Page 82 of Reign of a Billionaire

“She is,” I agreed, then steered the conversation away from Liana. “Any chance you know of someone who’s capable of DNA tracing?” I asked, changing subjects. “That sliced finger I left in my freezer back in D.C. I want to know who it belongs to.”

“Hmmm.” Silence thrummed over the line for a moment. “I might. You okay if I have someone grab it from your penthouse? I’m in Paris with Billie.”

Billie was my brother’s wife, and considering the two had just spent six years apart, I understood his reluctance to leave her.

“How about I have it delivered to you once I’m back in the States?”

“Better that it goes directly to my friend Tristan Bennetti. He knows of an excellent forensic pathologist.”

“Send me the address.”

Once the call ended, I pulled up the surveillance and found Liana in bed, asleep, and a book pressed against her chest. I zoomed in and read the title:Sex on the Beach.

I got to my feet and made my way to her room, pushing my way in soundlessly. I found her in the fetal position, her brows furrowed as if she battled demons even in her dreams. A cool breeze swept through the cracked window. The moonlight cast a faint glow across her face, and my chest stirred at the sight. Her lips were slightly parted, and her breaths came out even and shallow.

I dropped to my haunches next to her and watched her sleeping face.

I used to tell the twins I could spot the differences in their facial features. I could no longer say that.

I skimmed a thumb across her cheekbone, glad to see the meals I’d been preparing for her were filling them out a bit more.

I stepped away and dropped into my usual seat in the corner. I knew it was wrong, but there was no way I could go back to sleeping alone. Not when I knew she warmed the sheets just doors down from me.

Whimpering noises dragged me from my slumber.

I blinked, adjusting my eyes to the dim room, and spotted the sun barely below the horizon. A crick in my neck and the stiffness of my spine told me I fell asleep in a chair. Again. My head groggy, I leaned back into the seat and adjusted so I was on my side, closing my eyes once more. It was when another whimper sounded that I jolted my eyes open.

At first, I couldn’t find her. The bed was empty, but I could hear her sharp breaths. My eyes darted around, and I made out a body curled up in a ball on the floor. I sprung into action, taking the five steps to close the distance, then crouched over her.

Another whimper.

Her body shivered and her shoulders spasmed, her delicate hands wrapped around herself for protection. Her blonde mane blocked her face from my view.

“Please… No…” she whimpered. I pushed her hair aside to find her eyes screwed tightly shut. “N-not again.”

“Liana.” She didn’t even stir. “Liana, wake up.”

Her eyes fluttered open, but it was almost as if she looked through me. She was stuck in a trance, unseeing.

“Please,” she whimpered. “Stop… Please stop.”

“Shhh…” I whispered as my protective instincts shifted into place. “You’re safe.” I ran my fingers through her hair, combing her soft, golden strands. Her eyes found mine, but they were still glassy. “Shhh, I got you. No one’s going to hurt you.”

The startling realization of how sincere those words were hit me square in the chest. I slid my arms around her back andscooped her up. She snuggled into my hold, her body shaking as she continued to murmur her pleas.

I tucked her beneath the covers, and as I went to move, a whimper tore from her lips, her hand grabbing mine.

“Don’t leave me.” I froze. “Please.”

“I won’t,” I promised. Her body relaxed and a reassuring sigh left her lips as she fell back asleep.

I climbed onto the other side of bed, resting atop of the covers, and laced my hands behind my head.

The more I got to know this woman, the more puzzled I became. It felt so natural and effortless to be in her company.

Don’t leave me.

Those were the very same words I’d whispered to Louisa once upon a time. Unaware, Liana had struck a nerve, her words etching into my mind like the scars her mother had etched into my skin. Such a simple phrase, but it cracked my already broken chest.