Forbidden Contract — L.A. Miller

Beckett Birmingham needs to clinch a deal with Regina Montgomery if his families contracting business is to maintain a lucrative contract that requires their position in the South. His older brother Trent tried to purchase Montgomery and Sons and his other brother Justin tried to underbid their contracts forcing them to sell but neither were successful. However Beckett's done his homework and knows the matriarch Regina Montgomery is unaware of the financial condition of her late husband's company. Since his death his son and grandsons have cut corners, been hit with several lawsuits and lost several contracts in their efforts to make a profit. Once presented with his offer he is certain Regina will see it is her only option. Beckett didn't count on her doing her own homework and counter offering. Bailey Montgomery is the estranged granddaughter of Regina Montgomery. When her father chose to go against his family wishes and marry a girl beneath his station his parents turned their backs on him. Moving his young bride to California he began his own firm and shortly afterwards their first child was born. After several miscarriages another daughter and then finally a son joined the family. However tragedy struck when first Bailey's father was killed by a drunk driver and her mother was diagnosed with cancer while pregnant with her brother. Opting not to have treatment till after her brother was born her mother succumbed to the disease shortly after her brother was born. At the age of 19 she was left with a two year old sister and a two month old brother to raise. For a while Bailey is able to keep them afloat but her brother's illness and the loss of a job has kept her one step ahead of the bill collectors. Regina Montgomery has done everything in her power to save the family name. When Beckett requests a meeting to discuss purchasing her husband's company she has her attorney and accountants do a little digging. Learning the company is about to go under and the name will be dragged through the courts she comes up with a plan of her own. Knowing the prejudices of the South she understands that it would take more than purchasing the company for the Birmingham's to be successful. They are Yankees and the South has bitter memories of the war. It would require a merger of the two families. When Beckett is presented with this counter option he first thinks it's a joke. Realizing she is serious he listens and the old woman begins to make sense. Marry her granddaughter in name only, establish their presence and reputation and at the end of one year a clean divorce and all parties gain. Beckett gains the business and retains a major contract; Regina retains her husband's good name and a nest egg for her family. The only problem is the granddaughter Regina chose ran off and married a drummer in Las Vegas. Regina must now convince Bailey to assume the role. Bailey's first reaction to her grandmother is to throw her out but when she learns the authorities are on their way to remove her brother and sister and put them in foster care she has no option. The only plus to the deal is that her grandmother has added a contact clause forbidding any sexual contact between the happy couple. However upon first meeting the chemistry between the two is ignited and they find it increasingly harder to resist. In a world where old prejudices have not died, where the elite are known to make wagers on other lives behind the privacy of their clubs Beckett and Bailey must decide which course to take. Follow the contract and deny their growing desire for each other or risk it all for the chance of a love.