The Millionaire’s Ultimate Catch Read Free

closed her eyes. Her grandmother’s kind face appeared before her. The older woman was more of a mother than her real mother ever was. Living with her, she’d often heard the caution to stop trying to be a hero. Now look where it had got her. A soft sigh escaped involuntarily from her lips. Blackness covered her as if someone had flicked a light switch to off.
    At the end of a long day, Zack Keathley stood in the parking lot of the new retail and residential center. He should feel proud that a new project was near completion. Instead, he was irritated that one of the anchor businesses was threatening to back out of their deal. The economic times had taken the power out of his hands and turned the advantage to his clients. Now the mega supermarket wanted more concessions, trying to tie him up in a deal that would not be to his benefit. He looked at his watch. He’d have to skip dinner again. In half an hour, he had an emergency meeting with his partners to discuss moving ahead or walking away from the table at a loss.
    His phone rang. He looked at the screen. Wil Mem Hosp. Why the heck was Wilmington Memorial Hospital calling him?
    He’d talked to his parents. They were heading off for a weekend getaway. His younger sister was going to abasketball game and then heading out with friends. He punched the button to answer.
    “Zack Keathley.”
    “Sir, I’m the administrator from Wilmington Memorial Hospital.”
    “Yes.”
    “This is a call concerning your sister.”
    “Chantelle?” Zack didn’t know if he should have mentioned his sister’s name. What if this was some stupid hoax?
    “Your sister is here. I’m placing the call on her behalf. The police will be in touch later.”
    “What’s wrong with her?” Zack already moved toward his car. The problems with the retail center had to be set aside for a later time. “I want to talk to her.” He waited for the administrator to get his sister. The music playing over the line raised his irritability. His thoughts drifted around creating ever-worsening scenarios for his sister. She was young and in college. He’d warned her about drinking heavily with her friends. Battling with her whenever she came home had become routine. In her eyes, he was the overbearing big brother. And she was his twenty-year-old little sister.
    “Zack?”
    “Yes, I’m here.” He had to concentrate on driving through the neighborhood and toward the highway. “I’m here, Chantelle. Talk to me.”
    “A group of men attacked me. It was awful. I thought that I wouldn’t get away. Could you come for me?” Her soft sob punctuated the teary plea.
    “Of course.” Zack noted where she’d be. He didn’t ask any details because he wouldn’t be able to deal with the attack. At least not while he drove fifteen miles above the speed limit.
    Twenty minutes later, he turned into the hospital parking lot. He didn’t care if he’d parked properly. All he could focus on was getting into the building and finding his sister.
    He signed in at the entrance and got directions to the outpatient area.
    “Can I help you, sir?” A nurse leaned over the counter at the central station.
    “I’m looking for Chantelle Keathley.”
    The woman looked at her chart. “Oh, she left a message that she’d be visiting Room 316.” She pointed farther up the hallway.
    “Thank you.” Zack walked quickly, peering at the numbers on each room. Some doors were partially opened, allowing limited view of patients and the occasional visitor at the bedside.
    A uniformed policeman emerged from a room up ahead. His pace quickened and he entered the room with the bluster of an overwrought brother. His attention lighted on Chantelle huddled in a chair. She sprang up and hugged him.
    His arms closed around her. Thank goodness she was okay. His thoughts had turned dark and morbid, despite hearing her voice. He set her down now that his fears had been allayed.
    “What happened?”
    “I look worse than I am.” His sister