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33

ASHER

“ S hit,” I hear Billie whisper beside me as she hops out of bed.

I roll over, sunlight streaming in, and see her typing away on her phone.

“What’s up?” I ask as she rushes around naked. I can’t help but admire her.

“I overslept! I’ve got a meeting in five minutes about the fashion show, and we need to finalize our seasonal designs,” she says. “Oh, and check this out.”

Billie hands me her phone and heads to her closet to get ready for work.

I glance at the article headline from LuxLeaks—“Who Is the Other Woman?”

There are a few blurry pics of Louis with someone. It’s clear it wasn’t Billie he was kissing. The long light-brown hair gives it away.

“When I said it needed to end, I didn’t mean like this,” I say loud enough for her to hear.

“This wasn’t planned,” she replies, and I hear clothes rustling.

I sit up and quickly read the article. “Who the fuck is this? ”

“No idea. He won’t tell me who he’s seeing. I’ve asked several times.”

“Not Louis’s secret girlfriend. LadyLux.”

I continue reading.

Not to say I told you so, but I knew His Royal Highness wasn’t Billie Calloway’s king.

Billie doesn’t respond, but eventually, she steps out, wearing high heels, a short black skirt that shows off her long legs, and a black sheer shirt with a long split between her breasts. She leans against the doorway to her closet, looking like a snack.

“Wow,” I say, blinking up at her. “Bringing back the black?”

“Until the fashion show,” she says. “Everyone expected a royal wedding, so I wore a white pantsuit to play the game. With this scandal, it’s back to black until Fashion Week. I’m in mourning for Josh Lustre’s career.”

My girl is a fucking firecracker.

“I’m going to find out who LadyLux is and stop her,” I admit.

Billie tenses. “Don’t.”

I try to read her like a book as I slide on the slacks I wore yesterday. “You know who’s behind it. Weston and Easton do as well. Yesterday, they called me into their office to threaten me to leave LadyLux alone.”

She stares at me. “You weren’t there to discuss me?”

I smirk. “Don’t flatter yourself, princess. You weren’t the topic of conversation until you bolted into the office, ready to burn the place down.”

She playfully swats at me. “I needed to curse out my brothers for meddling. You being there and seeing Stormy set me off. It felt like a betrayal.”

“I’m sorry. They wanted to meet with me because I emailed LuxLeaks and told her I’d find out who she was. And I will,” I say as she nearly freezes in place. “If it’s you …”

Billie shakes her head, moving toward me. “It’s hilarious you believe I have time to run a billion-dollar fashion corporation and talk shit about my brothers and friends. Also, if it were me, I’d have written plenty of scathing articles about you over the years to destroy everything you were without apology.”

A chuckle escapes me. “That’s a good point. Almost forgot you throw every punch you can.”

“Don’t forget who my brothers are. I have to be this way to protect myself.” Seriousness covers her expression. “I’m asking you to trust me and leave this alone. If LadyLux wants to reveal herself to you, she will. Just be patient.”

Billie moves into her bathroom as she slides diamond earrings into her ears.

“You make her sound like the tooth fairy,” I say, following her. “Is it Weston or Easton?”

“No.” She gives me a dirty look in the mirror. “Please don’t ask me anything else. I won’t tell you. I can’t.”

I slide my arm around her waist. “Then I’ll discover who it is and decide if it’s worth exposing her afterward. I’m so fucking intrigued now.”

“Don’t piss me off, please.”

I shoot her a wink, kissing softly on her neck. “At least you used your manners. Just tell LadyLux if she mentions me again, she will be my priority once I take down Lustre,” I say, glancing at the preview of texts on my phone that are flooding in from Louis.

“LadyLux doesn’t listen to anyone. Not me. Not Easton. Not Weston. If I threaten her, she will make you the focus, and trust me when I say, you do not want to do that.” Billie turns to me, tracing her fingers across the tattoos on my chest. “And if I remember correctly, you’re supposed to be groveling still. So, you kind of have to do whatever makes me happy until the end of time.”

