Page 100 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire

“Wow, that’s impressive.” I didn’t really give a crap about material things, but he seemed happy.

He shrugged like it was nothing. “I married big.”

“I’d say.” Billie couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her tone as she bit into her sandwich.

“Maman’s married big too. He’s bigger than Aunt Billie and Maman.” Ares grinned, his little fingers wrapping around his ice cream cone and shoving it into his mouth before I could stop him. Then he reached for my pastry. His appetite could easily bankrupt us.

Marco’s eyes found mine, narrowing to slits. Almost as if he was displeased at being reminded. “When was the big day?”

I shrugged. “Yesterday,” I answered, averting my eyes. Unfortunately, I caught Billie’s snickering gaze. The corners of her lips twitched, and I could only imagine the words burning her tongue. “But never mind that. Tell me, how long have you been married? Do you have any children?”

Marco shook his head. “No. We don’t want any children. We’re too busy with our careers.”

“Sounds like you’re too busy with your pretty-boy career,” Billie mocked. I knew she couldn’t hold back for too much longer.

“Well, it sounds like modeling is going very well,” I noted, ignoring Billie. “We even saw you in the papers in Ghana.”

Smiling confidently, he pushed a strand of his hair behind his ear. It almost felt rehearsed. He’d always been slightly vain, but it might have gone overboard over the last few years. Or maybe, after not seeing and talking to him for years, I noticed it more.

“I heard you were in Ghana,” he remarked. “I tried to find you, but that place is a mess.”

“Why am I not surprised to hear you tried to find us?” Billie’s tone was dry and laced with sarcasm.

“We were probably in a remote location at that time.” I smiled tightly, shooting a small glare at my sister. Her response was an eyeroll. “We stayed in huts, mostly, in the local villages.”

The horror that passed Marco’s expression was almost comical. His hand clasped over mine and he squeezed tightly. I was starting to get uncomfortable with the constant touching. I slid my fingers away from his clammy ones and placed both my hands on my lap.

“But now we live in a mansion,” Ares chimed, bragging with a happy smile.

“Do you like it there?” The eager nod by Ares was unmistakable. “Do you like Maman’s husband?”

The way he said “husband” sounded off. Almost as if the word was dirty.

Ares tilted his head pensively. He had just met him, I couldn’t fathom my five-year-old having any kind of opinion on him. The three of us watched him, waiting, but I was the only one holding my breath. Why? I had no freaking clue.

“I like him. I want Byron to be my dad.”

Billie’s mouth dropped. Marco’s eyebrows shot to his hairline and his gaze found me. The look in his eyes appeared almost angry but not quite.

And me?

I tipped my head back and drained my glass. I had a fucking problem. My son seemed to have fallen for his father’s charms—just as I did six years ago.

Chapter41

Byron

Iboarded the plane, tugging my tie, ready to relax for the next two hours—one of the many benefits of having my own private jet and pilot.

“Take us home, Oliver.”

Taking my seat on the cream sofa, I pulled out my phone to check through my messages as the pilot made his way to the cockpit.

I flipped through my work emails when an email came through. Nico Morrelli.

“Ah, perfect timing,” I muttered under my breath. I had asked him to keep tabs on Odette and Ares. It might be morally questionable, but it was for my peace of mind, so I’d kept surveillance on them. Besides, she had unlimited access to my money now, and I still couldn’t help but worry she’d take the money and run. It was easier to disappear when you had money.

I slid the message open and the recording started.