Page 67 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire
Although my vision might be slightly impaired, thanks to a sleepless night.
“Hello,” they both grumbled before disappearing into the elevator.
“Ah, the joys of the preteen years,” Billie mused. “Remember my tantrums?”
“Like anyone could forget,” I mused. Both of us lowered our gazes to Ares. “You’ll be a good boy when you’re that age, won’t you?”
Before he could answer, a deep voice, cold and calm, greeted us. “Dr. Swan?”
Billie and I turned our attention in its direction at the same time. “Holy shit,” Billie muttered.
Holy shit was right. Nico Morrelli was hot. Likevolcanic heathot. Older. Maybe mid-forties. With broad shoulders and an arrogant smile, he reminded me of Byron. Except for his eyes. He had a stormy, cloudy gaze under dark, thick lashes that were every woman’s envy.
“Dr. Swan?” he repeated, and I got myself together.
“Yes, that’s me,” I said, closing the distance between us and extending my hand. “Mr. Morrelli.”
He took my hand into his firm handshake. “Nice to meet you.” His eyes traveled to my sister, then to Ares. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
The nervous knot in my stomach formed. He heard about me? Nothing I did was relevant in his circles, so he shouldn’t have heard anything.
A petite woman with dark brown hair and soft brown eyes appeared by his side. I watched in fascination as his expression softened, those steel-gray eyes turned into molten silver.
That feeling came back—the one I had been avoiding to feel for the past six years.Longing.Longing to love and be loved. Longing to havehim.
“Hi, I’m Bianca,” she greeted me, extending her hand. “His better half.”
I smiled. “Nice to meet you.” I turned to my sister and Ares. “This is my sister, Billie, and this is my son, Ares.”
Bianca’s smile widened. She shook Billie’s hand, then lowered down to her knees. “Hi there, Ares. I love your name.” She extended her hand, and like a big boy, Ares took it, shaking it seriously. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too, ma’am.”
Pride swelled in my chest. I might not be the best mother, but I must have done something right because my little guy was making me proud.
Bianca rose to her feet. “Now I wish I had brought my boys with me,” she said sorrowfully. “They could have all played together while you’re talking to Nico.”
“That’s a shame,” I agreed. “Ares loves to play with other children.”
“Maybe next time,” Billie chimed, giving me a meaningful glance. Usually, I had to remind her not to get too personal and here I was chatting with Nico Morrelli’s wife.
Bianca must have picked up on it because she rose to her full height, then pecked her husband on the cheek.
“I’ll leave you to it,” she said. “I’m going to check on our girls before they start a riot.”
As she disappeared into the elevator, Nico turned his attention to us.
“Ladies, after you,” Nico said, extending his hand for us to enter his office.
With heavy steps, both of us made our way inside the modern office. Neat. Organized. Big.
As we took our seat, I realized one thing.
In my whole life, I had never violated a single rule.
Tell no lies. I obeyed.Do no wrong. I listened.Follow the law to a tee. Absolutely.Save lives. I gladly did.
Yet, as I sat across Nico Morrelli’s executive desk, I was about to commit a federal offense. Just the attempt to fraudulently use a passport was a violation of federal law. In any country.
