Breaching the Billionaire: Alethea's Redemption (Book 6) (Legacy Collection)
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Authors: Ruth Cardello
: Breaching the Billionaire, Alethea’s Redemption
The Legacy Collection
Alethea is at a crossroad. For as long as she could remember, it was her and her best friend, Lil, against the worl
d. Now that Lil has met Prince “I have my own helicopter” Charming and reconnected with her family, Alethea is on the outside looking in, justifying who she’s always been to people who have never understood her. When she uncovers a looming threat to Lil’s family, she’s determined to save them, even after they tell her not to get involved—and assign their best man to stop her.
Marc Stone has been watching Alethea ever since she waltzed through his security system and right into his late-night fantasies. As a decorated Marine, he’s seen the horrors of war, but nothing could prepare him for this wild redhead. Strong. Beautiful. Flawed, and fiercely protective. Hard to love, and impossible to deny.
If she’ll stop fighting him long enough, he’ll show her just how perfect they are for each other. That is, if she doesn’t get them both killed first.
The Legacy Collection
Book 1: Maid for the Billionaire
Book 2: For Love or Legacy
Book 3: Bedding the Billionaire
Book 4: Saving the Sheikh
Book 5: Rise of the Billionaire
Book 6:
Breaching the Billionaire
Recipe For Love, An Andrade Novella
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By Ruth Cardello
Copyright © 2013 Ruth Cardello
All Rights Reserved
ISBN: 978-0-9898610-3-8
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.
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I am so grateful to everyone who was part of the process of creating Alethea’s Redemption
. Thank you to:
Calista Taylor for designing the covers for my series.
My very patient beta readers: Karen Lawson, Heather Bell, Lucy Wright.
My editors: Karen Lawson, Janet Hitchcock, Marion Archer and Nina Pearlman.
My three year old daughter who feels that she’s helping when she sits on my lap while I review edits. Although she doesn’t understand a comma’s function, she’s sure I need more of them.
Melanie Hanna, for helping me organize the business side of publishing.
My Roadies for making me smile each day when I log on my computer.
Merci C. for naming Alethea’s hero.
Anita Schnegg for lending me her name for a cameo as a secretary.
Thank you to my husband, Tony, who listens to the story so many times he dreams about the characters.
To my niece, Danielle Stewart, for joining me in self-publishing and becoming part of the both the writing and the business side. It’s amazing to watch your own journey! As Abby would say – Always better together!
And special thanks to:
As with many of my characters, I based Alethea on someone I admire. No, the real Alethea doesn’t break into places, but she is an outspoken local advocate for education in her community. She’ll go nose to nose with anyone she thinks isn’t protecting the best interests of the children.
So, Alethea, thank you for lending me your name and for not being offended when I rounded your character out with flaws. The world needs people who are willing to stand up for what they believe in. Thank you for being one of those people.
:
I thought I could end this series with six books, but I’m leaving the door open for more. I have outlines of novellas I’d like to add to the series and I get requests for more characters to find love in the series.
You’ll see glimpses of the characters from the Legacy Collection in my new series, The Andrades.
Embrace it or fight it until your last breath; change is life’s only constant.
Or more succinctly:
Change sucks.
Pacing her uptown Manhattan apartment
, Alethea paused to look out the window at the busy street below. It was one of her many homes, but since her New York-based company was doing well, it had been a natural choice for her to settle in the city. It was also where Lil Dartley, her best friend, spent most of her time. A friend whose sister was about to have a baby. Today or tomorrow, if the doctor’s predictions were correct.
A second Dartley having a baby.
The first time, I was needed.
This time
, I’m not even welcome.
Still, Alethea felt she had to be nearby, in case Lil or her family needed her. No, they hadn’t forgiven her yet, for what, even she had to admit, had been poor handling of “the Jeremy situation.”
Is there anything worse than someone telling you how horrible you are and realizing they’re right?
I’ve hurt people I cared about.
I’ve been selfish.
Being sorry isn’t enough to make things right. I
have to remove the stain of my mistakes. If that’s even possible.
Some mistakes are unforgiveable.
Alethea scowled.
Especially if Saint Abby declares them so.
Alethea gave herself a silent lecture.
Shake it off. Don’t hate her. Be glad she and Lil have each other again. She’s a part of Lil’s life. Don’t give up. For Lil.
The ringing of her cell phone pulled Alethea out of her dark thoughts. She smiled when she saw the caller ID.
Speak of the imp.
