Page 27 of The Final Contract (The Black Ledger Billionaires #5)

T he sky seems bluer today than I’ve ever noticed before. Maybe it’s because it matches the eyes of a certain angel I can’t stop looking at.

“I’ll take some of these plates in, and then I need to jump in the shower,” Seraphina says, rising from the table on her wide patio. Sunlight cuts over her, gold across her hair.

Lucian showed up this morning with breakfast, wanting to catch up on the stalker developments and check on Sera for himself.

“I got it, lass.” Finn’s already on his feet, shooing her toward the penthouse before she can lift a finger.

She chuckles, eyes darting to mine for a split second before she turns away.

A thousand words could’ve been passed in that look. She could’ve been saying anything.

I know damn well what I’d like her to say.

When I drag my gaze back to the table, Lucian’s staring straight at me—espresso cup frozen halfway to his mouth.

“What?” I ask.

His mouth twitches in knowing amusement. “You fucking kidding me. What? You know what.”

“It’s not what you think it is.”

“It’s exactly what I think it is,” he cuts in, voice flat as steel. “Don’t lie. It’s been this way for a while now.”

I rub my hands down my face, scratching at my beard. Christ. He’s not wrong, and that makes it worse.

“You’re a fucking idiot,” Lucian says, settling back in his chair, eyes cutting into me. “Love’s not something men like us usually get. When an angel falls into your lap, you don’t shove her away—you hold on.”

The words scrape at me, remembering she said something similar in the conference room, the morning she presented this plan for a husband.

It’s like broken glass in my chest, because I realize she thinks no one would be able to see past her being an escort—how she earned her living.

That she can only get what she wants with a contract because she’s not worth more.

“I’ve been tryin’ ta tell him,” Finn returns, shaking his head.

I snort. “That’s rich. Bit of a hypocrite, don’t you think? Or do we not speak the name Nora anymore?”

“Exactly my point. I wasted years watching from a distance when I could’ve had a good woman by my side. Time I’ll never get back. Don’t make the same mistake.”

I look between them, jaw set, every instinct fighting what they’re saying. But fuck if it doesn’t burrow under my skin.

Lucian tips his head, calm again, like the storm already passed. “The only rules you’re breaking are the ones you’ve made for yourself, Kill.”

Before I can answer, his phone buzzes. He checks the screen, mutters a curse, and answers. His tone sharpens fast—business, not pleasure.

Finn leans toward me while Lucian’s distracted. “Last night…why you think the stalker didn’t show? You think he figured our plan?”

Lucian ends the call, pocketing his phone with a grim look. “I think I know why. Barrett Hall’s demanding a new car. Says his was nearly destroyed. Spray-painted all down the side: ‘Ledger whore.’ Windows smashed. Tires slashed to shit.”

So that’s it. He wasn’t at the theater because he was busy destroying the car of Sera’s last date.

I huff out a dark laugh—no sympathy in me. “Should’ve torched it for good measure.”

Lucian leans back, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Careful, brother. You’re in deep. Deep enough you’re even siding with her stalker—attacking her dates for him.”

I bark out a laugh. “Not siding with the bastard. But if Barrett Hall’s penthouse happened to go up in smoke, I wouldn’t shed a tear. The Irish are quite good with explosives, after all.”

I tip my coffee cup at him, and he tips his in return. An amused look passes between us. He knows all too well.

He spent a long night at my side once, wiring a building under construction to blow—along with a parking deck packed with luxury cars owned by crooked politicians.

“Who’s blowing up penthouses?” Eve’s voice cuts through. She strolls in like she owns the place, immediately plucking a pastry off the tray. Finn’s already pouring her a cup of coffee, attentive as ever.

“Unfortunately, no one,” I answer dryly.

Sera returns then, hair wrapped in a towel, the scent of soap clinging to her. Since Eve’s stolen her seat, she takes the one next to me. Too close. Or maybe not close enough. Neither of us makes a move to shift.

Lucian’s tone turns flat. “Your stalker trashed Hall’s car last night.”

Her mouth falls open, eyes snapping to me. I try to school my expression, but the ghost of a smirk slips free.

She tsks, elbowing me with a whispered, “Behave.”

