Page 15 of The Billionaire's Secret Heir

Madi opened her mouth and closed it again. The amber in her eyes lit to flaming golden brown. Beckett fully expected a tongue-lashing. But rather than responding, she shook her head. He went to the door, inviting the lawyers back inside.

As he made his way back to his chair at the head of the table, Beckett was surprised to feel disappointed that she hadn’t unleashed whatever was on her mind. He appreciated her honesty and directness. He hated that he had upset her. What kind of man did she think him to be now? It was better this way, with her thinking less of him. Whatever drew him to Madi, he probably wouldn’t be around her again after today. They could handle all the paperwork through the lawyers. A monthly bank transfer would be the extent of their relationship. Beckett knew this was for the best and tried to ignore the surprising sense of disappointment. He needed distance even if that’s the last thing he wanted in this moment.

When everyone had taken their original seats again, Beckett spoke. “Ms. Lott and I have discussed her wishes and come to an understanding.” Madi flinched a little at his use of the formal name. “Mr. Anders, I’m going to assume your legal fees. Please send me your billable hours and I will take care of those for you.”

Beckett paused, enjoying the way Bret tried to conceal his anger. He only hoped that Bret wouldn’t take it out on Madi later.

“That’s unnecessary,” Bret said.

“I don’t mind. I’m happy to do it.” Beckett knew that putting it like it was a favor would make it harder for Bret to refuse. It was really a favor to Madi and a way to keep Bret from using her. His reaction to getting paid hourly only confirmed that.

Beckett continued. “We are also going to send over an amended proposal later that I think Ms. Lott will find most reasonable. Everything else will probably best be handled over email or phone correspondence. It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Lott.” Madi gave him a terse nod and stood to go.

Bret crossed his arms over his chest. “I really don’t think—”

“Mr. Anders, would you mind staying for just a moment? George, you can escort Ms. Lott out, can’t you?”

George looked happy to have this meeting over with and took Madi by the elbow. She gave Beckett a last glance he couldn’t read as George walked her to the reception area, closing the door behind him.

Bret managed to tone down his anger, leaning back against the wall casually. “Well done, Mr. Van de Kamp. It takes quite a man to intimidate and manipulate a weak, vulnerable woman.”

Beckett tilted his head, keeping his face impassive. “I think Ms. Lott would be most interested to hear your assessment of her character. I found her to be quite strong and sharp-witted. You would be the one to know about intimidating and manipulating. As far as I can tell, once Calista died, you simply carried over the original plan to extort me for money using Madi. Only, Calista was more of an equal partner in this plan and Madi is an innocent party who got caught up in it. How am I doing?”

Bret’s jaw tightened, and he marched to the door. “You’ll have my hours this afternoon. I’ll look forward to your proposal so we can send a counter-offer.”

“I’m sure you will. Make sure you confer with your client before you do.”

Bret made a noise that sounded almost like a growl and left the room. Beckett sat for a few minutes at the table, gazing out of the window. This was something he liked doing when he had finished a successful meeting. Looking out over the city from this height made him feel powerful and assured. Besting Bret had given him a sense of supreme satisfaction, but the feeling was dimmed knowing that he likely wouldn’t see Madi again. Though he never would have predicted it at first glance, she held an allure that had completely shocked him. The warm tones of her eyes and the kindness they conveyed paired with her strength drew him in a way that he hadn’t been drawn to another woman before.

“Looks like you had quite the meeting.” Sander spoke from the doorway.

Beckett’s head snapped to his father, surprised. “Hello, papa. Why don’t you come in? I have some things that I need to share with you.”

“Regarding your position?”

“And your requirements, yes.”

Sander smiled and sat down in a chair halfway down the conference table. His movements seemed slower than normal and Beckett didn’t miss a small grimace when his father finally sank deeper into the chair. He had forgotten to ask Graham about his father’s health when he stopped by his house. Which reminded him of the way he had stormed out. He owed Graham a phone call. And an apology.

“Are you okay, papa?”

“Fine, fine.” He waved a hand dismissively. “I saw a woman leaving the conference room. Did you manage to find yourself a wife so quickly?” A teasing smile appeared.

Beckett snorted, but it brought his mind circling back to Madi. His emotional response to thinking of her and the idea of a wife in the same thought left him feeling unsettled. “You thought she looked like a woman I would date?”

“I thought she looked more like a wife than any woman I’ve seen you with. If not, I’m very interested to hear how you plan to fulfill my wishes. Do tell.”

“I have a child,” Beckett said. He watched as Sander’s face became a mask of disbelief.

“A child?”

“Yes, I have a daughter. Becka.”

Shock poured over Beckett as his father’s face transformed from disbelief into tears and laughter. On legs that appeared unsteady, he crossed the room to Beckett, bending to give him an awkward and rare hug.

Though his father was, overall, a good man and a father, hugs were a rare thing. Beckett and his brother Graham had joked once about how they measured their father’s approval of them primarily in grunts. The small sounds Sander made in his throat were the soundtrack to his childhood.

With his father’s arms around his shoulders, pressing him into the chair, Beckett couldn’t think of the last time his father had hugged him. He didn’t know how to respond. An unfamiliar rush of warmth overtook Beckett. He felt flooded with the kind of acceptance he had always longed for from his father. For all the accolades over the years, the successes he’d had with VDKI, Beckett had never felt his father’s pride like he did in this moment. It wasn’t that his father was too hard on Beckett, but he was not effusive with his praise and never lavished affection. Not like this.

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