Finn

  PRAISE FOR MELODY ANNE

  “A second chance story packed with suspense, heat, and family.”

  —Harlequin Junkie on Owen

  “The Undercover Billionaire series is a great contemporary romance series about this family of billionaire brothers who live normal everyday lives even though they are rich.”

  —Fresh Fiction on the Undercover Billionaire series

  OTHER TITLES BY MELODY ANNE

  BILLIONAIRE AVIATORS

  Turbulent Intentions

  Turbulent Desires

  Turbulent Waters

  Turbulent Intrigue

  BILLIONAIRE BACHELORS

  The Billionaire Wins the Game

  The Billionaire’s Dance

  The Billionaire Falls

  The Billionaire’s Marriage Proposal

  Blackmailing the Billionaire

  Runaway Heiress

  The Billionaire’s Final Stand

  Unexpected Treasure

  Hidden Treasure

  Holiday Treasure

  Priceless Treasure

  The Ultimate Treasure

  UNDERCOVER BILLIONAIRES

  Kian

  Arden

  Owen

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Text copyright © 2019 by Melody Anne

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Montlake Romance, Seattle

  www.apub.com

  Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake Romance are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

  ISBN-13: 9781542015936

  ISBN-10: 1542015936

  Cover design by Letitia Hasser

  Cover photography by Wander Aguiar Photography

  This book is dedicated to Doug Whichman. You changed this entire story with your help and military knowledge. Some friendships start in the best ways.

  CONTENTS

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  CHAPTER FORTY

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

  EPILOGUE

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The first book in a new series is always the most difficult to write. I’m very lucky to have Joseph Anderson, who seems to make his way into every series I write, helping me out in the beginning. And with this series, it’s a continuation of my very first series I ever wrote—my ever-important Anderson family.

  But this time I wanted to stretch my limits, and I also wanted to write about something that matters. I was thinking of doing a center for domestic violence to center the series around; then I talked with my editor, and we decided a veterans center would be much better. And I’m so grateful for that because once that was worked out, this story took off. But I was still struggling with what direction to go with it. And then I met the fantastic Doug Whichman, who this book is dedicated to. He’s been in the service for eighteen years and shared so much of his journey with me! I lost my writer’s block, and the story changed and flowed after that.

  One of the greatest aspects of my job is the research I get to do. Doug invited me to the National Guard base in Salem, Oregon, and I was like a child in a candy store as I got to tour this fantastic place. It’s a search and rescue unit, and all the people who talked to me were so helpful and amazing. I want to give a special thanks to Dittman, O’Brien, and Nelson for taking the time to talk to me and help me make this story as accurate as possible. I always worry when I write military stuff because I don’t want to fail these men and women who dedicate their lives to all of us. On this tour I got to sit in a Black Hawk helicopter, take pictures, and hear amazing stories. I have four books left in this series, and I can’t wait for my next visit. I’m trying to make my way up into the air in one of these amazing machines. I don’t know if that will happen. : )

  As always, I don’t write a book alone. I have a team of people who make it possible for me to do what I do. My besties, Stephanie and Ridgley, sat with me as we outlined this series—and possibly finished a few bottles of wine. Then my editors, Lauren and Lindsey, worked through the story with me to perfect the characters and the journeys they will take. And the Army National Guard base in Salem changed the entire direction the series will take with their knowledge and help.

  I’m so blessed to do what I do. I never forget that. I hope you love this new series, as it’s become so special to me. I’m excited to see where it goes next as I grow and change in life. This year has been an adventure for me, and I’m not even close to seeing it end. So my characters of course will grow as well.

  Joseph is so happy to be back on the pages again, meddling in the lives of his newest family members. Come and take a ride with us as we get to hear some real stories from real military members and have some fun along the way.

  PROLOGUE

  Joseph Anderson wasn’t a man who lived with regrets. He’d enjoyed a blessed life with family and friends, and even if there had been bumps in the road along the way, he figured that was all just a part of who he was today.

  He was in the prime of his life, in his humble opinion. He didn’t care that his hair and beard had gone white many years earlier. He didn’t care that his smooth skin had become wrinkled, and he didn’t care that it took him a few extra seconds to rise from his favorite easy chair in his den after having a drink of fine scotch and possibly sneaking a few puffs from a favorite cigar.

  Age was just a number, and it wasn’t something that would define him or slow him down. There was still a lot of life to live, and he wasn’t going to waste a single moment of time. Right now he was sitting back in his favorite chair, a smile on his lips.

