Adjusting the Deal (The Vault Book 1) Read online

  Dad growls and shakes his head. “No!”

  Liam nods, his lips compressed into a thin line. “Yes. I’m sorry, but Chelsea comes with me.”

  Chapter Two

  Chelsea

  After the showdown between my parents and Liam, we left the office, and I finished getting ready.

  “Is everything okay? Allison asks.

  “Yeah,” I lie to her and put on a fake smile. “Let’s get some drinks. I need something strong.”

  “Yes, girl!”

  We head to the bar and order two dirty martinis and two lemon drop shots. The alcohol runs smoothly down my throat. It doesn’t settle my nerves or help me calm down. At least I have Allison here to keep my mind from thinking about Liam and what’s going to happen to my life.

  The party lasted into the early morning. Liam kept his distance from me, and I did the same. I felt him looking my way. My body tingled to his looks. I ignored it and pushed that feeling deep down.

  This was my last night here in my childhood home with my parents and family, so I needed that last ounce of freedom before I leave my old life behind and start a new one being whatever Liam wants me to be. I’m trying not to think about why he’s adjusting the deal. From what I know about him, ever since his divorce from Sadie three years ago, he’s been a serial dater and women want to be the next future Mrs. Liam Donovan or be in his bed for one night so they can sell the story to the tabloids.

  The following afternoon quickly approaches and I’m sitting in the living room, mindlessly watching television while my things are packed by Liam’s staff and my parents are in their office with him. As suitcases are brought out, I gaze out the window then back toward the stairs, wondering if everything will be transported over to my new house. Or will they leave some of my things behind?

  I take the steps one at a time and move to the side so a muscular, older man can get through the hallway and down the stairs. When I arrive in my bedroom—well, my old bedroom—I notice all my clothes are gone but the bedroom furniture is still here. My hand glides across my blanket and over my soft pillows. I sit on the bench beside my window. This is my favorite spot in my room. It’s a little nook where I used to read, study, talk on the phone, and just reflect on life.

  A knock on the door brings my eyes forward and I watch as Liam walks in. He shuts the door and I’m suddenly very aware of how close he is to me. When he sits down across from me, I’m not sure what to say. If there’s anything to really say.

  I’m acutely aware of the way he’s watching me, and I’m trying to figure all of this out in my head. Here I am, a twenty-year-old college student, while he’s a thirty-two-year-old successful, sexy, dominating CEO. What do I have to offer him? Liam can have any woman he wants, and every female in a two-hundred-mile radius would love to be on his arm and in his bed. Yet, he’s chosen me.

  “I’m leaving and then my driver, Jack, will come back to get you. I figured you’d want some more time alone before leaving. Your parents are downstairs if you want to spend some more time with them.”

  “That’s okay,” I assure him, and get up from the bench. “I’m ready to go whenever you are.”

  “Are you sure?” He gets up as well and places his hands on my shoulders. His caramel-brown eyes lock onto mine, and I’m hypnotized by his piercing gaze. His six-foot frame towers over my tiny, five-two height. I gulp down the lump in my throat and slow my breathing.

  “Are you sure?” he asks again.

  “Yes,” I answer him, straining my throat to keep my voice from protesting against that single word of compliance.

  “Good. You’ll soon learn I don’t like to be kept waiting for an answer, Chelsea. I’ll leave you alone with your parents. You should talk to them before leaving. Jack will bring you to my house when you’re ready.”

  Before I can say something back, he dismisses me and departs from my bedroom, leaving me breathless and aching for his touch. The chills down my spine still linger. His strong, masculine scent fills my senses and I’m very well aware how I can easily fall for him.

  What the hell’s wrong with me? And what in the world have I done?

  Chapter Three

  Liam

  When I slide into the backseat of the car, Jack closes the door, leaving me deep in thought while he moves around the car to the driver’s seat. He peers at me through the mirror and gives me a nod.

  “Where to, sir?”

  “Home, please.”

  “How did it go?” he asks.

  I stare out the window, stroking my chin and letting out a breath. “Not sure, Jack.”

