Page 45 of Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

"It's especially hard when Seven is the way he is," she continues. "God, it's like every time I put out one fire, he's set a dozen more things ablaze." She shakes her head. "I love him, but I hate him so much."

"Don't worry about the August stuff for me." I put my hand on her shoulder, realizing how bloody it is. "I don't mind managing the finances. I get it. That shit doesn't bother me. It's having to deal with the face-to-face, talking to people, being reminded of…"

"I know," Ivy says. "I wish I could make that happen. I'm trying."

"I should get up there before the blood sets into the rug." And before London decides to get on my computer and poke around it with Grace. I've never left her alone in there for this long, at least not while she was awake. Usually, I slip out when she's sleeping and has no idea I'm not there.

"Sorry about your apartment. I wouldn't have brought him here if I knew he'd act like that."

"It's Seven. We should always expect the unexpected with him."

"Are you ever going to forgive him?"

"Do you think I should?" I ask her, an honest question.

"Probably not." Ivy leans in for a hug. "That girl has a crush on you."

"No, she doesn't, you're just being an overprotective sister."

Ivy releases me but keeps her hands on my shoulders. "Archer. You are a dumb boy. I'm telling you, she has a crush on you. I know these things. And you must have one back because you just beat the shit out of your brother for her."

"I would have beat the shit out of Seven for anyone."

"Touché."

"I don't have a crush on her," I confirm. "I can't stand London. And I can't wait until she moves out. She's a disaster. She never stops yapping and she can't even pick up after herself. I know toddlers with better habits than her. She's a spoiled brat."

"Okay, okay." Ivy throws her arms up. "Whatever you say."

"She's like a tornado," I mutter so quietly I'm not sure Ivy can make it out. "Anyway. Be safe. You sure you don't want me to call a driver?"

Ivy dangles the keys to Seven's Rolls-Royce between us, a smirk on her face. "And miss the chance to drive his baby."

"He's going to kill you."

"Nah…I'm the only person Seven would never hurt." Ivy jogs down the stairs and disappears from sight as I punch the access code into my building and dart inside, the ache in my face settling in now that the adrenaline of the situation has started to wear off.

I make my way through the front door, stopping in my tracks when I find most of the mess that Seven and I caused missing. Grace and London kneel at the rug, scrubbing at it furiously. I chew at the inside of my lip, knowing damn well they're probably ensuring the stain is setting in.

But when I approach, I'm even more surprised by most of it being gone.

Grace meets my gaze. "Vinegar and water. Always works like a charm."

"Where'd you learn that trick?" I ask her.

"I'm a woman, we're accustomed to blood getting on things."But there's something concealed in her reasoning that feels like it isn't the whole truth. "Whoa. Check out your face."

London glances over at me, her expression unreadable, unfazed, as if she's bored by my face. She averts her attention to the stain, scrubbing it with a dash more elbow grease. She doesn't say anything and despite only knowing her a week, it seems very uncharacteristic of her.

"That bad?" I say, raising my fingers to graze over the sensitive flesh. "It probably looks worse than it is." I point to the mess they've managed well, something I didn't think London was capable of doing. "Thanks for that, by the way."

"No problem."Grace finishes her spot and stands, too. "I totally broke your chair, though, my apologies."

I rub my neck and let out a nervous laugh. "I should probably be thanking you. Seven may have made true to his promise if you hadn't."

London huffs, shoves off the ground to stand, and marches off, tossing the rag she was holding onto the kitchen counter on her way out of the room. She goes into the bedroom and slams the door.

"That ought to be fun dealing with." I cross my arms, catching sight of the blood all over me. "Listen, I should get a shower."

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