Taming the Fury: The Comedy, Conflict and Romance Series, #1

THE BILLIONAIRE BROTHERHOOD

Volume 1  -Tamed by the Billionaire

Volume 2 – Maid in the USA

Volume 3 – Billionaire’s Island Bride

Volume 4 – Dangerous Deception

Volume 5 – To Tame a Tycoon

Volume 6 – Sweet Seduction

Volume 7 – Daddy by December

Volume 8 – To Catch a Man (in 30 Days or Less)

Volume 9 –Bedding Her Billionaire Boss

Volume 10 – Her Indecent Proposal

Volume 11 – So Much Trouble When She Walked In

Volume 12 –Married by Midnight

THE BILLIONAIRE BROTHERS KENT

Book 1 – The Billionaire Next Door

Book 2 – Babies for the Billionaire

Book 3 – Billionaire’s Blackmail Bride

Book 4 – Bossing the Billionaire

THE CASTILLOS

Book 1 - Beauty and the Beastly Billionaire

Book 2 –Training the Tycoon

Book 3 –The Mogul’s Maiden Mistress

Book 4 –Eva and the Extreme Executive

HOLIDAY EDITIONS

Rome for the Holidays (Novella)

Rome for Always (Novel)

The NAUGHTY AND NICE Series

Volume 1 - Naughty by Nature

COMEDY, CONFLICT & ROMANCE Series

Book 1 – Taming the Fury

Book 2 – Outwitting the Wolf

Book 3 –Romancing Malone

COLLECTIONS

THE BILLIONIAIRE BROTHERHOOD, COLL. I – BOOKS 1 – 4

THE BILLIONIAIRE BROTHERHOOD, COLL. II – BOOKS 5 - 8

THE BILLIONIAIRE BROTHERHOOD, COLL. III – BOOKS 9 -12

BILLIONAIRE BROTHERS KENT – BOOKS 1 – 4

THE CASTILLOS – BOOKS 1 – 4

COMEDY, CONFLICY & ROMANCE – BOOKS 1 - 4

––––––––

Author contact:

www.judyangelo.com

judyangeloauthor@gmail.com

TAMING THE FURY

Multimillionaire corporate head and heiress to a wine empire, Renée Cartier is used to being the woman in charge, with everyone jumping at her command. That is, until she has a run-in with the most insufferable man she’s ever met - Logan Dunn, the director of a school that she sponsors. She can’t wait to use her power to make his life miserable until, much to her chagrin, she falls into his trap, accepting his dare, which puts her under his control, answering to him for a whole week. It ends up that this is the most eventful...and petrifying...week of her life. But it is also during this short week that she falls under Logan’s spell, realizing that he’s the man she’s been searching for, all her life.

Logan can’t wait to get revenge on the snooty diva who tries to get him fired. He devises a plan to get her under his control, with every intention of making her suffer the whole time she’s forced to work for him. At first, he succeeds, but  then, the wily woman surprises him by surviving his challenge. When she turns the tables on him, he soon finds that he’s the one fighting to survive. He’s in danger of losing, not just his dignity, but also his heart.

Comedy, conflict and romance – a tantalizing triad for those who love an entertaining romantic adventure.

3

CHAPTER ONE

Get that thing away from me. Renée swatted frantically at the hornet that was flying straight toward her face. She jumped back. Why did you take me to this godforsaken place? she squealed.

I’m sorry, but I told you, it’s good P.R. Her public relations manager rushed forward to help her. This is the perfect time for us to run a feature on you and what your money is doing out here.

When he batted the determined insect out of the way, she sighed her relief, then, still traumatized by the attack, she feverishly fingered her hair, just to make sure her attacker hadn’t found a hiding place there. When she was satisfied that she was safe, she straightened her back and marched forward, intent on reclaiming her dignity. All you told me was that you were taking me to Challenger Camp. What kind of place is this, anyway?

Roger scrambled after her. "It’s one of the non-profit organizations you support, a school for boys at risk. That’s why we’re here - to make you look good. It’s not all about your everyday business. We want the public to know you’re a phil anthropist, as well.

