Chapter 1 Beginning of my misfortunes

PROLOGUE

"Tell me what you want baby." He whispered softly into my ears.

I couldn't open my eyes as I bit my lips to stop the moan from escaping my throat. It was utterly embarrassing.

"I know what you want Logan, but I want you to say it." His playful voice teased as he nibbled on my earlobes while his fingers gently caressed my nipples.

Why do I need to say it. I would rather die than say such embarrassing things out loud.

He licked down from my ears to my throat as his wet tongue settled on my Adam apple. In this moment, I couldn't hold back my moan as my toes curled up on the bed.

"Ah Gavin! Yes!" I moaned shamelessly and I could feel him smirking without having to meet his eyes.

"Say it. Tell me what you want me to do to you. I want to hear it little bunny." He teased once more and I felt like my hard dick could explode any moment from now from all the teasing he was doing to my body.

"Fuck you Gavin!" I cussed in rage and he bit my neck, causing me to wince in pain before using his tongue to sooth the ache on my neck.

"Of course," he smirked. "But I'm going to be the one pounding you roughly." I looked up to meet his lustful gaze as my heart raced with desires to be claimed by this big bad wolf.

"Fuck me!" I whispered, embarrassment clear in my voice .

"No, no baby. I can't hear you."

I bit my lips before raising my voice again. "Fucking hell! I said fuck me Gavin! For fucks sake!"

I couldn't believe the words coming out of my mouth. That I would ask Gavin Slade, my archenemy to fuck me. The very person who has done all sorts of things to embarrass me and make sure I remained a completely useless toy in his hands to play with. I must be utterly crazy to desire such things with this bastard.

~ LOGAN'S POV ~

I slammed my fist hard on the desk. "Can't they see I'm busy?" I growled.

My phone rang again. I hissed frustrated as I picked up the call.

"Mr Logan Pierce, it's Jenkins from Goldrim. We're withdrawing our investment. The rumors about your company's financial troubles are quite ...alarming."

I rubbed my temples. "Mr Jenkins, I assure you, we're stable. This is just a minor setback."

He snorted. "Minor setback? Mr Logan, your company's on the verge of bankruptcy. We can't afford to take the risk."

I felt a cold sweat trickle down my spine. "Please reconsider...we have been partners since the time of my mother. You can't ...."

"I'm really sorry Mr Logan, but this is business. Goodbye."

"Mr.......oh fuck! He hung up." I hissed angrily. That's the seventh one today.

There was a knock on the door and Peter, my secretary came in.

"What is it, Peter?" I said curtly, because I cannot afford another bad news.

Peter's expression was grim. "The reporters are swarming outside the building. They're asking about the investigation and the company's financial troubles."

My mind reeled, but I maintained composure. "Get someone to handle them." I waved it off, but he still stood like he had more to say. "And?" I asked him.

"Most of the employees are submitting their resignation letters. They're scared Mr Logan."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Why was this happening now?

I looked at Peter. "Get me the head of our financial department. Now!"

Peter nodded and hurried out.

I paced round the room. This had to be some kind of mistake. There's no way we are completely broke. It can't be.

My phone rang again, but I ignored it. Peter returned with a nervous looking man.

"Mr Logan, this is Mr Thompson, our financial head."

Thompson trembled as he spoke. "Mr Lo....Logan, I...I don't know how to say this, but...the company's bankrupt. We've been investigated, and it's been discovered that funds have been siphoned to offshore accounts through several paper companies. The police has seized everything. And the banks are threatening sir."

"I already know that. What I'm asking now is how we can revive the company. This was my mother's life's work. How can we escape bankruptcy?" I asked with every muscle in my veins.

"The only way is to get a big loan. But none of the banks are willing to give us because of the...the news about of company."

Fuck! All of this is because of that bastard Jaxon, my half brother. He syphoned funds, he misused resources, he did everything. At least, he's in jail now. That's my only consolation, but I'm the one who's going to suffer and try to revive the company again.

"Okay, I'll see how I can secure some funds." Surely , there is someone out there who can help me.

~~~~~

After a hectic day, I drove back home to be met with more headaches.

As I stepped out of the car, I could already hear the sobbing coming from inside the house. I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks Peter. You can head back."

Peter bowed. "Yes sir."

I walked into the house, and the sobbing grew louder. I followed the sound to the living room, where my stepmother, Hilda Pierce was bawling her eyes out on the couch with my father, Gideon Pierce trying to comfort her, but she was having none of it.

"I want my son back!" she wailed.

My father looked up and caught my eye.

"Logan, come here."

Argh! Why did he have to see me.

I reluctantly walked over, not wanting to get drawn into their drama.

"What's going on?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"The police just arrested Jaxon this morning" my father said, his voice accusatory.

"I know," I replied. "I just found out myself."

My father's expression turned angry. "You should have protected him, Logan. You're his brother."

I felt a surge of offense. "Protected him? He's the one who got himself into trouble. And he's older than me, he should be setting a good example."

My father's face reddened. "That's not the point! Family sticks together, no matter what. You should be doing everything in your power to get your brother out, not walking around in a well ironed suit." He sneered while his wife Hilda kept sobbing and I wasn't having any of this.

I shook my head. "You can't seriously expect me to fix this mess. Jaxon's actions have consequences, and now the company is suffering."

My father's expression turned cold. "The company? Is the company more important than your brother?" he shouted at me. This wasn't the first time anyway.

"Yes. Yes it is Mr Pierce." I retorted and we stood at a face off. "That company, Hartley holdings, belonged to my mother Christiana Hartley. After she died, you got to run it and you brought your mistress and her son into our home. Now look at what that disappointment has done! Stealing funds... He's destroyed everything!" I yelled and I couldn't process the next thing because I couldn't feel for a second. Soon I could feel the sting on my cheeks. He had hit me. Again.

"I would not have you disrespect my wife and our son by calling her a mistress. You hear me boy!" he dragged my collar and I bit down every cuss words from escaping my throat.

"You hear me?" he asked again, this time more violently.

"I hear you sir." I forced myself to utter. I didn't want to be hit again with a golf club. It's pretty sad that a 26 years old man still gets beaten up by his dad.

Wonder why I can't leave this house? There's no way I'm letting this mistress and her dumb son take over my mother's house.

"I have a way we can get out of this," father said as he patted Hilda's back, who was still annoyingly sniffling.

I raised an eyebrow. "How?"

My father's eyes gleamed with a calculating intensity. "We'll have to ask Gavin Slade for help."

My eyes widened as I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"You can't be serious. Gavin Slade, as in Gavin Slade?" I asked still finding it unbelievable.

"I guess you are not deaf boy. Get things ready. Only he can lend us the amount of money we need. Besides, you boys go way back. For old times sake, he should help. Get things done quickly." He ordered.

Old times sake? Hah! I laugh at my misfortune. All the horrible memories I had of him replayed in my mind and a shudder ran down my spine. Gavin Slade of all people. I guess this is the beginning of my misfortunes.