The Wildcat that Tamed the Tycoon Read online

  He turned and got back in his car. He grabbed his phone from the passenger seat and opened the gallery on his phone, chuckling when he opened the last picture he took with his phone camera. He magnified the image and smiled when the registration number of her bike was clearly visible.

  “Yip, Wildcat … I always get what I want!”

  Chapter Two

  “I am still mad at you, Maddy! When are we ever going to see you again? I so wish you and Dad could patch things up. Could you please try?”

  “I phoned him before I left, Grace. He did not even utter one word; he just put the phone down. I am afraid he will never forgive me for keeping Grand Pops inheritance to myself.”

  “But you didn’t! You gave half of it to David and me! Just so that you know, we have not used any of that money. We both decided it is your due otherwise he would not have given it to you. With what is going on between you and Dad, we will get enough from him. Hold on …”

  Madison flinched, but knew her father already disinherited her the same day she walked out of his house.

  “David said he already transferred the money back into your account this morning.”

  “Grace, no!”

  “No Maddy, it is done. It is your money, with interest it earned the past eight years. If you don’t want it, donate it to welfare or something. Now tell me, what does your new boss look like?”

  Madison laughed. “I have no idea. I only arrived yesterday morning and have been unpacking the whole day. I suppose I will only meet him tomorrow, which is my official starting day.”

  “I’ve read up on the Dalton’s. They are one of the riches Oil Magnate’s in the USA. They also made all their refineries and rigs as green as possible. Oh, and they are hunks! Better hold on to your panties, sis! You know what the Texan’s are like!”

  “I’m afraid I don’t. But I do agree; there are major hunks in this town.” Her mind wandered to the scene on the side of the road yesterday morning and she felt her groin tighten. She learned very quickly what Texan’s were like! Or rather one specific Texan!

  “Mad … you’re not still hung up on Andreas, are you?”

  “No. I’m afraid I think you may have been right.”

  “That you didn’t really love him? I knew it! There was no spark between you. You are too fiery for someone like him. But that means you could come back!”

  Madison sighed. “No Grace. I thought about it long and hard before I took this job. Moving so far away from Washington was the right thing to do. I had three offers in the surrounding area I could have taken. It is time for me to be me. I would never be able to do that there.”

  “I understand. The local tabloids to this day write articles about you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Argh … me and my big mouth. There was an article about you walking out on your fiancé. How he was not of the … right stature for the high and mighty Phillips family.”

  Madison sighed. “I just hope no one here realizes who I am. I am so sick and tired of all the … imagine that … I walked out on him. They did not even bother to find out the truth.”

  “Well, I’m sorry to say, sis. They got the story from him. That was his rendition of what happened.”

  “That bloody snake! I should have castrated him when I found him with that air hostess!”

  They chatted a while longer and then said their goodbyes. Her good mood properly destroyed.

  Madison was the eldest daughter of the prestigious Phillips Financial Corporation family. Her father was the founder and CEO of one of the biggest and most successful Banks in the United States. As the eldest sibling it was expected that she follow in her father’s footsteps and take over as CEO one day. Throughout her school years she was pushed in Accounting and Financial development, even attending Varsity classes from the age of fourteen on Financial Banking.

  With an IQ of one hundred and forty five she was exceptionally gifted and matriculated at the age of fifteen and immediately went to Harvard University who already accepted her application a year prior. She passed her Financial Business degree and continued to a Master degree which she achieved Cum Laude, at the young age of twenty. Her father burst with pride and pushed her to enroll for her PhD. Her life consisted of studying, working at the Bank, socializing with the elite of Washington and studying some more. The day she walked into the Bank it was as the COO, she was that good and she had just turned twenty.

  Madison hated every moment of it. Her fiery nature was too strong for such a strict environment. The walls around her every day of her life entrapped her. She had no life as a young teenager. She was not allowed to go to parties, sleepovers with friends and dating was never an option. Her social life consisted of stiff corporate functions rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous and she had no friends left by the time she left Varsity. She was living the life of a hardened business woman at the age of twenty one. Her parents of course were blissfully unaware of her unhappiness. She knew and had no choice but to accept that it was her legacy. It was her duty as the eldest daughter and she would fulfill their expectations.

  When Grand Pops became sick, she was devastated. He was the only one that understood her and tried to be a buffer with her family. On his deathbed he told her every person was the driver of their own happiness, no one else.

  “Do what makes you happy, my little girl. Find that which feeds your soul and enriches your life. Do not allow others to force you on a path you don’t want. You owe that to yourself. You don’t owe anyone else anything, not even your parents. Remember that, my darling Mad. I made sure you will have the ability to do that. We got your pilot’s license without them knowing and I know that is your passion. Promise me you will find yourself. Promise me, Mad!”

  She cried on his chest and he stroked her hair and she promised on a whisper. He smiled, kissed her forehead and passed away with a smile on his face.

  He left his whole estate to her and she became a Billionaire overnight. Her father was livid and made it clear that the estate belonged to the family and she should transfer everything into a family trust fund. The funds would then be utilized to expand and fund new developments at Phillips Financial Corporation. She refused, remembering his words and her promise on his deathbed. They had a major fall out.