  “Sir, if I may?”

  “Yes, go ahead.”

  “Does the deal have to be in effect?”

  There’s more to Ken’s issues than anyone knows. Besides me, Jack is the only other person that knows the truth. Although Ken is my best friend, and I look at him like a brother, I have to put my feelings aside and let him go. I’ll be sure he and Stephanie are taken care of, and then I’ll be seeing to Chelsea’s needs. I’m still trying to figure out why I agreed to that debacle.

  When Ken came to me with all his shit, I couldn’t turn him away. It was deeper than he wanted to admit. In fear of losing his wife and daughter, he came to me with the mountain of debt he’d accrued from gambling. There was no way he’d be able to pay off the loan sharks, and I knew he’d never pay me back. So we came up with a lie about bad deals and kept his addiction a secret. Our company was doing well. We were successful businessmen, but money changes people and it slowly changed Ken.

  When my parents died, they not only left me their money along with my father’s big corporate plans, but also property all over the world. I took his dream and made it my own. With a few adjustments and tweaks, I became a young millionaire and had my best friend with me. So when Ken came to me with his shit, I wanted to tell him to fuck off and never come back. But that unforgettable look of desperation marred his face, and when he said they’d hurt Stephanie and Chelsea, I knew I had to do something.

  “There’s a change in the deal, Jack. I’m sure you’ll have something to say about it, but instead of taking the five million like we’d planned, their daughter, Chelsea, will be paying off her father’s debt.”

  He pauses and eyes me through the mirror before speaking. “Sir? You lost me.”

  “You heard me,” I tell him, and I take out my phone and check my emails before listening to what Jack’s about to say.

  “And what do you plan to do with her?”

  “No idea. I barely know her. She’s young, only twenty. And now she’ll be living with me. I’m supposed to have her work off her father’s debts.”

  I’m in too deep with this. I should change the plan, demand the money, and walk away from the Monroe family. Yet, Chelsea reminds me so much of myself. Her determination to save her parents and her willingness to do whatever it takes are two of the traits I admire about her. And also, the text messages from her birthday two years ago are something I haven’t forgotten.

  After she sent me those pictures, I had to stay away. She’s gorgeous. Beautiful. A breath of fresh air. There was something alluring about her. Something I knew I wanted. Something I knew I couldn’t have. She’s my best friend’s daughter and twelve years younger than me. I’m sure her experience level and tastes aren’t like mine. I have no business fantasizing about her.

  When she came storming into the office, demanding to know what was going on then offered herself as payment, visions of her on her knees and taking her from behind flooded my mind. She says she’ll work off her father’s debt, but that’s not what I want.

  Last night, after the incident in Ken’s office, and watching her at the part, I want more and I’ll get more. The cards in my hands are what I need. I have the winning hand and I’ll need to practice patience, be less dominating, and treat her like a princess. Like a doll I’ll forever cherish.

  The more I think about her, and remembering the way she smells, and the sweet tone of her angelic v
oice, and her hot body, an idea takes root in my mind.

  Chapter Four

  Chelsea

  I’m not sure how long I’ve been in my bedroom. The last of my things were taken and Liam’s gone. Maybe an hour passed? Or two? Or only a few seconds.

  I walk around my old bedroom, seeing everything gone; the bare walls and coldness, is getting to me. The words from Liam play in my head. How can my life go from amazing to this shit? Sure, I think Liam’s hot and sexy, but now I’m his? What the fuck am I?

  “Sweetie?” I whip around to see my parents standing by the door.

  “I don’t know what to say to either of you.”

  “I’m so sorry, Chelsea. I’ve begged Liam so many times.” My dad cries and holds my mom. I can’t stand here and listen to this shit. “Chelsea, please.”

  Shaking my head, I turn around with tears in my eyes. “I love you both so much, but right now, I don’t have to like you. This is my decision and mine alone. Since you’re my parents and you have done so much for me, I figure this will be something I can do for you.”

