Page 1 of Liam

Chapter 1

Liam

I tap my pen on the blue legal pad on my desk, waiting for them to all absorb the information I gave them. “So…on page three, you’ll see that if we buy the lumber from Mac’s we can save about twenty percent on the supply…” A knock on my office door interrupts my conference call. My eyebrows shoot up while I bite back a grunt.

“Hold on,” I say into the speaker before muting my end. I’m grateful this is only a call, so my investors can’t see the irritation on my face. “Come in,” I say, sounding more polite than I’m feeling.

Danielle enters my office apprehensively, and now my guard is up. She’s never this skittish, even when I’m in a bad mood, which I’m quickly becoming. I gave her a scowl because she knew this call was important, so her ass shouldn’t have come in here at all. “Sorry to intrude, sir, but we have a situation.”

“What’s the situation?” I question, arching my brows impatiently. She’s been working for me for three years and has been a perfect employee. I’ve never been even harsh with her, but she looks like she’s ready to bolt. That has me on edge.

“A little boy has been dropped off for you,” she mutters out, bracing herself like I’m going to snap off on her.

“A little boy? What?” My voice doesn’t raise, but I do. I’m on my feet with my hands pressed on my desk, leaning in to hear her better. It’s not that I didn’t understand her; it’s that I grasp what she’s implying, and that fucking shit isn’t even possible. Ialmost want to laugh, but the fact that someone is trying to fuck with me makes me furious.

“Yes, the woman said he was yours.” Instantly, my face and body lose the tension because my assistant is panicking for nothing.

I started laughing maniacally. “Danielle, whoever that broad is—she’s lying. It’s not my kidthatI’m sure of. Have the dumb gold digger and her blowback escorted out. I don’t have time for this bullshit.” I shooed her out of my office, but right before she closed the door, I added, “Don’t let them back in again. Call the cops if necessary.”

No broad was going to try and pin her brat on me. I do my best to contain the vile things I’m thinking because it’s worse than what filth just came out of my mouth. The very idea that I could have a kid out there is bullshit, and some woman had the nerve to do that suddenly makes me angry. It’s a hell of a game that broad is playing.

I walk over to the window and overlook the Chicago skyline to calm myself down. It seems to have that effect on me when I’m stressed out. The day is perfect to view it all despite the weatherman saying it would rain. Spring seems to have passed the city by and brought the summer heat in. Then I remembered, I had a call to finish.

For the next ten minutes, I try to forget about the incident, and I deal with my meeting and get the team of investors to agree with the purchase of my latest property choice. Truthfully, by the end of the conversation, I wasn’t even sure what was finalized. Luckily, notes were being taken by one of the investor’s assistants. I should have the notes by tomorrow morning. Myplan for the meeting had been foolproof, so even though I couldn’t concentrate, I knew what was put on the table.

I stand up and brush my hand through my dark, thick hair. My standard crew cut has grown a bit long. I should get it trimmed, but I don’t have the time. My day is only half over at the office and yet I’m itching to leave. Something is nagging me about this woman claiming that she had my kid. I’m not sure why, but I want answers about this situation. I need to ask Danielle. I call her phone on her desk, but she doesn’t answer. Perhaps she’s getting coffee or speaking on another line.

I step out of my office and into the hallway to get some answers. I’m about to ask Danielle what happened to the woman when I see a commotion going on near the entrance. Danielle is standing in the middle of the room looking on while my security surrounds a petite woman.

They’re slightly in the way of my view, but I can see that she’s the woman who was trying to pass off the child as mine. I don’t see what she thought she’d achieve lying about it because I have no clue who she is. The more I stared at her, the more certain I became that I could never forget that face. Soft pink, luscious lips, large light-colored eyes. I’m not close enough to see the actual color, but I will be.

Seconds into my staring, I realized that even though she was trying to scam me, I wanted to know her. I want to touch her, feel her lips on mine. I’m freaking nuts. A lifetime of celibacy has caused pure insanity. That must be it, but I have to possess her.

“Let her go,” I snarl. All eyes dart directly at me. Defiance showed on her face as she stared at me. I tilt my head, then shake it. She’s playing with fire and doesn’t even understandhow burned she’s going to be. She started something she’s not prepared to finish.

Chapter 2

Renee

Why? Why did I take the money? Oh, that’s right. Because I needed to eat. My job doesn’t pay enough for food and rent when I have useless roommates.

Damn, life plays some serious jokes on you. I had no idea that this was going to be harder than expected. This guy wasn’t just anyone; he owned the place and was having me set out on my ass with this baby without even taking a glance at the kiddo.

Damn it to hell. What am I supposed to do? It’s not like that woman gave me a legitimate number when she left me with the little guy. The salon was closed for renovations for the week, so I’m completely out of luck getting her real information. I feel like the biggest fool on the earth, but I needed to survive, and my jackass roommates found it hard to not use their portion on drugs.

“Look, you don’t understand. He’s totally his son,” I exclaimed.

“He’s adorable, Miss, but Mr. Hart has told me that the baby’s not his and has demanded you be escorted out. We don’t want to call the police, so let’s do this safely. You don’t want to hurt the baby.” The pretty assistant is trying to be gentle, but I can’t just take him back with me. I don’t have the resources or the time for a baby.

Now I’m being held back and practically forced on the street with a one-year-old that’s not mine. I’m trying to make my case, but the boss has ordered me to be removed. He didn’t have the nerve to come out and do it himself.

He sent his goons after me. No wonder the woman paid me that much. She was probably treated way worse. “He doesn’t have the balls to do it himself.”

“He’s a busy man,” she insists.

Suddenly, the door opens, and the most handsome man catches my attention. I gasp, staring at him in amazement which the secretary notices, and raises her brow.

Oh holy hell, this can’t be him. He looks rugged, but young. I’m not sure if he’s the guy I’m supposed to be contacting or not, but he’s gorgeous. At six three or so with broad shoulders, and sexy dark hair that looks in need of a cut, and dark facial scruff. His strong jaw tightens as he stares at me. Then, out of nowhere, he tells them, “Let her go.”

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