He always knew you loved him, Elena. Never fear that. He was very proud of you.”

“Was he?” Laney wasn’t always so sure. She glanced at his grave and dried her tears with a tissue. “I hope so.”

“You know what he’d want right now?”

She shook her head, sadness usurping her thoughts too much to make sense of anything.

“He’d want you to fight for the company. He’d want you to bring The Royals back.”

Laney sighed with deep regret. She owed her father that much. She’d put aside her own needs to honor the vow she’d made to him. “I want that now, too, Preston. But I don’t know if I can manage it all by myself.”

He smiled and kissed her cheek. “You won’t have to. You have me.”

Laney put down the phone slowly, her head aching, her body stiff with tension. She stared at the paperwork on her late father’s desk—which had become her desk now—in the corporate headquarters building adjacent to The Royal Beverly Hills. Sitting in his oversize tufted leather swivel chair, she felt small, diminutive. Her father had been a large man, six feet tall and built like a linebacker. Space was something he valued. His chair, his desk, his office, his dreams were all on a grand scale.

She massaged her forehead and stretched her neck, making head circles to work out the kinks. “A computer glitch in San Diego,” she muttered, closing her eyes. The entire reservation system had bleeped off for half a day, causing The Royals undue losses in potential revenue at the height of the summer season. “What next?” she whispered, tossing her head back against the comfort of the cushioned chair.

When Preston walked into her office, she felt a little better. His dedication had been a godsend these past few weeks. And true to his word at her father’s graveside, he’d been right by her side, assisting her in every way he possibly could.

“Is it quitting time?” she asked.

Preston smiled, glancing at his watch, playing along. The day had just barely started. Sunshine streamed into the penthouse office suite bringing morning warmth that hinted at a very hot, humid July day to come. “It could be—you’re the boss.”

She allowed herself one last moment of relaxation, then leaned forward in the chair, bracing her arms on the desk. “If only,” she said, not exactly in jest. She’d been stressed lately and extremely tired, but it was all part of the grieving process, she’d been told. “I’ve got meetings throughout the day, I could use your input.”

Dressed in a light suit coat that fit his form perfectly and made his blue eyes stand out, Preston was the epitome of competence and efficiency. “I heard about the computer glitch in San Diego. I think I need to check it out personally today. I’d planned on being back tomorrow evening.”

Inwardly, Laney cringed. Whenever Preston was out of the office, she constantly second-guessed herself. Having him here to bounce ideas and solutions off, gave her the confidence she needed. Though she worked for Royal before, during and after college, she’d never really taken on a significant role. Suddenly, she was thrust into the driver’s seat. “If you think it’s necessary.”

“I do. We need to find out what caused the problem and make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s just two days, but if you’d rather I didn’t go—”

“No, no. You should go. I’ll hold down the fort.”

Preston nodded. “Okay, but have dinner with me tomorrow night. You look like you could use a break.”

Dinner? She hesitated. He’d been rather obvious about his desire to date her a few years ago and she didn’t want to encourage anything again. The last thing she needed now was to complicate her life at the moment. “I’m not eating much these days, Preston.”

He cast her a warm, encouraging smile. “Your father wouldn’t want you to be alone so much. Besides, I should make you eat something. You gave us all a scare when you fainted that day.”

“I won’t faint again.”

“Darn right. Because we’re going to have a nice peaceful meal tomorrow night and I’ll fill you in on my findings from my trip.”

“Okay,” she agreed, finally. She was being foolish. Preston was only looking out for her welfare and they did have to spend time together after hours some of the time until Laney felt more confident about her position here. “Call me when you get back tomorrow.”

“I will,” he said, satisfied. “I’m off now. You know how to reach me if you need anything.”

Laney watched him leave, closing the door behind him. When her cell phone rang, she glanced at the number and immediately answered. “Julia, thank God. Your timing is perfect. I need my best friend right now.”

“Oh, Laney, I think I sensed it. We haven’t spoken much this week. How’re you doing? Still not eating?”

“I can’t. My stomach’s not right. It’s from all the stress I’m sure. And believe me, you can cut the tension with a knife around here. The employees aren’t thrilled at having me take up where my father left off. Most of them think they know more than me. And guess what, they just might.”

Julia chuckled, the same girlish laugh she remembered when they went to private school together. “No, they don’t. They’re just used to taking orders from your father. Don’t let them push you around.”

