Page 56 of The Bossy Billionaire

“Well, an announcement will happen after lunch tomorrow. Security for all of us will increase.” Harrison pauses and looks at me. I nod silently in agreement as Huxley’s jaw clenches. “The media will have a field day for a while and then will continue in more of an ongoing steady stream. Mainly on me, but sometimes on you all.” Harrison continues, and I take a deep breath because this is big. My life is about to change again, and I am not sure I am ready, but I need to be. “Beth and I will be traveling a lot. You won't see us as much, but I would like to have you each come with me to different parts of the country, to campaign with me on topics that are important to each of you,” Harrison says, looking at each of us meaningfully.

“Can you elaborate on that?” Emily asks him, Ben looking at her intently. They have a daughter and like their privacy so I would imagine this is a big step for them as well.

“It means that if I am campaigning on topics around domestic violence or education that I would like you and Ben to be there. It means that if I am in a library or launching a literacy program, I would like to see if Lucy can join me there. It means that if I am talking about healthcare legislation, that Eddie and Katie can join me.” I begin to understand the impact that this is going to have on me.

“Our family has wide experience across many sectors, and for Harrison to really have a positive impact, showing the public that he has often dealt with many of these scenarios is important,” Willow pipes up. Managing the media for him is going to be her new full-time job. “He needs to be seen for the amazing leader he is. His opposition will likely push the narrative that he is a billionaire, doesn’t know how the real world works, and has never experienced any of the things the average American has. While we know that Harrison and the Rothschild name has never gone without, we will need to help him communicate that we know about hardship, tough times, violence, health, children's well-being.” We all nod in understanding.

“I still might vote for the other guy…” Tennyson quips. Eddie throws a cushion at his head, and Harrison growls, rubbing his hand over his face.

“Let’s go eat. We can talk more over dinner,” Beth says, gesturing for everyone to get up.

I stand slowly, following them all, and Huxley steps into my side, wrapping an arm around my waist.

“You alright?” he asks, his voice a mere murmur.

I blow out a breath. “Yeah. You?” I ask him, looking up to meet his eyes. I know he is best friends with my brother, but if he and I continue what we have started, then this will affect him too.

“I’m okay if you are okay, Luce,” he confesses, and my heart skips a beat as we walk into the dining room and take a seat. The spread of food before me is remarkable, and I didn’t realize before now how hungry I am. Huxley grabs my hand under the table, and I see Harrison watching us both intently from the head of the table.

“How was Whispers?” he asks, looking at us both, and I get the feeling this is the older brother moment. The one where he interrogates my date for the first time.

“Good. Took Lucy horse riding,” Huxley says with a big shit-eating grin on his face. My brother's eyebrows shoot to his hairline, and Katie’s fork drops and clangs onto her plate, as everyone around the room is silent.

“You went horse riding?” Beth looks at me in awe, wide-eyed. I guess it is shocking since I do no other activity and am barely able to walk some days.

“Yep. Walked every day, did lots of exercise. My leg feels good. Really good.” I tell them what they are all wondering, and the whole table is taken over with smiles.

“Sounds like it’s a good place to go, then?” Harrison asks again.

“Huxley’s brother gave me a second opinion on my leg.” Again, all eyes are on me, pure shock on their faces as Huxley continues to smile like the cat that got the canary.

“And?” Emily asks, shock evident on her face.

“And there may be something we can do to lessen the pain,” I admit to them.” I just need to get another consultation.”

“Good. I think that is a good idea,” Harrison says, sitting back in his chair, looking at me, then Huxley and back to me again.

“I do too,” Ben says, nodding seriously.

“Three,” Tennyson says, dropping me a wink, and I snort.

“Me too,” Eddie says, and all my brothers look at me as I smile. It is almost like the table takes a collective breath of air for the first time since we first met, and we settle down to eat. The environment is changing. Huxley brought me out of my fearful state, and the impact that had on my wider environment now is telling. Now it is time to live life. Maybe I will even start running again.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO - LUCY

The car drives down into the basement, and I close my eyes and take a deep breath. My nerves are shot, even though I am sure I am doing the right thing. I close my eyes to try to calm my racing heart, thankful that it is just consultation rooms and not a hospital. I wish Huxley was here. He always manages to calm my nerves, but I didn’t tell him I was coming. I didn’t want to burden him with this.

Since Harrison made his announcement to run for president, the media has been a circus. The announcement itself was okay. I stood next to him, along with our brothers, as he spoke to the media with so much confidence, making me feel so proud. Huxley did as he promised and together, with my brothers, put together some security that now walk around the block every day and try to remain inconspicuous around my bookshop. Huxley had to go back to New York the day after the announcement and has been there ever since. I know he is busy with lots of different businesses and that New York has been his hub for years. It is the city that never sleeps and that seems to suit Huxley well. But I miss him. If I am honest with myself, my feelings developed for Huxley before we went to Whispers. But that week of just the two of us made me really fall. Fall for the man who has my back. He is on my side. He’s supportive, he pushes me to be better. He is smart, loves his family.

We have talked every day, and I want to tell him how I feel, but fear of rejection keeps me quiet. I know he feels something, I am just not sure how serious it is for him. I sigh at myself. I am not used to this dating life and have no idea what the next step is for us.

I feel bad that I didn’t tell him I was coming here today. I have been opening up to him more and more, and he knows almost all there is to know about me at this point, but I didn’t want to bother him. I know he is busy, working with the various businesses he has, and I can barely keep up with one. I have no idea how he does it all. Besides, I am perfectly capable of having a medical consultation without him by my side, regardless of how much I want him to be. Today is just a consultation, anyway. To see what is possible. I make a mental note to email Hudson afterward to let him know how it went and to pass on my thanks again for arranging it.

I did speak to my brothers about it all, though. I had to organize transport through them, as taking a taxi is no longer the safest option for the time being, and I prefer to have my health kept out of the spotlight since everyone has heard so much about it in the past few years. It is something I no longer want shared around for media interest. I step out of the shiny black town car and walk into the private elevator. My hands start to shake, and my palms are sweaty.

“Just up three floors,” a concierge says, pressing the elevator buttons, already knowing who I am and where I am headed. I nod to him but remain quiet, not confident my voice will actually work at the moment. I managed to get into the specialist Hudson recommended immediately. I am not sure if it was because Hudson recommended me or because with Harrison’s announcement, media attention about me and the fires. Regardless, I am now entering the medical consultation rooms via the private elevator in the parking lot rather than the front door like a normal person.

The elevator stops, the doors open, and a woman stands waiting.

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