  “You don’t have to go,” my mom whines and rushes toward me, throwing her arms around my neck. “Don’t go.”

  “I have to,” I mutter, and slowly wrap my arms around her waist. She smells like vanilla and I’m brought back to my childhood, playing with my mom’s makeup and perfume, pretending to dress up like her because she was my hero and I wanted to be her. “I’m the pawn in this now.”

  “We’re so sorry,” my dad chokes out, coming up to us and putting his arms around his girls. “So sorry.”

  “I should go,” I finally say. “Liam’s expecting me.”

  The anguish and sadness on their faces pushes me and I need to get away before I fall apart. As soon as I walk out of my bedroom, the cries from my mom fill the halls and hit me like a ton of bricks. I have to stop and place my hands on the stairway railings to hold myself up. My parents raised me to be strong, and strong I have to be. I rush outside and see Liam’s car and driver. Well, it’s too late to do anything.

  “Hi,” I mutter, and Jack opens the door for me. I climb in, refusing to look back at the three story, beautiful brick mansion with large windows, and perfectly trimmed gardens. The green lawn slowly disappears and flashes of me as a child, running around with my pink kite and pink sneakers come to me. The innocence of a child flees and now the reality of my dad’s poor choices sink in.

  Jack starts driving, and the silence in the car is deafening. I need to do something before I go crazy.

  “So, I’m Chelsea. And you’re Jack.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Please, just Chelsea.”

  “Okay, Chelsea.” I see him smiling in the mirror, and slowly I’m calming down. He’s a middle aged bald man with broad shoulders and a tall, muscular built. I feel safe in the car with him.

  “Can I ask you something, Jack?”

  “Sure.” His deep voice resounds in the car.

  “Liam—er, I mean, Mr. Donovan. Is he crazy? Should I be worried?”

  Jack starts laughing and it’s comforting. “Mr. Donovan is a good man.”

  “Oh. Okay.” When I hear Jack telling me he’s a good man it makes me feel a little better. From the times I’ve been around Liam, he hasn’t been rude or mean.

  When we get to Liam’s house, Jack opens the car door for me. When his hand extends out to mine, I sit there, not looking at him, not looking outside, but just looking at the smooth black leather headrest before me. As soon as I take Jack’s hand and my feet land on the pavement, I won’t just be Chelsea Monroe, aspiring fashion designer. I’ll be Chelsea Monroe, property of Liam Donovan.

  “Chelsea,” Jack starts to say and his voice instantly calms me. He leans his head in and looks at me. “Everything will be okay. I’ve been working with Liam for many years and even worked for his dad before he passed away.”

  “How old are you?” I’m not sure why it matters. That question comes to me and I really would like to know.

  “I’m fifty-three.”

  “Do you have a family?”

  “My wife passed away ten years ago and since then I’ve been working for Liam.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.” My eyes find his and I want to cry. “How did you manage to wake up and get on with your life?”

  “With the love and support from my family. Liam got me on my feet. He’s a good kid and one I’m proud to be working for. Whatever you’re thinking in your head, I’d like you to stop and be open minded. Your life will still be yours.”

  I force the lump in my throat back down and slowly nod my head, acknowledging what he’s saying. “Okay, Jack. I trust you.”

  “Thatta girl.”

  The sun is blazing down, blinding me a little. Before me is Liam’s mansion. Well, mine too, I guess. The white panels are crisp, and there’s a wraparound porch with a beautiful rose and lily garden surrounding it. Each step I take is a step closer to my new life. I’m so nervous that I’m sweating, but all of Jack’s words are playing in my head and I take in a few deep breaths and let it out.

  As soon as I walk inside, I see it’s been newly redecorated. It’s been a few years since I’ve been over. Everything looks the same, but different. The decor is new. There are some different paintings lining the wall. Pictures of his family remain, and I stop in front of the one with him, his two brothers and their parents, standing on a beach. He looks to be about fourteen, maybe fifteen. I take a closer look at his brothers and remembering Liam and dad talking about them a few times in the past. I don’t know their names and haven’t met them. The only thing I know is they run a magazine in downtown and work closely with Liam and my dad.

