Page 124 of The Elusive Billionaire

I’m glad she had Ace, but I’m irritated that even her best friends never inquired more about her inscription. I’m more irritated with myself for never looking closely enough.

Clover obviously knew what it meant, and I know what it means, but none of us bothered to ask what it meant to Savvy.

She gives, and gives, and gives until she has nothing left for herself.She needed to mark her skin to remember not to burn herself out.

How many times in this woman’s life have people let her down?

“That was around the time Ace gave Greyson his coin to replace the one he lost from his sister,” Braxton says.

Loudmouth can take his show-and-tell and fuck off with it.

It’s obvious that Ace was leaving a trail of breadcrumbs, but we’ve already eaten the candy and jumped into the fire. Whatever his intention was, it’s my future I’m fighting for now.

“I’ll call the Harringtons,” I say, my voice gruff as I wrangle with the untethered emotions crawling up my throat. We need to get back on track. “Let’s also step up our game and offer Kristen and Quinn different information we know the mole won’t keep secret to catch them in the act of treason. We’ll need to fill in our attorney while we wait for all the pieces to come together.”

I attempt to maintain eye contact with Braxton, but my gaze keeps drifting to Savvy’s foot.

“If this were a story I was writing…” Clover has taken the notebook I wrote my list on and is scribbling so fast she’s smudging the ink with the side of her hand. “I’d probably have the hero and the heroine carrying on as though nothing were amiss. Let the town see you in love. Show the world how well you work together.”

“That’s your plan?” Disdain drips from my words, and I immediately feel like a rotten dick. Even Wrecks wraps himself around her legs and growls in my direction.

Clover might be the most gentle human on the planet, and I just shat all over her.

When Savvy elbows me in the gut, I know I’m right.

“Sorry, Clover. That was…rude. I’m on edge, and I apologize for taking it out on you.”

Savvy reaches over and places the back of her hand on my forehead.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Monroe. I’m not sick. I’m also not a monster.”

“To anyone but me,” she mumbles.

I lean into her space until my lips press against her ear. “I didn’t hear any complaints about my monster cock taking care of you last night, Monroe. Is that the monster you’re referring to?”

Color rises high on her cheeks, and I pull back with a smirk.

“Okay,” Elle says. “So, you call the Harringtons to do their thing, and in the meantime, we focus on the fair. Everyone in town will be there—it’s as good a place as any to put on a show.” She smirks, and Cian rolls his eyes.

Savvy yawns, and she sways with exhaustion on her stool. I place my hand on her back and rub small circles there, pleased when she doesn’t push me away.

“How about we call it a night and reconvene in the morning,” Madi suggests. “The fair is going to take a lot out of Savvy and Grey, and we’ll have a lot of work to get them ready for it.”

Jesus. What now?

“I agree,” Braxton says. “Let’s meet here at nine, and we can fill Grey in on all his…duties.” He smirks, and I know instantly that I’m going to hate everything about this.

“I’ll do whatever I need to do,” I say, then take Savvy’s hand in mine. My gut wants me to force her to eat the sandwich, but my heart tells me she needs a break—even from me. “Come on, Monroe. Let’s get you to bed.”

No one stops us as I lead my future wife out of the room and up the stairs.

Neither of us speak as we climb into bed, and I hold her to my chest to ease the fears that have settled there.

I don’t know what the future will hold, but I do know that happiness will only come for me if Savvy is by my side.

“Goodnight, Monroe.”

“Goodnight, Patch.”