“Al, Abby called.” Lil’s voice vibrated with excitement. “She just went into labor. She and Dominic are heading to Mount Sinai Hospital right now. This is it.”
“Do you need someone to watch Colby?” A smile spread across her face as she mentioned the little girl she considered her niece.
“No, she’s coming with me. There is a whole suite for us. You know Dominic, only the best. I’m sorry I didn’t call you earlier. Things have been crazy the last couple of days. The press is everywhere. They really want a picture of this baby. I’ll tell you, I almost miss the calm of no one knowing me. They literally block you in sometimes. No wonder Dominic has so much security. I used to think he went overboard, but I would be worried about how they’d get to the hospital without it.”
Instinctively Alethea asked, “What’s the security plan for the hospital?”
Lil said, “I have no idea, but I’m sure it’s top-notch.”
By whose standards?
Alethea frowned. “I hope so. People take advantage of chaos.”
“You worry too much, Al. There’ll probably be a swat team guarding the door. It’ll be like Fort Knox. No one is more paranoid than Dominic.” Lil laughed. “Well, maybe just you.”
Alethea cast her eyes heavenward.
Vigilance isn’t a suggestion; it’s a necessity for survival.
“It’s
not
paranoia if people are actually out to get you. You know as well as I do that something is brewing.” With an exasperated wave of her hand, she added, “I know you don’t think I have enough proof yet, but my gut tells me that trouble for Corisi Enterprises is only just beginning. The glitches in their system. The rumors that there’s someone working on the inside. Now a lull in the software issues while Abby has her baby. It doesn’t feel right. The two shouldn’t be related.”
“Because they
aren’t
.” Lil sighed. “Listen, Al, I love you, but I can’t talk about this right now. Everyone is heading to the hospital. Let me simply enjoy this time. I don’t want to talk about conspiracy theories or computer glitches. I want you to tell me that my sister is going to have a healthy baby and an easy birth. That’s all. Be happy for Abby. Be happy for me.”
Alethea shifted her attention to her new Jimmy Choos—stylish, with four-inch heels that could double as a weapon. “I am happy for Abby . . . and you.”
“Are you? Are you really?”
“Yes,” Alethea said defensively.
I sent a shower present. A password-protected, close-range, encrypted, recording-enabled teddy bear nanny cam.
I bet it’s still in the box. I wouldn’t know since I wasn’t invited to the shower, nor to Abby’s home since.
When will they give me credit for trying to save Corisi Enterprises? How long will I have to pay for losing my temper at Jeisa?
Instantly contrite, Lil gushed, “I’m sorry, Al. You know I wish I could bring you with me today. Everyone is going to be there today. Everyone, but you. If you would just tone it down a bit, they’d see the you I love. It’s your intensity they don’t understand.”
“Intensity? You mean because I won’t accept the fantasy that nothing bad could ever happen to us again? I can’t pretend everything is okay when it isn’t.” Her gut clenched painfully.
Don’t you think I want to be like you? You probably still forget to lock your door at night because you think bad things only happen to other people.
“Nothing is ever okay for you, Al. That’s the problem. You always find an issue because you always look for one. Always. You never let yourself believe that things can be good. Abby found her happily ever after. I found mine. Why can’t you simply be happy for us?”
Alethea blinked back the emotion that welled within her.
You have to fight for that kind of happiness. You have to protect it every day or someone will rip it away from you.
“The truth is your best defense.”
“Against what, Al?” Lil took a deep breath, then said quietly, “Please, stop. You have nothing but a gut instinct and
some glitches to go by. Just stop. I can’t do this right now. I have to go.”
Swallowing her frustration, Alethea looked out the window again. “Call me if you need me.”
Lil hesitated, obviously torn. “I’ll call when it’s over.”
Unable to stop herself, Alethea snapped, “Why would I care about the news if I’m not happy for either of you?”
“I didn’t mean it that way, Al. I know you care. I just . . .”
“I know. Go . . . go be with your sister. She needs you.”
After Lil hung up, Alethea laid her phone down on her glass coffee table. She flipped on the television. Every channel she checked showed live feed of the hospital where Abby and Dominic were headed. The press was indeed everywhere. Men in dark suits were scattered through the crowd, evidence that Dominic’s security was already in place.
Chaos always leaves an opening
to slip in unseen.
She’d tested enough event security plans to know that.
All it takes is determination and a good lie.
Those who would do the most harm rarely walk in the front door. They come in through crevices, like cockroaches.
Does Dominic have the laundry room covered? The kitchen? How about the locker room? Is someone counting uniforms?