Page 12 of Stuck with the Billionaire Celebrity

Igrowl inwardly as I see Grace’s reaction to the pictures on her phone.

This man was in her home and took pictures of her while she was sleeping…the thought of that causes rage to boil up.

I’m gripping the silverware in my hand so tightly that it might bend. I take a deep breath and look around.

I’m overprotective by nature, but even this is a bit much. She made it clear that she didn’t trust me and didn't want to be with me.

We spent one weekend together, and she clearly didn’t feel the same way I did then. If she had, she would have listened to me or at least given me a chance to explain. But she refused.

Why do I still feel the need to protect her?

“Grace, let’s go to the restroom really fast,” Sarah offers as she stands quickly.

Grace’s porcelain face is stark white and riddled with fear. She can barely move. It’s almost as if she’s in another world. Her hand lightly grips my pants leg.

I hadn’t even noticed.

Sarah touches her arm, and Grace practically jumps out of her skin.

“Let’s go to the restroom really fast,” Sarah repeats.

Grace nods as she stands, and the two of them disappear quickly.

“She’s not staying with me,” I hiss as soon as they’re gone.

I can feel my blood pressure rising. I know where this is headed, and I don’t like it one bit.

I’ve been down this road before and will never go again.

“You looked awfully cozy with her five seconds ago.”

Fucker. Of course, he would notice that.

“I was trying to keep her out of the view of these vultures trying to catch her off guard,” I lie in exasperation. “She isn’t staying with me. I won’t allow it.”

“Grace can’t go back to her place right now. It’s not safe.”

My jaw tightens. “That’s notmyproblem.”

“Itisnow,” he says, crossing his arms and staring me down. “She has nowhere else to go. Nowhere is safe if he got into her house.”

“I’ll repeat it; that’s not my problem.”

“You owe me.”

I let out a harsh laugh, shaking my head. “I owe you? This is your way of cashing in a favor? By dumping her on me? Have you lost your mind?”

He sighs, rubbing his temples like he’s the one under stress.

“You know this isn’t just about you. Grace is in danger. I’ve tried everything, restraining orders, security, but the police won’t do a damn thing because he hasn’t gotten physical.

She’s scared, and I can’t just leave her out there with no protection. Your house is in the middle of nowhere and an absolute fortress.”

“Find her a hotel.Hell, rent her a whole floor if you have to. But she’s not coming to my house,” I snap.

His voice tightens, and I can tell he’s losing patience, but I don’t care. I’m not going through this again.

“You know as well as I do that a hotel isn’t safe enough. She needs to be somewhere where no one can get to her, somewhere they wouldn’t even think to look. That’s your place, Theo.”

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