Blackmailed Merger

By Marie Kelly

When Dante Durant once more appears in Samantha Trey’s life, it is again to manipulate and use her. However this time Samantha knows what is going on and is determined not to allow the charismatic and gorgeous Greek to play with her heart as he did when they first met.
“So you are now working for my father.........let me guess the two of you concocted this little blackmail and if I play ball and find some good little boy who will knock me up with his beloved grandchild, you don’t produce the other set of books”.
Her voice dripping with disdain
“You are half right” he had replied softly
“But you know fine well I would never work for your father.........this was all my idea”.
She had glared back at him.
“What is it you want Dante?”
“Your father has persuaded me of the benefits of our companies merging.........with me at the head of course. He proposes that our families combine through marriage............yours and mine...and of course from there producing for him his... how did you put it... his beloved grandchild”.
Samantha had leapt to her feet, her fists clenched by her side.
“Never” she had cried.
“I will fight you every inch”.
He had stood silently as she had paced the room, her body stiff and tense, anger emanating from her.
“My father would never let me go to jail Dante..........so this is a bluff” she had finally thrown at him, stopping with a note of triumph in her eyes.
“Now get out and on your way past explain to John why he is fired”.
Dante however, had given another smile her new found bravado leaving her just as quickly as it had arrived.
“I did not think he would” he had said softly.
“But you are not seeing the big picture”.
Seeing as Samantha had looked at him with confusion on her lovely face, her brows knitted together.
“What big picture?”
Dante had held her eyes once more.
“When the charges are laid against you the first thing they will do is freeze your accounts, and believe me I can drag it out for months.....years even”.
“I don’t care........I will manage ............ I would rather clean floors than marry you or let you anywhere near me”.
Her tone full of hate
“I’m sure you would “he had said softly.

Blackmailed into a marriage to the one man she had ever loved she must protect her heart and also the secret she keeps which keeps the hatred for him burning deeply within her. But will she really be able to walk away from him again as she had so many years ago, and will he let her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marie Kelly
• Release date: Nov 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9781476203058

Marie Kelly

A hopeless romantic and weaver of words. While I live in Canada, Scotland will always be in my heart.

Book preview

Special Smashwords Edition

Blackmailed Merger

by

Marie Kelly

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Blackmailed Merger

Special Smashwords Edition

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Copyright © 2011 Marie Kelly. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

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Marie Kelly

Other titles

Blackmailed For The Billionaire’s Pleasure

Captured

Kidnapped The Wrong Sister

My Son

Blackmailed For Vengeance

Mia

The Unwilling Mistress

The Wedding Deal

The Billionaires Mistress

Blackmailing the Billionaire

Saving the Billionaire

Substitute Starlet

Her Two Tycoons

The Billionaire’s Blackmailed Heiress

Billionaire’s Second Chance

Secretary with Benefits for the Billionaire

Billionaire’s Revenge

Billionaire’s Society Mistress

The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride

Chapter One

Samantha stood at the corner of yet another narrow cobbled street. Sighing, she looked up and down the picturesque road hugged by the same white-washed buildings and walls which seemed to make up every street in the small village. With a small groan, she finally admitted that she was completely and utterly lost, a hint of panic entering her lovely eyes as the soft sunset settled around her, lighting all with hues of pink and orange, which strangely, only added to the beauty of the street.

Her mind flew back to how she had arrived at the small Greek island, how excited she had been on hearing that she had won a holiday of a lifetime, its name one that she had never heard of, the bonus being that she was able to bring her two friends, Kate and Bella, with her.

The girls had planned on eating at a restaurant they passed earlier that day on the way to the beach, each of them finding themselves the subject of admiring looks. While all three were physically very different, each was beautiful in their own way, the sight of three such stunning girls attracting catcalls from the many Greek men who seemed to spend their time relaxing outside the numerous quaint tavernas in the hot summer sun.

Kate was in her element. Sam and Bella rolled their eyes as their friend flirted her way down to the crystal clear waters and golden sand which beckoned from the top of the hillside, all carefully making their way down the steep stairs hewn into the rock.

