Page 110 of The Playboy Billionaire

“I’ll be travelling back and forth. I have some projects ongoing in the US, but this one is one of the larger ones, so I want to be on hand.”

April nods, showing her understanding.

“You need to work on Kat. She knows you’re the best. I’m not sure why my sister is being so stubborn,” I add, watching Jaxson’s jaw clench at the mention of my sister’s name.

Am I missing something?

“Just drop it. It’s up to her. I will not beg,” he says, shooting me a look that tells me he means it.

His choice of phrase startles me, but before I can question him further, our food arrives, followed by Johnny.

“Mr Caleb,” he says, approaching our table. I rise to my feet and hold out a hand in greeting. One he takes and shakes enthusiastically.

“I wanted to come and thank you personally. For making all this possible.” My ears feel impossibly hot at his gushing words. This really isn’t a setup, but I know April will think it is.

“You made the changes, Johnny. This isn’t down to me. This is all you. I just offered you a way, another choice. You should be very proud of yourself.”

He grins and nods, before turning to April. “This man, he got me out of a life that would land me in jail. Him and his family…” I watch as his voice catches.

I pat his shoulder. “You should be proud of all you’ve achieved.”

“Not just me. You helped the entire gang.”

When he says,gang. He’s talking in a literal sense. Johnny ran with a group of lads who saw themselves as the Kings of Copper Town. When the police bust them for breaking and entering on the new site, I had a choice. Press charges or try rehabilitation. I went with the latter. At seventeen, they were smart lads. When given the choice and a firm talking to, they decided to better themselves.

“I heard. I’ve been keeping tabs. I hear Denny is working uptown,” I say.

Denny wrote to me, thanking me for everything. Letting me know he had a new job, was changing his ways, and had encouraged his crew to do the same.

Johnny nods and smiles.

“I better get back to the kitchen,” he says. “Let you enjoy your dinner. On the house.”

I go to refuse, but April catches my attention, shaking her head.

“Thank you,” I say to Johnny. “And congratulations.”

“Thank you, Mr Caleb.”

Johnny leaves, grinning, and I retake my seat.

“I can’t let him give us our meal,” I say to April.

“You can and you will. He wants to say thank you. This is one way he can. You’ve clearly impacted his life. It’s what I’d want to do if someone did that for me.”

Something in her tone catches me off guard. I look down at the table, knowing what she says is true.

She takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze until my eyes meet hers.

“It doesn’t mean you can’t leave averygenerous tip,” she says, smiling at me.

I grin back. “I knew I liked you for a reason,” I say before I can stop myself.

My expression must give me away as Jaxson chokes on his wine, and April laughs.

“I’m glad I’m of use. Now shut up and eat. Our dinner is getting cold.”

CHAPTER 47

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