Crew, p.1
Crew, page 1
Crew
Anderson Billionaires, Book Five
By Melody Anne
Copyright © 2020 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. Beeville is a fictional town.
Printed and published in the United States of America.
Published by Melody Anne
Editing by Karen Lawson and Janet Hitchcock
Dedication
This is dedicated to my Uncle George. Yet again another loss too soon. But you get to live on forever in my heart, and the hearts of all of the family. I miss you so much. I’m also glad you’re up there with Dad in Heaven. I’ll see you both in the blink of an eye. And now I have more angels watching out for me. I love you.
Note from the Author
This is the final book in my newest Anderson series, and dang, it’s so hard for me to write! I hate ending a series. I hate letting these characters go, but then I always find ways of bringing them back for visits. I love this story of Crew and Darla. I love it because there isn’t some big emotional conflict, but outside forces instead. When I met Mike, who someday I hope to have a wedding with if the world heals sometime soon, I just knew. It was so strange to me. But within a month of dating him, I told my best friend I was going to marry this man. She laughed because I am very trusting, but at the same time, I didn’t think I’d ever marry again after getting a divorce. But I just knew with Mike. And I still know. Do I get irritated with him? Yes. Do I panic sometimes? Yes. But do I know I’ll be with him for the rest of our lives? Definitely, yes! I love him. We’ve been together for two years and the man has never yelled at me, and let me tell you, I am a brat sometimes. But he loves me, and he’s patient and kind, without being a pushover. He’s made me a better person. The bottom line is that I knew without a doubt I was going to marry him. I knew before he did, and I probably scared the hell out of him because I came in like a wrecking ball, but he’s my person, and the one I’m glad to be with while we’re locked inside far too often. So I wanted to do that with some characters. I didn’t want them afraid of love. Love is beautiful if it’s with the right person. It’s also frustrating, and annoying, and about compromises. But ultimately, it’s beautiful.
There are a few things I wanted to share with you guys in this story. I like to use real places. And I’m seriously wanting to travel! So I sent my characters to Italy. I will go to this place sometime. I’ve been to Venice but didn’t get to explore nearly enough. I really have to go to some of these other places too. I included a link so you can check them out.
I also used a real place for maple syrup in one scene. And when I can travel again, I’m so going there and getting a bottle. I support small, local business any chance I can get. I grew up poor in a small town. I know it’s these small businesses that make a community operate and I want to make sure they survive all of this craziness.
The story I wrote about Baily made me sob. It is fictional, but I based it on my youngest nephew Jesse, who is adopted. My sister was seriously stressed out until those papers were sighed. He was never taken from her, but it did take two years for them to adopt him. Agencies give the birth parents so many chances to take kids back. And just as the kids were doing in this scene, my niece and nephews love Jesse. There is ZERO doubt that he’s their brother. And if someone came in to take him, they’d probably bury them. He is my sister and brother-in-law’s son and my niece and nephews’ brother. He’s a holy terror at three years old now and an escape artist, and he’s also a very, very happy boy. His story turned out very well. But there are a lot of stories for kids that don’t turn out too well. I, myself, spent a year in foster care before my dad was able to get me out. I don’t talk about it, but I do remember it. It was awful for half the time. I was in some terrible homes. Then I was in a beautiful, loving home when my dad rescued me. We all have a story, and we should all take the time to listen to each other’s stories. I think the entire world would come together and heal if we learned to listen again.
I love you all so much! I love that you support me through my many journeys. I love that you want my books and love my characters. I live in these worlds I create and I always bring a piece of me into them. Thank you for helping me do that. Thank you for being a part of my world. I hope you are safe, healthy, and happy. Call your mom and dad, call your grandma, and grandpa, and don’t always listen when a person tells you they’re okay. None of us are fully okay until we get back to a better time. Don’t stop visiting people. We aren’t meant to be alone all the time. We can be safe and still have others. I don’t care if you do have to sit ten feet apart, make human contact. We’re not meant to be alone, and depression is a real thing. Don’t be afraid to call out to others. I love you guys and here’s to a beautiful 2021.
