Page 9 of Interview with the Billionaire

“I was surprised, too,” Evelyn admitted. “So what do you think? It’s your call, obviously, but I think you should move forward. You have full veto power on the actual article, so other than spending time with a woman you’d rather be far away from, there’s really no downside.”

He glanced at Nikki, who nodded.

“We’ll move forward. You’ve done a hell of a lot to get the publicity for the center set up. I’m not going to sabotage that because of ancient history.”

“That’s the mogul I know and love. Call me if you need me.”

His smile widened. “Consider this the call. You said yourself she wants family here for interviews and photos. A year ago, you might have had an excuse. But as long as you’re wearing Frank’s ring, you’re tagged. He’s coming, you’re coming. Mom.”

“I knew I’d stumble across a reason I shouldn’t have signed that license.”

He grinned, hearing the humor in her voice.

“Everyone’s coming at eleven,” Nikki put in.

“I know, Texas. I was already planning on it. You don’t think I’d send your dad into the lion’s den alone? Now go do that interview. Assuming you’re okay with it, too, Texas.”

“As long as she’s not making a play for my husband, I think I’ll survive. I mean, if I eschewed every woman in Damien’s past, I’d have essentially no women to talk to in this town.”

“My wife is a comedian.”

“And yet remarkably accurate. Ciao, you two. We’ll see you soon.”

She ended the call, and Damien reached for Nikki, pulling her across the bed until she was spooning against him. “All those women, but it was only ever you I wanted. From the first moment I saw you on that stage rattling on about world peace.”

She squirmed around to face him. “I never.”

“I know. Why do you think I fell for you so hard and so fast?”

“Me, too.”

“There’s only you, baby. There’s only ever been you.”

“Liar.”

He cupped her chin as he looked deep into those blue-green eyes, as vibrant as the sea. “I’m not. And you know it.”

“Yeah, “she said with the kind of smile that set his heart on fire. “I do.”

Damien’s Journal

Lena/Nikki

So many years of keeping a journal, and now I’ve fallen out of the habit.

No, I’ve been shoved out of it.

This life I’ve fought so hard for for is a harsh mistress, and my time is no longer my own. That’s not a complaint, but the truth is that there are too many things I want to accomplish. Too many mountains to climb. Too many opportunities.

Perhaps there is value in recording my thoughts—certainly these musings helped me keep my sanity during the long years with my father. With Richter. When Sofia and I were being sucked into the seventh circle of hell.

But that is not where I am anymore.

And so I will retire this journal. My calendar will be a new record. Not an emptying of my thoughts, but a recordation of key moments. It is a compromise, and isn’t that what all the pundits who comment on my success are always saying? That my greatest skill is my ability to juggle. To choose the path. To face my choices and make the hard decisions?

It’s true, so why not embrace it?

And yet…