I burst into laughter, running my fingers through her hair, admiring how pretty she always is. “You play so fucking dirty,” I say, and she gently brushes her lips across mine.

“You have no idea.” She outlines the bird on my chest. “Why this tattoo? ”

I gently grab her wrist, holding her hand against my heart. “It’s a phoenix. It represents resilience, strength, and rising from the pits of hell. I felt like I was dying when Eden passed away. I turned the pain into this. One day, I will have it colored in,” I admit. “When I finish my sister’s wish list.”

She smiles. “That’s so special. Did you read the letter Eden wrote me?”

“No. I couldn’t. I will soon.” I place my hand on her elbow, stealing a kiss.

“No rush,” she tells me.

“I already miss you,” I say.

She exhales. “We never have enough time together.”

“We eventually will. Have the best day, princess.”

Her face softens. “It usually is when I wake up next to you.”

“Same. Thanks for giving me another chance,” I tell her.

Billie interlocks her fingers with mine. “Please don’t make me regret it.”

“I won’t,” I promise as she walks away. “If I want LadyLux to help with a takedown, how do I get in touch with her directly?”

Billie turns to me. “Regarding?”

“Insider trading, stock manipulation, digital espionage, design theft, contract fraud, money laundering, and sexual harassment claims regarding Lustre Fashion.”

Her mouth falls open. “You have proof?”

“I have the receipts. I need a trusted source to drop the story. She’s trusted if your entire family is protecting her.”

Billie shakes her head. “And what’s in it for her?”

“I’d personally protect her brand for the rest of my life.”

We hold a silent conversation, and she swallows hard. “I’ll speak with her.”

I close the distance between us, kissing her deeply, threading my fingers through her hair. Our tongues twist together, and she sinks into me.

Billie pulls away breathlessly. “What was that for? ”

“I’m so fucking in love with you,” I mutter.

Our lips crash together again. We have to force ourselves away from one another. Her hair is a mess, and her lips are swollen. My cock is rock hard.

“I think you’re the one who’s bad for business,” she says, adjusting her clothes as I slide on my shirt.

“Oh, I absolutely am, but I’m so damn good for you too.”

“The only one for me.”

“The only one who can handle you.”

She scoffs as she walks toward her door with a sassy smile. “ Barely. ”

I go to my loft and shower. It’s a bit past six, and I don’t have to arrive at Lustre’s headquarters until eight, so I have plenty of time. Once I’m dressed, I quickly make a cup of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal, then grab the letter Billie gave me the day before.

I pick it up and smooth my fingers across my sister’s handwriting. My heart lurches forward when I see she drew hearts over the i ’s in Billie’s name. Carefully, I unfold the letter.

Billie,

I want to offer a huge congratulations on what you and Harper have accomplished with Bellamore in such a short time. You should be very proud, considering how competitive the market is. Because I know you and how independent you are, I don’t imagine you’d ever accept anyone’s help regarding your company, but I want you to know that Banks’s Advertising and Marketing Firm is always watching out for you. However, that’s not all I want to discuss.

I want you to know how dangerous Josh Lustre is. I know you two have just started dating, and it seems serious, but he’s a scoundrel. He knows nothing about fashion. He chose you because you’re a shining star and you have precisely what he needs to continue pushing his shady-as-fuck company forward.

For two weeks, I’ve contemplated whether I should warn you or not, and with good conscience, I can’t ignore this. He needs you not as a life partner, but as a business partner. Never collaborate with him. Do not give him too many details about what you’re working on. Protect your brand!

I know a piece-of-shit CEO when I see one, and not to mention, he’s a known cheater. Once he’s given the opportunity, he will do to you what he did to the other women he dated in the past. Refuse to sign an NDA with him.

