Page 240 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set

I lift my eyebrows, my heart kicks up, and my dick swells. Avery is here? I whisk past Louisa without another word, although I can’t miss the even bigger smile on her face. She’s worked here since I was a kid and knows all about Jonathan Bridger. And me. And my past with Avery. Unlike my brothers, she keeps her opinions about us being back together to herself. Smart woman.

When I reach the living room, Avery runs to me. Kisses me.

I’m too stunned to do more than wrap my arms around her and kiss her right back. Her mouth on mine, her lithe body in my arms is all I could imagine.

I’ve dreamed of Avery living in this house with me. Kids. Everything. I know she’s skittish, even after our night together, but this? Fuck. It’s better than I could have expected.

“I thought we were having dinner.” I pull back just enough to meet her eyes. “Couldn’t wait to see me?” I can’t help the grin on my face. If Miles or Austin saw me, they’d think I’m having a stroke. I never smile…until now.

“We are. But I have news. Gene Chubb confessed to killing Joey Hopkins. The case is closed.”

I blink. Chubb… Chubb. The name sounds familiar. “The guy Miles called?”

She nods. “DNA match. His DNA was in the system from an armed robbery some time ago. It matched what we found under the victim’s fingernails. We picked him up and he confessed. He’s a killer, but he seems to have a little bit of a conscience. Enough to be tired of holding that secret.”

She’s kissing along my neck as she explains. I’m not sure what’s gotten into her, why she’s running hot, but again, I don’t ask. I love the feel of her, the way she’s come to me to satisfy her needs.

“What about my father?” I angle my head so she can kiss me better.

“He wasn’t involved in the murder. What he was involved in will be decided by the DOJ.”

I think of the secret room. Of the files.

Then I stop thinking when Avery says—

“Take me to your room.”

Those words coming all breathy-like from her mouth make my dick hard and my mind blank. The news I have to share won’t change in the next two or three hours, which gives me time to fuck her until we’re both completely satisfied.

Everything can wait until I’ve taken care of Avery.

“You need to come?” I cup her ass and lift her up.

She wraps her legs around me and I carry her through the house to my room.

“God, yes. Make me come, Chance.”

My dick is already leaking pre-come from the need to get in this woman. I kick the door shut behind us, then carry her to the bed, set her on her feet right at the foot of it.

Her hands are on my shirt and she tugs, the snaps popping one by one.

“I love these shirts.” She roams her hands over my chest.

I hold her wrists, saying nothing.

She looks up at me. “What?”

“I’m all for you wanting to get it on, but what’s changed, Avery?”

She shrugs a slim shoulder. “The case is over. You’re innocent.”

“You didn’t think I was?” I ask. I don’t release her wrists. I need to know how she feels. If she thought I was guilty. “Did you think I was a murderer?”

Her eyes widen. “No. God no. But that letter, Chance. It was so…mean. Absolutely cruel and callous.”

“Callous enough to make you think I could take a life?”

She shakes her head vehemently. “No. Not really. I just… I had doubts.”