This Billionaire's Bond: This Billionaire, #38

By Rachel Foster

Brad tragically lost his ex-girlfriend Maryn two years ago in a car accident. Now her twin sister Mallory is working HR at his company. Of course she reminds him of Maryn, but there's so much more to him that is attractive about her. She's kind, loving, and smart. Mallory has struggled finding her own identity since the death of her twin sister two years prior. She's going into HR because it was always Maryn's dreams. Now she's falling for Maryn's ex, Brad. Everything about him is perfect, but the fact that he dated Maryn first. Will Brad be able to help Mallory heal from her heartache and move forward? Will he convince her that she should be chasing her own dreams of music instead of Maryn's dreams? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: 3rd Publishing
• Release date: Mar 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215098608

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This Billionaire's Bond

Rachel Foster

Copyright © 2018 by Rachel Foster

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Contents

1. Brad POV Thursday

2. Mallory POV Friday

3. Brad POV Sunday

4. Mallory POV Tuesday

5. Brad POV Thursday

6. Mallory POV Sunday

7. Brad POV Tuesday

8. Mallory POV Wednesday

9. Brad POV Thursday

10. Mallory POV Friday

11. Brad POV Saturday

12. Mallory POV Sunday

13. Brad POV Monday

14. Mallory POV Tuesday

15. Brad POV Thursday

16. Mallory POV Friday

17. Brad POV Sunday

18. Mallory POV Monday

19. Brad POV Thursday

20. Mallory POV Friday Evening

21. Brad POV Saturday

22. Mallory POV Sunday

23. Brad POV Monday

24. Mallory POV Wednesday

25. Brad POV Thursday

26. Mallory POV Friday

27. Brad POV Saturday

28. Mallory POV Sunday

29. Brad POV Tuesday

30. Mallory POV Wednesday

31. Brad POV Friday

32. Mallory POV Saturday

33. Brad POV Sunday

34. Brad POV Thursday

35. Mallory POV Friday

36. Brad POV Saturday

37. Mallory POV Wednesday

38. Brad POV Saturday

1

Brad POV Thursday

W

hen I got up on Thursday morning it was crisp and sunny. I looked out the window and wondered how long the agreeable weather would hold up since winter was just around the corner. What do you think? I asked Beasley, my collie. She cocked her head to the side and then wandered out of the room. I chuckled, then walked into the bathroom and ran the water for my shower. I jumped in and let the water roll down my back, enjoying the relief it sent to my aching muscles. I’d done a tough workout yesterday and it felt amazing to just stand there and feel the heat.

Once out of the shower, I got dressed in a pinstriped button-down shirt and a pair of black pants. It was only eight o’clock, and I didn’t usually head into the office until nine, so I meandered down the hall with Beasley jumping at my heels. You want to go out, girl? I asked. Beasley spun around in a circle and I laughed, then made my way down the steps. Here you go, I said, opening the large sliding glass door that led to my patio. I stood outside and watched the leaves fall from the tree as Beasley took off like a bolt of lightning across the yard.

After I’d let Beasley back inside, I scrolled through my phone and caught some of the news headlines for the morning: The price of oil had gone down, there was a storm front heading into the Midwest, and the presidential election was coming up. I bookmarked the articles that caught my attention, then poured myself a bowl of cereal and ate it while standing at the counter. I wanted to give myself enough time to make a stop at Dragon’s Café, my favorite coffee shop that just happened to be on the same route to my company.

See you later, girl, I said to Beasley as I leaned down and pet her on the head. I picked up my laptop and my water bottle, then walked out the door to my Escalade. I had always been a car aficionado and now that I was raking in more money than I knew what to do with, it seemed the perfect time to get an SUV like this one. I loved the roomy back seat and I was equally impressed with the way it handled the road in wet weather. I climbed in and turned on the ignition, then headed down the street to the stop sign where I made a left in the direction of Dragon’s.

Well, it looks like autumn is in full swing here in Dayton, said the DJ in a sing-song voice. And there’s a heap of fun to be had this weekend at all of our local farms, so be sure you tune in later to find out more. I flipped the dial and settled on Morning Vibes, the best jazz and fusion radio show in all of Dayton. I enjoyed about ten minutes of saxophone, trumpet, and piano music until I reached Dragon’s, then I parked, turned off the ignition, and walked inside. It was packed.

Sir, what can I get you today? asked an attractive barista when I reached the counter.

I’d love to try one of those macadamia caramel lattes, I said with a smile. She winked and turned around to make my drink while I scrolled, somewhat aimlessly, on my phone. The sun was bright, and it cast a golden hue off the leaves that had recently fallen on the ground. I looked out the window as a group of birds landed on a tree branch and then turned around just in time to claim my drink.