Now, the next thing I want to discuss is my younger brother. I’m aware—along with the entire planet—that you and Asher don’t get along and have disliked each other since college. He can be a total asshole and push things too far, especially when he’s right. I know how much he gets under your skin, and trust me when I say, you do the same to him. However, the two of you could be great together. I promise this isn’t me writing a letter to tell you to stop seeing Josh and date my brother, but you should.

Why? Because I see the way you two look at one another. I see how when you’re together in the same room, everyone else disappears. Even though you two go back and forth constantly, you each enjoy it. Please promise that once you’ve healed from Josh, you’ll give Asher a chance.

As your friend, I want you to be happy.

As a sister, I want my brother to be happy.

I’m confident you could be happy together.

The two of you are a match made in heaven, and maybe, some days, you are more of a match made in hell, but regardless, you are still a match. I’ve always imagined the two of you together, and the thought brings me so much joy that I can barely contain it. I don’t know how to get the two of you from hate to like to love, but I know it’s meant to be. Destined.

Harper and I have discussed this heavily, and she mentioned that you didn’t want any of her love prophecies, but you didn’t tell that to me.

One day, you WILL be my sister, and I can’t wait to dance at your wedding. Also, I know you’re rolling your eyes as you read this, which is fine. I can’t wait to tell you I told you so.

The last thing I want to discuss is how you caught me and Brody together. Please don’t tell anyone about our relationship. We’re falling in love and I’d like to keep our secret safe for now.

Thank you for being a great friend.

Eden

.

.

.

P.S. Please destroy this letter when you’re finished reading it. I don’t want it to get into the wrong hands .

My eyes blur with tears as I set the letter down, trying to process everything I read about Josh and me and her secret relationship with Brody. After her death, he avoided me, and things just weren’t the same between us. For years, I thought I’d done something to him, but it never had anything to do with me. He was secretly in love with my sister, and no one knew it other than him, Eden, and Billie. Brody has been secretly mourning her, and knowing that nearly breaks me.

I wipe my eyes and cheeks and get myself together. I slide the paper back into the envelope and finish my coffee and oatmeal.

Right now, my sister is everywhere and nowhere, all at once.

As I leave my loft, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Weston

Dinner at my place tonight at eight sharp?

Asher

Who’s invited?

Weston

The four of us.

He doesn’t have to say anything else. I know that means him, Carlee, Billie, and me. I smile.

Asher

I’ll be there.

As soon as I enter my office at Lustre Fashion, Josh enters with a pep in his step. He sits in the chair in front of my desk, smirking.

“Billie and Louis are over,” he says proudly.

“I hadn’t heard,” I say, playing coy.

“I had Louis followed,” he replies.

My eyes widen. “You do not want to mess with the palace. ”

He laughs. “Oh, but I do. Anyway, will you be joining our monthly meeting? It starts in five minutes.”

“Yes,” I tell him. “I’d like to see the designs you’re launching for the fall, along with the marketing plan your team has devised. I know our contract expires in five weeks; however, I want to ensure you’re standing on a solid foundation for your launch.”

“Hiring you was the best thing I ever did,” he says, standing and adjusting his tie.

“Remember you said that.”

I act as Josh’s shadow for ten hours and am exhausted by him and how he speaks down to every person who comes in his vicinity. Sometimes, it’s very hard to bite my tongue, but I remind myself that this will be over soon and Josh won’t be able to continue down this path.

Eventually, the sun fades behind the horizon, and I yawn, checking the time. I can’t be late to Weston’s, so I grab my things and text my driver. As I slide my laptop into my bag, Josh bursts into my office in a panic.

His panic is a complete one-eighty from his cocky-as-hell attitude this morning.

“What’s up?” I ask, used to his erratic behavior.

“There has been a major data breach. We’ve been hacked,” Josh says. “I just got off a call with the chief security officer. This is very bad.”

He’s hyperventilating.

“Sit down,” I tell him, returning behind my desk. “Explain.”

