The Billionaire's Final Stand

Family comes first in the continuation of

The Billionaire Bachelors Series

Join the Anderson Family

In Book Seven,

The Billionaire’s Final Stand

The Billionaire’s Final Stand

Billionaire Bachelors – Book Seven

By Melody Anne

Copyright © 2012 Melody Anne

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Printed and published in the United States of America.

Published by Gossamer Publishing Company

kaz 

Editing done by Exclusive Publishing

Cover art done by Exclusive Publishing Company

Salt Lake City, Utah

Look for us online at:

www.exclusivepublishing.com

Email: [email protected]

Dedication

One of the greatest men I know is my father-in-law, who I modeled Joseph after. He’s so handsome and talented, and has the biggest heart. What a great support he’s been from the beginning of my journey into the world of writing. This is dedicated to you, Ed. I adore you.

Note from the Author

Oh, how this book has been a joy to write, and also sad at the same time. I love the Anderson’s. I feel like they’re a part of my own family, like I can sit down with Emily and have a chat, or sit in on a board meeting with Lucas. I adore Joseph. He’s always been the key to the whole series for me. I thought of him long before any of the rest came. I’m an avid reader and I love the stories with meddling fathers, parents, neighbors, friends, and so on. I also love books that I get to read about how the lives of the main couple continue. I knew from the moment I started writing that I was going to write series books. This story continued to grow bigger because I couldn’t let the Andersons go. This is the final book… for now. There are a lot of children being born, and you all know that romance book years move much quicker than regular years. So in a year or two, I may miss them and have to come back for a visit. That’s something I always wonder about, too, when reading. How are they five years down the road? In the real world, there’s divorce and deaths and all those other awful things. Well, rest assured, I refuse to have that with my characters. Yes, people may die at times, but I want a happily ever after. I want a love between my characters that nothing can break apart. I want the fairy tale I always dreamed about as a child. I have my own fairy tale ending right now and my characters deserve the same.

Thank you to all of my fans.
I truly do read each and every one of your emails and posts on Facebook and twitter, even Goodreads. I look forward to opening Facebook in the morning and seeing all the wonderful posts from all of you. I love those sexy pictures, and I love your words of encouragement. Thank you to the many who have been there from the beginning. Just to name a few: Kim, Jane, Genny, Melissa, Nikki, Hillary, Denise, Janet, Linda, Amanda, Carolyn, Lori, Mary, Karen, Ginny, Sandra, Hilary, Julie, Cynthia. The list really goes on and on, and I almost don’t want to put names, because I in no way want to leave one of you out. I just want you to know that, yes, I do read it all, me, not my publicist. I’ve been very emphatic that Facebook will forever remain mine to communicate with. Sometimes it takes a while, but I’ll eventually get there. Thank you!!!

Also huge thanks to Jack Martin. You’re my hero and the hardest working publisher known to man. Thank you for always immediately responding to the dumbest of questions, for going the extra mile when I email at 2am saying I have to change something right away, and for going above and beyond to find out information. I’m so very happy to have met you.

As always, thank you to my story editor, Nikki. I adore you. Since you started, my books have become so much stronger. What you’ve done with the old manuscripts, and now each of my new ones still blows me away. Thank you for never letting me settle for less than the best, even when I’m whining that I don’t want to change another thing.

Thank you to Stephanie for your amazing medical advice. I would know nothing about codes, how nurses speak, and most importantly, where the good spots are for having a steamy sex rendezvous. I love you, and your dirty mind.

Many thanks to the other hard working authors out there, who have helped guide me, support me, lent an ear, and taught me so much. You’re an inspiration to me every day with how hard you work and the determination you have to write only the best. There are far too many of you to name.

Finally, thanks to my family. Without you, there’d be no purpose in my life. I love you, heart and soul, and everything I do is for you. I can’t imagine my life without my beautiful children, who make me smile, laugh, growl, and cry. I love you. And I’m so happy to have such a large extended family. Holidays are chaotic, messy, and full of laughter.

I apologize if I left anyone out, and I know I did. I’m incredibly blessed with many people around me who inspire, selflessly help, and make my world a better place. I could write a book about just the people who mean so much.