  Family.

  At the end of the day, it all came down to family. Whether a man was rich or poor in the financial sense, he’d die a wealthy man if he had a good family. Maybe there had been a time or two in Joseph’s life he’d . . . um . . . helped his family along, and maybe, just maybe, they might’ve called that meddling, but to date he hadn’t steered a single one of his children or nieces and nephews wrong. And h
e’d even been kind enough to help some of his friends out in expanding their beautiful families. That was commitment, in his humble opinion.

  Instead of making accusations at him, they should be throwing big parties in his honor, thanking him for seeing what they needed before they were even aware they needed it. But a man didn’t do what he did to be praised. He did it because he loved big-time. Everything Joseph did was done on a grand scale. And that was something that would never change.

  “Charlie, can you get the car ready?” Joseph asked over his speaker.

  “Yes, sir. Where would you like to go?”

  “The hospital,” Joseph told him.

  It took a few seconds longer to stand than it used to, but soon he was moving toward the door. After a couple of steps, the kinks in Joseph’s back were gone, and he picked up his pace as he made his way to the front of the house.

  That morning Joseph had received a phone call that had stunned him. It took a lot to surprise a man who’d lived many lifetimes in his short years on this earth. But this call had at first shocked him and then brought him immense pleasure as he’d sat there for a while, basking in the news he’d been given.

  Joseph had nearly hung up the phone when no one had answered his hello, but something in him told him to wait. Then she’d spoken. He hadn’t recognized her voice. Why would he have? It had been over thirty years since he’d last seen her.

  Sandra Anderson.

  She’d been married to his awful uncle, Neilson Anderson, who had faked his own death, then run away like the coward he’d been his entire life. Joseph hadn’t expected to ever hear from his uncle’s wife again. She’d come many years before, a baby in her arms, and then she’d disappeared into the night. Joseph had used his unlimited resources trying to find her, but it had done no good. She’d vanished without a trace.

  Now, over thirty years later, she was back . . . and sadly, she was dying. And one of her last requests was to speak to Joseph.

  Sandra had been twenty-five years younger than Joseph’s uncle. But that man had always been a terrible person. After faking his own death, he’d waited for his wife and infant son to collect the insurance money; then he’d grabbed her up and whisked her away to South America, where he’d had four more children with her.

  Once her husband had died, Sandra had scrimped and saved and brought her children back to Seattle, but she’d been ashamed of the money she’d stolen from Joseph many years before. It broke Joseph’s heart that he’d missed out on knowing his family because of a little bit of cash. Money came and went, but family was forever.

  But it was never too late. He’d make things right with his newest family members. After all, they were Andersons. And that meant something in Joseph’s book. They had no idea where they came from, but they were about to find out.

  Once family, always family.

  Joseph smiled as he climbed into the back of his car. It looked like he had a new project to keep him occupied. That was why he’d never grow old. He had too many family members needing him—and he was more than willing to give them a hand—whether they realized they needed his help or not.

  It didn’t take long for Joseph to arrive at the hospital. And George was right behind him. One of their triplets, Richard, was out of town on business, but he’d want to be a part of this new addition to their family, too. He’d already been informed.

  By the time Joseph and George left Sandra’s room, Joseph had to turn away to hide the tears shining in his eyes. She was sorry she’d taken the kids from him, sorry to have deprived them of a loving family.

  Joseph wasn’t a man to hold a grudge. She’d been scared and lied to for years by the man who should’ve cherished her—the man who’d married her—Joseph’s rotten uncle. It wasn’t her fault, and Joseph truly meant it as he told her he’d take care of her children and that he found her brave to come to him now.

  He and George didn’t speak as they exited the hospital. Then the two of them stood there for a while as they took in this new information they’d been given. Finally Joseph turned and smiled at George.

  “It looks like we have five family members in need of our help, brother,” George said with a sly smile.

  Joseph beamed. “Why, I believe you are correct, George,” Joseph said with a chuckle.

  “We’d better get started. We’ve lost a lot of time already,” George said.

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Joseph replied.

  The two of them fist-bumped like they were teenagers as they moved toward the awaiting vehicle. They had too much to plan to take separate cars. They had five boys to take care of, none of whom were married. Joseph felt like a kid in a candy store.

  “Let the matchmaking begin,” he said as George poured each of them a scotch.