“Someone breached our database and bypassed all security protocols. Scans indicated extensive downloads of financial records, private emails, contracts—everything. They’re still investigating it, trying to determine when this started. Whoever did this was a professional and knew exactly what they were looking for. Right now, the website has been hacked, and we can’t do anything.”

My brows crease together. “Excuse me? ”

“Come to my office,” he says, and I follow behind him as he rushes.

He sits behind his desk and pulls up the site.

I see a skull and crossbones with the words GAME OVER , along with a countdown.

A chill runs up my spine because I’m not responsible for this. It’s next level.

“Who did you piss off?”

He rubs his hands over his face. “I don’t know. I don’t fucking know!”

I breathe in. “This is a PR nightmare.”

“What do I do?”

“We need to release a statement, so employees know what’s going on. You need to make the public aware as well. Announce that you are committed to transparency and accountability.”

“Yes, that’s really good,” he says. “And then what?”

“You’ll need media training, coaching on how to answer questions that you will inevitably be asked.”

He slams his hand on his desk. “I just realized what the timer is counting down to.”

I meet his eyes. “What?”

“My runway show at London Fashion Week.”

I somehow escape Lustre as he has a meltdown. I wondered how long it would take his cybersecurity team to notice there had been a major breach in their database. They should’ve realized it weeks ago. However, I’m not sure my breach and this one are related. I tend to fly under the radar. Whoever did this wanted him to know they were destroying him. But who?

I told him to make sure he always had security on him and to watch his back, and then I left him shaking like a leaf. If he wasn’t such a horrible person and didn’t treat people so terribly, I might feel bad. Unfortunately, these are the consequences of his actions. He’s finally reaping what he’s sown, but it’s obvious that I’m not the only person onto Josh. Someone else is too.

My car slows at Park Towers, and when I get out, I’m surprised cameras aren’t waiting to take photographs. It’s a weeknight though, when things are much slower. The weekends are different.

As soon as I walk into the foyer, I pass Harper, dressed in evening wear. “Hey, Harp.”

She smiles wide and greets me, “Asher. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Having dinner with Weston and Carlee,” I tell her.

“Tell them I said hello. I’m meeting Micah for dinner and drinks.”

“Have fun,” I say, and we go our separate ways.

There is something about Micah Rhodes that has always made my alarm bells go off. I make a mental note to do more digging on him as I take the elevator to Weston’s.

I knock, and the door swings open.

Billie stands there with a grin. “Hi.”

My eyes slide up and down her body. “Hi.”

She grabs my hand and pulls me in. We move to the table, where a set of dice and a notepad are sitting.

“Gambling?” I ask.

“I’m teaching them how to play a game we love playing back in Texas. It’s called Farkle,” Carlee tells me.

“It’s actually really fun,” Billie says, moving closer to me, but I keep my hands to myself to respect Weston.

His eyes haven’t left me since I entered.

“Thanks for inviting us to dinner,” I say to him with a smile, though I don’t fully trust his intentions, considering our last exchange at Calloway headquarters .

Carlee moves into the kitchen and pinches Weston’s ass when she passes him.

“Woman,” he says, squirming away from her.

She laughs. “Get out of my way.”

He pulls her into his arms, bringing her back to him. “Never.”

Billie’s eyes meet mine, and I can’t wait to be alone with her.

It’s barely past eight, and I feel like I’ve lived one of the longest days of my life.

“I watched Louis’s press conference,” Weston offers from the kitchen.

“Really?” I ask. “I was in nonstop meetings today. It was awful.”

Billie nods. “I watched it in double speed. He told everyone we broke it off days prior, but hadn’t had a chance to make an announcement yet. He said we were much better as friends. Palace is pushing that there was no cheating involved and is trying to keep his crown polished.”

“After the Prince Louie scandal, I can understand why,” I say, meeting Billie’s eyes, knowing that she bought one of those toys.

A sly grin slides across her face. “Exactly. I think it will all be okay though. Everyone is buying it.”

