Page 13 of Stuck with the Billionaire Celebrity

I glare at him. “My place is off-limits, Devon. I don’t let anyone in there. Not after Alexia. You know that.”

He lets out a long breath, leaning forward, lowering his voice like we’re discussing some grand secret.

“I know. But this is different. Grace needs protection, and right now, you’re the only one who can give it to her. You’re theonlyperson I trust.”

The bastard would have to throw that trust thing in there, wouldn’t he? Damn him for knowing how to get to me.

I shake my head, turning away from him to stare out at the dance floor. The city lights glisten in the distance, a perfect backdrop to all the people living their best lives.

Maybe I should punch my best friend in the face hard enough to make him forget this crazy idea.

“I’m not getting involved.”

“You’re already involved, Theo. Grace needs a place to stay, and you’re going to give it to her.”

“You’re not in any place to make demands of me.”

“I saved your ass with all the stuff with Alexia, and you know it. I normally wouldn’t call in a favor like this, you know that. It’s just…she’s not safe anywhere else, and I know she will be with you.”

“What happens when it all blows up in my face?

What happens when people find out she’s staying with me?

Do you think the press won’t have a field day with that?

Do you think they won’t twist it into something ugly?

I’m barely keeping my career afloat as it is.”

Devon crosses his arms.

“Or it could fix your reputation.

You and Grace together would be a power couple, the press picks up on that, and suddenly you’re not the asshole they’ve all made you out to be.

You know that whole thing with Alexia hurt you, but this could turn things around.”

“This isn’t about fixing my reputation. This is about you dragging me intoyourmess.”

“No, it’s not. I wouldn’t be doing this if I had any other choice.

This guy... he’s really good at what he does. You know how many stalkers and psychos I’ve dealt with over the years, in my life and in this line of work. You know I can handle them.

But this guy? I can’t even get a whiff of him.

This is Grace’s life we’re talking about. She has nowhere else to go. I’m her manager—it's my job to keep her safe.”

Devon is a former Marine Reconnaissance man who is incredibly skilled in surveillance and protection. If he can’t find this man, that’s a problem.

I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair. “Why should I care?

“He reminds me of Ricky Genovia,” he hisses as his voice dips low.

I suck in a breath at the mention of our former classmate. My cousin had dated him briefly, they broke up and within days, she had gone missing.

Two other girls went missing over the next three months. All three females were found dead years later, buried in Ricky’s backyard.

No one would have believed the high school quarterback was capable of such atrocities, but somehow, the police had figured it out and had solid proof.

---