Page 141 of Off Limits Mogul

My phone rings again.

With a curse, I reach for it.

When I see the name flashing on my screen, I close my eyes on a silent groan.

“Hey, Noah,” I say, accepting the call. My voice is still groggy with sleep.

“Hey, Rhys. Sounds like I woke you up.”

“You did.”

“What are you still doing in bed, you lazy bum?” His tone is jovial. It’s too early for that kind of cheerfulness.

“You’re calling me at six in the morning LA time to barrage me?”

“No, I’m calling you at six in the morning LA time because I’m standing at your door.”

I’m fully awake now.

I bolt upright in bed.

Keira frowns at me, upset I’ve disrupted her beauty sleep.

This fairytale is about to become a horror story, sweetheart.

“Noah? You’re at my door?”

“Well, the guard’s staring me down, unblinking, still needs the green light from you, but yeah, I’m at the security gate of your Fort Knox-like gated neighborhood.”

I hold the phone away from my ear, blinking at it in shock, hoping to God this is a prank.

“Rhys?”

I bring the phone to my ear.

“You’re at my door right here in LA?” I exaggerate each word. My gaze slides to Keira’s.

I’m sure the worry I read in her wide eyes matches mine.

I nod.

“Man, you can’t function without coffee.” Noah chuckles on the other end. “Unless you bought another house in another ritzy gated neighborhood you didn’t tell me about, yes, I’m here. I’m a short distance from your big ass mansion. Come on, let your brother in. Tell the security guard I’m on your friend’s list. I want to see you and my sister.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to LA? I would’ve arranged for a car to pick you up.” I’m grasping at stalling straws here.

“Thanks, Mr. Billionaire, but I can afford a chauffeured car ride from LAX to Manhattan Beach.”

“I didn’t mean it that way,” I say.

“I’m yanking your chain. I know you didn’t. Had I told you or my kid sister I was coming, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

My eyes move to Noah’s little sister inmybed.

She’s white knuckling the sheets underneath her nose, fear flashing bright in her eyes.

I feel you.