Here you go, said the barista as she handed me my latte. Can I get you anything else? she asked. I scanned the pastry case for a moment, trying to decide. I knew that everyone in the office loved the treats they made at Dragon’s, so I wanted to leave with a good selection.

I think I’ll take a few of those cinnamon rolls over there, I said, pointing to the right. The barista opened a box and walked closer to the case.

How many? she asked.

Let’s do three of those and then three of the apricot Danishes. I was getting hungry just looking at all the options. And can you add a few of the apple turnovers? I asked. The barista smiled and nodded.

This is a nice box you have going, she said. Would you like to add anything else? I craned my neck. Sure. How about two eclairs?

Okay. Two eclairs, said the barista as she placed them gently inside the box.

That ought to do it, I said, taking out a twenty-dollar bill. Here you go. The barista rung me up at the register and I left with my drink and my pastries. When I got out to my car, I opened the passenger side door and tucked the box of treats in between a sweater and a hat. Once I had everything nestled in its place, I got behind the wheel, started the ignition, and pulled out of the parking lot. In twenty minutes, I had arrived in the parking lot of Lilac Investing.

Good morning, ladies, I smiled at my front desk receptionists as soon as I walked in.

Good morning, Mr. Baker, said Samantha as I set the box of pastries on the marble countertop of the human resources office.

I brought in a few treats, I said, smiling.

Oh, my goodness, said Samantha as she opened the lid. How did you know eclairs were my favorite? she asked. Here, Jenny, she added. I’ll split one with you. The two giggled and placed a napkin on the counter.

Oh, Mr. Baker, you’ve had three calls since we got in today asking about the Level Two Investment Strategy Guideline Book, said Jenny, licking chocolate off her fingers. I directed them to your voicemail, she added.

Perfect, I said as I walked into Lilac Investment’s planning session room. Hey, guys, I said to Boris and Daniel. I’ve got a few pastries out there if you’re interested. I left the room and walked to the elevator that faced the west wing of the office, then pressed the button to get on.

Good morning, Mr. Baker, said Sonia, my accounts payable manager.

Good morning, Sonia. I pressed the button for the fifteenth floor and then took a sip of my latte. I could just tell that it was going to be a productive day. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, especially since our quarterly review showed that we were almost sixty percent higher in our projections for the month than expected. For me, it meant that I was leading my company in a successful and measurable way.

Hey, Warren, I said as I got off the elevator. Warren was my investment partner and my best friend. We’d grown up together in Cleveland which meant we’d had the same teachers all the way from grade school till high school. We’d grown up on the same block, driven the same kind of car when we got our licenses, and even dated a few of the same girls. We were pretty much inseparable which had been both good and bad.

When we were seniors, Warren and I helped each other cheat for the final exam in physics which had brought disastrous results and we’d gotten busted smoking cigarettes out our bedroom windows on too many occasions to count on both hands. We’d also had our fair share of arguments on the football field, followed by apologies only understood by the two of us because we were the best of friends. We’d been caught drinking beer at the Cleveland High basketball games, and we’d helped one another through the hardest of breakups. If there was ever a guy who I knew had my back under any circumstance, it was Warren.

What’s on today’s agenda? asked Warren as we walked toward my office which was situated on the east wing.

Well, it looks like we’ve got a few calls already in voicemail that I’ll take care of and then I think we just need to get that strategy planning investment webinar taken care of. When do you think you can have the documents uploaded? I took a sip of my latte and then unlocked my office door.

I can have that done in the next hour. I’m pretty caught up, considering it’s already Thursday, he added.

Sweet. Let’s reconvene around noon and figure out a way to have a conference call before day’s end. I stepped inside my office and Warren nodded his head.

Sounds like a plan. I’ll catch up with you in a few, said Warren as he left my doorway and headed down the hall. I powered on my laptop, flipped the switch on the automatic coffee brewer, then walked to the large window that overlooked downtown Cleveland. Still feeling somewhat lackadaisical about work, I watched the cars zip to and fro, then stepped toward my desk and had a seat. I sipped what was left of my latte and then leaned back in my chair.

Being the CEO of a successful investment firm meant that I had more than a few luxuries both inside and outside the office. Being able to drink my coffee and stare out the window on occasion was one of them. I thought back to the inception of Lilac Investments and chuckled. I’d never expected to be this successful. In fact, it had actually sort of crept up on me. Warren and I had always talked about having our own business, but the way it had come together with Lilac Investing was almost cosmic.

I could still remember the day that we’d both gone out for beer and pizza. It was way before Marin had passed away which still seemed like it had only been yesterday. Warren had just bought a new BMW and we were celebrating by driving it down the backcountry roads in Cleveland. This is a sweet ride, I’d said as Warren hit eighty on the dirt road that dipped toward the horizon.