https://www.momandpopsmaple.com/#
https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/prettiest-small-towns-italy
With Love,
Melody Anne
Table of Contents
Dedication
Note from the Author
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
Epilogue
Note From Author Including Anderson World Read Order
Books by Melody Anne
Romance
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
BABY FOR THE BILLIONAIRE
*The Tycoon’s Revenge
*The Tycoon’s Vacation
*The Tycoon’s Proposal
*The Tycoon’s Secret
*The Lost Tycoon
*Rescue Me
THE ANDERSON BILLIONAIRES
*Finn – Book One
*Noah – Book Two
*Brandon – Book Three
*Hudson – Book Four
*Crew – Book Five
BECOMING ELENA
*Stolen Innocence – Book One
*Forever Lost – Book Two
*New Desires – Book Three
FINDING FOREVER SERIES
*Finding Forever
TAKEN BY THE TRILLIONAIRE
#1 Xander – Ruth Cardello
#2 Bryan – J.S. Scott
#3 Chris – Melody Anne
#4 Virgin for the Trillionaire – Ruth Cardello
#5 Virgin for the Prince – J.S. Scott
#6 Virgin to Conquer – Melody Anne
SURRENDER SERIES
*Surrender – Book One
*Submit – Book Two
*Seduced – Book Three
*Scorched – Book Four
UNDERCOVER BILLIONAIRES
*Kian – Book One
*Arden – Book Two
*Owen – Book Three
*Declan – Book Four
FORBIDDEN SERIES
*Bound – Book One
*Broken – Book Two
*Betrayed – Book Three
*Burned – Book Four
HEROES SERIES
*Safe in his arms – Novella
*Baby it’s Cold Outside
*Her Unexpected Hero – Book One
*Who I am with you – Book Two – Novella
*Her Hometown Hero – Book Three
*Following Her – Book Four – Novella
*Her Forever Hero – Book Five
BILLIONAIRE AVIATORS
*Turbulent Intentions – Book One (Cooper)
*Turbulent Desires – Book Two (Maverick)
*Turbulent Waters – Book Three (Nick)
*Turbulent Intrigue – Book Four (Ace)
TORN SERIES
*Torn – Book One
*Tattered – Book Two
7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS
#1 Luke – Barbara Freethy
#2 Gabe – Ruth Card ello
#3 Hunter – Melody Anne
#4 Knox – Christie Ridgway
#5 Max – Lynn Raye Harris
ANDERSON SPECIAL OPS
*Shadows – Book One
*Rising – Book Two
*Barriers – Book Three
*Broken – Book Four
*Reborn – Book Five
Young Adult / Fantasy
PHOENIX SERIES
*Phoenix Falling – Book One
*Phoenix Burning – Book Two
*Phoenix Ashes – Book Three
*Phoenix Rising – Book Four
*All links part of Amazon Affiliate Program.
Prologue
An uproar sounded in the hospital as a thunderous voice echoed through the hallways. Several people jumped, then a few started laughing.
“He’s at it again,” Dr. Spence Whitman said.
“Can we please, for the love of all that’s holy, discharge that man today?” a nurse asked, clasping her hands together in a prayer motion.
“I don’t think he’s going to give us a choice,” another nurse said. “That man just ripped out another IV and told me I’m a blood-sucking vampire who’s paid by the mob to make his life a living hell.”
“Ah, are you guys afraid of a little old man?”
They all turned, and Crew Anderson gave them a smirk. He’d heard his uncle from the second he’d stepped from the elevator. The man had managed to chase away veteran staff in a matter of seconds.
“Little . . . old . . . man? Really, Crew?” Spence asked.
Spence had been a family friend of the Andersons from the time he was in diapers. He’d been a part of their lives longer than Crew, who hadn’t known he had extended family until his mother confessed all on her deathbed.
“Isn’t he like a hundred now?” Crew asked.
“I don’t think anyone knows his actual age,” Spence said.
“Dammit, I want out of here. I’m perfectly capable of walking on my own. Where’s my wife?” Joseph shouted. Then the man of the hour stepped from his room, his hospital gown hanging on him, only reaching the middle of his thighs. If he turned around, Crew was sure they’d all see a show.
“Crew, my boy!” Joseph said, his eyes lighting up as soon as he saw his nephew. “I knew you’d come take me home. I don’t know why these idiots are insisting on keeping me here. I’m just fine.”
Joseph walked over, all six foot five, two hundred fifty pounds of him.
“It might be the fact that you were shot in the chest a week ago and had to undergo emergency surgery. If that bullet had been just a tad to the left, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now,” Crew said.
“Exactly,” Dr. Whitman added.
Joseph’s smile faded as he glared at both of them.
“A tiny little bullet can’t stop me,” Joseph said. He opened his hand, revealing the mangled piece of metal that had pierced his flesh.
“How in the world did you manage to get your hands on that?” Crew asked.