If only she knew what that word does to me.

We both remember the night I came to get her from Barrett Hall’s penthouse—the way she pushed, the way I pushed right back until she came apart on my hand, pink-cheeked and gasping in that bathroom. My cock throbs just thinking about it.

Across the table, Eve watches too closely, lips curling when her gaze locks with mine. Mischief lights her stare. “Well, if the stalker didn’t show, seems another date is in order.”

“No,” Sera and I snap at the same time.

Eve grins like a cat that’s cornered two birds.

Sera shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter if I’m on dates or going to the gym. He tries to get to me. Suitors aren’t important anymore.”

My heart stutters, then races.

She doesn’t elaborate, but I want her to. Christ, I want her to—to say she’s abandoning this final-contract nonsense altogether.

But a darker thought gnaws at me: maybe she only means to postpone it until the stalker’s dealt with. Maybe I’m just a good fuck—not the man she sees standing at her side for the rest of her life.

The idea cuts deep. Deeper than I want to admit. And I swallow it down like poison.

“We’ve got a plan for your niece’s party.” Sera worries about endangering her family, but I’ve thought of that.

“Finn’ll take one of the girls out—blonde, close enough to pass for you from a distance. He’ll make sure eyes follow the decoy. Meanwhile, you and I slip out clean. We’ll be in Stamford before they’ve even cut the cake.”

She bites her lip, still unsure.

“You can trust us, angel.” My voice comes out rougher than I mean it to. “I’m sending two plainclothes guards ahead tonight. They’ll blend in, keep an eye on the place. Stay through the party, leave the morning after. No one’s laying a hand on your family.”

Her shoulders loosen just enough to tell me she believes me. Then she gives me that small, grateful smile that always hits like a punch to the chest.

“Thank you,” she says, slipping her hand over mine. She holds it there longer than she should, squeezes once before letting go. Clears her throat and looks away, like the pink rising in her cheeks might give her away.

I drag in a slow breath, because every instinct in me wants to pull her hand back and never let it go.

Eve’s been locked in on Sera and me—sharp eyes cutting between every look we’ve let slip. I know she’s putting together what Lucian already has.

Lucian’s half distracted, grinning down at his phone in a way that says it’s his woman on the other end. Eve catches it too and rolls her eyes. “I’m getting out of here before I lose my appetite for the rest of the day.”

Sera pouts faintly. “I wanted a workout buddy.”

“You stay, Eve. I’m headed out anyway.” I push to my feet, asking Finn, “You can handle point today?”

He nods without hesitation.

“You’re leaving?” Sera’s disappointment flashes—maybe I’m imagining it. Maybe I’m not. God, I hope not.

“Just some errands. A few hours. Tops.” I lean down, bracing my hands on the arms of her chair, forcing her gaze to mine. “You’ll stay in the building until I get back?”

She nods, but there’s heat in her eyes she doesn’t hide fast enough—a silent longing, gone as soon as it shows. Still, it wrecks me.

And there goes my cock, twitching like it has a mind of its own. At this rate, I’ll die with a permanent hard-on thanks to this woman.

Finn follows me to the front door. “What errands?”

“The kid called,” I mutter. “Think he’s into somethin’ he’s not saying.”

Finn’s jaw works. “Things are worse for folks than they let on. Cormac’s got his boot on everyone’s neck. They’re scared.”

I pin him with a look. “And what exactly do you expect me to do about it?”

His stare lingers, heavy. “You know there’s a lot you could do. Might be the only one who can.”

I stare off for a moment, weighing too many thoughts I don’t want to voice, then decide not to push. “You give Nora a call yet?” I ask, tone coy, knowing Finn’s long kept that particular desire tucked away.

He smirks like the devil with a secret. “Might have.”

Kicks his feet, shoves his hands in his pockets. “Takin’ her out day after tomorrow.”

A grin tugs at me—sharp but genuine. “Good man.” I clap him on the shoulder.

Then I blow out a sharp breath and yank the door open. “Irish problems aren’t mine anymore.”

Finn’s voice follows me into the hall, low and steady. “You might not get to keep tellin’ yourself those lies forever.”