  Liam’s house is comforting and warm. I walk down the hall into the living room. The fireplace is going, and soft music plays in the background. Each room has paintings of different cities or abstract designs. It’s beautiful.

  “Hi, Chelsea.”

  I turn and see Liam standing near me. He’s dressed in dark jeans and a light-blue tee shirt that hugs his hard body. “Hi,” I weakly respond.

  Standing here with Liam feels oddly comfortable. I know it’s crazy and I should still be upset. I’m not sure why he wants me. Liam Donovan can have anyone he wants. I’ve seen his social media pages and the glamorous life he lives with his lavish vacations and beautiful women at his side. We’re two different people, from two different worlds, with two different perspectives. I’m barely an adult with little to no real life experience, and he’s this Adonis with extensive experience and high expectations.

  “Come and sit with me.” Liam extends his hand and I take it, following him to the black leather couch. We sit down and he faces me, his arm extended along the back of the couch. His scorching brown eyes burn into me, making me fidget with discomfort. Everything I’ve ever known is gone. I have no idea who I am anymore. The usually confident and sassy girl has disappeared out the window.

  “Chelsea.” The way he says my name sends tingles down my body. “Look at me.”

  I do as he says, and his expression is warm.

  “If you truly don’t want to be here, then I’ll have Jack take you home. If you don’t want to go home, then you can stay at one of my houses and I won’t be a bother. I’ll do whatever it is you want. You’re the one calling the shots and holding the cards.”

  “No,” I immediately say. “A deal’s a deal right? My dad did this, so now I’m going to fulfill the deal. But if I can ask, what’s going to happen?”

  “As long as you’re sure this is what you want.”

  “It is what I want.”

  “Okay then. You’ll be living with me as long as you’d like. Your parents think you won’t have a say in the matter, but that’s not the case. If you want to stay here then my home is yours. My staff will wait on you and I’ll ensure your happiness and comfort here. I’ll be responsible for you, for your well-being, safety, financially, and ensure you will be taken care of.”

  “And in return,
I’ll be...what...your sex slave?”

  “No.” His response shocks me and I quickly look to see the honesty in his eyes. “Not a sex slave, Chelsea.”

  I wait for him to continue. A push and pull expression plays on his face. He looks torn and unsure. I’ve never seen Liam like this.

  “When and if you want to cross that, then I’m here.” He reaches over, brushes his fingers down my cheek, and tucks strands of my hair behind my ear. “I want to show you the world,” he whispers. “Before any of that happens I’d like to apologize for the night you texted me. You have to understand you’re my best friend’s daughter so that means you’ll always be untouchable. Yet, seeing you last night and right now, all the rules I used to follow when it comes to you seem inconsequential.”

  “Why?” I utter, trying not to sound breathless. “I mean, why me? When I came back to town, you avoided me. You made me feel stupid, and for two years I avoided you too.”

  “The thing is Chelsea,” he continues, “at that moment in my life, I was in a bad place. I was trying to finalize my divorce from Sadie. Do you remember her?”

  “Wait. I thought you guys were divorced before that night I texted you. I overheard you and dad talking about it.” I bury head face in my hands and feel the heat in my cheeks. This day just keeps getting better. “So you and her were still married when I texted you?”

  “Yes. I was married. We were separated and she lived in an apartment downtown. She was contesting the divorce, saying it wasn’t what I wanted, and trying everything she could to get me to change my mind. That night my lawyers were fighting to get my divorce final and now it is. I’m not married anymore and Sadie’s off doing her own thing. She has a boyfriend and lives on the West coast.”

  “So she’s not going to come here and try to kill me?”

  “No.” Liam sweeps strands of my hair from my eyes and tucks them behind my ear. I won’t lie, his touch is gentle and sweet. “I just want to take care of you.” His words hit me, and even though my parents gave me everything, there’s something different that Liam’s giving me, and it’s so much more. Moving closer to him, I place my hand on his and look deeply in his eyes.