“That’s great news,” I tell her, knowing that if Louis hadn’t dated Billie that summer, we probably would have become friends. Once they got together, he was immediately added to my shit list.

“What?” Billie asks, noticing I’m smiling at her, admiring her.

I think back to Eden’s letter, knowing she’s kept it safe all these years.

“Nothing,” I tell her, utterly taken aback by how damn pretty she is.

I feel like I’m walking on the fucking moon when she’s near, like nothing in the world matters. All it ever takes is one glance.

Carlee clears her throat. “I have to tell you something.”

I glance at her, and she’s staring directly at me. “Me?”

“You have to sign this first,” she says, sliding an NDA toward me with a pen .

Billie and Weston say nothing.

“Is this where I get initiated into your cult?” I ask.

Weston bursts into laughter. “Fucking hilarious. But yes.”

“He’s lying,” Billie says. “We’re not in a cult.”

“You’re not being convincing,” I say as I quickly scan the contract, knowing it’s a standard NDA, nothing outrageous or out of the ordinary.

I’ve been presented with thousands of them in my lifetime, and I could probably write one verbatim at this point. I sign my name at the bottom, and it feels like minutes of silence pass. It stretches on.

“If you don’t spit it out, I might die from anticipation,” I say dryly.

Carlee glares at me. “I will help you take down Josh.”

“ You ?” I ask, shocked.

She scoffs. “Yes, me .” She sounds offended.

Then realization dawns on me, and a cheeky grin fills my face. “You’re LadyLux.”

“Are you shocked?” she asks.

“Yes, because you’re nice, and LadyLux is a real bitch. And I honestly thought she was a middle-aged widow with a chip on her shoulder.”

Weston howls with laughter.

“Hmm, you’re just used to people bowing down to you because you’re a nepo baby. LadyLux doesn’t worship anyone. Reality checks are needed when you have as many zeros in your trust fund as you, Banks. I’m the only one brave enough to serve the truth on a silver platter,” she says.

I smile wide. “It’s an honor,” I say sincerely.

“It’s a deal,” she says, holding out her hand.

We shake on it. Neither Weston nor Billie interrupts. This is official business between me and Carlee, no one else.

“I’ll keep your brand safe,” I promise.

“I know, and that alone is worth it,” she says. “Now, can we please eat? I’m starving. I made spaghetti with fat meatballs and garlic knots. It’s my Mawmaw’s recipe.”

“Sounds amazing,” I offer as we make our plates.

During dinner, the conversation flows easily. I steal glances at my Billie, and I love seeing her this relaxed. She’s smiling and happy, and it’s so easy to imagine a future with her.

“I need you to tell me everything,” Carlee says, stealing my attention.

I smirk, sliding my hand into my pocket and pulling out the USB drive that’s full of the information she needs to destroy Josh.

“You just carry this data around with you?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say. “I figured after I made my offer, LadyLux would reveal herself to me because she knew I was a weapon. I wanted to be prepared.”

Carlee grins. “I need time to go through this.”

“I understand,” I say, clearing my throat. “I do have more news.”

All eyes are on me.

“Someone else hacked Josh’s database. His website has been taken over. You have to witness this for yourselves,” I tell them, pulling up my cell phone and going to the page. “He also admitted to being responsible for the photos of Louis being leaked.”

“ Game over ,” Weston whispers, his jaw clenched tight. “Do you know who would do this?”

“Not sure. But whoever it is seems fed the fuck up and has the resources to act from the outside,” I say.

Billie exhales hard. “I should tell Louis what Josh did.”

“You should text him now so he can let his people know,” I tell her.

“Extra security is a must in London, sis,” Weston instructs. “You’ll travel with an entourage, you and Asher. It’s an order.”

Billie studies him. “Do you think I should cancel this trip?”

“No,” Weston says. “It’s important that you both go. You can’t let him take this from you. You’re the diamond of the show.”