Page 16 of Billionaire's Promise

"Really," I turn to her, "I understand what it is to build something from pure passion."

"You do?"

I nod, "Of course. you’d have to be blind not to see how much this space means to you, Ava."

"Hmmph." She folds her arms about her waist. "Okay."

"So, you accept my apology?"

She seems like she's going to decline, then jerks her chin.

Thank fuck. "Doesn't mean the place is secure," I mutter and her gaze widens.

"We'll agree to disagree." She purses her lips. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"Came to see if you wanted a ride home."

When I’d left her after breakfast, she’d seemed like she was coming back to normal, but as I take in her features now, I notice the hollows under her cheekbones. Now that the flush on her cheeks from our earlier disagreement is fading away, she seems too pale. Her shoulders are hunched, and there's an overall defeated air about her.

Of course, it isn’t that easy to bounce back from the kind of break-up she had. I should know. It took me years… No, I am still getting over it. So, how had I expected her to simply pick up the pieces and move on after Edward left, with no explanation?

Fucking Edward. I should have known he wouldn’t be able to do justice to the one good thing that had happened to him. If she were mine, I’d…take care of her, protect her, make sure she never wants for anything. Make sure I do everything in my power to keep her happy. I can still do that. I can ensure that I distract her enough so she doesn’t spend her time thinking about him.

I fold my arms across my chest, glance from her to the woman who steps in front of her.

"I’m Isla." She comes forward. "And you are—?" She holds out her hand and I take it.

"Baron."

"Baron," She nods, then her eyebrows shoot up. She glances up, peruses my features. "Not theBaron, Baron?"

I arch an eyebrow and she scowls. "I mean, are you Baron, one of the Seven? The Baron, who left all those years ago and only kept in touch on occasion, Baron?"

"And if I am?"

"Are you?" Her scowl deepens. "You are, right?"

I draw in a breath. "Yeah, I am, though if you ask any of the Seven, they’ll say that I am not one of them anymore."

"Omigosh." Isla opens and closes her mouth. "You are back? Do the Seven know? Did you—?"

"Hold on." Ava steps up to stand next to her. "So now you are owning up to being one of the Seven?"

"Of course, I am." I glare at her, "Your point being—"

"You didn't mention it to me when you met me."

"You didn't ask." I raise my shoulders.

"You could have told me that you knew—"

"Edward?" I tilt my head, "I'm telling you now."

"So, you two have met?" Isla glances between us, "When did that happen?"

Ava flushes. "This morning, after Edward took off, I ran out of the house to follow him and fell. Baron, here, helped me. He, uh, took me inside."

"He took you inside?" She blinks.