“Many of them were working here when I’d come around selling candy bars for school fund-raisers. It’s hard to gain their respect. But I am my father’s daughter. I’ll prove to them I know what I’m doing. It’s just going to take a little while.” Laney hoped so, anyway. She’d gotten a degree in business and had a good background, but she’d been thrust at the helm so suddenly, while still reeling from a broken engagement and her father’s death. Yet, she was the go-to person. The buck stopped with her. “I’m managing, Julia.”

“I know you are. Your father would be proud.”

Laney sighed with relief. “Thanks, hon. You always know how to cheer me up.”

“I’ve got another cheer or two in me. Our days at SC weren’t that long ago.” Laney flashed an image of the two of them at USC, cheering for the Trojans. Both had crushes on the quarterback. “So let me take you to lunch today.”

Laney groaned. The mention of food brought queasiness to her stomach. “Why does everyone try to feed me?”

“Because we’re worried about you. I’ve been over at your place enough lately to see what you’re eating, which is next to nothing. Are you sure you’re fine?”

“I’m…doing…okay.”

“I know that tone, best girlfriend. You are not okay.”

“It’s just all this turmoil in my life. Really, I appreciate the offer, but I’m not taking lunches these days.” Laney wouldn’t admit to Julia that maybe something more was wrong with her. She didn’t want to worry her best friend. Her suspicions were unfounded at the moment. She’d been through a world of grief and upheaval in her life lately. That had to be the reason she didn’t feel quite like herself.

“Okay, then, but I’m holding you to lunch this weekend. You need to get away from the office, get your mind off business. We’ll go down to the beach and have a peaceful meal, clear your head.”

“Sounds great,” she answered truthfully. Julia was the one person who really understood her. Spending time with her always helped her forget her problems. “I’m looking forward to it.” She hung up the phone feeling much better.

* * *

An hour later, Laney looked up from the pile of reports on her desk when someone knocked briskly on the office door. Before she could acknowledge the knock, the door pushed open and a man strode into the room.

Laney rose immediately, startled.

“Hello, Laney.”

Ty? Her mystery man was here, standing in her office? Laney swallowed and stared in disbelief. That deep, sensual voice reminded her of romantic nights and sizzling sex. Her first thought was: he looked gorgeous. Her second: she was overjoyed seeing him. She hadn’t forgotten the glorious days they’d spent together last month. Alone in her Brentwood home at night, thoughts of him would filter in and she’d smile at the memory of her steamy, hot, short-lived fling. She’d never done anything quite so spontaneous or been so uninhibited as she’d been with him. He had helped her through a very bleak time in her life.

“Ty.” She drank in the sight of him, dressed in a black suit, with the collar opened at the throat. She remembered nibbling on that throat and gaining his undivided attention. She couldn’t keep a wide smile from emerging. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.”

“But how did you know where to find me?”

He smiled slowly as he approached. She stepped away from the desk to stand a few feet from him, her heart racing. She stared into his eyes. And he stared back. That familiar gleam was there, the one that told her he appreciated what was before his eyes. “I’ll explain that later. How are you?”

“I’m…I’m…stunned, actually. I never thought I’d see you again.”

Ty nodded and closed the gap between them. He took her hand. His touch sent tingles from her palm clear up her arm. He closed his fingers around hers, drew her close and brushed a soft, exquisite kiss on her lips.

Laney responded instantly, savoring his warm lips on her, the familiar scent that could heat her instantly. She kissed him back with full abandon and was left breathless when their mouths broke apart. But when he looked into her eyes, regret marred his expression. “I didn’t really plan on it happening this way. I heard about your father.”

Laney’s eyebrows shot straight up. “You know my father? How?”

“I’m sorry, Elena.” Her secretary barged in. “I stepped away from my desk for a moment.”

“No, no. It’s okay, Ally.” She took her eyes off Ty to give a direct order to her secretary. “Hold my calls. And please tell my ten o’clock appointment I’m running a little late.”

“But, he is your ten o’clock appointment.” Ally glanced at Ty, puzzled.

“Don’t be silly,” she said. “He doesn’t have a…” Then she walked over to the appointment book sitting on her desk, just to double-check. She’d known about her ten o’clock, dreading the meeting. She’d seen his name on the schedule this morning and immediately her stomach had clenched. “Just tell Evan Tyler to wait.”

She’d like to keep that man waiting until hell froze over. He’d been a thorn in the Royals’ side and had added to her father’s stress level over the months, advocating a buyout of the chain. When she found out he’d been the last appointment on the books before her father’s fatal heart attack, Laney knew she’d have to face him one day.

