Page 93 of The Elusive Billionaire

“Next,” Roman calls out, interrupting our moment. “You have to buy a drink to ask a question.”

Focusing on what’s happening in front of us, I pull my shoulders back when I recognize the next guy as someone who harassed Madi when we were young adults—Jackson Witherby. He’s a weaselly little shit and always has been.

The weasel slips money into my palm, and its damp, as though even his hands are overly sweaty. Gross.

“Rumor has it the Wells family and the DeVane family have a sordid past?—”

“We don’t answer to rumors,” I say, interrupting him. “Nor do we answer questions that don’t pertain to us. Next.”

Grey raises his brow in my direction but says nothing.

“Hey, I paid for my drink.”

Greyson hands him a Budweiser, the least expensive option we carry, but otherwise ignores him.

“I didn’t get to ask my question,” he whines.

“Time is money, Mr. Witherby,” I say. “I suggest next go around, you ask an actual question without a lead-in shrouded in rumor.” Dang, that felt good.

“Point for Savvy.” Grey looks…proud.

“Savvy, Sunshine Studios has tanked in recent weeks. Are you concerned about your past hurting Greyson’s new business venture?”

“Savvy’s podcast is still number one on the charts. We aren’t concerned about anything there,” Grey says smoothly.

But my skin itches.

A middle-aged man wearing a light pink polo raises his hand, then steps forward when Roman calls on him. He’s vaguely familiar, but I can’t place him. He hands Grey some money but refuses a beverage. “How do you think the victim of your poor choices feels, watching you parade your life in front of the cameras while she sits in her childhood bedroom, dreaming of what could have been?”

Camera flashes blind me. It’s as though every person here has suddenly turned their camera on me, and Grey slips his hand into mine.

“As I said,” Grey’s voice is a rumble, but I squeeze his hand to cut him off.

Elle’s advice to get ahead of my story sings in my head.

Swallowing hard, I don’t hide the emotion on my face.

“I will always regret the choices I made as a young girl.” My voice is steady and smooth, but my insides tremble violently. “I haven’t been able to see my childhood friend since the accident, though I’ve tried.”

I make eye contact with as many people as I can. “You want a headline, but the truth is, I trusted the wrong person when I wasno more than a child, and I lost one of the most important people in my life. But don’t think for one moment that she doesn’t exist in my heart every single day. I’m the one who was forced into that car without my consent. I wasn’t the one driving, but I will always carry the guilt of what being my friend cost Paige.”

The man opens his mouth for a follow-up question, but Grey interrupts him. “We need to move to the next hole.”

With my hand securely in his, he leads me to the passenger seat while Roman secures the beverages.

A moment later, Grey slips in beside me, holds my hand in his, and whisks me away.

“You won that game,” he says calmly.

My head swivels toward him, but he stares straight ahead.

“I can’t wait to see what you do to me.” Dark promises linger on every syllable he speaks.

I try to pull my hand from his, but he squeezes harder.

“I thought you said we were done with the physical aspect of our…whatever this is,” I challenge.

A smile tugs at his lips. “I said it was over when we were enemies. Now you’re to be my wife, so we have new rules to set. I still possess willpower that you don’t. However, you won, and I don’t go back on my word. Plus.” He lifts our joined hands and kisses the inside of my wrist. “I’m curious to see what you’ll come up with.”