Page 36 of Billionaire’s Promise

“And what about their stuff?” I demanded, wondering if Clare was over there digging through their things. When she didn’t have the binoculars trained on me, that is.

“Wait, I haven’t answered the second part of your question. Yes and no, that’s not how we usually do things back home. Usually, we would have more time to plan.” I stopped caring about the answer, but he didn’t seem to be able to shut up. “But if we were desperate, then yes, that’s how we work. As I see it, staying alive and being safe is the most important thing in the world.”

He tip-toed lightly next to me and gave me a hug. “I know you don’t approve of the way I do things, but I was worried sick about you all night.”

My heart melted the second I was in his arms. Was I touched by his crazy and unreasonable behavior?

“What about their stuff?” I repeated.

“Dave offered to have it all shipped to their new address, but they didn’t want it. I guess their stuff wasn’t all that valuable or precious to them.”

“I guess. It is just stuff at the end of the day.”

“Yeah, just some Ikea rubbish. Nothing is more important than your safety.”

9

Kai

I turned sideways hoping that it might help me sleep. It didn’t. I turned again – for what felt like the hundredth time – and stared blankly at the high ceiling. The ceiling that I’d thought about having a mirror installed on because the playful side of me was curious about how I looked when a woman was riding me.

Immature. That was me.

But I had decided against it for occasions just like this. When there was no one but myself that I could stare at during a long, lonely, and sleepless night.

Sad miserable idiot. That was also me.

The ability to sleep seemed to have left me. No matter how much I tried it just wasn’t coming. My body was beyond tired, and it needed rest. But I couldn’t find a comfortable enough position to fall asleep. There were times when I almost fell asleep but I’d immediately wake up when I heard a strange sound that wasn’t even there.

My plan for a relaxing trip in New York had completely gone out of the window. It seemed like, from the moment I’d arrived, things had gone sideways. Now, I couldn’t even relax enough to get to sleep. My mind wouldn’t let me.

I’d known that I had to see June at some point, and I’d planned on it. I owed her an apology and an explanation for why I’d left her the way I had years ago. She didn’t seem to hold any grudge against me for leaving without saying goodbye three years ago. That was the June I knew. The understanding, loving, caring kind of woman you would bring home to meet your mother.

Dr. Rose had suggested another diagnosis, a proper one, for Jenny when she was a little more settled. At this point, she didn’t want to just prescribe her anything simply because she showed some symptoms of anxiety. I could see why June opened up to Dr. Rose in such a short span of time. Her gentleness and attention to detail were worth paying her the premium rate she charged. June did say that Dr. Rose could do this for free as a favor to her, but there was no way I would let myself owe anyone any favors.

My thoughts drifted to my security team. Clare was left in charge at my place tonight, while Dave was out keeping watch on June. She would have to learn how to be in charge sooner or later. Dave planned to retire in a few years, but he hadn’t completely made up his mind yet. He wouldn’t know what to do to pass time, so he might as well stay in the job – his words. I knew that he wanted to spend more time with his daughter before she went to university. The problem was, he didn’t know what to say to her when they were left alone together.

Wendy had called earlier at about 2 in the morning. I’d told she could call me anytime if she found out anything about Mack and we both agreed that we should avoid involving June for the time being. Mack had been released on bail. No one knew how. But someone powerful had given the order to let him go. That was why I needed to send Dave, my favorite and most trusted bodyguard, to protect June while I couldn’t.

I had no idea why I cared so much about June. I just did. Perhaps it was the way she’d been so heartbroken over the loss of her best friend on her 18th birthday, face awash with tears – and I couldn’t help but promise to myself that I would try my best to keep her away from any more hurt and heartache. That was why I always tried to show her my better side – the positive, can-do, everything-is-okay side. Regrettably, I had let my not so positive side out tonight when I received the news about Jenny.

Jenny, on the other hand, she was family. She had been through the same family crap that I had to go through. We were in the same boat, and I couldn’t help but want to keep her, and our boat, afloat.

So, without having to announce it to the world, I had kind of vowed to keep both of them safe. Nothing would ever happen to them under my watch.

I instructed Clare to arrange for more help from our security agency – I wasn’t sure how my usual team would be able to cope with keeping three people safe. That was the thing, I could look like the Prince of England and have ten bodyguards and two large cars following me wherever I went but I thought that just made me look like a dick. I might have been raised to be an entitled bastard, but I just couldn’t act like one. Not openly.

The smart way was to employ a much larger team but undercover. It attracted way less attention. But the downside was, you wouldn’t know if they were actually working.

I rolled over, punching my pillow into a new shape. My brain wouldn’t shut up and I let out a frustrated groan.

Then there was the kiss. Another mistake.

I haven't been good today. I’d been jet-lagged. Burned out. Whatever…

Regardless of what my brain told me about not doing it, her lips were too much temptation. My self-control didn’t seem to work with her.

She was my best friend’s sister – the thought of that itself was a turn on. It might have helped if she was a crazy ugly bitch, but she was the complete opposite. How could I stare at her lips and not kiss them?