Page 167 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set

Mr. Shankle and Chance are sitting in the two armchairs, a lamp table between them. To the right, Carly and Austin sit on the sofa. That leaves the loveseat for Miles and me, across from Mr. Shankle and Chance.

Loveseat.

And it hits me. Just with that word.

Loveseat. Love.

I’ve fallen in love with Miles Bridger.

It’s not because I’m in a needy place right now, though I am.

And it’s not because he’s the most talented lover I’ve ever had, though he is.

It’s because there was something between us—something more than the pure physical chemistry we share—from that very first night at Jody’s.

I felt it then, and all it’s done is grow.

I love this man. I flick my gaze to him. Big. Brawny. Protective.

But honestly? I can’t give him what he needs right now. If he even wants a relationship. He’s been pretty clear about his past, although he also said it’s different with me.

Hell, look at what his family is going through. Look at what my family is going through. My father may be a dickhead of the first degree, but he just lost his only son. I lost a brother. My mother lost her firstborn child.

God, my mother. I’ve got to talk to my mother.

Miles takes my hand and entwines his fingers through mine. He’s making it clear that we’re together, and I like the feeling. I need to belong to someone right now. It helps.

Carly’s eyes snag on our joined hands and smiles.

“I’ve been telling your brothers,” Mr. Shankle says, “that I can check on the names involved with the EPA investigation first thing tomorrow morning. These are government workers, so no one’s answering the phone today.”

“Wait,” Miles says. “I just called the number that I gave you guys when we were at Sadie’s dad’s place. Someone named Gene Chubb answered.”

Mr. Shankle clears his throat. “He’s not answering any longer.”

“Damn. That call must’ve freaked him out.” Miles turns to Louisa, who has returned with our lemonade. He takes one glass and hands the other to me. “Thank you, Louisa.”

This time I will my voice to work. “Yes, thank you.” I take a sip, and yes, it’s sweet, but it’s also comforting in a strange way.

My mom used to make lemonade just like this when I was young. It was Joey’s favorite. She didn’t make it after the divorce though. It was either unsweetened iced tea or water. Maybe that’s why I don’t like lemonade. It reminds me of Joey. Of what I lost after our family fell apart.

“We think your call probably raised red flags for this guy,” Chance says.

“Why?”

“Well, that’s what we need to find out.” Mr. Shankle pulls his phone from his front pocket and glances at it. “I’ve cleared the next couple of days to work on this.”

“We appreciate that,” Austin says.

“Will you be coming with us to the meeting in the morning with Detective Peterson?” Miles asks Mr. Shankle. “The coroner’s cleared Austin and me by time of death alone, but that leaves Chance. It might be best if he has legal representation at this point, especially if Joey really was EPA. Killing a government official is even more of a big deal.”

He nods. “Definitely.”

“Detective Peterson said Austin and I don’t need to be at the meeting,” Miles says. “Just Chance and Sadie. But fuck that. I want to be there.” He turns and meets my gaze. “I’m not letting you go through this alone.”

He squeezes my hand, and I smile.

Sort of.