Derek: Starke Private Security, #3

By Kate Stone

When a woman is in trouble, I can't walk away

I've lost a lot of jobs this way, but this is the first time someone has bailed me out and offered me a job.

First, though, I've got to make sure the love of my life is safe - even if she refuses my help. When her company sends a hit man after her, I'll be there whether she wants me there or not.

***

Derek, the third book in Kate Stone's Starke Private Security series, is an instalove romance with an alpha male who will do anything to protect his woman...and make her his. Of course these two have a happy ending, with no cheating and no cliffhanger. Books in the Starke Private Security series can be read in any order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Stone
• Release date: Feb 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201056520

Book preview

Derek

by

Kate Stone

Derek

Copyright 2020, Kate Stone

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, transmitted, or distributed in any printed or electronic form by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of Kate Stone, except in the case of brief quotations embodied within reviews and other non-commercial uses allowed by copyright law.

For permission requests, email [e-mail]

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

For Mr. Stone, who makes all my dreams come true.

Contents

Chapter 1 – Helen      6

Chapter 2 – Derek      10

Chapter 3 – Helen      14

Chapter 4 – Derek      18

Chapter 5 – Derek      21

Chapter 6 – Helen      25

Chapter 7 - Derek      28

Chapter 8 - Helen      31

Chapter 9 -Derek      35

Chapter 10 - Helen      37

Chapter 11 - Derek      40

Chapter 12 - Helen      42

Chapter 13 - Derek      45

Chapter 14 - Helen      48

Chapter 15 - Derek      51

Chapter 16 - Helen      53

Chapter 17 - Derek      56

Chapter 18 - Helen      58

Chapter 19 - Derek      59

Chapter 20 - Helen      60

Chapter 21 - Derek      62

Chapter 22 - Helen      63

Other Books by Kate Stone      67

About the Author      68

Chapter 1 – Helen

He’ll be with you in a few minutes, Helen, Mandy Brackman said, looking up from her monitor and giving me a quick smile. Of course, there was an uneasiness to the smile, too. I understood that. It wasn’t a good career move to be friends with the woman who was suing OmniFinance for sexual harassment.

As I sat in the outer office of Kelvin Daniels, CEO of OmniFinance, I took several deep breaths. I’d met him a couple times at corporate gatherings and he’d always seemed to be pleasant and amiable. I hadn’t been suing his company, however, and that might make a difference in how he treated me.

The phone rang, Mandy answered it, and gave me a nod. You can go in, Helen.

I stood up, took two more deep breaths, and went to the door. My heart was pounding, but I knew there was no way I would back down from the situation. Even though everyone told me I was being ridiculous, I didn’t care. I had to follow through on this. It was as simple as that.

I knocked on the door, opened it, and entered the office.

Kelvin Daniels was a handsome man in his late 50s. He had the perfect blend of salt and pepper in his hair and when he smiled, it seemed to be with genuine pleasure. As I approached him, he extended his hand. Placing my hand between both of his, he said, his tone warm and friendly, Helen Vincent, it is an honor to meet you.

Okay, honesty was not quite what I had expected. My confusion must have shown on my face because he said, as he gestured for me to sit down in the comfortable leather chair across from his massive desk, I know I’m not supposed to say that but it’s the truth. If the men in this company had half the courage you do, we’d be an unstoppable force in the marketplace.

Uh – thank you, I said.

He leaned back in his chair and stared at me. His eyes were blue enough to look warm and kind. Just looking into his eyes had me relaxing and letting down my guard.

So, he stated, "let’s get right to it. I’ve read everything there is on the impending lawsuit, and all I can say is that you were absolutely right in doing what you’re doing. If even half the things you’re claiming are true, we’ve got a serious problem here at OmniFinance and we’re going to correct it as quickly as possible.

The truth of the situation, though, is I might be the CEO, but I can’t take your word for what happened. I’ll tell you right now I completely believe you, but I have a Board of Directors to answer to and they’d kick me out of this office if I didn’t do everything by the book. Now, I’m supposed to put you on unpaid leave while we investigate the situation, but I’m not going to do that. You’re on paid administrative leave for a week. That should give me enough time to get a preliminary investigation going and decide how to proceed from there.

I stared at him, amazed and impressed. Thank you, Mr. Daniels.

He waved my appreciation away with a hand, shaking his head. Needless to say, Lou Westin went through the roof when I told him what I was doing. He blustered about it for a little while, making idle threats about going to the board, but I finally got him to shut up.

I nodded. Lou Westin had been one of the upper managers that I’d gone to with my initial complaints about the comments made to me by some of our clients and he’d told me I was living in the real world and I had to conduct myself like an adult. Lou Westin is a weasel, I stated.

You’re insulting weasels around the world, Daniels told me. Now, take the week off, enjoy yourself, and I’ll see you next Monday. We’ll figure out where to go from there, okay?

I nodded. Thank you, Mr. Daniels.

I’m the one who should thank you. I had no idea this was still taking place. It makes me sick to my stomach.

I left the office and paused at Mandy’s desk. She gave me an inquisitive look and I