Page 69 of The Elusive Billionaire

“Nice recap there, son. Way to put those big brains of yours to work.” Pops chuckles. It’s as though he truly can’t help riling Grey up.

Grey pinches the bridge of his nose and counts out loud to ten.

“A coincidence?” Braxton asks.

“Bad timing, maybe,” I mutter. “What do we do with this thing?”

“Already got the boys in blue on their way to pick it up and take it to the station for forensics,” Chief says with his thumbs tucked into the waistband of his jeans. He rocks back on his heels, and you get the full impact of his self-importance.

“Why does it feel like the entire world is trying to suck the happy out of Happiness all of a sudden?” Clover’s words are a whisper of a breath. She’s physically shaking, and not for thefirst time, I wish she’d let us in, give us her whole story. But I know better than most that she’ll only share when she’s ready.

Self-protection is more than a habit for her—it might be the line between fiction and reality.

“The common denominator is us,” Grey says. “Braxton and me. Since we came to town, we’ve brought a whole lot of damage. It’s followed me since birth.”

“Martyrdom isn’t typically your style, Patch. I’m disappointed.” My sarcasm is thick.

“It’s not martyrdom if it’s true,” he bites back. His tongue is sharp, but so is mine.

“Moving on,” Braxton says, kneeling before the box and poking at the fabric with a stick. Where the hell did he find that? “Regardless of why the sky is falling, I think it’s safe to say that it is, or at least someone wants us to believe it is. So there’s only one solution for now.”

“What’s that?” I’m out of suggestions. If he has one, I’m all ears.

“Savvy, your place needs new windows. Grey, yours needs rehab, and Clover, it’s just not safe for you to stay here alone, so you’ll all move into the Hideaway with us until we get some answers.”

Pops whoops with both fists in the air.

Greyson and Madi talk over each other—Grey furious, Madi as animated as a cartoon.

Clover finally collapses onto the nearby porch swing.

Chief nods as though this were his idea.

And me? I’m mentally tallying how many rooms are still available at the inn and know that my day is about to go fromwhat the fuck?tofuck no. My meddling besties are going to force us to cohabitate again.

Before I can speak, Pops releases an ear-splitting whistle to silence everyone.

“This will be perfect,” Madi grins. “Since you and Grey are officially engaged now?—”

“What?” Clover jumps to her feet, her own fears pushed aside as she rushes past Braxton and grabs my left hand.

Crap. I’ll have to fill her in on the details as soon as possible.

“The ring is being sized,” Grey mutters.

“It’s what? What ring?” I’m back to glaring at Grey.

“Your ring, my honesty-challenged angel.” His tone is so slippery, so dark with hidden promises, that I shiver despite my boiling temper.

“You’re engaged? For real?” Clover’s words tumble from her mouth with supersonic speed while a crease forms between her brows.

“Yes, Clover. For real.” At least Grey drops the attitude when he’s talking to my shaken friend. “We’ve been…secretly seeing each other for a while.” The smirk on this man needs a swift slap to knock it away.

“Not so secret, if you ask me.” Pops laughs with his whole entire body. “Remember at the Cozy Cup Festival when we saw?—”

Madi slaps a hand over his mouth to silence him.

“This past week made us realize that it wasn’t hate we were experiencing, but love. Right, angel?”