I’m loving it, said Warren. We continued speeding along until the road narrowed and Warren dipped down to about forty. I’m ready for some food, he’d said. I nodded.

Let’s do pizza, he’d added, so we dipped around the bend, followed the curve for about two miles, and then straightened out onto the highway. In five minutes, we were at Calliope Pizzeria, ordering a giant pepperoni pizza with olives and onions plus a pitcher of the Cleveland Porter. It was a meal made for kings, I’d mused as we sat down to enjoy our food.

You know, I’d said as we dove into our pie. I was thinking that you and I ought to whip up a side hustle.

Oh? asked Warren. Like what? A lemonade stand? he chuckled. I grimaced and took a sip of my beer.

No. Not a lemonade stand, although that would be sweet. No pun intended, I’d laughed. Warren shook his head and tossed a napkin at me. I was thinking more like a one-stop investing shop. You know, like a consulting-type gig. I could do the networking and you could counsel the clients. You know, nothing crazy. Just a little something that would bring in a grand or two a month for us. I shrugged and took another piece of pizza off the stand.

When did you dream up this idea? asked Warren with a laugh.

Last night when I was out stargazing at my place, I’d said.

Well, I like the sound of it. I mean, how hard could that be? We both have the skills needed to make it happen. Warren nodded his head and ate his pizza. How would you recruit clients? he asked.

Easy I’d shrugged. The internet. And from there? It was a wrap. Lilac Investing, named after my mother’s favorite flower, came to fruition only one month later, manned by only Warren and I inside a tiny Cleveland office space that we rented downtown. In less than a year, we’d grown our client base to over five-hundred people and had decided to expand our office space into the adjacent building. We reached over a million in sales after our third year and eventually applied for new construction on a downtown lot, right in the heart of Cleveland.

Mr. Baker? I heard someone knock at my door, so I snapped out of my reverie and got up to answer it.

Hi, Ashley How are you? I asked. Ashley worked in HR and looked overwhelmed.

Yes. Mr. Baker, she said, tucking a tress of hair behind her ear. I need to talk to you when you have a minute, she said.

Sure. What’s up? I asked. You can step inside if you want. I walked to my desk and Ashley had a seat on the other side.

So, I feel like Jenna and I have been getting really swamped lately. Like, we get over fifty calls before noon and it’s just the two of us down there, she said. Is there any way we could discuss the possibility of bringing on an additional person to help us or maybe giving the two of us raises? she asked. I scratched my chin for a second and then nodded.

Absolutely, I said. In fact, I had you and Jenny on my payroll raise list for next month, so this is good timing. I appreciate all the hard work that the two of you put in and I seriously don’t think Warren and I could sail this ship without you. It was the truth. I considered Warren and I extremely lucky to have found them both when we started the company.

Thank you, said Ashley. I’ll let Jenny know. I think the two of us just feel like we’re super busy down there all the time, said Ashley. I understood. Lilac Investing had really taken off over the last two years and it was time to start recognizing it. As soon as Ashly got up to leave, I texted Warren.

We need to get someone else into HR, I wrote.

I know it, replied Warren. The girls down there are always inundated, he added.

Let’s get on it this week, I texted back.

Roger, texted Warren. "

Can you get a job posting up by Wednesday I asked.

Yep, he replied. With that, I went back to my desk and pulled out a few of my files, then got to work on our monthly investing strategy. It took me almost three hours to complete, but I was relieved when all was said and done. I was on track for the following work week and that was all that mattered. When four o’clock rolled around I powered off my laptop and turned off the lights. I walked into the hallway, locked my door, and headed for the elevator. Warren met me in the lobby.

I’m heading over to Zeno’s in about an hour. Want to come? he asked.

Sounds good, I said. We both walked out of the office and headed to our cars. I got in the driver’s seat, turned on the ignition, then pulled out of the lot and headed West. Warren and I reached Zeno’s at the same time and walked up the steps, then into the bar. Well what do you know? I asked as soon we stepped inside. My buddies, Carlos and Dimitri were sitting at the bar.

Hey, man, said Dimitri. Long time no see, he added.

No kidding. Where you been hiding? I asked.

Hiding in my office, said Dimitri with a shake of his head. We’ve been about as busy as ever, he added.

That’s good news. Right? I asked. Dimitri nodded.

Yeah. I’m not complaining. More clients mean more money, he added. I smiled with complete understanding. The four of us ordered beers and finger foods. Those buffalo wings are the bomb, said Dmitri as he handed over his menu to the bartender.

You’re telling me, I said.

Yeah, said Carlos. My girl loves those things with a ton of ranch, he said.

Oh, yeah, said Dimitri. Carol loves them, too.

When are you two getting married? asked Dimitri, looking at Carlos.

