Page 15 of Dedicated Billionaire

“No.” She fake pouts. “Maybe. Let’s just chill for a little bit longer.”

I start to growl, wanting the world and all of Mr. Hagel’s employees to know she’s mine, but the anxiety in her eyes makes me agree to whatever she wants. As long as she’s happy, I’ll workdouble time to keep her close and safe from their enthusiastic attention.

I hang back once we’re inside the cool interior of the rustic mansion, glad it’s quiet and no one is around. Matt had told me he and his father were going into town this afternoon and it appears some of the goobers have tagged along. I’m supposed to be on barbeque duty later on and then will be expected to spend half the night over beers with Matt, and my mind is already coming up with excuses. It’s only been, what? A minute without Carly at my side, and I’m going nuts.

As I pass the library, I overhear Mrs. Hagel talking over Carly, who can’t get more than a word in. I pause in the hallway in case she needs me, and shamelessly listen in.

“It’s so clear you’ve been dodging these nice young men,” Mrs. Hagel says with deep displeasure in her voice. “They’ve been nothing but kind to you. Ted was moping around all afternoon, thinking he was going on a hike with you, but you just disappeared without a trace.”

“Mom, I’m not interested in him,” Carly says when her mom comes up for air.

“How do you know if you aren’t giving him a chance? He’s on his way up at the company and is dedicated, hardworking—”

“Mom, stop,” she snaps. “I’m sure he’s great but he’s not for me, okay?”

“Darling, I know you think you’re too young for a relationship, and I agree that there’s no reason to jump into something that serious. But what’s wrong with having—”

“Mom!” Carly’s voice finally rises, and I peek around the corner to see Mrs. Hagel’s lips pressed together in a thin line of disapproval. Her eyes are full of hurt as she tries to tell Carly she’s only looking out for her best interests. Carly softens but stops her again. “I know. But if you bothered to pay attention,you might have noticed that someone else has already caught my eye.”

For a split second, Mrs. Hagel’s eyes light up. “Who is it? I haven’t seen you spending time with any of…” she trails off, her brows furrowing.

“I know you’re out there,” Carly calls with a hint of restrained laughter. “Just come on in.”

I enter the library and Mrs. Hagel’s jaw just about hits her chest. “Is this some kind of a joke? Braden, what’s going on?”

“Carly and I saw something new in each other recently,” I say, bracing myself to be disowned.

As much as I love this family, I won’t let them continue to meddle in Carly’s life. That has to be her own choice. She’s chosen me and I’m ready to fight for us.

“It’s still new,” Carly says, taking my hand. “But it’s real and it happened organically, without any of your matchmaking. And I dare you to say Braden isn’t suitable.”

The shock slowly wears off and she smiles tremulously at me. “Of course I can’t say any such thing.”

“You’d kind of be insulting yourself if you did, since you had a big part in making me the man I am today,” I tell her, to soften the blow I’m about to let loose. “But I’d appreciate it if you started letting Carly make her own decisions. She’s her own person, and smart, tenacious, and completely capable of making the right ones for herself. Do you even see how passionate she is about the art program she’s in? Or her ideas to start her own once she graduates? Carly has the ability to make real change in the world.”

I didn’t think her mom’s jaw could drop much lower than when I first walked in the room, but it’s almost on the floor after my heartfelt speech. Carly’s hand is tight around mine and when I look at her, she’s beaming at me. It’s all I can do to keep fromdragging her into my arms, but I don’t want Mrs. Hagel to need medical intervention from the added shock.

Color rises back to her pale cheeks, and she closes her mouth, not pressing it back into a disapproving line this time, but slowly smiling.

“I never would have guessed this in a million years,” she says, reaching for both of us and surprising the hell out of us by wrapping us in a hug. “Let me know if Matt gives you any trouble. I’m assuming he doesn’t know since he’s still talking to you.”

As I pull away from the welcome hug, I give Carly a triumphant look. “Your mom thinks he’s going to kick my ass, too.”

“Oh, you’ll be lucky if it’s just a kick, dear,” she says, eyes twinkling at me. She lets out a relieved sigh. “I’m so glad you’ve got my baby’s back. It’s been a nightmare worrying about her ending up with some starving artist, or worse.”

“Nope, just me,” I say.

I give her a look that promises I’ll always have her daughter’s back, even against her if necessary. She nods at me, seeming to understand it’s time to start letting go.

Carly’s cheeks are fire engine red as she pulls me out of the library, but she’s grinning from ear to ear. “That wasn’t so bad at all. If she took it that well, Dad will be easy.”

“As soon as the ass whipping from Matt is out of the way, we’ll be free and clear,” I say.

She playfully smacks my shoulder. “He might yell, I’ll give you that. But I won’t let him touch you.”

She looks so fierce I start to drag her to my chest in a hug, unable to keep from showing how I feel any longer. But we hear several male voices around the corner, heading our way.

With a look of terror, she glances around wildly, yanking open the nearest door and shoving me in. Jumping in with me,she shuts the door and leans against it. We’re in a closet full of extra towels and blankets as the goobers’ voices grow nearer.

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