Read Online To Charm A Billionaire (Men of Monaco Book 1) by Michelle Monkou - Free Book Online

the elevator.
    "No." Jacques being tightlipped with him was unusual.
    During many heated disagreements with his father, Damien appreciated the attorney's support. A few times he suffered Jacques's scolding, but always with a bit of tough love to ease the sting, unlike Philippe's hammer-like approach.
    The timing of Jacques's presence didn't feel like a coincidence. And his silence didn't leave Damien to think that they were going to be a fighting duo against his father.
    As soon as the elevator doors slid open, Damien stepped off with singular determination and briskly marched toward Philippe's inner circle of assistants.
    "Mr. Laurent, your father is expecting you."
    Damien nodded at the secretary without slowing his pace.
    The doors opened before he planted his hand on the door knob.
    "Dallon?" He was shocked to see his eldest brother.
    Dallon offered a weak smile but said nothing as he moved aside for Damien to enter. His brother's unkempt hair, sunbaked skin, and casual fashion style meant that he'd probably stepped off his yacht in time for this meeting. Despite the laid back demeanor, Dallon had a keen business sense that was turned on to full blast whenever he sat behind his desk.
    To his right, he spied his youngest brother. "Dane."
    His brother nodded at him, but couldn't produce a smile or greeting. No surprise there.
    Nevertheless, Damien's stomach twisted under the pressure. No matter how hard he tried to pretend that he was unbothered by his father, he dreaded this meeting after the spoiler alert from the reporter."
    "Glad you finally came to see me." Philippe beckoned to his sons to sit at the small conference table in his office. "You may leave, Jacques."
    Damien looked over to his mentor, but the attorney's impassive expression shut him out. With only a short nod, Jacques left the room. The unnecessary eviction poked at Damien's irritability. He glared at his father whose smirk highlighted the deliberate gesture to remove any outside support.
    Philippe Laurent earned the nickname Monaco's silver fox. Meticulous with every detail of his image, he had a slick look that could get him a walk-on part in an organized crime movie.
    Jewelry was kept to a minimum with a diamond crusted pinky ring that had sentimental value that he never shared. He'd long ago ditched the suits that Dane now chose to wear like an over-enthusiastic apprentice.
    Philippe's wardrobe sported the exclusive members-only country club attire that looked casual to the unsophisticated eye but flashed his wealth with those likeminded folk in his inner circle.
    The silver fox had a thick mane of hair worn like the infamous American mafia boss, Gotti, off the face and kept in control with a variety of hair products and a constantly trimmed haircut. As for the fox label, well, he was quite good looking in an old Hollywood way. Without the aid of a plastic surgeon's magic, his father skin didn't boast any wrinkles. There were a few lines for character and a golden tan to add to his too-rich-to-care mystique.
    But to think that Philippe didn't care about his business was a mistake. His competitors learned the errors of their haste to judgment whenever they tried to go against him in contracts or with their plans to increase market share in his territory. The man should be renamed shark or bastard as so many called him behind his back.
    Damien took the seat that was deliberately left available next to his father. He glanced over to Dallon who continued to smile with an apologetic cast of his eyes. Dane, however, had his mouth set tight as if readying for a fight. His gaze met Damien's in an open challenge.
    "Damien, glad you could make it. I thought you might be under the weather to miss my event a few nights ago. But then ..." His father slid over a folded newspaper. "Then, I saw that you chose other options."
    From the large photo spread, the camera had zoomed in on him as he waved to someone on his right. His other hand was on Anna's lower back as she