Three months, said Carlos. I drank my beer and looked up at the television. While I felt happy inside for Carlos, a part of me still ached beyond belief. I couldn’t even bring myself to think about another woman right now. It had only been three years ago that Marin had been taken away from me and sometime the pain was almost too much to bear.

You okay over there, Brad? asked Warren, leaning across the bar. I hadn’t even realized that I’d zoned out on the television, thinking about Marin. I rubbed my face and nodded my head.

Yep, I lied and took a sip of my beer. I’m perfectly fine.

2

Mallory POV Friday

I

had waited with excitement all month for graduation day to arrive. Can you believe it? I excitedly asked my friend, Kizzy, who stood next to me in her cap and gown. We did it! I exclaimed. Kizzy gave my hand a squeeze and we both looked straight ahead as one of our HR peers prepared to give the commencement speech.

I feel like it was just yesterday that the two of us sat in the back of old man Farber’s class, said Kizzy with a laugh. I jabbed her in the ribs. Dr. Farber had been one of our least-liked professors.

I’m just glad that he passed me with an A, I said, holding my head up high. Kizzy rolled her eyes.

Yeah, she said. Lucky you. I barely made it out with a B, she whispered as the crowd grew quiet. The two of us looked up and smiled. It was a day that we’d worked hard for and one that we’d never forget. I squinted and tried to make out my parents in the stands, but there were thousands of faces to search. Kizzy and I listened with appreciation as the commencement speech was finished, then waited for the announcement we’d been patiently awaiting all year.

Will the graduating class of Cleveland Business School at this time please turn your cap tassels to the left, requested the school president. We all reached up for our tassels as instructed and gave them a twist. It is with great honor that I now announce you all graduates of the Class of Twenty-Twenty! bellowed the president. With that, and in perfect unison, we all took off our caps and tossed them high into the air.

Kizzy, we did it! I cheered, grabbing her by the arm. We are officially master’s level HR queens, I said, giving her a whopping kiss on the cheek. Kizzy laughed.

Damn straight, girl! she exclaimed giving me a high-five. The two of us readjusted our caps and gowns and were just about to walk toward the stands when I stopped and lowered my head. Then I placed a hand over my heart and gulped.

In honor of my sister, Marin, I pledge to do my best in whatever work I do. I promise to always respect others and to approach my career with as open of a heart and with as commanding of a spirit as Marin possessed. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, praying that I could refrain from crying. But it was no use. Kizzy took my hand and stood next to me while I bawled.

Come on girl she said after a pause. Let’s go find your parents.

Thanks, Kizz. I gave her a hug and wiped off my face. Then the two of us walked toward the stands.

Mallory! called my mother. I looked up just in time to see her walking toward me, a huge smile on her face.

Mom! I said, throwing my arms around her. We hugged as my father came off the stand right behind her.

Congratulations, Sweetie, he said, hugging me with my mother. Kizzy smiled and then ran to greet her own parents, who had just filed out of the stands, as well. I know that Marin would be so happy for you, he whispered as we embraced. I felt the same lump in my throat come back and I fought to keep the tears at bay.

I have a picture of her right there, I said to my father, pulling out a small photograph from under my cap. I wanted her to be here with us today, I said with a gulp. My father hugged me even harder and for a second all I could do was think of Marin. It wasn’t fair. Marin had been my best friend, my confidante, my one and only sister. What was I ever going to do without her?

The three of us walked slowly off the football field where the ceremony had taken place and made our way to the car. Kizzy was no longer in sight, so I sent her a text wishing her a fun night out with her parents and told her to call me in the morning. Life as we knew it had now changed. We were officially master’s level graduates and were off for bigger and better life experiences. I was ready. That much was for sure.

Mallory, your father and I made reservations at Grecian’s Tavern, said my mother as we climbed in the car. I know it’s one of your favorite restaurants, she added with a smile.

I love Grecian Tavern. Remember when we went there for Marin’s sixteenth birthday and the waiter sang her a song? I asked, recalling the day as if it had just been yesterday. My mother sighed and smiled.

I sure do, said my mother. Marin had so much fun that day. We all got pedicures over at Zinnia’s on Fifth, she added. I nodded my head as my father pulled out of the parking lot and then drove in the direction of the restaurant.

She loved to celebrate, I said, looking out the window. My father sighed but said nothing and just continued driving. He eventually pulled into the lot at Grecian Tavern and parked. I knew that even the mention of Marin’s name made us all emotional, but in my opinion, it was healthier to talk openly about her rather than pretend as if she had never existed.

Hello, said the bubbly hostess when we all walked into the lobby. Table for three? she asked.

Actually, it’ll be four, said my father. We have reservations, he added.

Oh. Great, said the hostess as she scanned her clipboard. What is the name?

Bishop, said my father.

Yes. Right this way, said the hostess as she led us around the front of the restaurant, past the fountain, and to a table by the window.