Destroying the Billionaire

By Talia Ellison

The moment I discover that my competitor for a critical contract is none other than billionaire Quinn Nikolis, I can't help but curse my luck. Successful and arrogant, Quinn has a reputation for playing dirty, but giving up isn't in my DNA. I'm determined to find a way to win, even if I have to get close to him to do it. 

It turns out incredibly sexy Quinn is far from what I expected, and the sizzling attraction between us is undeniable. Soon I realize that I want him. All of him. I want to make him mine in every way possible. But when I learn his secret, I have just what I need to destroy him and secure the contract for myself. 

The only question is, should I go through with my plan or follow my heart?

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This standalone contains strong language and sexual content.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Talia Ellison
• Release date: Sep 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386798217

Talia Ellison

Talia Ellison is the author of Hold Me, Unfold Me, the Loving Your Enemy series, the Your Love Is Dangerous series, Destroying the Billionaire, The Mafia Proposal series, the My Broken Hitman series, the Her Dark Mafia Heart duet, the Owned by the Mafia Queen series, the Never His duet, the Taking Revenge on Her Bully series, the Varano Mafia series, and Arranged: Cassaro Mafia. She loves to read and write all kinds of romance, and she has a thing for broken, tortured heroes and fierce heroines who aren't afraid to take what they want. When she’s not busy with a book, she likes to watch TV shows and listen to music. Never miss a new release! Sign up for Talia’s newsletter: https://taliaellison.weebly.com/newsletter.html

Book preview

Chapter 1

Aknock on the door to my office made me lift my head from a pile of papers that were strewn all over my desk.

Come in, I said as I skimmed through one of the contracts. My secretary slipped through the door. Her chocolate brown eyes, the same color as mine, were guarded, her brow drawn in concern. She’d recently dyed her curly shoulder-length hair dark brown, but it was still a shade lighter than mine. Besides, mine was straight and long enough to reach the middle of my back, so I didn’t think she and I looked almost like sisters, like my friend had suggested.

You’re not going to like this, she said as she approached, a piece of paper in her hand.

What’s wrong? Linda wouldn’t have that look on her face if she had good news for me, but I wished she’d just tell me already what was going on. Instead of answering, she placed the paper she was holding on the desk in front of me.

The first thing I saw was my name, Hazel Rickwell, along with the name of my real estate development company, and I realized it was a list of bidders for a very important contract that could change everything for me.

My company had been growing and expanding rapidly at first, but things had slowed down recently, so scoring the construction contract with one of the most important hotel chains in the country would give me just the push I needed to join the big companies out there.

Provided everything went according to plan, that contract would ensure that my company prospered and stayed in business for years to come. It was a perfect opportunity to show my family I hadn’t made a wrong decision when I decided to follow my dreams instead of continuing my family’s flower business.

One of the names on the list, right below mine, caught my attention, and I swore under my breath.

No, it couldn’t be.

Except it was.

Quinn Nikolis. A famous billionaire.

I scanned the rest of the names on the list, but I didn’t see anyone else that could present a big threat. Do you know if Quinn Nikolis has ever bid for a contract and not gotten it? I looked up at Linda.

She licked her lips, then slowly shook her head. I don’t think that has ever happened.

I brought my finger to my lips and bit down lightly. Great. Now what was I supposed to do? This wasn’t a contract like any other. I didn’t think there’d be an opportunity like this one any time soon.

Mr. Nolan called, Linda said quickly. He’s offering...

I waved my hand. I don’t care. We’re not accepting his offer. It would only get us in trouble.

But if...

We haven’t lost the Blue Sky contract just yet. So what if Quinn Nikolis is one of the bidders? He’s never bid against me before.

And yeah, I was totally hoping against hope right now. What chance did I stand against a man who was so successful at his job he’d made a fortune out of it? He had influence and prestige, and his offer would surely be very competitive and attractive.

I tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear. Why is he even bidding for this? As if he needs another contract, I said, although I could understand and appreciate his ambition and desire for more. He must’ve realized the same thing as me. Whoever won this contract and successfully fulfilled it would be sought after by all the wealthy and important clients.

In a fair bidding, I think you’d win, Linda said. But Mr. Nikolis... He has a reputation for playing dirty.

Of course, I muttered, and grabbed my tablet from the desk drawer, quickly tapping the screen and searching for any info about the man in question.

He was only a year older than me, and one of the youngest self-made billionaires out there. The only reason I’d heard of him was because he’d participated in a reality show and become quite a star because of his good looks.

And he’s going to win this too, unless we do something to prevent that from happening, I added. If there had been anything shady going on with his contracts, no one had been able to prove it so far, so it was all just talk.

I’d suggest you seek other contracts, Linda said as I scrolled through all the articles gushing about Quinn’s intelligence and nose for business. He’d closed a whole lot of deals, and no one seemed to have anything bad to say about him. Should I tell Mr. Nolan...?

My eyes snapped to her as I pressed my lips together, and she went quiet. No. I didn’t say I’m going to give up, and even if Nolan has the money he claims he does, we need something bigger. We’re not going to wait for other companies to eat us alive.

But Mr. Nikolis... Linda’s eyes were filled with confusion.

I’m not going to let that billionaire intimidate me. A small smile spread across my lips. I could play Quinn’s game. I’m sure he won’t think of us as a threat since his offer is currently the best anyway, and he probably thinks he has that deal sealed. But if we could find some dirt on him... Something he can’t easily explain away... I looked up at Linda’s wide eyes.

