Page 36 of Stuck with the Billionaire Celebrity

I mean, we still are, but... it’s different now. There’s a crack in his armor, a small one, but a crack, nonetheless.

I smile to myself, the warmth from earlier still lingering in my chest. Maybe this place isn’t so bad after all.

As I finish cleaning the last of the mess, I realize something else: I like making him laugh. It’s strange, but there’s a satisfaction in seeing him drop that cold, distant exterior. Maybe I’ll try to do it again.

He didn’t say one thing about fucking my brains out though.

I’d really like him to do that again, too.

8

THEO

The day is still early, and I’m going over a few contracts in my office, the familiar hum of the house settling around me when Fiona, my assistant, comes in with the mail. She hesitates for a second longer than usual at the door, and that slight shift in her behavior puts me on edge.

She’s fidgeting nervously. She’s as composed as they come, always on top of things, never flustered. If she’s worried, it’s for a reason.

"Everything all right?" I ask, my tone casual, but I’m already narrowing in on the pile of letters in her hand, searching for what could have caught her off guard.

She smiles, tight-lipped. "You just have a few things today, but there’s… well…" She steps forward, placing the stack of envelopes on the desk, but one in particular sticks out immediately.

Fiona’s hand hovers over it before she pulls back, almost as if she doesn’t want to leave it behind.

A large manila envelope. No postage. No return address. My gut tightens.

"That came with the regular mail?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

She shakes her head. "No, it was on the doorstep when I came in this morning."

“On the doorstep? That’s not possible,” I hiss.

“I’m aware, sir. I advised Tad of it as well, so he’s checking the security footage now.”

“Thanks, Fiona.”

There’s no need to ask who it’s for. Across the front, written in sharp, deliberate letters, is Grace’s name. No doubt in my mind that whoever sent this hand-delivered it—probably in the middle of the night.

My security system is impenetrable. I have cameras and alarms. No one should have been able to get in to put this on the front porch without me or my security knowing the second he stepped foot on the premises.

My heart kicks into gear, and a cold wave of protectiveness rushes through me. I know I shouldn’t open it. I know I should wait, give it to security, and let them handle it.

But every instinct I have screams that I need to act now, to get ahead of whatever threat might be inside that envelope. Grace has been through enough already.

I reach for the envelope, ignoring the way Fiona’s eyes widen in surprise. My hands are steady, but inside, there’s a storm brewing. I tear it open carefully, and my breath catches as I pull out the contents.

“You can’t hide her forever.”

I reread it, feeling a slow burn of rage rising in my chest.

How did he find her?

I swallow hard and glance back at Fiona. She’s watching me carefully, her brows pinched. She knows. She’s been around long enough to pick up on the gravity of the situation without me having to explain.

"I need you to call Tad," I say, my voice low, referring to my head of security.

"Tell him to come up here now.

And see if he can get in touch with the police.

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