  That was when Madison stood up against her formidable father for the first time. The end result was that she walked away. She walked away from Phillips Financial Corporation, she walked away from the hateful socialite life her status forced on her, she walked away from the continued studying, and she walked away from her father and mother. It was only her brother and sister, who were twins and eighteen at the time that still kept in contact with her. They were very upset when she left Washington, but she did what was best for her.

  She grimaced. Unfortunately, when she left, they were pushed in the same direction as she. Now at twenty six, Grace served on the Executive level at the bank and David as the COO. She was not so sure Grace really wanted to work so close to her father, but David as the strong one of the twins, as well as the oldest, stood up to Bill Phillips and was well liked by everyone at the Bank.

  She smiled thinking of Grand Pops. He knew about her passion to become a pilot and desire to fly all types of aircraft and he made sure she could. She got her pilot license when she turned sixteen and continued until she had licenses and full competence on Boeings and helicopters as well.

  Airwolf! She chuckled. That was where it began. She watched reruns of the television series Airwolf with Grand Pops and since then it was all she wanted to do. She kept her promise to her grandfather and she became the best she could be as a pilot. She shot to the top, but flying Boeings were boring and Andreas her fiancé cheating on her with Sheila Brookes, gave her the reason she was looking for to make a chance.

  The offer from Dalton Oil was not the best she got, but it sounded the most exciting. An added benefit was the fact that it was in Texas, away from the Phillips regime that still ruled her life even though s
he walked away from it eight years ago.

  She finished unpacking the last of her books and took a quick shower. Tomorrow was her first day, and she wanted to get to bed early and be well rested. She was not sure exactly what was expected of her apart from always being on hand to fly the brothers all over the world, but was still excited about the direction her life has taken.

  “Shane! Get up, little bro. There is a problem at the Keller plant.”

  Logan shook him, but only elicited a groan and he turned over on his stomach.

  “Shane! Bloody hell … well, you asked for it!”

  He grabbed his shoulder on the far side and rolled him roughly over and stepped back when he fell on the floor with a thump. He sat up looking around dazedly and growled at Logan.

  “Was that bloody necessary?”

  “Get over it. Keller … get dressed. I’ll phone the pilot.”

  “Ehm … she only starts tomorrow.”

  Logan waved at the digital clock on the bedside table. “It is already tomorrow. Five minutes!”

  He walked back to his bedroom, snapping his jeans shut. He picked up the phone on the bedside table and dialed the number six, the direct connecting line to the pilot’s cottage. He thrummed his fingers on the table listening to the ring tone, a grin on his mouth.

  “H’lo.”

  He nearly laughed aloud at the sleepy mumble in his ear. He made his voice stern and sharp.

  “Wake up miss. This is Logan Dalton. We have a crisis at the Keller plant. Have the chopper ready in five.”

  “Hmm.”

  His grin widened. What was her name again? “Madison Phillips!”

  “Hmmm.”

  Now he got irritated. If he had to battle this much to wake her in the middle of the night, giving her a chance was going to be a short one!

  “MADISON!” He shouted in the phone.

  “Up … I’m up.”

  “You better be. Five minutes!”

  He dropped the phone, quickly finished dressing and ran downstairs. He shouted at Shane that he was leaving. He sat rapping his fingers on the steering wheel when Shane came running out and grumbled as he got into the car.

  “It was not necessary to push me off the bed. I’ve got a lump the size of a golf ball on my head!”

  “Seems you and my new pilot has the same problem. It took forever to get through her sleepy haze. I’m still not sure she actually woke up. Let’s see if giving her a chance ends right here.”

  “That’s not giving her a chance!”

  Shane released a sigh of relief when they pulled into the hanger and saw that the chopper was already started up and the blades turned slowly. He looked at Logan and winked at him.

  “It seems she can titivate in a few minutes.”

  “Ghmph.”

  They walked towards the chopper, Shane got in at the back and Logan headed for the front seat. He was also a qualified pilot and was the backup pilot should something go wrong during a trip. He worked a lot whilst travelling to and from sites, which was why he decided to appoint a pilot six years ago.

  They settled the earphones on their heads and he watched the pilot scan the build-in GPS for the pre-programmed coordinates. There was a lot of additional modern equipment specially built in to make piloting it easy. He was surprised and suitably impressed that she knew what to do and where to touch. She wore a tight fitting pilot suit and had a cap on her head that was pulled down low over her eyes. Her hair was caught in a pony that was pulled through the opening at the back of the cap, but her face were in the shadows, so he could not form an opinion on her as yet.

  “Morning, Madison, I am Logan Dalton and in the back is Shane.” He saw her back stiffen and her head swung in his direction.

  “No bloody shit!”

  Desire slammed through him instantaneously when he recognized the husky voice and a slow grin formed on his lips.

  Shane literally jumped forward between the seats and she glanced at him. “Hot damn!” He stared at her and looked towards Logan noticing the grin on his mouth.

  “I guess the world is a small place, after all.”