She rolled her eyes. And I had to come all the way out to this wilderness to tell them that? Couldn’t I have stayed in my office and talked about this place without actually coming out here? Look at it. Who in their right mind would want to be out in this wilderness, anyway?

Not feeling charitable at all, Renée looked around the campgrounds. She’d been right when she’d said it was a wilderness. There was nothing classy about the place at all. As she studied her surroundings, all she could see were low wooden cabins with log benches in front of each one, the paths from cabin to cabin nothing but dirt tracks. There wasn’t even a lawn, let alone a manicured one, like she was used to seeing. The place was more earth and mud than anything else. And it smelled awful, like cow dung, or worse. Annoyed, she flashed her hair out of her face. Let’s just do this and get it over with. I don’t want to be here a minute longer than necessary.

Roger waved to the two cameramen, urging them on. He turned again to Renée. I know this is not your cup of tea, but it’s important. We need to soften your image to the public. That post on YouTube, depicting you as a tyrant, didn’t help any. Just consider this as damage control.

Grudgingly, she slowed her pace and glanced over at him. So, what am I supposed to be doing here?

He sighed in what sounded like relief. Okay, here’s the thing. We want to give you a human face. He stopped and chuckled. No, that didn’t come out right. What I mean to say is, we want you to appear benevolent, likable. I think this will do it. We’ll film you speaking with the director, hearing how the school has changed the lives of so many boys, discussing the fact that it’s all because of you that this place has been able to stay open over the years. He gave her a smug look. It’s all about you, and that’s what’s most important, right?

And then can we get out of here? My hairdresser will be coming over this evening. He’s the best in California. He’s in high demand right now so I don’t want to miss him.

Yes, yes. Of course. We’ll wrap this up in no time.

By this time, they’d reached what looked like the main building on the compound. When they walked in, a young woman was seated at a desk. Renée didn’t bother waiting on her crew. She walked over to the woman. I’m Renée Cartier, President of Cartier Communications. I’m here to see your director. He’s expecting me.

She looked the girl up and down, wondering why one so young would be in a remote place like this. Didn’t the girl have a life? Somebody like her, looking like she was college age, should be out with her friends having fun, or at least, getting herself put together. She looked like she hadn’t been to a hair salon in months, and she wasn’t wearing makeup. A plain Jane who needed a lot of work.

When the girl didn’t move right away, she raised her eyebrows. I’m waiting. I don’t have all day.

The girl blinked, then jumped up from her chair. I’m sorry, ma’am. I was just so surprised. It’s not often that we get visitors all the way out here.

Well, you should have been expecting me. Weren’t you advised that Renée Cartier would be here today?

The girl shook her head. No, ma’am.

Renée frowned. This was not a good start. She was definitely not impressed by this operation. Let your director know that I’m here, and be quick about it. Please. She tacked on the last word so she wouldn’t sound too bossy. She’d been accused of being too domineering, but as far as she was concerned, it was necessary when you needed to get people to  move.  Still, Roger had told her they were here for damage control, so she would play nice, at least for the moment.

The girl nodded. Yes, ma’am. Right away. She rushed toward a narrow hallway, leaving Renée, Roger, and the video crew standing, watching her flight.

They were surprised when, just as she reached the corridor, she came to a sudden halt. She turned back to them. Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot. Mr. Dunn is in a class right now. One of our teachers didn’t make it back to campus for the start of the school year so Mr. Dunn is filling in. He’s with Mr. Smith’s class. She paused, looking uncertain. I don’t think I should disturb him. Would it be possible for you to wait?

Wait? Do you know how far we’re coming from? Renée stepped forward. This is unacceptable. I will not wait here a minute longer than I have to. She felt when Roger put his hand on her arm and she jerked it off. You go and get your director right now. I’m sure what he’s doing is not as important as meeting with me.

Looking defeated, the girl turned and hurried out of the office then across the yard toward one of the log cabins on the other side of the compound. She was back within minutes, but she was alone.

