Page 179 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set

“Look at me,” I say. “Look me straight in the eye, Peterson.”

He glances up, and I don’t like what I see in his eyes.

“Watch your tone, Bridger.”

“Fine. Do your fucking investigation. But when you’re done, expect a lawsuit filed by the three of us for malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and anything else our team of highly paid attorneys can think of.”

Yeah. My mom married an attorney along the way too, which blessed me with a little legalese.

With that, I whisk out of the conference room.

I’m not sure which one is Sadie’s desk, or if she has an office, but I don’t see her anywhere. I head to the reception desk. “Did Sadie Hopkins leave?”

The receptionist nods, batting her eyes. “She did. She said she was going to take a few days off.”

“Thank you.”

Good. Sadie took my advice. Now I just need to find her so I can take care of her.

I do feel a responsibility to my brother, but Chance can take care of himself. Plus, he has Austin and Shankle. And Shankle will set him up with the best criminal attorneys in the state of Montana.

Right now? I need to see to my woman.

I laugh out loud at my own words.

My woman.

I’ve been thinking of her as my woman all this time.

Hell, I never even wanted a woman of my own. I was happy with many women and no commitment. I got all the pussy I wanted back in New York, and I never had to pay alimony. Lesson learned from every husband my mother dragged to divorce court.

Sadie drove with me this morning, so her car isn’t here at the station. Her apartment isn’t far, so she probably walked home. I get in my truck and drive the few blocks to her place.

I park on the street and a few seconds later I’m standing at her apartment door. I knock. “Sadie?”

No response.

There’s no doorbell, so I knock again.

Then I fucking pound on the door. “Sadie? Where are you?”

Fuck, maybe she stayed in town, went to get a cup of coffee or something. Why wouldn’t she tell me where she was going?

I drive back to the station, where Austin and Chance are now exiting, and get out of my car.

“What the hell was that about?” Austin demands. “The three of us have got to stick together.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” I shift my gaze to the sidewalk. “I know I went off a little halfcocked.”

“A little?” Chance lifts his eyebrows. “I don’t like Peterson any more than you do, but it’s my ass on the line, not yours. He’s a good detective, but he’s not above fucking with you if he’s pissed.”

“Yeah, I know. Sadie gave me the 4-1-1 on him.”

“What the hell were you thinking, Miles?” Austin shakes his head at me.

“Hell, I was… Fuck. I was thinking that my woman just lost her brother. That she’s sad. That she needs me.”

They both raise their eyebrows at me.