  They clinked glasses and put their heads together. Life was good—it was always so, so good.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Three Months Later

  The slight limp Finn Anderson was still experiencing as he walked into the posh room at an expensive lawyer’s office had him scowling, something he’d found himself doing too much of lately. It had been three months since the bomb that had ruined his career had gone off, and he was still dealing with the repercussions of the incident.

  For a man of action, having any limitations whatsoever was something very hard for him to swallow. He followed the hall to the room he’d been summoned to, and when he opened the door, he was glad to see one of his brothers waiting.

  “Do you know what this is about?” Finn asked Noah Anderson, the second oldest in his line of siblings.

  “Not a clue, but I was told it was important,” Noah replied.

  “Maybe we’re getting a big inheritance from a supersecret ninja society,” Brandon, the comedian of the family, said as he stepped in the door right behind Finn. Finn was irritated he hadn’t known he was back there. Even his senses seemed to be messed up from the explosion.

  “Keep on hoping, little brother,” Finn said.

  “Well, this is a pretty classy office,” Brandon pointed out.

  “Yeah, way too nice for the likes of you to be stepping foot inside,” their youngest brother, Crew, said as he entered the room.

  “Look, Shrinky Dink, I think we’re all here because you messed with the wrong patient,” Hudson said as he entered.

  “I’m the only sane one in this family,” Crew pointed out as he sat down.

  “Are you supposed to say that?” Brandon asked. “Don’t you have a code of ethics or something?”

  “Shut up,” Crew told his brother with a smile.

  “Now, I know you aren’t supposed to say that. You make your money off of people talking too much. Should I lie back and tell you all my problems?” Brandon persisted.

  “I don’t have enough time in the world to hear your problems,” Crew said.

  That got a chuckle from the entire group.

  “Man, it’s been a while since we were all in the same room. We can be thankful for at least that much in being called here,” Noah said.

  “Well, hopefully someone is going to tell us what in the hell it’s all about,” Finn said. He was impatient and not in the mood to be in the fancy offices.

  “If you hold on to your big-boy panties, then maybe we’ll find out,” Crew told him.

  “At least I wear proper underwear,” Finn pointed out.

  “Have you been going through my drawers again?” Crew asked. “Jealous that I can fill mine out?”

  Brandon laughed at that.

  “Trust me—there’s no problem in me filling anything out,” Finn growled.

  “I don’t know. You seem a bit broken still,” Crew persisted.

  “You’re an ass,” Finn told him. “I’m just fine.”

  “Knock it off before someone walks in and thinks we’re utterly uncivilized,” Crew said. He was always the calmest of all of them.

  “Yeah, yeah, shrink away at us,” Noah grumbled.

  “This family needs me more
than I’m able to help,” Crew said.

  “Wait a minute—” There was a noise at the door that stopped whatever Finn had been about to say.

  “Thank you all for coming here today.”

  The room went dead silent as all five brothers turned to see the infamous Joseph Anderson filling the doorway of the conference room. What in the hell was a man who was basically royalty doing with them?

  This man owned half the businesses in Seattle, provided tens of thousands of jobs, donated tens of millions of dollars each year, and ran many charity organizations. On top of that he was known as a family man. There were rumors he was a meddler, but no one ever had a bad thing to say about Joseph Anderson—and many reporters had tried to dig up some juicy gossip. There was just none to be had.

  As the oldest brother, Finn had always taken the lead in any new situation in their lives. Slowly, he rose to his feet, which encouraged his brothers to follow suit.

  “Mr. Anderson, is there something we can help you with?” Finn asked.

  “Good. You know who I am,” Joseph said as he waved a hand in front of his face. “Sit down. There’s no need for us to be formal.”

  Finn had to hide a smile at Joseph’s words. Of course they knew who he was. Was there anyone who didn’t?

  Joseph moved to the head of the table, where a seat was still available. No one sat until Joseph was seated; then, with confused looks, they followed suit.

  “It would be very difficult not to know who you are,” Brandon said with a smirk. “Considering you own half of Seattle.”

  That earned a chuckle from Joseph, which shocked Finn. He hadn’t expected a man as powerful as Joseph to have a sense of humor.

  “I wouldn’t say I own exactly half of Seattle,” Joseph said, zero humility in his tone. “But I definitely own a lot of it. I like business, and I like helping others find their calling in life.” He paused for a moment as he looked each of the brothers in the eyes. Finn wasn’t easily intimidated, but he found this moment a bit over the top.

  “Well, I don’t believe in beating around the bush, so I’ll get right to the point,” Joseph said. Finn found himself tensing as he waited for whatever words were next to come out of this man’s mouth.