Page 242 of In Love with a Cruel Billionaire

“By me?”

“By you.”

“Corrupted in what way?”

“Apparently, your presence could serve to influence female students into thinking it’s alright to be a gold-digger.” There was also Leon Arlotta possibly becoming an issue, if the media got wind of it, but Damen decided against warning her about it directly. If it was still something she wanted to solve on her own, then he trusted her to do it.

“Mairi?”

“Mm?”

“You still don’t want to ask for my help about whatever it is that may be troubling you?”

It took her a long time to answer. “No,” she said finally. “But I think...you’re already helping me in a way.”

He knew exactly what she was referring to and he smirked.

Mairi rolled her eyes. “It’s a reallybighickey, Damen.” But she couldn’t help smiling as she pointed it out.

“Is it?” he drawled.

“It is, and you know it. And,” she added with a shake of her head, “you deliberately didn’t tell me about it!”

“If I had, you’d have thought of covering it up.”

“But—-”

“Admit it, my love. Am I not right?”

She grumbled, “Yes.” She gulped, afraid to ask the next question but knowing she had to. “How much do you know about...my problem?”

“Nothing specific,” he said readily. “I wantyouto tell me when you’re ready.”

“What if I’m not ready?”

He was exasperated. “Mairi.”

“But what if I’m not? You’ll let it be? You’ll just tell me you forgive me, right?”

“Are you a five-year-old kid?”

She changed the subject. “You know I love you, right? So you know I’ll never do anything to hurt you and that—-”

“I love you, too,matakia mou,but you will not get off that lightly.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I’m just really afraid you’ll hate me if I tell you,” she whispered.

He sobered. “Do you still love me?”

“I won’t ever stop,” she said simply.

“And whatever it was – or is, did it happen because you meant to hurt me?”

“No!”

“Then it won’t keep us apart,” he finished just as simply. “I love you, Mairi. I mean it in every sense.” He let it sink in before saying briskly, “I may be flying to Greece tonight. I’d like to take care of Esther once and for all.” When she started to protest, he said in a hard voice, “No more.”

She quieted, realizing Damen was more furious than he had let on.

---