Page 12 of Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

I blink and see that she's brought my food next to where she was sitting, and she's returned to her seat. She pats the spot. "Come on, big boy."

"You talk to me like I'm a dog." And yet here I am, obeying as I walk over and slide onto the stool.

In a way, London reminds me of my sister—headstrong, tough as nails, and not afraid to call me out. I guess I'm not used to that from anyone other than her. My brothers and I have always been feared and respected, so for her to walk up in here and do nothing of the sort, I find it sort of admirable. Stupid, for sure, but a refreshing quality. Maybe that's why I haven't thrown her out yet. Maybe that's why I'm entertaining this entire shit show because it's a strange change of pace.

"Good boy," London purrs and takes a bite of her bagel, giving me a quick wink.

I'm easily a foot taller than her, a hundred pounds heavier, tattoos covering my body, and she's the one who seems to be calling the shots. If only she knew who I really was, and the things I'm involved with, perhaps she would act differently.

But for a little while, maybe it would be nice if we kept the dark part of ourselves hidden.

Chapter 5

London

I'm halfway through my bagel when Archer's phone rings.

He slides it out of his pocket and immediately leaves his stool. He presses a firm finger in the air toward me and my heart stutters because I'm certain it's Silver that's calling him.

Archer confirms it a second later when he answers. "Silver."

"Can I talk to him?" I whisper-shout and follow Archer as he tries to get away from me.

"Yeah, she's here."

I reach out toward Archer and attempt to tug at his arm but it's no use, he pulls away from me and turns around, extending his arm with his hand on my forehead to keep me at a distance.

"Chill," he mutters quietly to me.

I jut out my bottom lip and slump my shoulders.

Archer releases his hand slowly, and when I remain in place, he obliges me by putting Silver on speakerphone.

Silver's voice comes in ragged over the phone. "She's been through hell and back, Arch. Do me a favor and take care of her?"

Archer's intense stare meets mine and he looks away. "A favor, huh? I thought we were already square after the last one, Silver?"

"We were, but hey, now I owe you one, okay? Anything. You name it. You know how this works."

"I'm out, Sil. You knew this. You knew it then and you know it now. You can't keep doing this to me."

"Listen, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary. There wasn't anyone else I could trust to keep her safe."

"Keep her safe from what?"

"I can't say much over the phone, Arch."

"You're going to have to give me something, Silver. I need to know what I'm up against if you're expecting me to agree to this."

I swallow, my throat going dry at listening to these two go back and forth, talking about me like I'm not right here. I hate it, I hate the way it makes my stomach twist and my heart ache. I hate the fact that any of this is happening, that my father couldn't have just died and left me alone instead of haunting me with a man identical to him.

"Joe Vito," Silver says, those two words a complete statement.

Archer doesn't speak for a long moment, and I wonder what he must be thinking. If he's considering whether he should throw me out now, or later. But he surprises me when he chuckles, the sound so unfamiliar and strange. "Okay."

"You're good?" Muffled static follows Silver's voice.

"Yeah."

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