Page 86 of The Renegade Billionaire

“Hey,” Madison warns.

He holds up both hands. “Sorry, that was rude, and I apologize. It’s been a long fucking few days.”

She turns to face him. “You’re forgiven. But you’ll also find your happy in Happiness. You just wait and see.”

A bark of laughter escapes Grey. “I don’t mean to offend you, Madison, but?—”

“Madi,” I say. Grey is a brother to me, but him calling her Madison makes me twitch.

The mirth in his expression grows.

“Madi. I don’t mean to offend, but I’m already happy. Joyful even. Can’t you tell? I’m fine just as I am.” He holds his arms out wide, as if to prove a point, but he still comes across stiff, and yeah, maybe a little douchey.

She doesn’t let it faze her though. “Right. Well, you’ll see. Just wait until Pops coerces you into digging up old pipes.”

“That will never happen.” He shudders, crossing his foot over his knee, exposing his very expensive shoes.

“If we’re hiding out at the Hideaway, we’ll need to get the two of you some new clothes,” I tell them.

“Ooh, shopping.” Sage instantly perks up.

“At Walmart,” I amend. “You can’t be walking around town in one-thousand-dollar shoes.”

“Who paid a thousand bucks for shoes?” Pops asks as he enters the house. The auction must be over.

Pops has been more lively since we’ve started going on our outings. I only hope that doesn’t mean he’ll up the stakes on our handiwork.

“Uncle Grey did.” Sage rats him out and points a finger in his direction.

“Well if that isn’t the biggest waste of money I’ve ever heard. Are you an idiot, Greyson?”

Grey sits up taller. “No, sir.”

I almost laugh. It took a lot of willpower to add that sir in his statement.

“Do you need someone to put you on a budget?” Pops is really going at it.

“I manage hundreds of millions of dollars. I know how to budget, Mercutio.”

“Now don’t you go spreadin’ that name around nowhere.” Pops scratches his head. “I don’t even know how you got me to spill it.”

“I’m good at what I do.” Grey’s words are what I imagine an eye roll to sound like.

“Uh-oh, Pops. Have you met your match and finally found someone you can’t talk into doing your bidding?” Madison teases, and I fall a little in love with her cheekiness.

“Don’t you go spreading rumors, young lady. Now why are we talking about shoes?”

“They need to go shopping tomorrow to get some stuff to blend in better,” I say.

“Good.” Pops nods with his hands in his front pockets. “We’ll add it to our list for tomorrow, boy. Now, I hear it’s been a hell of a few days for you. Let’s get everyone to bed, and we’ll regroup in the morning.”

“Am I being sent to bed by your grandfather?” Grey asks Madison in dismay.

“I’ll let you in on a little secret,” she says, moving closer to Grey. “If my grandfather has anything to do with it, he’ll not only help you find your happy, he’ll also have you married with a white picket fence before you even know what hit you. Sometimes it’s just easier to do what he says.”

As far as I know, Grey has no plans to settle down. His belief in love was shattered a long time ago. He says the only pieces he has left are for me, Sage, and Ace.

When he walks up the stairs with Pops shouting after him about breakfast, I can’t help but hope there’s a little magic in this town after all.