Page 71 of The Renegade Billionaire
He raises a hand to draw small circles on his chest and I smile. It’s nice knowing one of his little tells.
“What’s on your mind, Braxton?”
The muscles in his forearms bunch when he lifts himself to sit on top of the dryer. “You’re not going to like it.”
I instantly drop my head into my hands and practice breathing exercises that never work, but I keep doing them anyway.
“What did he do now?” Of course whatever he’s about to tell me has something to do with my grandfather.
“Can you promise me something?”
“What? You want me to promise not to get mad? Not to have a complete and utter breakdown that he’s putting us deeper into debt without any true understanding of what it will take me to repay?”
“No. Promise me that you’ll keep an open mind.”
“I’d really rather you just spit it out.” Freaking stress makes me so stinking sweaty. Gathering all my hair, I twist it up into a messy bun to cool my neck.
“The inn was in trouble.”
Somehow, that’s the very last thing I expected this man to say.
“He told you about the taxes?”
Braxton’s jaw drops to his chest and his brows nearly reach his hairline. “How…”
I snort out a defeated chuckle. “When Sam disappeared, I had a feeling he was leaving everyone in a bad way. I started pulling all the files I could get my hands on.”
“But Pops has all the documents?—”
“In the shed. It’s where he hides everything. Listen, I appreciate you looking out for him, but I’m raising the money to repay the loan he took out from his friend. I’m almost there,that’s why all the improvements have been put on hold. But now that you’ve paid a king’s ransom to stay here, we should be fine.”
“A loan?” The words squeak past his lips. “And how are you saving that much money?”
“I took on a bunch of new clients. I produce audiobooks for indie authors and sometimes do sound engineering for podcasters. I do them at night when no one else is in the studio so I can rent that space out as much as possible. We’ll be on our feet soon enough. His friend, Ace, sadly passed away though, so I’m working my butt off to get the funds before his sleazy family comes looking to be repaid.”
The color drains from Braxton’s face. “His family? You’re working yourself into the ground because you’re scared of his family?”
I nod but feel my face pinch at his tone. “He used to tell us about them. They all sounded horrible, except for his grandson and adopted grandkids. But not all of us have unlimited resources, so I needed to get the repayment sorted before the rich freaking…” I snap my lips shut as soon as the words leave my mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t…”
He looks down at the floor. “You’re stressed, and I get it. But I’m not sure how you’ll take this next bit of information.”
“He’s Ace’s grandson,” Pops shouts down the stairs. “He owns forty percent of the inn. Now get up here so we can talk about it.”
I don’t remember standing or balling my hands into fists. Braxton jumps down from the dryer, but I hold up a hand, palm facing him, and shake my head once. It’s another thirty seconds before I can gather enough strength to walk up the stairs, and all my control to walk past my grandfather without bursting into tears.
He sold part of the inn? Maisie’s Hideaway Inn?
Braxton’s footsteps follow me the entire way, but he whispers something to Pops on his way by, and that’s what sets me off.
I slam both hands into the swinging kitchen door and take up residence behind the island.
“You should have told her.”
“I was protecting her.”
“She’s an adult, Pops. She…”
“She doesn’t need two well-meaning idiots talking about her either.” As soon as I say it, their words muffle into hushed whispers—they could be a barrel of snakes behind that door for all the shushing sounds. I drop my forehead to the cool countertop and count backward from one hundred.
