Page 61 of Merciless Heir

And he knows that. So I sit next to him.

“You don’t think it’s odd?”

“The end result is the same. And yeah, I was thinking about this walking here after lunch with Jenson.”

I dip my head down, trying not to smile. He’s the billionaire who walks through Central Park in the early hours of the evening. He’s the billionaire I somehow forget is richer than all the gods. He’s an enigma in so many ways. Like, why do I want him so desperately?

That’s something I’ve been fighting. Something I didn’t know I was fighting, not on the level I have been, not until he said something to me a few minutes ago.

“That,” I say, “is the perk of being rich.”

“Walking?”

I laugh. “No, asshole, hours long lunches.”

“I’m pretty sure there are more perks than that,” he says, sarcasm rife in his words. “You should dream bigger, Sadie.”

“Did I mention you were an asshole?”

“I think so.”

Damn it. I like him like this. I force my mind back to why I’m here. Why I came early. I didn’t think he’d take as long from lunch to here, then again, I also didn’t think he’d walk.

“I had a late lunch because I had to drop in my office.”

“I know.”

He doesn’t answer for a long moment and my cheeks heat. “Have you been following me, Sadie?”

“Keeping an eye on you.” I glare at him and take a swallow of the tequila that’s the smoothest tequila I’ve ever had. “I don’t trust you.” He doesn’t say a word. “You’re the kind of rich idiot—”

“Asshole.”

“—who’ll barge in somewhere wearing too stupid to live badges.”

“I gave those up for lent.”

My mouth twitches, but I will myself not to smile. “You really are a Class A asshole.”

“Everyone needs to be good at something.”

This time I laugh. It bursts free and he grins, looking all levels of pleased with himself.

Then his smile vanishes. “How much is she paying you?”

My laughter dries up. And I look at him.

The air between us thrums.

“Would it matter if she is paying me?”

“Is she?”

“That would be telling. And the answer to that really needs to come from your mother.”

He sighs and puts his drink down. “That really depends on a few things. Like the capacity in which she hired you. If she’s trying to make me miss the deadline by hiring you to throw me off the scent, then I’d say that would matter.”

“I just asked if you’ve looked into her.”

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