Page 63 of The Billionaire and the Runaway

“Don’t wait too long. There’s no expiration date on true love, but life does move on whether we want it to or not,” she says.

“Joy…” I start but trail off.

She rolls her eyes. “You think we were all born yesterday? We know you two are hooking up. I’m no idiot. And in my humble opinion, that girl was the best thing that ever happened to you. Even Tori would agree if she was still here. So don’t go getting all caught up in your irrational thoughts. You need to go kiss that girl,” Joy states with a nod.

Laughing, I turn back to my computer. “I’ll take it under advisement.”

I pull back up the social media app and stare at the photo of Ariana from last week. She looks sad. And suddenly, that protective instinct I’ve felt for her kicks into overdrive. Did I make her sad? Fuck. Maybe everyone is right. I need to get over this stupid fear. I can’t lose her. I just hope I’m not too late. It was bad enough losing Tori, but I didn’t have a choice with that. I do with Ariana and I’m being a fucking fool. Joy is right. I need to go get my woman…and definitely also kiss her.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

Ariana

“Dad, I need to get my things,” I protest.

“No, Ariana. I’m done with this conversation,” my father says, waving a hand in the air dismissively.

“OK, let me say it another way. Dad, I’m going to get my things. I know you have a condo down that way. So, Katia and I will stay there for the night so it’s not too much for me,” I state defiantly, my chin jutting out and my arms crossing.

My father sets down whatever it is he’s reading and stares at me over his glasses. I can tell he’s annoyed that I’ve pointed out that one of his many properties is right near Storyview Falls. “I already said no.” He looks at my leg. “You can’t even walk yet. You just started physical therapy yesterday.”

I glare at him. “And I’m allowed to use crutches a little bit and I get around fine in this chair. I’m an adult. I have a job. I signed a contract. I need to close up my work with them. I’m a professional and I will not have my reputation tarnished over some silly little job. Do you want that?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. I see his eyes narrow. Checkmate.

“Fine. You’ll take Sylvester with you,” he says, motioning for a guard by his door.

“Seriously?” I state.

“Seriously. And you’ll text me when you get there,” he replies deadpan. Anyone else might shrivel under his gaze, but I know my father, and deep down, the man wouldn’t hurt a fly, at least not a fly he loves. Now, I might be the only one that knows that, but it’s true. While most people think my dad is a ruthless businessman, I’ve seen the loving side of James Titan. It exists. There is a heart that beats in his chest. He just has it very walled off from the entire world.

“Whatever. I’ll be back,” I say with a sigh as I turn in my wheelchair and roll myself out of his office.

Sylvester follows me. “Shall I get the car ready, miss?”

I look over my shoulder at the man who is probably thirty years older than me. He’s foreign. I should probably know from where, but honestly, I try to ignore our security team as much as humanly possible. I hate that he’s coming, but what he doesn’t know is that he’s about to enter another planet. Or at least that’s what it will probably feel like to him.

“Yes, please,” I answer. “We’ll be ready in an hour.”

“Will do,” he replies as he leaves and heads toward the elevator.

I roll to my room and find Katia sitting on my bed reading something on her phone. She looks up and quickly sets her phone screen-side down.

“We leave in an hour,” I state as I eye her phone with curiosity. Why was she hiding the screen from me? She has literally shown me sexting photos. We have zero secrets. Whatever, I don’t have the energy to deal with another issue right now. She and I can address whatever that is about later.

She pumps her fist. “Hell yeah. Way to grow some massive lady balls.”

I roll my eyes. “Do you think my plan will work?”

She shrugs. “It’s worth a try.”

We’ve been scheming for forty-eight hours straight.

* * *

“Why are there so many cars here?” I ask as we pull up to the farm. I look at the field filled with cars. We never have this many people at the farm. Even on a busy day the small parking lot seldom fills up to capacity.

Katia glances over at me and I see her chewing on her bottom lip.

“What did you do?” I ask, my eyes widening as Sylvester drives up to the barn.

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