Page 91 of The Billionaires' Gamble

I reach over and slide my hand over Alex’s. He squeezes my fingertips and takes a sip of his ice water.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“As good as can be expected.”

It’s not the answer I want, but it’s one I expect. “Have you seen Gabe?”

He shakes his head. “But I’ve got eyes on him.”

The low words are punctuated by a quick glance at the bracelet around my wrist. I’d forgotten about the tracker. I wonder if Gabe knows about his.

“That reminds me. I got you a new phone.” He leans my way and fishes the device from his pocket, types in a password —which I note is the date of the auction—then hands it over. “Obviously, it’s not backed up from your old one, but it’ll do until we get yours back.”

From the police, he means. Because that yacht and my phone are part of a crime investigation.

My body flushes at the memory. Why is it so easy to put the whole debacle out of my mind?

Ford’s laughter echoes across the terrace.There. That’s the reason.

They’ve been super careful not to talk about it. It’s like the whole estate is under a media blackout. We’ve stuck to safe topics and relaxation.

“Thanks.” I shouldn’t be wary, right? But for some reason, I’m hesitant. Like the little screen is a tangible connection to the outside world. A connection that I’ve been cutting cord by cord lately.

The phone is new and shiny and utterly devoid of text messages and my favorite apps. I immediately hit the app store and download The House Plant Doctor.

Around me, the conversation continues, delightfully normal.

Ford and Sutton are discussing their latest project, Shon peppers them with questions, and Dad asks her about her plans after law school. Alex dishes himself up a plate of fruit but keeps a hand just above my knee. Dad asks him about our recent trip to Paris, while Shon pulls Sutton into a discussion about the latest thriller everyone’s reading.

And I add relics of my life, one by one, to my new phone. Email. YouTube. Ebooks.

Under contacts, Alex already included his info, along with King, Gabe, LaShonda, my brother, father, Sutton, and King’s family.

I’m oh-so-tempted to text Gabe. Just to check in. Ask him how it’s going. The old me would have asked what I did wrong. Or maybe she’d ask how we could fix things.

But the new me is not going to beg for his attention. The new me knows that he’ll come around when he’s ready.

What if he’s never ready?a little voice whispers.

Then he’s never ready, I guess.

My heart cracks at the thought, and I glance across the yard toward the perfectly manicured maze. My skin heats as I think about our game of cat and mouse through the lush greenery. How he declared he was going to catch me. How the whole hunt ended with me in his lap and us making out like horny teenagers… only to be caught by Alex.

Even worse is the thought that he and Alex won’t be able to repair whatever is going on between them. I nibble on my thumbnail, thoughts firing through my brain. How do I fix that situation?

At least Gabe’s still talking to King.

I can’t decide if that gives me hope or not.

Movement in the corner of my eye has me glancing past Alex.

Speak of the handsome devil. King strides along the walkway toward the terrace, a faint smile playing over his kissable lips.

His gorgeous golden hair shines beneath the warm morning sun. Today he’s wearing a teal polo that sets off his tan and makes his eyes look just a little greener. Trotting up the few steps, his gaze finds mine and a full smile curves his lips.

Shon scoots over a chair, making room for King. He turns that beaming smile her way. “You’re a goddess.”

“I know,” she says without missing a beat.