Page 77 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire
Chapter31
Odette
Iheld my breath as I dropped that bomb.
I wrung my hands that rested on my lap. Byron leaned back in his chair, his eyes studying me. Except, I couldn’t read his expression. It was almost… calculating. His three-piece, dark gray suit molded to his body like a second skin. Wealth surrounded him. A million dollars was a drop in the bucket for him.
To me, it was a matter of life and death.
“You’re a doctor now,” he remarked coldly. “You’re well off.”
“No new surgeon is making a million dollars,” I blurted. “And I spent my residency in Ghana earning the bare minimum salary.”
My palms dampened. I performed life-and-death type of surgeries, and I never lost my nerve. Around this guy, I wasn’t steady enough to hold a pen, never mind a surgical knife.
“How did you end up in Ghana?” Surprise washed over me at his question. Why would he even care?
“I worked for the World Health Organization. There was an opportunity to work for a cause while finishing up my residency. It was too good to pass up, and my father did something similar when he was my age.”
That familiar ache in my chest pierced through. It didn’t help that the misdeeds of his family caused it, yet I couldn’t let that deter me. I needed the money.
“I heard what happened to your father.” Byron’s expression softened. “I’m sorry for your loss.” I gasped, digging my nails into my palms. I wanted to lash out, but instead, I focused on the pain as my nails left crescents dented in my skin. “Did you go alone?” he asked casually, leaning back in his chair.
I shook my head, swallowing my pride and the words I wanted to throw in his face.
“No, I didn’t go alone.” I almost didn’t take the opportunity. Bringing a small child to Africa wasn’t the wisest decision, but leaving him behind wasn’t an option. It was Billie who insisted I take the job, and we moved to Ghana together. As if she hadn’t already sacrificed enough. I could never repay my sister for everything she’d done for me. “Listen, I didn’t come to chitchat. Can you help me or not?”
It was ballsy and maybe even rude, but I couldn’t stand to drag this on anymore. It felt like a slow execution.
“What will I get in return?” he drawled.
My heart shuddered, hope flickering.
“Please,” I rasped. “I’ll do anything.”
Something flashed in his eyes and my self-preservation flared. But it was too late. The truth was, I would do fucking anything to get us out of this mess. My son deserved to have a good life. My sister too. She’d put her life on hold for me so I could finish medical school. So I could complete my residency.
It was the least I could do for them.
“How will you pay back this loan?” Byron ran the back of his fingers over his sharp jawline. The jaw I’d once kissed and licked.
“It might take me a while, but I will pay you back. I promise.” He made no move to say or do anything. My desperation grew thick. Bitterness suffocated. “Please, Byron.” In my entire life, I had never begged anyone for anything. And here I was, pleading with this man to save my family. “Y-you said once that you wanted me out of your system.” It was my last option. My body buzzed with that old flame. It didn’t matter what had happened. It didn’t matter how badly my heart was broken. Or how scared I was for my son. All of it became background noise when he came around. The attraction sizzled and took control. The throbbing between my thighs became unbearable. The memories were even more so. “I’ll be whatever you want me to be, whatever you need me to be for you,” I choked out. “I’ll do anything.”
My cheeks burned. My body ignited. And my pride went up in smoke. Might as well. There was no room for pride here. If he wanted me as his whore, and it’d ensure my son’s and sister’s safety, I’d be his whore.
Something dark passed over his expression. Arrogant. Predatory.
“Starting now?” he deadpanned, those eyes burning with blue flames. Hope flickered with my next heartbeat. My tongue swept across my dried lips.
“Sure, starting now.”
“How many men have you offered this deal to?” My cheeks burned with humiliation at his question. He thought so little of me. Six years and I hadn’t moved on to another man. And for what? For this?
Angry words rushed through me, eager to leave my lips. I refused to let them. I wouldn’t let my pride destroy this chance. If he refused, I’d have to play my very last card. I’d have to tell him Ares was his son and then pray for his mercy. Or maybe the man had already figured it out himself.
Because one thing I knew for certain; he’d make me pay for keeping this secret. Maybe even take my son from me. Byron was ruthless, undoubtedly like his father, and the latter had already threatened my life. I wanted to save all three of us—my son, Billie, and myself—but Ares came first. Billie and I always had agreed on that. We had to do whatever necessary to ensure his protection.
“I don’t know any other multimillionaires, Byron,” I retorted dryly while my heart drummed against my ribs.
