Page 47 of Billion Dollar Mistake

He shakes his head again. “No. I just had one. But I changed my mind about alcohol…”

My eyes narrow as I watch him stand and then stride toward the drink trolley. With his shoulders up tight to his ears, he seems tense.

He grabs a glass, fills it with ice then pours a decent helping of whiskey.

I watch him take a drink and then walk back to the seat. This time settling a little farther into the sofa.

I’m still wondering what the fuck is going on with him, but I’m grateful to him for pulling me away from my earlier thoughts of Nova.

I’ve only been able to sleep about two hours tops. Just thinking of her beat-up, shitty old car has me grinding hard on my molars. Is it too much to think about buying her a new car? I knew the moment I spotted the car why she insisted I call my driver and not follow her. She was embarrassed. I don’t want her to feel like that with me. Does she think it would make me think of her differently?

Because it doesn’t. If anything, it makes me want to protect her more. I don't want to scare her off, but that dump of a so-called car looks like it could blow up at any moment.

I hate the thought of her driving the thing to God knows where, but thankfully, I did get a text last night.

Nova: Remy, I’m home. Get some sleep. More than four hours, please.

Reading her message made me happy. But also, I had to hold myself back. Fighting my emotions for her and her damn safety. I barely know her. I can't buy her a fucking car.

A phone, easy. But a car? I'm scared she’d run for the hills.

I'm only just starting to get to know her. And what I’ve seen so far, I really like. So having Harvey here today is a great distraction.

Harvey shuffles on the sofa, cradling his glass. “I have a problem with a company that I'm planning to work with.”

I drop the paper in my lap and run my hand over my freshly shaven jaw. “What problem do you have?” I ask, baffled. How does he have a problem buying a company? He buys and sells companies every single day.

“I went in to help this company that’s on the edge of bankruptcy and…” he says but pauses to take a sip of his drink. “I didn't expect to meet the feisty daughter who is trying to save it.”

The gleam in his eye now makes sense.

“Hmm. There's something about this one then?” I state, biting back a grin. Glad I’m not the only one messed up over a woman.

He mumbles words I can’t catch. Other than a simple, “Yeah.”

“Is there any way that she can save the company on her own?” I ask.

“Maybe, but I doubt it,” he answers unconvincingly. “It's a multimillion-dollar debt. I don't see how she could save it.” He sighs. “But the look of determination in her eyes. The fire, the sassy attitude. And yet, this sense of fear I get from her that she’s hiding something makes me soften for her,” he admits.

I can read his face. He doesn't like that she makes him feel vulnerable.

Harvey usually walks in determined to buy the company. He's the youngest Lincoln yet the most ruthless. He'll take what he wants with no fucks given.

So for a woman to stop him...I wish I could have seen it.

It makes a small smirk rise on my face. “So she's hot. I get it. But why is she being stubborn?”

“It’s her parents’ company. Her dad died. And she's trying to save it.”

I wince with sympathy. I’d hate to lose anyone from our family. We’re close. Yes, we fight like all families do but overall, we love each other. We’re a tight knit family who actually enjoy each other’s company.

“Does she have time?” I ask, feeling oddly sad for this woman. It’s strange. I’m wondering why I’m so fucking soft these days.

His knee is still bouncing erratically up and down. “I could probably buy her some time. But not much.”

It’s obviously tearing him up.

“What do you want to do? Do you just want to take it from her?” I ask. I know the answer, but he needs to admit it out loud. He wants reassurance, that’s why he’s here. He wants to be told it’s okay not to be a dick.

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