  Logan drawled in his sexy warm voice and Madison snapped her head forward and nearly screamed in frustration. She nearly jumped off the chopper when he leaned over and pulled the collar of her jumpsuit away. His finger was fire on her skin when he softly stroked the love bite in her neck. She slapped his hand away and he laughed.

  “Very small indeed!”

  What bloody luck! How could fate be so cruel? She bit her lip and straightened her back. She reached for the throttle and opened it all the way. When proper RPM was reached she pulled the collective up, pushed the left pedal down as the pitch increased and adjusted the cyclic to level the chopper. Once high enough, she pressed forward and immediately increased speed and pointed the chopper’s nose as directed by the GPS on the small screen in front of her.

  Logan was impressed with her take off and how she controlled the large chopper. There was not even a slight shudder during takeoff, which most skilled pilots battled with when flying a strange helicopter for the first time.

  Her voice rasped softy in the headphones, calling the control tower at the Meacham International Airport, logging their flight route. The minute the call was logged the man asked excitedly.

  “Bubblelicious? Maddy, is that you?”

  Logan’s hand fisted and Madison groaned.

  “Hi Daniel, yes it’s me.”

  “Wow, what are you doing in Texas? We were all quite upset when we heard you left American Airlines. Wait … NO … you’re Dalton Oil’s new pilot? Well, that’s good news. Phone me when you’re off, we’ll get together.”

  “Will do. Any traffic ahead?”

  “None. Have to go … remember to call, Bubblelicious.”

  She chose to ignore the direct stare from the man sitting beside her and concentrated on getting them to Keller as quickly as possible. She read up some on oil refineries and knew there were a lot that could go wrong on a rig. She was told by the agent that interviewed her for the job that the Daltons were hands on with all aspects of their operations. Hence the reason for a pilot to be on hand twenty four seven.

  Shane could not contain his curiosity any longer and leaned forward between the seats.

  “Bubblelicious? It sounds … “

  “Stupid, something only Varsity pals can come up with.”

  “Tell us more.” She glanced at him and smilingly shook her head.

  “I’d rather not. May I ask what the problem is at Keller?”

  Shane sat back in his seat and left it to Logan to respond. His answer was abrupt and short.

  “There are labor disputes and someone got hurt.”

  She waited for more, but he was clearly annoyed. Damn Daniel. Literally ten minutes on the job and she was in trouble already.

  “I’d appreciate you keeping your lovers in check when you’re on duty.”

  “Guess there goes this job for me then.”

  His head swung in her direction. “And why is that?”

  “I wouldn’t want to keep you in check, Babe. Besides, I have a very strict rule never to sleep with my boss … and I have every intention sleeping with you.”

  Shane laughed so hard it was a wonder he didn’t fall out of the chopper. The arousal Logan tried to keep under control since he heard her voice, slammed instantaneously and fully erect against his pants again.

  “You should wait until you’re invited, Wildcat.”

  “Waiting makes for long, lonely nights, Babe and I am not getting any younger. I believe in taking action … much like you, I suppose … if memory serves me right?”

  “Wow … what did I miss? Come on, Logan, out with it”

  “None of your business, little bro. I wonder … is this bravery of yours a front to put me off, or is this your roundabout way of telling me hands off.”

  “Damn, you are as clever as they say!”

  Shane laughed even harder and Madison couldn’t help but
chuckle with. She glanced at Logan and noticed his hard, unsmiling stare and she swallowed her laugh. She cleared her throat.

  “I am sorry, sir. Sometimes my mouth tends to run away with me. Grand Pops always used to say, I should really think before I yak. Guess this was one of those times.”

  Fortunately for her they reached the rig at that point and she circled to land on the clearly lit helipad. She noticed the group of rowdy workers standing on the side of the plant. A tall grey haired man was trying to reason with them and assist those hurt at the same time.

  Both the Dalton’s jumped from the chopper before it even settled on the ground and she shut it down and did all the checks before she slowly walked around the chopper, not sure what she was allowed or not allowed to do in such situations. She decided to walk closer and see if she could assist with those hurt. Over the years she also qualified as a medic and could assist in any medical emergency if needed.

  She opened the side panel and lifted the heavy emergency kit and jogged closer. She assessed the injuries and immediately headed for a large blond man bleeding profusely from a gash on his head. Before she reached him her path was blocked by snarling riggers.

  “Stay away bitch!”

  She looked up and pushed her cap back. The redhead giant in front of her flinched when he met her gaze.

  “And how would you know, buster? You don’t know me, and I sure as hell don’t want to know you. Now, is he one of yours?”

  “Yes, and no Dalton is going to lay their hands on him.”

  She noticed a frantic movement in her direction and she shook her head slightly, hoping Logan would pay her attention. She dumped the heavy kit and slammed her fists in her waist.

  “Correct me if I am wrong, buster, but do you all not work for the Daltons?”

  “Yes, but …”

  “And do they pay your salaries every month?”

  “Yes, but …”

  “And was it them that hurt these men over here?”

  He was silent for long and shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes darting to his mates all drooping their shoulders.

  “Well, no, but …”