Page 139 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set

I shrug. “Yeah. Or to the mayor. I hate to do it, but the evidence doesn’t support any of you being involved.”

“Thanks.” Chance leans back in his chair. “That means a lot to us. And I promise you that we—my brothers and I—had nothing to do with that poor soul who lost his life somewhere on this ranch. My dad had a lot of enemies. Apparently a lot more than I even knew about.”

“The guy was a dick.” Austin shakes his head. “He knocked up my mother and then left when she found out she was pregnant. He did the same to Miles’s mom. And then he divorced Chance’s eventually as well. We never met or talked to each other until a few weeks ago.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard the story. I’m sorry you all didn’t get to grow up together.”

“We know about each other now,” Chance says. “It was tough going at first, but we’re mellowing.”

Austin huffs out a laugh. Apparently tough has a story or two behind it.

“Can you tell me about Miles? About how he grew up?”

Chance shakes his head. “We’ve met Austin’s mom, but Miles hasn’t shared any of his own details with us.”

Hmmm. That’s interesting. What secrets is Miles Bridger hiding, if any? And are they why he was so quick to react?

I will find out. I rise again. “I’m going to find him.”

Austin points across the kitchen. “Go out the back door off the kitchen and try the detached garage outside, the first one.”

“Okay. Thanks for dinner. Well, for the bite of salad, anyway.”

“It’ll still be here,” Carly says. “Good luck.”

I smile at her. “Thanks.”

I’ve a feeling I’m going to need it.

11

MILES

“Fuck!” I curse at my phone’s ringtone. I don’t recognize the number.

I’m pacing in front of my motorcycle and take in the dented chrome, the torn seat. Faded paint job. The scent of motor oil is like a familiar balm. I can’t wait to get my hands on my latest project. I’ll work a few hours on her later, starting to take her apart to fix her up. It’ll ease this…aggravation.

No. Anger.

At who, though?

I put the phone to my ear when it rings again. “What is it?” I snarl.

I’m frustrated with myself. With Sadie.

“Hello…Miles? Miles Bridger?” A woman.

“Yeah, who’s asking?”

“This is Rhonda. We…you know…hooked up a while back?”

Right. Rhonda. The text earlier.

“Sure. What’s up?”

“Did you get my message from yesterday?’

Shit, yeah. “I did. I’ve been busy. What do you need?”