Page 78 of The Renegade Billionaire

“Thanks,” I say, then head over to the DJ, already knowing what song I’ll sing. Madison is going to hate it, and I can’t wait.

18

MADISON

The problemwith this fundraiser is that you have no idea what order the auction will go in. People get called up in groups, but Braxton hasn’t been called yet.

Cian was in the first batch, and Elle let ninety-year-old Ada Bowman win. He wasn’t happy about Elle refusing to bid, but when Ada let out a little whoop of happiness, he caved. Ada’s been lonely since her dog died, and no one was going to begrudge her of this, even if it means Cian will likely be replacing light bulbs and fixing shutters while she talks his ear off the entire time.

“Why won’t you tell me what group you’re in?”

“What would be the fun in that?” Even Braxton’s words are wrapped in joy. It’s annoying in the most unfortunately cute way.

“You’ll see how fun it is when I let Bethany win.” I nod toward the woman in front of us. She’s a little aggressive with her flirting, and he cringes as the scene plays out.

“You wouldn’t.” Even his mock outrage is charming. “I thought we had a deal, sunshine? You don’t want to go back on your word with me.”

A cold chill runs down my spine. Does he mean tonight? Or with the inn?

Dang it. I hate that Harry’s turned me into such an untrusting shrew. Brax doesn’t even sound menacing, so why am I immediately searching for a way to make him the bad guy? Savvy would have a lot of thoughts on this, I’m sure.

“I…”

“I’m talking about tonight, Madison. If I could gift you back my portion of the inn right now, I would. I’m not looking to take it from you, if that’s what just put those shadows in your eyes.”

God, I must be an open book now. How the heck does he always know what I’m thinking?

I pluck at the elastic on my wrist, then drop both arms to my side—I don’t replace pain anymore. Not since Harry’s actions had me nervously picking at my wrist until my skin bled.

“Madison—”

“Can group F please come to the stage?”

“Fuck. We’ll circle back to this. Do not allow anyone to outbid you, Madison.” He turns to leave, then says, “Please,” in the most gentle, pure tone that knocks down my walls faster than a wrecking ball.

“Fine,” I manage to say. “I won’t let anyone out bid me.”

His gaze blazes, and I have to look away or be incinerated by a desire I’m not sure I should act on.

Braxton Reyes nods, and I swear every woman in the room nods back.

This is getting messy.

Savvy hooks her arm through mine. “Good Lord, girl. That man wants to lick, suck, and devour every inch of you.”

“Uh-huh.” Well, he certainly makes me stupid.

“Do you guys see how everyone in the room looks at him?” Clover asks, clutching my other arm. “Do you think it’s because he’s so hot or because he’s rich?”

“It’d better be because he’s hot.” A deep, angry voice reverberates through my bones.

In slow-motion, we all turn to see a scowling but also hot as hell man glaring at us.

“Ah, that’s G-Greyson,” Clover stutters, then slips around to the other side of Savvy and away from the scary-lookingGQmodel. They’re physical opposites, but still, Greyson has a familiarity about him I can’t pinpoint. Unlike Braxton’s darker hair and eyes, Greyson has blond hair and pale-blue eyes that chill the air. He carries himself with foreboding darkness, something Braxton couldn’t pull off if he tried.

The three of us take a step back as one.

“If I find out that anyone here is using him or hurts him in any way, I will burn this fucking town to the ground. And I don’t make threats I don’t intend to keep.”