Page 122 of The Playboy Billionaire

“Hi,” he says, always the man of few words.

“Elijah was just telling me about the security features his firm will be adding to the new development. They sound amazing,” April says, her smile genuine.

Who is this man standing before me, and what has he done with my prickly brother?

“We try,” I say, raising a brow at Elijah when April turns to him. “It helps if they’re integrated into the build, less chance of tampering. It keeps insurance premiums down for the businesses.”

“We want the area to feel protected. They can sign up to our service, or monitor their own security, but it’s therewhichever way suits. With the dance studios, internal cameras will be under your control. Externals, you have the choice.”

I’m surprised at Elijah’s openness. He ran a security check on April. He knows her past, her present. Wouldn’t surprise me if he knows her future, he has his fingers that far into the technical world. With Leah, he was defensive, with April, he’s open. Has he learned his lesson? Or is there something more?

Harper appears and drags April off. Elijah and I watch them leave.

“Say nothing,” Elijah huffs,

“What me?” I say, feigning innocence. “You just surprised me,” I admit.

I couldn’t be more shocked when Elijah says, “I like her.”

I choke on my drink. “Like her? Wow, high praise coming from you.”

“I give credit where credit is due,” he says, staring me down. Which I always find quite unnerving. Elijah is intense, as our older brother, he’s always been incredibly protective, something we have all baulked against as we got older.

Smiling at him, my eyes follow April. “I agree she’s special. I just wish she saw it too.”

“Her mother is looking for her,” Elijah says quietly, and my eyes return to his in surprise. “I set up alerts,” he adds, shrugging as if it’s no big deal.

“What do you mean?” A coldness floods my system.

Elijah takes a deep breath, his gaze looking over at April. “What I said, her mother has approached several sites. She’s searching for April. Wants to reconnect.”

Shit, I wish he hadn’t told me this.

How am I supposed to tell April I know this information? She’s going to want to know how I found out. Saying my brother has run security checks and has dragged up all herpast secrets. Secrets I know she is keeping from me, but I’m hoping she’ll one day have the strength to trust me with. I’m not sure she’ll understand why I have a report on her, on my computer. Something I regret and will always regret. I should have trusted her.

“I’ll leave it with you. I’ve passed on the information. What you choose to do with it is up to you,” Elijah says, shrugging his shoulders.

I stare at my brother for a moment. “How are you doing?” I ask.

His laugh is hollow. “Could be better, could be worse,” he says. “At least it’s nearly over.”

“And Lottie?”

I know the reason he stayed in his disastrous marriage was due to Lottie. His love for his daughter is unbreakable.

“She’s coping better than anyone,” he says, his eyes searching out his teenage daughter, softening as they catch sight of her across the room talking to our mother. “I’m giving Darra everything,” he says suddenly, shocking me into silence.

He looks at me, his gaze hard, as if daring me to argue. “Everything bar my company.”

I take a breath.

“You do what you need to do. I know you’ll have your reasons. I will not question them. But Eli.” I move my head until he looks at me. “Just know, you’re not alone. We’re here for you. The secrets I know you keep. You don’t need to protect us. We’re grown-ass adults, well, maybe not Harper. She’s a law unto herself.” I know I’m waffling, but I want to make a point. “We want to help you. You and Lottie, even Darra if we must. But we want you to be okay. We’ll do whatever it takes, but you need to let us in.”

He stares at me. His gaze unwavering. If he wasn’t my brother, I’d be terrified of him, his size and his stony expression.It’s why I couldn’t be more shocked when he says, “Thank you. I’ll come and see you. There are a few things I’d like to discuss.”

I hold his gaze and nod. “I’m holding you to that,” I add, even more surprised when the edge of his lip curls up.

“I thought you might,” he says, before looking down at his watch. “But that’s enough of this mushy bullshit for now. It’s time for Gabriel to kick our asses at Monopoly.”

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