BILLIONAIRE FOR KEEPS: Book 3 (Point St. Claire, where true love finds a way) by Robyn Grady Page A

ago.” 
    With long legs braced, Vanessa continued to face the view while Griffin’s mind raced on. Somehow she’d found out about the deal. For personal and professional reasons, she’d want it stopped dead in its tracks. Aside from Griffin apparently making it to the top of her hope you die list, Toomey Constructions would be worth double ten years from now. Even triple.
    But this wasn’t her decision. Her father needed out, and he needed out now .
    There really was no other way. 
    Vanessa turned around him. Glistening green eyes flashed as they zeroed in on his. He’d expected a show of blazing defiance. Instead, standing in a stream of morning light, dainty hands fisted by her sides, she looked somehow lost. Almost frightened.
    “Get out of here, Griffin.” She exhaled. “For god’s sake, leave us alone.”
    Her father spoke up. “Nessa, Griffin’s here to―”
    “I don’t care about Griffin.” She dropped down beside her father, held his hand between both of hers. “I care about you .”
    Toomey stroked his daughter’s crown. “I know, sweetheart. I know. But Griffin and I…we need to talk.”
    “Talk later.” When Ronan tried to stand, she shook her head, kissed his hand. “Don’t get worked up. Help’s on its way.”
    Griffin paused.
    Did she say help? As in legal help? Her lawyer?  But the way she was biting her lip, her eyes rimmed with tears… This was not the Vanessa he had come to know. The fireball who drove him nuts. The woman he still ached for in the middle of every night.
    But then the pieces of this puzzle fell into place and a flood of ice-cold dread washed through his veins. The anguish in her eyes...Ronan slumped up in that chair… 
    Vanessa wasn’t here to kill the deal.
    The problem was far worse than that.
     
    Vanessa hated that Griffin Hayes had shown up here today, of all days. But she wasn’t exactly surprised. Her father and Griffin were as much friends as business associates. That’s how she’d met Griffin―the second time, at least.
    Since finishing college, Vanessa had accompanied her dad to some social events, including a charity affair Griffin had hosted a few months ago. When Griffin had introduced himself―when he had gifted her that sexy smile―Vanessa had felt the sparks to her toes. Aside from the chiselled features and obviously ripped body, his eyes were such a piercing mirror gray, their hooded intensity took her breath away. His hair was dark and thick, the gleaming pelt of an alpha wolf.
    Seriously. Everything about the guy was bone-meltingly masculine.
    That night he’d worn an impeccable tuxedo. Today those powerful shoulders and broad chest were cloaked in a custom-made jacket. As a fashion designer with her own label, Vanessa guessed five figures for the suit, easy. The barely perceivable pull of fabric over his thighs suggested long, athletic limbs…unapologetically powerful, like the rest of him.
    Griffin was from humble beginnings, an unfortunate childhood that might hold another person back. But he’d gotten an education, whipped his life into shape. Now Griffin lived by his own rules. No exceptions.
    Just ask her.
    But his agenda today would have to wait.
    When the housekeeper, Wendy, had phoned to say she’d contacted the doctor―that she’d found Ronan collapsed over his desk―Vanessa had been at a weekend shoot for her Rebel Without a Cause Collection . Without thinking, she’d grabbed one of the full-throttle props and sped straight over.
    Her father explained for Griffin’s benefit. “I had pain in my jaw…in my back.” Growling, annoyed with himself, Ronan stared at the jasmine-laced hedges beyond the arched window. “I chewed on some aspirin.”
    “Because that had helped the first time.” Vanessa had been stunned when he’d told her a moment ago. This was incident number two .
    Like he was finally catching up, Griffin murmured, “Heart attack…”
    “Yes, Griffin.” Heart attack . “Now, would you