Page 16 of Billionaire’s Heartbreak

“What?” Kai stared at him. “You can’t be serious.”

“Let me finish,” Dannie said. “June will start handling triad operations. You’ll assist her.”

“Dannie…” I cut in, hurt threading through my voice. “You should’ve asked me first.”

He nodded, contrite. “You’re right. I’m sorry, June. But be honest—would you have said yes?”

“That’s not the point,” I said, my pulse hammering.

“Why me?” Kai asked.

“Because you’re my brother,” Dannie replied.

“You don’t know that.”

“I decided this before I ever saw the letter. If we really are related, that’s just a bonus.”

“Dannie!” I raised my voice, desperate for him to slow down, to hear me.

“But where is this coming from?” Kai asked.

“Kai,” I warned, shooting him a sharp look before turning back to Dannie, afraid the truth might come out.

He met my eyes and then said quietly, “Because I’m dying.”

The words slammed into me. The fear I’d been carrying for the past year surged to the surface.

“You’re going to be fine,” I said quickly, moving closer and pulling his arms around me, needing the solid warmth of him. “Don’t talk like that. Promise me.”

“I’m sorry, honey.” His voice was soft, unbearably gentle. “But you saw what happened today. The way they treated you. Like they forgot who’s in charge.”

“What happened today?” Kai asked.

“Nothing. Just some idiot,” I said quickly.

“Yes, one foolish man,” Dannie agreed. “But then Laura. The way she spoke to you, like your authority meant nothing. If I let that go, the entire triad forgets who their real boss is.”

“Does it matter that much?” I asked.

“Yes.” His jaw tightened. “I worked my whole life for this. One year away, and this is how they act? They disrespect me. My people.”

“We should stop,” I announced. “You need rest. It’s late. Kai should rest, and I don’t want to wake⁠—”

“Will you help me or not?” Dannie stood and held out his hand to Kai.

“Are you sure you want me involved in the triad?” Kai asked.

“Yes. And all my businesses. I need someone I trust to handle everything. The clean and the dirty.”

Kai hesitated, then clasped his hand. “Anything for you.”

The air left my lungs, like something inside me had quietly collapsed.

4

Kai

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