Secret Heiress, Secret Baby. Emily McKay

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       Three

      Grant Sheppard hated this stuff. Obviously, he wanted children to have hope. He just didn’t see why a bunch of rich bastards needed to spend fifty thousand dollars to throw a party that would ultimate raise only seventy-five thousand dollars. It didn’t make financial sense, and was a damn annoying way to spend an evening.

      Besides that, the Children’s Hope Foundation annual gala was inevitably overrun by Cains. Which was both one more thing to hate and the only reason he actually bothered to come. There were plenty of stupid charity events he avoided altogether. He came to this one because he didn’t want anyone imagining they scared him away.

      Though generally he did avoid them. Ostensibly because of the decades-old rivalry between the two families. But he had a more personal reason: he couldn’t ever see one of the Cains without thinking of Meg. Sweet Meg. The only woman he’d ever even come close to loving.

      Meg, who tasted like sugar and smelled like spices and who—for one brief moment—had held his heart in her hands. Meg, who most likely hated him for running out on her in the middle of the night. And who would hate him even more if she knew the truth...

      No, he didn’t let himself think about Meg very often. Loving Meg was just one more reason to hate the Cains, even though she was one of them.

      The rivalry between the Cains and the Sheppards had been going on for nearly twenty years, ever since Hollister had edged Russell Sheppard out of the business their fathers had started. There were some things a man never recovered from. Being screwed over by your best friend, your business partner, your mentor...that was one of them. And Grant’s father had never recovered. Oh, he’d stumbled along for another decade, but he’d never been the same.

      For all intents and purposes, Hollister Cain had destroyed Russell Sheppard. And Grant had vowed to do the same to Hollister and all of his family in return. After years of carefully orchestrated moves, Grant was so close to bringing down Cain Enterprises, he could almost taste it.

      Which of course was one more reason he’d come here tonight. Five of the seven board members should be here. All men and women he knew socially and professionally. Soon he would make his move against Cain Enterprises and when he did, he’d need them on his side.

      He moved deeper into the room, heading straight for the bar. He didn’t drink much, typically. His father’s alcoholism had been pretty unappealing to watch. Still, having a drink in his hand gave him something to do while he navigated this shark tank.

      The bartender had just handed him his Patron, when a stunning brunette sidled up to him.

      “Becca.” He smiled and nodded to greet her.

      “Grant,” she murmured as she rose on her toes to brush a discreet kiss across his cheek and briefly press her body to his. “How are you?”

      “Same as always,” he said gently.

      They had dated briefly a few years ago, before she realized he wasn’t interested in marriage. Now she was married to a sixty-three-year-old oil magnate. One of Cain Enterprises’ board members, as a matter of fact. Which worked nicely in Grant’s favor, since he got along well with the man.

      “I have gossip for you,” she said.

      “You know I’m not interested in gossip.”

      “This is about the Cains. And even though you’ll hear it soon enough, I desperately want to be the first one to share it with you.” She jutted out her lip. “Please.”

      Grant glanced across the room and saw Becca’s husband deep in conversation with one of Houston’s congressmen. He turned his attention back to Becca. “You look like you need a drink.”

      She smiled, clearly delighted that she’d snagged his attention as he headed off to the bar. Five minutes later, he returned with a glass of pinot grigio. Becca actually preferred tequila but never drank it in public. At least, not at this kind of event. Like him, Becca had grown up on the fringes of Houston СКАЧАТЬ