Melody Anne

Books by Melody Anne

*The Billionaire Wins the Game – Book One

*The Billionaire’s Dance – Book Two

*The Billionaire Falls – Book Three

*The Billionaire’s Marriage Proposal – Book Four

*Blackmailing the Billionaire – Book Five

*Runaway Heiress – Book Six

*The Billionaire’s Final Stand – Book Seven

+The Tycoon’s Revenge – Book One

+The Tycoon’s Vacation – Book Two

+The Tycoon’s Proposal – Book Three

-Midnight Fire – Rise of the Dark Angel – Book One

-Midnight Moon – Rise of the Dark Angel – Book Two

See Melody on Facebook at facebook.com/authormelodyanne

Melody’s Web Site:
www.melodyanne.com

Twitter: @authmelodyanne

Coming Soon:

Midnight Storm – Rise of the Dark Angel – Book Three

The next book in Baby for the Billionaire Series: Loved by the Tycoon

New Series:
Because of Honor

The Anderson Family

Joseph Anderson –
(M)
– Katherine
Simerly

/                    /               /                                                                                        

Lucas         
Alex    
Mark

Lucas Anderson (m) Amy Harper

/                                /

Jasmine Katherine (c)          Isaiah Allen (c)

Alex Anderson (m) Jessica Sanders

/                     /                                                               

Jacob (c)           Katie (c)

Mark Anderson (m) Emily Jackson

/                       /                                                            

Trevor (a,c)       Tassia (c)

George Anderson
(M)
Amelia
Grant(d)

(M) Esther Lion

          /               /         /           /                                                                  

Trenton     Max    Bree  
Austin

Trenton Anderson (m) Jennifer Stellar

/                  /                                                   

Molly (n,a) Weston (c)

Max Anderson (m) Cassie McKentire

/                               

Ariel (c)

Bree Anderson (m) Chad Redington

/                               

Mathew (c)

Austin Anderson (m) Kinsey Shelton

/                               

Isabelle (c)

(m) = Married       (d) = deceased       (c) = child       (n) = niece      (a) = adopted

Prologue

              “I can’t believe how the time has passed. It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in my empty house, worried I’d never have grandkids. Now, not only do I have a brood of them climbing the walls, but also several great-nieces and nephews. I can’t imagine life getting much better than this.”

              “You won’t hear any arguments from me. Before I decided to move the family back home, we were falling apart. Look at me now. I’m a grandfather, and our life is how it should be. I’ll miss my Amelia until the day I die, but I finally feel like it’s okay to let go of the sorrow that’s been present since her death. What helps the most is having my children close to home, and those grandkids of mine have brought joy to my life I never thought possible again,” George replied to his twin brother, Joseph.

              The two men flew down the interstate, driving with the top down, enjoying a rare warm evening in the normally cool city of Seattle. They acted more like teenage boys, than men in their sixties, as their laughter was quickly carried away on the wind, deep into the sparkling sky.

              “I thought Katherine told you to get rid of this deathtrap several months ago,” George remarked.

              “She did, so you’d better not tell her what we’ve been up to. A little wind in our hair and bugs in our teeth rejuvenate these old bodies far more than those stinking spas she drags me to. What she doesn’t know can’t hurt her – or me.” Joseph laughed at his own joke. It didn’t take long for George to join him.

              Knowing he was doing something a little dangerous felt good. His doctor told him he had to cut back on salt. His wife said he needed to get more exercise. He was tired of doing everything that was healthy and good for him. He didn’t see anything wrong in seeking adventure once in a while. When he felt a craving for an adrenaline rush, it was either stay home and go crazy, or pull the convertible out of the garage.

              “Only one more kid to marry off. What are we going to do once we take care of Austin?” George asked.

              “I’d say you’re looking at getting married, yourself,” Joseph quickly replied.

              “Don’t you even try your matchmaking on me, Joseph Anderson. We’re a team. We don’t plot against each other,” George said in a huff. Joseph laughed at the sour expression on his brother’s face.

              “Ah, don’t worry about it, George. I wouldn’t think of doing that,” he finally said, though he made sure to cross his toes. He knew something was going on between George and Esther, but he hadn’t been able to catch the two of them yet – just give him time…

              “I know we don’t talk about it, George, but since your heart attack, I’ve felt my mortality a little more with each passing day,” Joseph said, his voice growing quiet, barely audible above the screaming wind whipping through the car.

              “I was scared, Joseph. More scared than I let anyone know. I wasn’t worried about dying. I’ve lived a good life. I was worried about my family. They’ve had enough loss with losing their mother. They don’t need to go through it again,” George said, his own voice low.