Where is he? Renée glared at the girl, her patience wearing thin real fast.

Her eyes widened. He says he’s not aware of an appointment with a Renée Cartier. He asks if you can wait or come back another day. This is not a good time for him to meet with you.

Renée had to fight to keep her mouth from falling open. Had she heard right? Had the man just disrespected her, refusing to come to meet with her? Where is he? she said again. He’s in that building across there, isn’t he? She stepped out of the office and onto the dirt track. Come on, she said over her shoulder. That man is going to meet with me, whether he likes it or not.

She marched across the compound, her crew in tow, until she got to the low brown building. There, she saw a man, tall and rugged, dressed in a navy blue sports jacket, speaking to a group of about a dozen or so boys, wearing army fatigues. He was gesticulating, the look on his face earnest, and the boys were paying close attention, all eyes trained on him.

Renée didn’t care. She had an appointment to meet with him, and meet with him, she would. She was Renée Cartier and no-one, especially not the director of a school she financed, would keep her waiting.

She stepped aside and jerked her head toward Roger, meaning for him to get the man’s attention, then watched as her P.R. manager beckoned to the director. The man looked over at the door, his eyes widening in surprise, indicating that he hadn’t noticed they were there. He paused his presentation and frowned, then he looked at the boys. Excuse me a minute, will you, gentlemen? He turned and headed toward the classroom door, and the closer he got the more clearly Renée could see his face. It was a striking face, with square jaw and strong cheekbones, his buzz haircut making him look stern.

He was at the door, right in front of them now. Yes? May I help you?

Roger stepped forward. I’m sorry to disturb you, but we’re from Cartier Communications. It was arranged for us to be here on the first day of school to film you speaking with Ms. Cartier, discussing her role in providing this resource to the community.

The big man frowned. I’m not aware of such an arrangement.

But...but it was arranged with the chairman of the board, Mr. Phillips. I arranged it myself. Roger’s voice ended in the air on a note that sounded doubtful.

The man folded his arms across his chest. No-one advised me of that. I will have to ask you to wait, or come back another day. You can make an appointment with the administrator.

Renée was having none of that. Do you know how far we’ve come, for this meeting? she snapped. We will not come back another day. It’s now, or never.

The man looked her up and down and in his dark eyes there was none of the awe that she was used to. On the contrary, she could have sworn she saw a hint of disdain. Make it never, then, he said coldly. That’s fine by me.

She sucked in a sharp breath, shocked by his lack of respect. We will do this feature today, or else...

Or else what?

Don’t you worry about that. Just know this. It won’t be anything nice.

Please, Renée. Roger turned to her, looking like he was going to try to appease her, but she brushed him away, and  stepped forward.

The man, eyes narrowed, turned his body and blocked the entrance. Listen, lady, as you can see, I’m in the middle of a class. I would suggest you wait until I’m available or, like I said, you can make an appointment and come back another day.

That did it. It was time for her to throw her weight around. She folded her arms across her chest. Do you know who I am?

The look he gave her was hard as granite. I don’t give a damn, he growled, then he turned, and without so much as an ‘excuse me’, he stalked back into the classroom.

Well. Renée stared after him. Talk about rude.

Roger shook his head. Well, we did show up unexpectedly. According to him, he never knew we were coming.

That’s beside the point. Obviously, we are very important people. He should have had the courtesy to accommodate us. She tossed her head, letting her hair swing away from her eyes. Let’s go. I don’t plan on staying here, being subjected to insults. She turned. I’m leaving, but that brute hasn’t heard the last of me.

She marched away, with Roger and the video crew behind her. She had never been so humiliated in her life. Being fourth generation money, respected everywhere she went, she didn’t have to put up with this. It was time for her to make her exit.

Head held high, Renée walked back across the yard, determined not to look back. She would not give that man the satisfaction.

But maybe she should have been looking down, at least part of the time. She suddenly felt her right shoe sink into something soft and squishy. She gasped and looked down just in time to see her Manola