Today, was the day.

And she’d wished that she’d asked Preston to stay for that appointment. Laney had suspected the man capable of aggravating her father enough to send him into cardiac arrest. But thankfully, she’d gotten a short reprieve when Ty entered the room.

“Uh, Elena?”

“Ally, what is it?”

“I’ll straighten this out.” Ty turned to face her secretary. “You can go back to your desk now, Ally. Miss Royal doesn’t need you at the moment.”

Ally peered over Ty’s shoulder, her eyes wide with desperate concern.

“It’s…fine,” Laney said, trying to ease Ally’s alarm, but Ty had already ushered her secretary out of the room. Laney had never heard that tone in Ty’s voice before, or seen this commanding side of him.

“Ty?”

Then it struck her. Like a giant oak toppling onto her head. Or should she say, a tall palm tree, from the island. Ty…Tyler? Ty, her mystery man, was of course, Evan Tyler. They were one and the same! Laney closed her eyes as impending dread crept in. “Oh, no! Tell me it’s not true.”

She opened her eyes. Ty stared at her. “I’m your ten o’clock appointment, babe.”

Laney backed up, shaking her head, her body trembling. “Babe,” she repeated, quietly stunned. “Babe? Are you kidding me? You’re Evan Tyler! You’re…you’re… Oh, God!”

He just stood there, watching her meltdown. She shook so violently now, she had to brace herself against her desk. Then she gave up trying to stand on legs that would surely buckle under her. She plopped into her chair, the desk protecting her from Evan Tyler, the man responsible for her father’s heart attack. She was certain of it now.

“You coldhearted bastard.”

“Laney, listen—”

“You took advantage of me. Of my situation. And I played right into your hands, didn’t I?”

As the shock wore off, fury filled her. Fueled with anger she rose from the chair, refusing to submit to the scoundrel another second. She faced him head-on. “You used me in the worst possible way! You did, didn’t you? Tell me the truth, if you have it in you. You knew who I was the whole time at the Wind Breeze, didn’t you?”

Evan Tyler’s lips hardened into thin lines. “I knew.”

Laney wanted to throw the Waterford vase on the desk at him. She wanted to knock him out and drag him from her office from the pain he caused her. Everything inside burned with humiliation. She’d been duped, fooled by an unfeeling, hard-nosed deceiver. And what really ticked her off, aside from having slept with the enemy, was that he’d destroyed the only true good memory she’d had to hold on to during her time of mourning. “Damn you. I’d heard of your ruthless reputation, but this has to be one that would make it into the Guinness book.”

Evan Tyler didn’t argue the point. He didn’t apologize for anything, either.

“I came here to offer my condolences.”

Laney jammed her arms across her middle, holding her temper hostage for a moment. “You do know that you were the last person to see my father alive.”

“That’s debatable, Laney.”

“You caused his heart attack!”

“Like hell I did. When I walked out of his office, he was smiling. He’d blown me off in a matter of ten minutes and he was glad to do it.”

“You’re lying. Don’t try to deny it. You told him about sleeping with me, didn’t you? That was part of the plan, wasn’t it? You wanted to buy him out and you’d stoop to hitting below the belt to do it. You’d use any means to get what you wanted.”

“Your father wasn’t a saint, Laney. He cheated me out of a deal I’d worked on for two years. I wasn’t feeling overly generous toward any Royal when I saw you at the Wind Breeze bar, drinking away your sorrows. When you didn’t recognize me, I figured, what the hell. You were beautiful and lonely and looking at me like I was the last man on earth.”

“You’re modest, too, I see.” Laney blinked away that vivid memory. It was true. She must have looked like a little lost lamb, just waiting to be slaughtered by the big bad wolf, and Evan Tyler charged in for the kill, right on schedule. Oh, she’d been such a fool.

He ignored her gibe. “My original plan was to rub Nolan’s nose in the fact we’d been together on the island. But, no, he never knew. I didn’t tell him.”

“And I’m supposed to believe you?”

“It’s the truth.” He stood firm.

“You wanted to rattle his cage. Weaken the enemy. Right? So, if I’m to believe you, which I don’t, what would have changed your mind?”

Evan looked into her eyes. Then he glanced at her mouth. At one time, his direct appreciation, the hot look in his eyes, would’ve heated her body to smoldering. But now all she felt was disdain.

“You. You changed my mind.”