Page 97 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire

“Keep the money,” I told him. “Your boss knows you have it. If you don’t catch your flight, it will be on you.” I pressed the bottom of my shoe to his broken knee and pushed him over, his head slamming against the wooden floorboard with a loud thump. “If you so much as breathe in my family’s direction, I’ll wipe your entire bloodline from the face of this earth.”

The scent of sweat, blood, piss and violence perfumed the air. It reminded me of the war.

Even back in the civilized world, violence always surrounded us.

Chapter40

Odette

Billie shimmied into a pencil skirt, silk blouse, and sheer black tights. At least she went for flats rather than heels this time. She would lose her toes otherwise.

Her eyes landed on me.

“He has a whole new wardrobe of designer clothes for you and you are going to wear this?” My sister’s tone was exasperated as her eyes roamed over my chosen attire. White jeans with a Lilly Pulitzer bright pink sweater with pink flats.

I shrugged. “I went for comfort. We’ll be doing a lot of walking.” Glancing at my son, I smiled. “We’ll have to see lots of stores, starting with the…” I made the sound of drumrolls as I waited for him to fill in.

“Toy store,” Ares exclaimed, his eyes glimmering like the sea under the bright sun. Dressed in dark jeans, a crisp white polo shirt, and a blazer, he reminded me of a mini-Byron.

“Then let’s go and have some fun.”

“And the best part is—” Billie grinned mischievously. “It’s with someone else’s money.”

I rolled my eyes. “I was gonna say that’s the worst part. But beggars can’t be choosers.”

She waved her hand. “You’ll never be a beggar. Besides, Byron Ashford married you without a prenup. He’s either a fool or so in love that he’s blind.”Or “no divorce” is part of his stipulation, I added silently.

My sister stared at me as if she expected a response. I didn’t have one. Truthfully, I agreed with her. It was reckless for Byron not to have a prenup. He was loaded and I was… well, I wasn’t.

Billie opened her mouth, but before she could say anything else, I tried to deflect. “Okay, let’s get this party started.”

And with that, we made our way down the stairs and out the door where Byron’s driver awaited, ready to take us anywhere we desired.

If only he could take us back home to the French Riviera.

* * *

By the time noon came around, we had bought every train in the toy store and Billie had two hundred grand in her purse.

“Are you sure you won’t be in trouble?” my sister asked for the tenth time. “That’s a lot of money.”

“Yes, I’m sure; I asked him. And don’t worry, I’ll pay him back.”

She shook her head. “How? With your body?” I leaned against the shelf, watching my son play. For the first time in six months, he was truly happy. Ecstatic. Relaxed. He was having a good, normal day. “What if he breaks your heart again?”

I shook my head. “I won’t let him. And you cannot lecture me on this money. You paid to get me through school.”

“Part of it,” she corrected me. “Your scholarships paid for most.”

Only half, but hey, who was keeping track?

“Anyhow, I’ll get a job,” I said. I checked the postings this morning. There seemed to be many vacancies in this city. It wasn’t exactly what I’d wanted to do—my dream was still to get back to the French Riviera and raise Ares there—but considering my latest arrangement, that wouldn’t be happening. At least, not for the foreseeable future. I met my sister’s gaze. “He won’t hurt me,” I murmured. “I’d have to love him for my heart to break again. And I don’t.”

The lie was bitter on my tongue. Honestly, I didn’t know why I loved him. Maybe because despite everything, he’d given me the most precious gift. Our son. He didn’t know it, but he saved us. Saved him—our son. If he hadn’t run back to the hospital with me in his arms, I would have lost him.

Billie shot me a look that told me she didn’t believe me. “Are you sure about that, soeur?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” I returned my attention to Ares, watching him play with another boy. “All that matters is that we survived. That Ares is safe.”