Of the three, Samantha Trey was the youngest, being only 22, and the smallest in height and build. Kate was stunning, with long black hair which flowed down her back, the skimpy bikini only just covering her voluptuous curves. Bella also wore a bikini, but one less revealing than Kate’s, looking every bit as lovely with her blonde hair swinging around her shoulders. Sam looked down at herself, wearing a full one-piece swimsuit which Kate had laughed at, calling her granny Sammy. While there was nothing wrong with her figure, every bit as slender and curvy as her older friends, Sam was shy and more reserved. Her auburn hair was pulled up into a tight knot which did not take away from her perfect complexion and emerald eyes which seemed so large on her beautiful face, those eyes averted from the many complimentary looks and calls.

The news of her holiday win had been a surprise, Samantha not even remembering entering the competition. When Kate and Bella learnt that they were to be accompanying her, their excitement had pushed the nagging voice from her mind, wiping away the doubts as she accepted her luck and the chance to get a break from four hectic years of exams.

In the two days they had been there, Samantha had never been able to truly find her way around the labyrinth of winding streets which made up the sleepy seaside village. The others laughed at her each time she would make to move up the wrong road. However, despite this, she had fallen in love with the picture-postcard surroundings, enjoying the relaxed pace of life, a welcome reprieve from the hectic years she had spent completing her degree.

Giving another deep sigh, she regretted telling the other two women that she would catch up with them, having forgotten her camera in the luxurious villa they were staying at. To make things worse, she had not seen another person for several streets, and Samantha could feel herself start to panic.

The sound of footsteps behind her made Sam swing around, a relieved smile on her face, the smile wavering as the tall man appeared before her. Within seconds she had taken in so much about him as he stopped before her, his expression one of polite surprise at seeing her there.

He was tall, well over six feet, with a slim muscular body, thick glossy hair perfectly shaped against his handsome face, with the most sensual dark eyes she had ever seen. Aware that he was looking at her with expectancy, Sam shook herself, a small blush rising to her cheeks.

In her best Greek, she hesitantly tried to say hello, her mind searching desperately for the right words for ‘lost’, as she fished out the name of the restaurant where the two girls were waiting for her. YahSU... Kathika, she stuttered, hoping that she was not saying something outrageously stupid.

She saw as his mouth twitched gently, his eyes smiling warmly at her attempt to speak in his language, before responding in perfect English, with only a slight hint of an accent, his voice inexplicably sending shivers down her back. You are lost?, he asked softly.

Relief filled Sam, as she grinned back at him, nodding, Yes... Completely.

He held out his hand for the slip of paper she clung to, Sam passing it over as though it were the most natural thing in the world to do. He looked at the name on the paper, before smiling widely back at her. A good choice... And I am heading there myself.

Samantha smiled again. Really?, she unable to stop herself, as he gave a small nod.

Really.

For a second Sam hesitated, aware that this man was a complete stranger, not sure if she should follow him, her grandmother’s words of ‘stranger danger’ filling her head. As though reading her thoughts the man moved slightly forward, looking back at her, a humorous smile on his face. Or you could stay here.

The realisation of just how lost she was finally spurred her to follow him. Thank you... I appreciate it.

Together, the two moved down the narrow streets, the man pausing for a second to extend his hand. My name is Dante Durant.

Placing her hand into his, Samantha shook it, the feel of his firm hand covering hers sending a strange tingling sensation through her as she gave him her name, seeing as he rolled it around on his tongue. Samantha Trey, before smiling. A beautiful name for a beautiful lady, Samantha averting her eyes in embarrassment, giving a small nervous laugh, before moving forward again.

The stranger, Dante, moved with authority and made polite conversation as they travelled down the maze of streets. Despite her earlier unease, she found herself opening up to him, telling him of her holiday win, as he congratulated her on her good fortune. Finally they broke out into the main central square, Samantha instantly recognising where they were, the relief filling her as she saw the restaurant, Kate and Bella sitting at one of the patio tables, patiently waiting for her.

Together she and Dante continued moving forward. As they drew closer, she could see the look of disbelief on Kate and Bella’s faces, seeing also an all-too-familiar look on Kate’s as she took in the man walking with her friend. Samantha was used to her man-eating ways, but there was something about Dante Durant – something that made her not want to see him falling for Kate’s seduction.

As they moved closer, the other two girls rose, moving forward to meet them. Where have you been?, Bella cried out, real concern on her face and voice, Kate looking lecherously at the tall man beside her.

Were you rescued Samantha?, she asked in almost a purr, her eyes never once leaving Dante. He however, seemed oblivious as he smiled politely at the two other women before turning to Samantha and, taking her hand in his, raised it and dropped a small kiss on her milky skin.

