Page 149 of Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

Giving Archer up is how I keep him alive, even if I lose myself in the process.

Chapter 34

Archer

My eyes burn from the lack of sleep, but I refuse to let myself rest until I come up with a solution that doesn't result in losing anyone I care about.

Nothing makes sense and the more I try, the more unsettled I become. If I don't find clarity on something, anything, I'm going to drive myself insane.

I hate that it's come to this but I don't have any other choice. I'm going to make London mad, but that seems impossible to avoid.

I clear my throat, preparing for the argument that's about to happen.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" London asks me from her spot on the couch.

"Because I know you."

"No, you don't."

I tilt my head and wonder how I got here. For as long as I can remember, I have been feared, I have killed many, I have lived a life full of crime and zero remorse—and here I am, a foot taller than this woman, afraid of how she's going to react.

"Just spit it out," she says when I don't speak.

"I located Madison. I'm going to meet her. Seven is on his way here to sit with you. He should be here any minute. I'm not going to argue with you, I'm not going to change my mind. I need to do this. I need closure. You have nothing to worry about." I spit out the words like if I don't get them out quick enough, this whole place will explode.

London stares at me for a long moment and I hold my breath, waiting for her to say something, anything to give me any indication of what she's thinking.

"I don't need a babysitter," London mutters, crossing her arms. "I'm not a child."

"He's not a babysitter, he's a bodyguard. Those are two different things. If anyone's babysitting anyone, it's you babysitting him."

London shrugs. "Whatever."

"If he tries anything…" I hold out a switchblade, offering it to her. "Pull this on him. I don't care if you kill him, just try not to ruin the rug."

London takes it, flipping it open and pricking her finger along the blade. "Sharp."

"Be careful, please."

"Why not a gun?"

"What?"

"Why didn't you give me a gun?"

"Oh," I say. "I don't know. Guns are loud. I don't need the neighbors calling the police on you."

London narrows her gaze. "I'm your neighbor, big boy. Did you forget?"

I kneel in front of her, my hand on her knee. "What do you say, when we figure this out, you and me, we go away together? Anywhere in the world, you name it."

"Not London," she says with a smirk. "Anywhere but there."

"Anywhere but there or here." I pause. "You're okay with me going?"

"No, but I don't have a choice, so what's the point in arguing about it?" London exhales. "Don't be long."

"Why, going to miss me?" I grin at her this time, doing anything I can to lighten the mood.

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