Page 38 of Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

"Sure." Ivy gives Seven a soft, yet condescending, smile.

I'm taking in the curve of her cheeks, noticing how it doesn't quite meet the eyes when my entire life flashes before my eyes as the door to my apartment opens.

Seven reaches for his waistband gun, Leo doing the same, as Ivy slides the small dagger she keeps in her ankle holster out.

I hear her voice before I see her, and do nothing but fucking panic. "Put your weapons down," I whisper-shout to my family.

They comply partially, holding them behind their backs as London steps into the apartment, her friend Grace, who I haven't officially met yet, on her heels.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

London starts, "Oh shit, I didn't know you had company."

"Company?" Ivy calls out to me over her shoulder. "Who the fuck is this?"

I rush around the table and make a face that hopefully saysPlease put the fucking weapons awayto my family."Uh, this is…"Come on, Archer, think of something, anything. Perhaps something clever or elaborate to explain why two random women are standing at the entrance of your apartment.

"I'm London," London says, marching straight up to the table and leaving Grace behind. She extends her hand, and for a long moment, I forget that she has a cast on her leg. How she's managing to walk so well in one heel, I'll never understand.

Ivy stares at London, at her hand, and with such poise, flips the dagger into her left arm and conceals it while shaking London's hand with her right. "I'm Ivy. Pleasure."

The two of them size each other up and I'm not certain my heart has ever beat harder than it has at this very moment.

I step forward, my mouth opening. "London is staying with me for a little while."

Ivy whips her head toward me. "I'm sorry, what?"

Seven glides the tequila bottle across the table, his sights locking on Grace, who remains quiet. "And what do we have here…" He saunters over to her, licking his lips and looking at her from head to toe. "Damn, baby girl. Are you an angel because…"

Grace holds her finger out toward him. "Immediately no."

Ivy chuckles, Grace's comment breaking the thick tension between her and London. Although, I'm not sure London gets the memo.

Grace keeps her head high as she bypasses Seven's borderline offensive remark and makes her way over to the rest of us. "I'm Grace."

"Right, yeah." I shift to the group. "London, Grace, this is August, Leo, Ivy, and…that’s Seven." I reach out to Grace. "Archer."

Grace shakes my hand, firm and quick, to the point.

"Nice to meet you," Leo tells her.

"Pleasure is all mine," August adds.

Ivy scowls at August like he's done something wrong but I'm not sure what. "So how do you two know each other?" Ivy flits to me and London.

"Oh," London begins. "We're friends of friends. I'm new in town, an extended visit, if you may. Archer was kind enough to let me crash here until I got a place of my own." She walks over, gripping my shoulder between her arms. "Archer's such a nice guy, you know?"

Ivy laughs. "Yeah, sure is." She plants her hand on her hip and I wonder how much sass my apartment can take before it implodes. I've been dealing with a heavy dose of it all week with London, and with Ivy added into the mix, it's a recipe for disaster. "Why didn't you tell us about this, Arch?"

London speaks up without giving me a chance to. "It's my fault, honestly. I've kept him rather preoccupied." She pats my chest. "Haven't I,Arch?"

I chuckle nervously and consider how quickly Ivy is going to murder London, especially considering London's current condition. Still, she doesn't seem to be backing down despite having a disadvantage. Maybe she's crazier than I gave her credit for.

"As truly entertaining as this all is…" August peels his jacket off the chair and shoves his arms into each sleeve. "I must be going."

"I cleared your schedule today, what could you possibly have going on?" Ivy barks at him.

"Things, dear, things." August straightens his collar. "Brother, it was great seeing you. Let me know if you'd like to continue that conversation." He shoots me a quick look and nods stiffly at Leo. "Brother."

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