It has been a pleasure walking with you Samantha Trey, his eyes sliding down her face, making the breath in her body stall.

And... And you too Mr Durant, she managed, her eyes held by his for what seemed like forever. Turning, he looked politely at the other girls, Kate taking the opportunity to hold out her hand for him to kiss that too, Sam holding back the small laugh as he took it, twisting and dropping it to only shake it politely, Sam trying not to laugh at the look of confusion on her friend’s face.

With a final nod of his head, he wished them all a good meal before moving further into the restaurant, where many cried out his name as they welcomed him.

Oh my God, Kate crooned, her hands flying to her heart. He is gorgeous... I am in love.

The other two laughed loudly, Bella giving her friend a mock harsh look. Sure Kate... You fall in love every week.

Kate however, was unashamedly staring after his retreating back, a dreamy look in her eyes. Bella, what I could do to that man, making Bella laugh again before looking at Samantha.

That might be Kate... But I don’t think it was you he had his eyes on.

Samantha picked up a menu nervously, giving a small noise, I hardly think so Bella... I doubt very much that a man like that would look twice at me, seeing as the other two exchanged looks, before Kate gave a small snort.

It wasn’t my hand he was drooling over, she finally said, her humour rising once more before they all laughed together, the three of them again falling back into their excited chatter about the events of that day.

The meal was delicious, and all three relished the moussaka they had ordered as they continued chattering, Sam constantly finding herself shyly peeking over to where Dante Durant sat drinking coffee with the man she presumed to be the owner. She blushed hotly, as he turned once at the same time, his lips curling softly as he nodded his head to her. Sam could feel her heart racing in her breast, completely taken aback by her reaction to the stranger who had rescued her.

Frowning slightly, lost in her own thoughts, she jumped as his velvety voice spoke from behind her. Ladies, I must go and take care of some business... But please, I would like you to enjoy this on me, his hand rising to show the bottle of expensive champagne he held.

As she looked up, he smiled down at her, once more their eyes locking, the electricity skating through her entire body. As he leant slightly forward, she smelled his aftershave, fighting to not close her eyes with the pleasure of it. The other two girls smiled back, both thanking him for the champagne, which Sam recognised instantly, knowing just how expensive that brand was. However, before any of them could say much more, or even invite him to join them, he once more straightened up, and made his way across the square.

Samantha felt the cold disappointment fill her as she watched his receding figure, once more admiring his broad shoulders, shown so well in the black t-shirt he wore, his long back tapering down to slim hips. Hearing the small chuckles from her friends, her eyes darted back to them, seeing as the two made kissy faces at her as she laughed back with embarrassment. Oh my God Bella, Kate cried dramatically, I think our Samantha has fallen for a MAN.

Bella made swooning actions, as laughing, Samantha threw a napkin at her. Yeah, yeah... Well, he is gone now, she chuckled, while deep down inside feeling disappointed, for what she was not quite sure.

The owner moved over to their table to open the bottle of champagne, bringing with him three long-stemmed glasses and an ice bucket. With the night still young, Kate smiled warmly at the man, her charm working wonders on him. Are there any nightclubs here?, she asked as the owner nodded his head, his gaze falling on Kate, the appreciation of her in his eyes.

One, his response, before moving over to retrieve pen and paper and bending down beside Kate to draw a map of how to get there.

Kate flirted outrageously with him, Bella and Samantha looking at each other knowingly, before Bella broke in, Well, perhaps we can pay the bill now and see if we can find it, she smiled warmly at the owner, her eyes glaring at Kate, who just smiled sweetly back at her.

The owner, Demitri, looked back at Bella in surprise. Did Dante not tell you?, he asked, Your bill is paid... Dante settled it before he left.

The three girls looked at each other dumbfounded. Kate raising her glass with a big grin, To Dante then. She laughed, her eyes full of mischief as she smiled at Sam.

Gulping, Sam’s eyes widened When he said that this was on him... I thought he meant the bottle, she said in shock.

Kate took a sip of the bubbly liquid. Sam... if you are not going to go after him, then I am so in there.

Samantha picked up her glass too, her eyes looking down at the table cover. Well I don’t imagine it matters... We are hardly likely to see him again, she murmured softly, looking up as

Reviews for Blackmailed Merger

[angel2084 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

really good story. ☺