Page 141 of The Renegade Billionaire

I nod again.

“The same man who got sued by you and fourteen other young women?”

“I think we’re all on the same page here, Sav.” Clover approaches me as you would a caged animal, and I cry harder.

“Oh my God,” Elle murmurs. “Do you think that’s how Pops met Ace? He did start coming around after the trial ended.”

“He was always so worried about you.” Savvy’s still pacing, and it’s making me dizzy. “That also explains why Pops would allow him to come here. He must have been keeping an eye on you. Pops even said Montgomery’s father-in-law gave a character statement condemning him—Ace befriended Pops at the trial.”

Suddenly it all makes sense. Why Ace was so willing to help Pops with the inn. Why Ace sent Braxton here. It’s all some way of easing their guilty consciences.

“Do you think Braxton knew?” Clover’s words carry a hint of anger that I wasn’t expecting, but I’m so lost in the question I don’t give her tone much thought.

“I—I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.”

“Are you sure about this?”The sadness in Pops’ expression rips my wounds wide open, but I’m too hurt and betrayed to trust any of my instincts right now.

If Pops kept this from me, I know he thought he was doing what’s right, but my trust in everyone is hanging on by a thread, and I need to sort through my feelings before I address any of it. And I can’t do that here, where everyone is watching my every move as though I’m some fragile doll.

Moving into Clover’s guestroom, even temporarily, will give me time to think, and maybe to grieve something that may not have been real.

“I’m sure.” My voice wavers, and I blink back tears. “You and Sage will be fine here in the rental until they get back. I just need some time to think is all.”

He searches my face, but eventually relents. It’s good because I can’t back down—I won’t. Not this time. Not when I don’t know who to trust or what my truth is anymore.

Somewhere along the way, I lost myself in little boxes made by other people. It’s time I found myself and my voice again.

“He won’t like it,” Pops warns. “I don’t either.”

“My vote is also a big fat nay,” Sage says from his slumped position on the porch steps.

“No one has to like it, but they do have to respect it. I just need time.”

“I get it.” Pops sullenly crosses his arms over his chest. “I wish you’d just tell me why. I can’t fix what I don’t know is broken.”

My smile feels dim, but I plaster it on anyway. “This isn’t for you to fix, Pops. I love you. It’s not as if I’m skipping town. I simply need some time to sort through what’s on my mind.”

“Promise you’ll come home.” His voice cracks, and it’s almost enough to make me put my needs aside, but that’s what I’ve been doing my entire life. I can’t do that anymore. Not if I want to have a future, or any kind of life worth living.

“I promise,” I say to appease him. “Regardless of what happens, you’re my grandfather, and I’ll always be here for you.”

His frown deepens, and it’s mixed with pain I’m only now coming to understand.

“I’m still working at the Chug,” Sage says, as if I’d take that away from him.

“Good. I’m glad.”

“They’re coming home tomorrow, you know.” Sage, for once, sounds his age, but I know it’s fear that’s making him snarky. “Are we not supposed to tell Uncle Braxton where you are?”

“No, Sage. I’d never ask you to lie for me.”

His face lights up with devilish intent that tugs on the strings of every emotion I’m attempting to sort through. “But we don’t have to make it easy for him either. Whatever he did, I know he’ll fix it though. You know that, right?”

“I know he’ll try. I’ll see you guys soon. Sage, don’t let Pops cook anything. Pops, don’t corrupt Sage.”

They both stare at me with matching expressions of confusion and sadness, but for my own sanity, I close my eyes and count to ten, and when I open them, I walk away.

“Sweetie,”Clover says through my closed door. Well, it’s her door. I’ve confiscated her guest room.