SCANDAL -- THE DEATH OF A LEGACY --EXCERPT

SCANDAL -- THE DEATH OF A LEGACY

KRISTINA SUTHERLAND learns she's pregnant, but how?
She couldn't remember having sex with anyone for a long time.
Her only explanation--a date rape drug.

 

The problem: it happened onboard the corporate yacht attended by every member of the board of directors, older men and friends of her family. Still, the test strip didn't lie. And now, someone wants her to have an abortion to end the scandal and would do anything necessary to make sure she either complies or dies before giving birth.

An insider, the head of security for Lyon International soon offers her the best chance in surviving and discovering the truth. But SHAWN DAVIS has his own deep secrets to hide. While his grandfather, Brent Lyon is the chairman of the board he had tossed Shawn and his mother to the curb when he was born. His mother had refused to have an abortion, a decision Shawn obviously felt thankful for. This time, however, Shawn can make a difference, especially when Kristina needs someone to believe in her, to be her champion.

EXCERPT

As he watched one girl walk in, dressed in a full length overcoat pulled high upon her neck, he knew the kind—rich, arrogant, and generally a royal pain in the butt. While she looked completely out of place here, he studied her movements as she approached the counter. She didn’t glance around, indicating she had been here before as she ordered without looking at the marquee above.

When she turned, their eyes met. It took a second before he recognized Kristina. Her father also worked for the corporation his grandfather owned, and in fact he also occupied a seat on the board of directors. After her glare locked in this frozen moment in time slowly thawed, a smile soon inched out of one corner of her mouth as she moved closer to him to ask, “How are you?”

“I’m fine, thanks. I’m just grabbing a bite to eat. I didn’t know many people knew about this place.”

“It’s not on my top places to eat, but I thought no one would recognize me here.” She nervously glanced around.

He watched her eventually glance at his food. “Well, at least it’s fast.” Shawn studied the various empty tables and knew that she had many available, but he decided to be polite. “Would you like to join me?”

He watched the indecisiveness as she twitched to one side before answering. “I guess so, but I really was looking for a place to be alone for a while to do some thinking.”

“Don’t worry since I can only stay for a few more minutes. I need to get back to work”

“Are you working this late?” She acted surprised but polite as she joined him.

Shawn allowed a small laugh to escape. “My work seems to never end, but all is quiet so far tonight.”

“I think I’ve seen you around often when we travel. You do know who I am.”

“Yes, I do, it’s my job to know everyone connected to Lyon International.” Shawn considered extending his hand to introduce himself but stopped.

Kristina laughed, but she failed to hide a pain she couldn’t erase. “Knowing everyone in this company has to be a major task.”

“Like I said, it’s my job to keep everyone safe.”

Kristina’s face turned serious for a minute. “I’m not sure if you can help me, but can I ask you something, strictly between you and me?”

This was not the first time he had received special requests. He had often been used to find information on others, which he assumed she would be asking. “I should be able to, I think. Why? What is it you want to ask me?”

“I’ve a situation where I might need to hire a private detective, and I’ve never done this before. Off the record, I was wondering if you could recommend someone.”

“I know many people, but first I need to know more about what you’re after, since they all have different areas of expertise. And perhaps it might be something I can handle for you quietly, since it’s my job to handle anything which might affect the company or its employees. Knowing who your father is, I’m sure that coverage would extend to including you.”

Kristina glanced around the café for the first time. “In this case, I don’t need anyone from the company hearing about this. This is why I think I need someone independent.”

Shawn listened, but knew he had to know more, and to do so, he had to gain her confidence. “As you may or may not know, discretion is what I’m hired to do.”

“I’ll have to think about it, but there’s one thing you can help me with, and this is something else no one needs to know about. Can you promise me you’ll do this for me?”

“What is it you want me to do?” Shawn had learned to never make an open promise without knowing all of the details.

“I know you’re good at getting people in and out of places without being seen. I’ve seen you help my dad do this before.”

“Yes, one of the best ways to protect someone is to find an easy way to enter and exit a building. “ Shawn noticed a small quiver coming from her body. Something was up.

“I may need to see a special doctor.”

Alarms went off. If he read this correctly, he had a girl in trouble who could also get him in trouble if he didn’t handle it right. “Do you think you’re pregnant?”

Kristina ducked her head and glanced over her shoulder. “Please, not so loud.” She raised her head as her eyes focused on him. “Please forget what I said. I need to handle this on my own and not let my father know.”

“Please, calm down. I’m here to help. Why don’t you visit your family doctor?”

“My regular doctor is good friends with my father.”