Page 8 of Kinks of a Billionaire
I delayed my trip to the Himalayas, my off-grid outings to Africa, and even refused a few find-and-rescue assignments with Byron’s buddy River, all because I’d been waiting for that call or text from my Willow.
River served in Afghanistan with my brother, although I had crossed paths with him a few times during my military days as well. He, along with his buddies, owned a security company inPortugal. It wasn’t advertised, but sometimes they did bidding for the mafia, and I’d never been so tempted to use him in the same capacity.
However, I was quite capable of handling my own dirty laundry. Not that it would come to that though, because Stuart would not last.He better not.
Stuart had better become history, and soon, otherwise I’d lose my goddamn mind. Willow was mine, and that fucker couldn’t have her.
Mine?
A storm raged in my chest so violently and suddenly, it would’ve brought me to my knees had I been standing.
“What?” Byron questioned before a frown touched his face, studying me with a puzzled expression. I quickly masked my emotions, not ready to go there with my big brother.
“I just realized something.”
“What?”
That Willow is mine.“That you’re annoying.”
My pulse drummed in my ears as warmth spread through my veins and toward my heart, intent on conquering it. I rubbed at my sternum, hoping to massage this unfamiliar feeling away. What was happening to me?
“You’re an ass, Royce.”
I ignored him and said, “I have to go to Portugal,” already typing a message on my phone.
“What? Now?” Byron looked shocked. “The meeting with our shareholders is about to start.”
I stood and adjusted the sleeve of my suit. I fucking hated wearing these, preferring leather and jeans to this stiff attire. Byron, on the other hand, was probably born in a suit.
“Yeah, you got this. I have to handle some other business.”
I held my brother’s stare, challenging him to say something. He didn’t disappoint.
“Can’t thatother businesswait?” he gritted.
“No,” I said coldly. “This is a matter of life or death.”
My brother rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I’m sure it is.”
Maybe not in his book, but in mine, it was. Willow was visiting her parents in Portugal, and I couldn’t wait another day before seeing her again.
Because if I did,Imight fucking die.
“Royce,” Willow cried, spreading her arms wide the instant she saw me, uncaring that her parents were in the other room. “I couldn’t believe my ears when I got your message. What made you decide to visit me on a whim?” My mood always lifted under her beaming light, and I let her wintergreen scent wrap around me as she hugged me tightly, her short frame barely reaching my chest. I soaked in her glow, relaxing instantly. “You seem to be slipping too. Nine hours to get here,” she reprimanded with a teasing grin.
I slipped an arm over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. She let out a little hum, and we headed into the small bungalow Willow’s parents owned on the outskirts of Lisbon, my troubles already fading away.
It had been ten years since we’d made our friendship pact, and it had always felt like the right choice. She was the only woman who accepted me as I was, not trying to change me or use me. I wasn’t perfect, and neither was she. But when we were together, we were absolute fucking perfection.
“Was the flight delayed?” she murmured again as she pulled away to look up at me, her small hands on my chest doing all sorts of things to my heartbeat.
Fuck!
What was I going to do? I needed to tell her Stuart was all wrong for her. How could I have been so blind all these years? I realized that the timing to confess my feelings wasn’t exactly right, and it might come off as wanting something you could no longer have.
“My damn pilot is adamant about aviation rules and regulations. Snore. I’ll have to fire him,” I said just as her parents appeared from another room, dressed to go out. “Mr. and Mrs. Auclair. Looking fancy tonight. All that for me?” I teased.
“Mr. Auclair is taking me on a date,” said Mrs. Auclair, clucking her tongue and winking at me. “You two enjoy yourselves. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