She was either really surprised that I wasn’t going to give up on the contract or she thought I’d gone crazy. Oh, well. I’d keep my thoughts to myself, then.

I don’t need anything right now. You can go. I flashed her a smile, and she turned on her heel and strode out of my office. As she closed the door behind her, I bit down on my lip and wondered just what it would take to destroy a billionaire.

Chapter 2

My phone rang and I looked around my room, trying to pinpoint where the sound was coming from. My bed was full of printed-out articles about Quinn, since I’d spent the past two hours searching for something that might give me a clue as to how to defeat him and win the Blue Sky contract.

Hopping across my king-sized bed, I buried my hand in between the dark blue covers and dug out my phone. I blew a stray strand of my hair out of my face as I answered the call.

Hazel! Where are you? My best friend’s voice rang out from the other end of the line. Please tell me you’re at least getting ready.

I tilted my head, trying to remember if I’d told Tiffany we’d be going out tonight.

You forgot again, didn’t you? Tiffany groaned.

I might have... I scratched my head. Yeah, sorry. I’m really busy with something and I...

Oh, come on. You can’t be working 24/7!

I know, Tiff, but I promise, next time...

No! Absolutely not. You said that last time. And the time before that.

Papers rustled as I shifted on the bed to get more comfortable. My mom would lose her mind if she could see me right now, because she’d been the one to suggest I should have an office in my penthouse, too, so I could keep everything organized and neat. But after a whole day of sitting in the office at my company, I had no intention of doing it at home too.

It’ll have to be next time, I said. There’s something really important I have to do. It’s for that contract I was telling you about.

The one that could boost your career to the next level?

Yep, that one. I was glad she remembered. I know the identity of one of the bidders, and it’s very likely I’m going to lose the contract if I don’t find a way to discredit him.

Wait, you’re joking, right? Tiffany’s voice was full of incredulity. You’re always optimistic about your contracts. Who’s the other bidder?

I debated whether to tell her, because the last thing I wanted was to worry my friend with my business. Besides, we always talked only about my business, and rarely about hers. She and I had met in college and had been really good friends ever since.

Instead of working in an office, Tiffany had opted for opening a beauty salon. Her family wasn’t too happy about it, but she was really great at her job. Maybe having disapproving families was one of the things that had made us closer.

Quinn Nikolis, I finally said. I supposed it wouldn’t hurt to let her know, and maybe she’d get some great idea. She heard a lot of gossip when she was at her salon and sometimes had a few famous clients.

Even though it was very unlikely she had anything useful on Quinn that the press hadn’t gotten their hands on already, maybe she could help me. Or not. At least she’d understand why I was buried in work.

She gasped. What?

Yeah, I’ve got some really bad luck. I chuckled.

Why do you think he’s going to win? You’re awesome, and you can convince anyone your company’s the best choice.

Thanks for the encouragement, but I’ve been told Quinn never loses and always gets exactly what he wants. Linda told me that’s because he plays dirty. But, without any proof...

Okay, I admit. That’s a tough one. But what are you going to do?

I’m looking for something... Something that could turn the tide in my favor. I have a friend who’s a private investigator and he might be able to unearth something useful about Quinn. A big enough scandal could change everything. I just need to decide what my friend should focus on, because we don’t have much time. And I don’t think having him follow Quinn around would be much help because the press already does that, and they haven’t discovered anything juicy. Although, Quinn might be paying them to keep quiet.

You think Linda’s right? Some people might be envious of Quinn’s success, so they could be spreading rumors to make him look bad.

I don’t know. That’s what I’m trying to find out.

You really need to go out with me tonight. It’ll help you clear your mind, and maybe you’ll come up with something, she said cheerfully. But if you think he could be involved in illegal stuff, then you should watch out. He could come after you too, especially if he thinks you’re investigating him.

I don’t think he’ll bother if he believes he’s going to win, but of course, I plan to be extra careful. If I find something, I’ll make sure no one ever connects the big reveal to me. A photo of Quinn had stuck itself to my bare arm and I tried to shake it off.

Um, okay, but can’t you plot Quinn’s downfall during your work hours? I’m sure he isn’t sitting at home trying to come up with a way to win his next contract right now.

You’re right about him. He’s at Dragon Eye tonight. It says so in one of the articles I read. The club’s having some kind of a party and he’s their guest of honor.

We should go to that club then.

What? I reached for Quinn’s photo and ripped it off my arm.

You want to covertly investigate Quinn, right? What better way to do that than meet him at the club? Tiffany said. You’re gorgeous, and he’s eye candy too. A few drinks later, maybe he lets something important slip. You don’t even have to tell him who you are... Or, hell, maybe he ends up liking you and decides to let you have the contract. He’s already super rich and famous. I’m sure he wouldn’t even mind.

My jaw went slack. "Whoa, slow down. I’m not going to that club to seduce Quinn."

Why not? It’s a good plan. Even if you don’t find out anything, you might still get a fun night with one of the most desirable men out there.

You’re saying that as if he’d invited me on a date. I’m sure he has plenty of girls pining for him. He wouldn’t even look my way. Hell, I didn’t even want him to look my way. Guys like him weren’t really what I needed in my life.

You’re his type.

I furrowed my brow. How do you know what his type is?

Haven’t you seen the women he dates?

Not really. I’d been looking at