Page 33 of Contract of a Billionaire

“We have the money,” I told her. “No need for her to pay for it.”

Her gray eyes reminded me of rain. I had no fucking idea why but they always stabbed a soft spot in my heart. Maybe because I felt guilty for not protecting her sooner. Or maybe because I saw my pain in hers.

“I should stay for you, but I’m a coward,” she murmured, a guilty expression on her face.

“You’re not a coward,” I growled. “Never say that again. You’re a survivor, Branka. My sister and my family. I’ll be damned if I ever see you hurt. No matter when, what or how, I’ll always be here for you. Okay?”

A happy smile spread on her face, and it was the best damn gift. Seeing my baby sister smiling and happy.

I stood up and adjusted the sleeve of my suit, then came around to be closer to her. Leaning against the table, I studied her. We didn’t look very much alike, aside from the eyes. We both inherited those from our mother. I looked more like my biological father and she looked more like her father’s side of the family. But in our heart, we were the same.

“Is that something you want to do?” I asked her.

Before I even finished the question, she nodded enthusiastically. “It is.”

“Why study social media and marketing if you now want to get involved in photography?” I questioned her softly.

She grinned. “I won’t be taking photos for Nat Geo. That will be all Autumn. We’re thinking about starting a travel influencer site and blogging.”

My lips tugged up. “Interesting.”

I knew absolutely nothing about it and it seemed something the younger generation would do but if it made her happy, it made me happy.

Branka grinned. “Right?” The enthusiasm on her face was contagious so I just nodded. As long as she was happy, I didn’t care what she did. She would never lack money so she might as well enjoy her life. “So you’re okay if I leave with Autumn?”

“I wouldn’t exactly say I was okay with it,” I told her, smiling. “But I want to see you happy. And don’t be surprised at your big brother’s frequent visits,” I warned.

She jumped out of her seat and threw herself into my arms. Just as she used to do when she was a little girl.

“Thanks, Alessio,” she murmured into my chest. “You’re so much better than me. I ran away from our father and you continue to fight him head on.”

Her father, not mine. But she didn’t know that. Nobody but the Ashfords, myself, and the cruel asshole who raised me knew that. My mother, of course, knew but she was six feet under now.

“I could always kill him for you,” I half-joked.

She shook her head, her face still pressed against my chest. “No, brother. He’ll get his. Eventually.”

Not fucking soon enough.

Chapter12

Autumn

Isat on the floor of my bedroom in my boy shorts and a green t-shirt, surrounded by my notes, photos, and more notes. Another few days and we’d be on our way to Asia. Our first destination - Kuala Lumpur.

Except after last night, I had something, or rather someone, that had me wanting to stay. My whole body was still enveloped in the sweetest exhaustion and even after a shower, I could smell him on my skin.

I wanted to bottle the scent and keep it with me forever.

The door to my room swung open, hitting the wall behind it and I groaned.

“Branka!” I scolded.

My best friend stretched her arm up above her head and leaned against the doorframe while with her other one she held out a cup of iced coffee.

“Here I am,” she announced.

“I can see that,” I retorted dryly. Okay, so maybe last night’s activity had left me a bit tired and cranky. I reached out for the cup of coffee she held in her one had. Branka hated iced coffee, so it had to be for me. She pushed it into my hand and I took a slurp.