Page 46 of The Elusive Billionaire

But there are still times when I catch her lost in thought that I fear this outspoken version of herself is a mask she wears to hide her vulnerability. We’re together twenty-four hours a day right now, and I haven’t figured out when she removes the mask. When is she allowing herself to just…be?

What worries me the most, though, is her eating habits. It reminds me of my sister and the way she’d grapple for control of anything because my father took away so much of her autonomy. Starving herself had been the first way she regained control, and I was too young to help.

I’m not saying Savvy’s the same, but there are a lot of little signs that have me paying closer attention.

“Well, this is interesting.” Quinn snickers, but it makes Savvy frown, so I mute the call. The power came on this morning, but my Wi-Fi and cell service are still down, so the satellite phone is our only means of communication with the outside world.

“Sorry,” Savvy whispers. “I just need to get my underwear.”

“Savvy.” My voice is raw as she creeps closer. I love how she moves like a dancer but hate how fragile her bones appear.

Will it always be this way with her? This love and hate, push and pull that drives me crazy?

A gasp comes through the speaker, and Savvy’s scowl deepens just before she scurries out of sight.

Fuck. I guess mute doesn’t work on this dinosaur of a phone, but what the hell was Savvy’s reaction about?

I wait to continue my conversation with my assistant until Savvy is safely back upstairs.

“Braxton mentioned you were…not alone. Thesex therapist, though. Huh. Never would’ve seen that one coming.”

I don’t like the way she mentions Savvy’s career, but I can’t quite place why.

“Her best friend is now my sister-in-law.” The watered-down version of our relationship feels safer. “The hurricane destroyed everything on this property, and we’re stuck here until someone can clear a path to us.”

“Is that why you’re not in the office?” Quinn asks. It instantly raises my hackles.

“Why else wouldn’t I be in?”

There’s a long pause. Long enough that I confirm the battery on the satellite phone didn’t die.

“Quinn?”

“You don’t have access to…anything out there?”

“No.” I grind my teeth. “We’re completely shut off from the outside world save for the satellite phone, so if you have something to tell me, just say it.”

“This really should have come from Braxton days ago.” She’s obviously annoyed, but I don’t give a shit.

Her recent distaste for Braxton has been a mystery to me, and perhaps I need to start paying attention. Regardless, she should know me well enough to know that she’s walking on thin ice where my family is concerned.

“We’re in the middle of a natural disaster. Braxton is being pulled in a million different directions, and I’ll remind you that he’s also my brother and the rightful heir to Omni-Reyes, so tread very carefully here. What is ityouthink he should have told me?”

“I didn’t mean anything by that, Greyson. But…”

Irritation picks at the beginnings of a migraine, but she knows I’m right. Ace was Braxton’s grandfather on his mother’s side, while we share DNA from the morally decrepit Darren Wells. I’m almost glad we didn’t find out we were related until we were in our thirties though—it saved Braxton from ever getting too close to the monster I once called dad.

“There are some things…” she continues.

“Just spit it out, Quinn.”

“You and your houseguest are currently embroiled in a national scandal, which is reflecting poorly on Omni-Reyes, Sunshine Studios, and…you.” It rushes from her mouth like a tidal wave.

My blood pressure spikes, and tension in my skull blinds me. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Her past is?—”

“None of your fucking business.” The protective feelings that have always existed for Sage and Brax roar to the surface now, but they’re for Savvy. It’s new and completely unwelcome.