Page 72 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire

Ares’s and Billie’s hands shot up at the same time. “Me, me, me.”

I grinned at their excited expressions. It only took hot chocolate to make it all better. “Okay, you two find something to read, and I’ll be right back.”

They didn’t need to be told twice.

I headed to the little corner of the store where the coffee shop was. The sound of coffee grinding replaced the hustle and bustle of the city noise that lay on the other side of the door. It felt like a different world here—away from danger and reality.

At least for the moment.

Five minutes later, Ares was lost in the vast selection of books, a dreamy smile playing around his lips. A little chocolate mustache lingered above his mouth. He refused to let me wipe it off, eager to get to his books. He was very single-minded when he had it set on something. Sometimes, I wondered if he’d inherited that from his father.

Locking eyes with my sister, both of our fingers curled over the sleeve of our coffee cups. I sipped my latte, working up the puzzle in my mind.

A lot hung in the air with whether or not Byron still wanted me like he did six years ago. I could pay him very slowly—in small increments—over my lifetime. If that didn’t work, I’d give him what he asked for that day he’d come to me at my father’s hospital.

My body.

“Okay, I can’t take this silence anymore,” Billie exclaimed. “Tell me the plan. I know you have one.”

I knew her patience wouldn’t last long.

“I’m working up the plan as we speak,” I admitted. She raised her eyebrow, tapping her fingers impatiently against her coffee cup.

“And?”

“And I’m not sure if it’s a good plan, but it’s the only one I have.” I took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m going to ask Byron for a loan.”

A blank stare. Then she blinked, as if waking from a dream.

“A loan?”

I chewed on my bottom lip. “Yes.”

“And how are we going to repay it?” she questioned hesitantly.

“You’re not; I am.”

I just prayed Ares didn’t get caught up in this fiasco.

Chapter29

Odette

Another grand lobby. This one represented the Ashford empire. My last visit here wasn’t pleasant and that was putting it mildly. Shoving the memories to the back of my mind, I focused on the here and now. This was important.

“You two stay here,” I said softly to Billie and my son, signaling them to remain closer to the elevators. Just in case we had to make a run for it. Besides, my son didn’t need to hear me humiliate myself.

We made it through two different receptionists—one on the main floor, and now we were faced with this one. The last obstacle was on the management floor, accents of gold and wealth surrounding me. I flicked a look over my shoulder to my family as I waited for the receptionist's verdict.

It came swiftly. “No appointment, no Mr. Ashford.”

I swore it felt like déjà vu. All on the same day. The executive assistant watched me with a sneer on her face. Her platinum-blonde hair screamed fake. Her scarlet lips screamed Botox, and her goddamn perfume was giving me a major headache.

“We are old friends,” I said. I would not let her see my confidence waver, no way. “Just call him and tell him I’m here.” When she made no intention of moving, I added, “He won’t be happy if he learns I came and left without seeing him.”

The venomous grin on her lips warned I wouldn’t like her next words. “If you’re friends, why don’t you text him.”

Now wasn’t that the question of the century. I didn’t have his number. Even if I did, he would have probably blocked my number six years ago.