Page 70 of The Billionaire's Demand

‘Libby.’ She cleared her throat. ‘Libby Langham.’

‘And is there any family you need contacted?’

She blanched, shaking her head. No family. Not for Libby. She had been alone a long time; she was used to it. And if her mother’s string of failed relationships had taught her anything, it was that being alone was preferable to the never-ending cycle of fast love and traumatic breakups. She might have been lonely, but at least she wasn’t hurting.

His eyes skimmed her face for a moment, sending her stomach dropping to the floor, and then he finished the call. ‘I will attempt to contain the situation before you arrive—’

Evidently, whoever was on the other end of the call didn’t think that was such a great idea, but the man—Raul, he’d said his name at the start of the conversation, Libby remembered—was not to be dissuaded.

‘Then you had better send help swiftly.’

He disconnected the call but held the phone in the palm of his hand, contemplating.

‘What did they say?’ she asked, fidgeting anxiously.

‘They’re sending police.’ He paced the room. ‘This is not the first boat theft in the area—which is something the marina should have mentioned, don’t you think?’

Libby grimaced. ‘It would have been nice.’

‘You work here. Have you experienced this?’

She laughed, though it wasn’t funny. ‘Being hijacked at high speed? No. But we’ve literally just taken over the contract for the marina. This is only my second job on a boat,’ she said, aware that she was babbling.

His intelligent eyes scanned the surroundings, assessing. ‘I’m going to go out there,’ he said, moving across the room, twisting the doorknob and confirming that it was locked.

‘No way. That’s madness.’

He arched a brow.

‘You have no idea if they’re armed, nor what they’re capable of. The police are on their way. Just...wait it out.’

His nostrils flared. ‘I was caught unawares before, but I will not be again. You stay here.’

She swallowed past a lump in her throat. ‘I’m not going to let you go and take on all the risk.’

‘It’s my boat,’ he pointed out. ‘You’re just caught in the crosshairs.’

‘Yes, but I am caught in the crosshairs, so don’t do anything stupid.’

‘They are just kids,’ he snapped. ‘Idiotic, stupid children. I know, because I was one once. Don’t worry. I can handle myself.’

She shook her head, wondering why she was so worried. After all, it was his life, his choice to do whatever he wanted with it.

‘Fine, but I’m going with you,’ she said boldly, earning a sharp laugh of derision.

‘Very brave, Libby Langham, but I suspect you’d quickly become a liability.’

‘I’m tougher than I look,’ she responded, smarting from his retort. Little did he know, she’d had to toughen up from a young age.

His nostrils flared. ‘Stay here.’

‘No way. If you go, I’m going.’

He glared at her.

‘How are you going to get out, anyway?’ she pushed. ‘The door’s locked.’

He threw her a look. ‘I’m sure I can deal with that.’

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