Page 49 of Dr. Stone (Billionaires’ Club #9)

“After this little gift you’re giving me, Dr. Stone of the Stone family old-money fund, we really need to establish a ten-dollar spending limit for the broke jokers in the relationship.”

He smiled, leaned over, and kissed my forehead. “What you do for me is worth more than a stupid car.”

His lips captured mine in a delicious, consuming kiss I’d been craving since the last time we were together.

My God, this man had the pedal to the floor with us now—and in a four-door Porsche, no less.

Hell, I couldn’t even imagine what kind of over-the-top gifts Titus would’ve thrown at me if I’d stayed with him.

We walked in, and the air and atmosphere reminded me of when I walked into a dealership like this with my parents, and they bought me my car.

It smelled like oiled leather and money.

From the white marble floors and glass walls to the sleek espresso area in the corner, everything gleamed in powerful beauty.

I froze and instinctively clung to Jace’s arm, and it wasn’t because I was facing a brand-new Porsche with a bow and my name on it.

Fucking Jonathan, I thought while my Stomach dropped.

He leaned on the counter like he owned the goddamn place wearing a gray button-down shirt, black slacks, and a gold watch gleaming under the lights. His beard was neatly trimmed, hair cut short and styled sleekly…definitely not the work of your local budget barber.

This bastard used to sell used Nissans behind a strip mall in Van Nuys, acting like he was some kind of savior for handing people the keys.

He’d come home every night, crack a beer, and talk big about promises that never meant a damn thing.

Now the bastard looked like he was swimming in money.

But I knew this fucker, and he was just a greasy used car salesman at best.

“What are the fucking odds?” I whispered.

“What’s that?” Jace said a moment before we were interrupted when the bastard walked up to us.

“My ex, Brandon’s dad,” I muttered.

Before I could say get me the fuck out of here , the asshole was marching toward us.

Fuck.

“Andie?” he said with surprise. His smile was the same, at least, perfect and practiced, “Wow. Seriously, it’s been?—”

“I believe the vehicle I ordered should be here,” Jace interrupted, feeling my instant tension in reaction to Jonathan’s voice. Jace’s voice was low and protective, easily warning off this dickhead.

Jonathan brought his attention to Jace, and I watched as Jonathan’s sleazy energy changed instantly.

Jace stood cool and confident, towering over him.

He was dressed like the entire dealership answered to him, wearing dark navy tailored slacks, a crisp white shirt open at the collar, and a presence that screamed quiet dominance.

Jace slid his arm around my waist, ensuring Jonathan knew his place around him and me.

“Mr. Stone,” Jonathan greeted him in the respect that Jace’s demeanor demanded. “Yes, your Porsche was overnighted from the VIP fleet in Vegas, and it arrived this morning, fully optioned, as you requested. We, um, made sure it was done fast and efficiently, sir.”

“I know. I made some calls,” was all Jace said.

Jonathan nodded, but his expression showed how uncomfortable he was.

He wasn’t used to taking orders, especially in my presence.

Of course, in his head, he was probably laughing, thinking Jace was just using me, flaunting his wealth by buying a new car in front of me, and I was eating it up like an easily impressed silly girl.

Little did this dickhead know.

“She’s the one driving it,” Jace said, practically answering my thoughts and shutting down whatever bullshit Jonathan might’ve been thinking. “So, if there is anything that doesn’t meet her standards, you’ll be hearing from her.”

Jonathan gave a fake as hell laugh, “No, man, it’s all good. It’s gorgeous. You’ve got excellent taste.”

“I know,” Jace said, then leaned over and picked up the tablet from the counter. “Is the exclusive driver mode unlocked?”

“Yes, sir. It has been calibrated for optimal performance, and the custom seat memory feature has been installed. Everything is upgraded to your specifications from the motor to the headliner,” Jonathan answered. “Which, might I add?—”

“I don’t need a sales pitch,” Jace interrupted whatever bullshit Jonathan was about to grease him up with.

“Just make sure my lady loves her car, and we’ll be on our way.

” Jace handed the tablet back to a silenced Jonathan, “Run the payment through my holding account at Stone Capital. You’ve got the wire. ”

That was all Jonathan needed to hear to realize the man standing next to me wasn’t fucking around. And it was probably for the best that the only words that dickhead managed to say to me were the ones he attempted to get out when we walked in before Jace cut him off mid-sentence.

Once we were finally out of Jonathan’s sight and walking toward the front, where they had the new car waiting, I nearly collapsed into Jace’s arms, the tension and adrenaline from being around that asshole draining out of me all at once.

I couldn’t even begin to process the phenomenal car Jace had ordered for me, let alone wrap my head around seeing that insufferable bastard again. My head throbbed, and all I wanted was to go home, lie down, and skip dinner entirely.

“You okay, baby?” Jace said. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

I smiled at him. “Of course you didn’t,” I let out a tired laugh. “Hell, I never imagined that asshole selling cars in a place like this.”

“You’d be surprised at the number of dicks who get cars pushed out of places like this. It’s why I use my connections to purchase through them and avoid those snakes.”

“Well, he’s definitely that type,” I said.

“Are you okay to drive? You honestly look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“A ghost in tailored fucking pants,” I sighed. “I wish we could just ride up the coast on your motorcycle and shake off these nerves.”

“We can?—”

“No, no. We’re not backing out on Jake and Ash and leaving them to babysit my son,” I said with a smile, my hand cupping his face. “Thank you for this beautiful car—and the reason you bought it—but more than that, thank you for showing him exactly what he is: nothing.”

Jace’s grin was slow, wicked. “Wasn’t that hard, so no thanks necessary, gorgeous.

” He opened the door with a flourish. “Now get in, and let’s see what she’s got against the Aston.

I’ll race you to Jake’s. Don’t worry—an evening with those two will loosen you up again.

And later tonight…” his voice dropped, heat sliding into his tone, “…I’ll make sure you forget that idiot ever existed. Deal?”

“Best deal I could ever ask for, handsome,” I murmured, my heart swelling with love.

His eyes locked on mine, amused and warm all at once. “Great answer, Miller.”