Page 6 of Bully Billionaire Dragon

Seeing my childhood home brings up memories. Memories of my brother and his close friend, TJ. Just the thought of him causes me to shiver in the worst way possible.

Now that I'm back in New York, I hope to never run into him.

“You will be staying in your old bedroom, sweetie,” Mother says as she opens the door to my old room.

It looks exactly the same. Pink paint and my light blue comforter on the bed. There are teddy bears lining the walls—I used to love stuffed animals. Seeing this room causes my stomach to flip. I am not the same little girl I once was.

I am a grown woman who can handle myself, which I showcase every time I am in court.

“What do you think? We haven’t changed a thing since you left us,” Father explains in a tight voice.

Since you left us.

His words hit me right in the gut.

“I left to pursue my dreams,” I explain through gritted teeth.

Everyone is silent.

“We know, sis, and we're proud of you for becoming a badass lawyer.” Shane bumps my shoulder playfully.

I smile at my brother as my parents' stony faces melt into smiles.

“He's right, dear, we are proud of you,” my mother says before hugging me again.

I don’t remember her being so touchy, but I allow her embrace.

It feels good knowing that my family doesn’t hold too much resentment over me leaving—except maybe my father, who just nods, tight-lipped.

We spend the rest of the day catching up as I unpack and over dinner, before I head to my room to review my notes on the case.

Tomorrow I will be meeting with the heads of Druk Technologies, and I need to make sure I am prepared.

Chapter 2 - TJ

The Sitting Duck is surprisingly packed tonight because of the local college game on the television. Everyone is here and engrossed in the game, but my eyes are glued to the blonde hottie who just walked in with a short man on her arm. From my spot, I can see her plump lips forming a frown, and as her date walks to the bar, she heads to the only open booth.

“I’ll be right back,” I whisper into Lex’s ear before getting up and approaching the blonde.

“Hey,” I say as I lean onto the edge of the booth’s seat.

She looks up at me with bright brown eyes, and I realize that she must be barely twenty-one. A bit on the young side, but I'm already here, so I might as well flirt.

No harm in that.

“You look lonely, want some company…?” I pause, giving her a chance to supply her name.

“Lila.”

She looks like a Lila with her big innocent eyes.

“So, Lila,” I start as I take a seat next to her. “What do you do?”

Lila tilts her head to the side as if she’s thinking. “I do lots of things. I like to walk my dog, or go for runs.”

A laugh bubbles from my throat, but I stop once I see Lila looking at me with confusion.

Well. I guess she isn’t joking.

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