The Fine Print (Dreamland Billionaires, #1)

by Lauren Asher

There are only a few individuals I tolerate, and my grandfather was one of them. And now he’s gone.

Cal places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze.

My middle brother might look dressed to the nines in a pressed suit and perfectly styled blond hair, but his red-rimmed eyes tell a completely different story.

“No, but you need a reason for scaring off our biggest Shanghai hotel investor.”

The photograph was taken during a family trip to Dreamland when my brothers and I were

Declan stands by Grandpa’s side,

Residual allergies from spring in the city. That’s all.

“There’s no rest for the wicked.” “And even less for the wealthy.” Declan stops by my other side.

His suit matches his dark hair, which only adds to his cloak-and-dagger look.

This one’s for you, Grandpa.

Dreamland’s Princess Cara’s Castle wax seal intact. The lawyer

To my sweet little Rowan,

You each have been given a task to complete to receive your percentage of the company after my death.

So to you, Rowan, the dreamer who stopped dreaming, I ask you one thing… Become the director of Dreamland and bring the magic back.

Declan leans back in his chair as he takes a sip from his tumbler. “If there’s anyone who has a right to be pissed, it’s me. I’m the one who needs to marry someone and impregnate them to become CEO.”

Cal’s letter from the floor and gives it a bored glance. “Alana? Interesting. Wonder why Grandpa thought it would be a good idea for you to reunite again.”

there’s one lesson we learned from Seth Kane, it’s that love may come and go, but hate lasts forever.

My eyes drift shut at the intoxicating smell—a mix of flowers, citrus, and something I can’t quite place.

Zahra. Her name fits the wildness I’ve only had a tiny taste of.

There’s only one thing I need to focus on, and my goal has nothing to do with a woman who dared to call me an asshole and laugh about it.

He first gained attention after being the tie-breaker vote against increasing the minimum wage for employees.

That’s the thought that keeps me sane in a world built on nothing but haunted memories and broken dreams.

I’ll always come out on top because the child he once knew no longer exists. I made sure of that.

“But nothing. Lance lied because he wanted to hold you back long enough for him to steal your idea.”

“Because that’s what friends are for. We need to push each other out of our comfort zones. Because if you’re not afraid—”

“Then you’re not growing.” I smile back at her.

you’re applying for the apprentice position at the Royal Chateau.

My strawberry print dress puffs around me as I plop into the seat.

That’s not fair. You’ve heard the stories about his mother…

“Contracts like these require my full and undivided attention. I’m not signing anything before I have a chance to read the fine print.”

It’s like she shits sprinkles and consumes rainbows for sustenance. I’m not sure what kind of fairy tale forest she was raised in, but no one can be this optimistic about everything.

“That’s between Brady and me.” Brady? This is the second time I’ve heard her call him that.

“When do I start?” She rises from her seat and runs a hand down the length of her dress. I drag my eyes away from the curve of her waist toward her face. “Monday. Be here at 9:00 a.m. sharp.”

Cal frowns. “One day, you’re going to regret making Iris work on weekends. The best years of her life are ticking by taking care of your old, grumpy ass.” Declan’s jaw ticks. “Next week. Same time.” He ends the meeting call, leaving me with nothing to look at but a black screen.

I pull up the Nebula Land submission that was accepted by the Creators two years ago and compare Zahra’s to this version. Someone named Lance Baker submitted the idea with a few more bells and whistles compared to Zahra’s more basic proposal. How did they both come up with similar ideas? Were they creative partners who had a dispute?

What made her stop in the first place? And who the hell is Lance Baker?

might have gone a little overboard but it’s true. The design Lance submitted was only a fraction of the idea I created with Brady.”

What if I only had one good idea that Brady Kane helped take from average to amazing? What if I was a one-hit wonder who will crash and burn in front of the very people I’ve looked up to my entire life?

My family pulls me out of my thoughts. I pop the champagne bottle and raise it toward the ceiling. Cheers, Brady.

My neck prickles and I look over my shoulder to find Rowan staring at my ass. Oh my God. Is he attracted to me?

Welcome to your new home. I can’t believe I’m finally here. Brady was right. It was only a matter of time before I would find myself officially trading in my old work badge for a Creator one. What would he think of me now?

“I’m the one who thought Mr. Kane needed to read your submission himself. Sam was a bit hesitant given the nature of the content.”

“Move over.” He walks up to my desk, bringing his addictive cologne with him. “Why?” I rasp. “For some unknown reason, I feel like helping you.” “Because?” I keep my smile hidden behind a curtain of my hair. “Because you shouldn’t be trusted around electrical outlets.”

Of course I’m attracted to my arrogant boss who lacks any sort of people skills.

“Go back to the last slide.” Rowan’s voice hits me like a bucket of ice water. “Oh, it’s nothing important. Just a mock-up. And you have a meeting now anyway.”

“It’s really nothing.” I hide my shaky hands behind the podium. “I’ll be the one to decide that.”

“Use Ms. Gulian’s presentation as a guide for what I expect from here on out. Minus the last slide.”

“You better have a massive dick to back up that attitude or else people will be mighty disappointed.” “Care to bring out a ruler and test your theory?” “I left my magnifying glass at home, so maybe tomorrow.” I’m pretty sure the angel on my shoulder has left the building.

Something shifts between us. His eyes darken as they assess me. I’m not sure if he wants to choke me, fire me, or fuck me into submission. “Are you always this impossible?” “I don’t know. Are you always this much of an asshole?”

One second he’s scowling at me and the next his lips are ...