Page 44 of Billionaire’s Cruelty

“Yeah. Right.”

I wasn’t naive. Whatever this was—whatever he was doing—Dannie wouldn’t let the past slide. I had left him after our so-called wedding, walking away and leaving him to deal with the aftermath. In my defense, it was supposed to be a fake ceremony—to fulfill the wish of his dying grandfather.

But even fake vows had consequences.

“I’m sorry he pulled a gun on you.”

My fingers brushed against my neck—a nervous reflex. I couldn’t shake off the memory of the hot-headed guy who once stormed in here.

“He’s in love with you, then.”

“This is not the time to joke.” I shifted uncomfortably. Just because I left that room unharmed didn’t mean I was safe. And now wasn’t exactly the time to explain to her that Dannie might very well be plotting a payback for me.

“Whatever,” Wendy mocked. “What happened in here? You’ve been gone for a while.”

“Not much,” I lied.

“Did he say he’d help you?”

“Yes, he said he knows someone who can get me a visa. Fast.”

A laugh—short, sharp—escaped her lips. “So, after all that, the badass triad boss is going to help you get a legit travel document?”

“Yes, and don’t call him that.” I snapped. “He’s not a bad person.”

Despite everything—despite the blood on his hands—some part of me still wanted to defend him. Maybe because I knew he never did anything without a reason. Even if those reasons were fucked up.

Her lips pressed into a thin flat line. Then, gradually, she relaxed. “Well… don’t forget he sent people to hurt you.”

“Mack?” I asked. “He’s got nothing to do with Mack.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, I asked him.” I lifted my chin, sounding more confident that I felt.

My gaze fixed on her face as questions flooded my mind. The men who took Dave—were they connected to Dannie or Mack? Were they there for me instead of Dave? And if Dave hadn’t been there, would they have taken me instead?

Was Dannie hiding something?

What was he really after?

“Can you…” I hesitated, glancing around the room as if cameras might be hidden in the shadows. “Can you stay with me? Don’t leave me here alone.”

Wendy’s fingers curled around my hand, her grip steady. “Of course. Actually… I think I have to.”

Her tone was off—quiet, careful. And her eyes, sharp and searching, scanned the room like she expected something.

“What is it? What aren’t you telling me?” I swallowed hard.

Dannie leaned against the frame, his smile a dangerous curve. “Are you guys done with your girl talk?”

9

June

“Wendy is staying,” I announced as Dannie emerged from the other side of the wall. My voice was loud and clear, leaving no room for him to pretend he didn’t hear me.

“Great. Then she’ll come with us.”