“It was in my body, therefore it’s my property. I want it as a reminder anytime my Katherine wants to do something so foolish as to release a criminal again. I’m making it into a ring so all I have to do is hold up my hand.”
“You petty old man. I don’t think that poor soul did what he did on his own. I think he was being forced,” Katherine said as she came around the corner. “I’m not happy with you, Joseph Anderson. I found a sweet little nurse back there crying, talking about the very difficult man in room three-o-three.”
Katherine was the opposite of her husband in every single way. While he was a giant of a man with a voice that could speak to an entire stadium without a microphone, she stood just a few inches above five feet with stunning blue eyes that watched them all, a gently weathered face, and a very petite frame. But it didn’t matter; the two of them fit together. It was odd to see them apart.
Joseph didn’t yell at his wife. He instantly dropped his chin.
“I’m sorry, Sweetie. I just want to go home with you,” he said, his voice very much subdued. “I certainly didn’t mean to make a sweet girl cry. I’ll buy her a house.”
Crew laughed . . . hard, which was a shock; he hadn’t done that in a while. The funny thing was, he could see Joseph doing just that. Most people apologized with a card, maybe some flowers and chocolates. Not Joseph. Nope, he’d buy someone a new house or vehicle.
“Joseph Anderson, you can’t buy your way out of this,” Katherine told him. “Your behavior has been unacceptable.”
Her petite hands were firm on her slender hips. He looked so sheepish and contrite Crew almost felt sorry for him.
“I disagree, Katherine,” Spence said. “I think he can buy his way out of this. I expect him to send a five-star catered dinner for the entire hospital staff and a floral bouquet to every nurses station.” He paused, his grin growing. “And chocolate. He owes every single one of my nurses a nice high-quality box of chocolates.”
Katherine laughed at Spence. Dr. Whitman was her hero since he’d been the leader in fighting for the care she’d needed to remove a nearly inoperable tumor from her brain.
“I think that’s a good start,” Katherine told him.
“It’s done,” Joseph said. He pulled out his phone and handed it to Katherine as if he expected her to make the calls. “Then can I go home?” he pleaded.
Crew turned so Joseph wouldn’t see his chest shaking from his silent laughter. It felt good to laugh. It felt good to focus on someone other than himself.
“It’s all up to Spence,” Katherine said. “You don’t get to leave until he says you can.” Joseph looked up in panic at Spence. He’d have given him a much meaner stare if his wife hadn’t been standing there.
“Hmm,” Spence said, quite liking the power he was wielding. He knew it wouldn’t last long, so he had to act quickly. “If all of the nurses accept your apology and there’s no more trouble, and . . .” He paused and looked pointedly at Joseph. “You’re the one to order all of the stuff instead of brushing it off on someone else, then, and only then, will I’ll sign your release papers.”
There was a gleam in Joseph’s eyes that told Spence his payback would be hell. But it was totally worth it. Not too often did someone get one over on Joseph. It felt damn good.
“Did you hear that, Uncle? If you behave you get to leave,” Crew said.
Joseph’s entire attention focused on Crew and he lost the smug look on his face.
“Since we’re confessing our sins and apologizing, are you going to tell us why you’ve been acting like such a horse’s ass?” Joseph asked.
“Nope,” Crew told him. He wasn’t ready, not yet. He had Darla Winters helping him. He was a mess right now. He knew it, but he was determined to solve the problem himself.
“You do realize I have ways of finding information. I’m about at the end of my rope, boy,” Joseph told him.
“Let me try to handle it,” Crew insisted.
Joseph paused for several tense moments. No one spoke. Patients in other rooms didn’t even cough. They were all listening. Joseph being in the hospital was better than an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
“Fine, Crew. But my patience has run out,” Joseph told him.
“Joseph, you have some phone calls to make. Why don’t you leave this boy alone?” Katherine asked.
“Of course, my sweet wife. Can I have my phone now so I can get this over with?” Joseph asked.
“I don’t know where it is,” Katherine said. She smiled at him. “Why don’t you go find it?”
Joseph’s eyes softened with concern as he looked at his wife. Spence and Crew also looked at her. No one spoke for several seconds.
“You’re holding it, Katherine,” Dr. Whitman said. “How have you been feeling lately?”
Katherine looked down at her hand in confusion. Then she laughed. “Oh, I’m just fine, Spence, just fine. I thought this was my phone,” she said.
Spence looked at Joseph, and Crew watched them both. It had only been a minute or two since Joseph had handed the phone to her. It wasn’t until that moment that Crew realized his aunt was forgetting things a lot more lately. Had the tumor done something to her brain?
