The Bad Boy

The Bad Boy
Leah Vale

The Only Payback He Wants Is RevengeFinding he's the heir to a business empire should be a dream come true. For Cooper Anders, though, it's about settling an old score. Soon the whole world will know how a high-and-mighty father disowned his son and forced him and his mother into a life of grinding poverty. Now nothing stands between bad-boy Cooper and satisfaction–unless it's the beautiful woman with a very different plan.Sara Barnes, vice president of Operations at McCoy Enterprises, has sworn to protect both the company and the family name. Yet the thrill she feels around Cooper–with his blue eyes, broad shoulders and troublemaking ways–says there's more at stake than just her career. Torn between loyalty to the McCoys and longing for the newest member of the clan, she's facing an impossible task–and terrified of what she might lose either way.

“It’s time for you to mind your own business.”

Sarah stepped back from him. “As I’ve already said, what you’re trying to do is my business.”

“So if you haven’t already told Joseph and Alexander that I tried to ruin the grand opening, do it.” Cooper didn’t want her charity.

A sound at the door stopped her from replying and drew their attention.

None other than Joseph McCoy walked in, followed closely by Alexander. Neither man looked as though he’d been told that the newest member of the family had tried hard to cost the McCoys millions today.

Cooper didn’t have to wait long to be sure.

As Alexander closed the door behind him, Joseph came to Cooper and jovially slapped him on the back. “Shame you couldn’t get away to show us around that impressive remodel you did, grandson—but I have to say I’m pleased with your priorities. Good to know you put the success of the grand opening first and foremost.”

Cooper looked at Sarah, half dreading, half daring her to end this farce and tell Joseph the truth….

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Dependable, Missouri, home of the McCoys and their billion-dollar retail empire, built on the motto Don’t Trust It If It’s Not From The Real McCoy!

Too bad the McCoy heir wasn’t trustworthy, at least where the ladies were concerned. And after Marcus “Hound Dog” McCoy met a sadly fitting end during an encounter with a grizzly bear while fly-fishing, the truth comes out during the reading of his will. His younger brother is actually his eldest son, and he kept the rest of his scattered progeny secret by paying the mothers a million dollars each in hush money. Can his father, Joseph McCoy, maintain his moral reputation but still bring these newly discovered grandchildren, these Lost Millionaires, into the family without scandal?

Not if Cooper Anders has his way. Cooper has known since his early teens that he was a real McCoy, and he burns with the need to avenge his mother.

Can Sara Barnes, a trusted employee who yearns to be more, bring Cooper into the fold? Or will he make her choose between love and the family she’s devoted her life to serving? I hope you enjoy finding out!

Please visit my Web site, www.leahvale.com.

Leah Vale

Books by Leah Vale

HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

924—THE RICH MAN’S BABY

936—THE RICH GIRL GOES WILD

957—BIG-BUCKS BACHELOR

1026—THE BAD BOY

The Bad Boy

Leah Vale

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

To Melissa, Terri and Nicole, for your bodacious minds; and to my family, for your most excellent support. I love you all.

Contents

Chapter One (#u03c98401-9039-59e8-9d33-6e9d9b0331b4)

Chapter Two (#uce5cd30e-b001-5106-9c63-669142550d7a)

Chapter Three (#ub2b1c664-3924-506e-8ede-f636725211af)

Chapter Four (#u2e3b14ba-863b-54a2-831d-c85a61a946a3)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

Dear Mr. Anders:

It is our duty at this time to inform you of the death of Marcus McCoy due to an unfortunate, unforeseen encounter with a grizzly bear while fly-fishing in Alaska on June 8 of this year, and per the stipulations set forth in his last will and testament, to make formal his acknowledgment of one Cooper Anders, age 30, of 785 Westmark Street, Dependable, Missouri, as being his son and heir to an equal portion of his estate.

It is the wish of Joseph McCoy, father to Marcus McCoy, grandfather to Cooper Anders and founder of McCoy Enterprises, that you immediately assume your rightful place in the family home and business with all due haste and utmost discretion to preserve the family’s privacy.

Regards,

David Weidman, Esq.

Weidman, Biddermier, Stark

Cooper rocked back on the heels of his black work boots, the air stalled in his lungs. Shock nearly made him plop right down on the concrete county-jail steps. Instead he looked up from the letter to the cloudless, late-morning sky, then thought better of it and dropped his gaze to the space between his feet. Marcus McCoy, you son of a—