Page 40 of The Playboy Billionaire

“Ah, the reason you were so evasive about your trip. A woman. That makes sense. I wondered if something had happened.”

Gabriel studies me over his wine glass. I want to snatch it out of his hand. His smug expression starting to wind me up.

Callum finishes his bottle, and I put him over my shoulder to wind him, the way Leah showed me.

“Well, April happened. Then she left before I woke up. Left without a word,” I say, knowing it sounds petty, but then I’ve never had sex and just upped and vanished. Not that I could, even if I wanted to. People recognise my face. That’s why I was surprised April hadn’t, especially since she came from London.

Gabriel chokes on his wine, and I know straight to where his mind has gone.

“Let me remind you of Monaco. I haven’tlostit before you say anything.”

“Please, don’t remind me. I’m still trying to get over that night.”

“Dramatic much!”

Facing my brother and his communications officer the following morning was embarrassing. The two women were anything but quiet, but it was one hell of a weekend.

“April is complicated. As I said, she has trust issues the size of Greater London.”

“So what are you proposing to do? Can you leave her in situ?” Gabriel asks.

“Unfortunately, no. The development means taking the building back to brick. It would not be safe to leave anyone inside while construction is underway.”

“What’s your next move?”

I inhale before shaking my head. “That’s my dilemma. I need to sell something to the board. Something they will go with, within budget and limited time constraints. But will also appease the community. The board want no more bad press.”

“It sounds like you’ve got your work cut out,” he says. “But what about April herself?”

Callum takes that moment to let out an enormous belch, milk leaking out of his mouth and onto my shirt.

“Is that better, little man?” I say as my brother laughs.

“Nothing like baby vomit to attract the women.”

Gabriel takes Callum and hands me a packet of baby wipes along with his wine glass.

I watch as my once-distant brother coos at the baby in his arms. I use the wipes to clean myself up and think about what Gabriel has just said.

“What are your plans for the weekend?” he asks, distracting me.

“I think I’ll go home. A few spins around the track should help to clear my head and finish these proposals.”

Or at least I’m hoping it will. My new car needs another outing, and I need to get a certain little dancer out of my system.

CHAPTER 18

APRIL

Campfires, roasted marshmallows, and sitting in front of Di and Julian’s log fire. The memories invade my dreams, shooting me from one to the next. The warmth and glow of the fire. I’ll never forget the first time they took me camping. I’d been about fourteen and been such a nightmare, sure I’d hate it. But I hadn’t. I’d loved it, and it had cemented our bond.

I cough, drawing in a choking breath. The thick, clogging air makes me cough again. Rolling onto my side, I pull the covers up over my shoulders, but the need to cough again is overwhelming. Still lost in my dreams and memories, I sit up, coughing again. This time, I struggle to get enough air into my lungs, and my brain comes around in a panic. I prise my eyes open but see nothing. Flicking on my bedside light, nothing.

Damn, the electrics must have gone off. I pick up my phone and use the torch feature. The surrounding air illuminates. But it’s not just illuminated. It’s a smoky haze. Smoke drifts up and onto the ceiling.

What the hell?

I cough again, realising I’m choking on smoke. My office-come-bedroom is smokey. I pull my pyjama top over my mouth and get out of bed, making my way to the door. Tendrils of smoke snake through the gaps between the door and its frame. I reach for the handle but leap back as it scalds my hand.

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