Page 56 of The Elusive Billionaire
Could it be stress that caused her reaction? Maybe. But it’s more likely that she hasn’t been taking care of herself properly.
Thanks to my father, I never got to find out if my sister would have overcome what haunted her, but I’ll be damned if I sit by and allow our friends and family to lose Savvy to a disease I know she can beat, even if that means I stay by her side twenty-four seven to ensure that she does.
Then there’s the issue of the pictures. Those goddamn pictures the world should never have seen. She’s definitely underage in some of them, and I will bury whoever thought it was a good idea to publish them.
“That’s what I thought you said.” Quinn’s voice registers, but I’m only partially listening. “But exactly how is this supposed to solve anything?”
I’m still working that out. Pops backed me into a corner, and my competitive side overrode all common sense. Why the hell do I rise to every challenge Pops sends my way? It’s as though that old man reverts me into a squabbling prepubescent with every conversation.
There’s just something about Savvy—the weaknesses she fights hard to never show—that has me in a constant state of reaction instead of pro-action.
“Greyson, I told you that Omni-Reyes was taking a hit. This scandal isn’t helping. Since you took over, your…history has made people question the integrity of Omni-Reyes, and Braxton leaving you on your own to handle every obstacle is, quite frankly, selfish.”
By history, she means my DNA. Darren Wells, my father, is a monster, has always been a monster, and will always be a monster, but her verbal attack on Braxton is a line I won’t allow her to cross.
Regardless of how far I go, I’ll never outrun Darren’s shadows, but Braxton has always been the one to turn on the light and fight them at my side.
“You will not disrespect Braxton again. Is that clear?” It’s a demand, not a question, so I don’t give her time to respond. “You and your godforsaken crisis PR manager are the ones who suggested flaunting our happy family in the first place, Quinn. Isn’t this exactly what you wanted a few months ago? A solution for public perception? What better way to show I’m a committed family man than with a wife? It did wonders for Braxton’s reputation.”
“Understood,” she bites out. “But Braxton isn’t the head of Omni-Reyes anymore—you are. This company was built onthe foundation of traditional family morals, so showcasingthatfamily you’ve fought so hard to protect makes the most logical sense, considering your…past. But when Kristen suggested this, she didn’t mean you should marry a stripper.”
“She’s not a stripper.” Aggression swirls in hazy grays around my vision as I speak.
“Not anymore, but after this article came out, I did some digging. She was, in fact, a topless dancer. Omni-Reyes built its reputation on loyalty and family. We’re the number one source for information because people trust us. We are the Heartmark of news. Tying yourself to her goes against everything this company was built on.”
Truthfully, I don’t give a shit if Savvy was a stripper, an exotic dancer, or a fucking circus clown. My gut tells me there’s more to this story, and I won’t walk away from her now.
“It’s done, Quinn, and I suggest you watch the words you use when speaking of my fiancée and my brother. Tell Kristen to make the announcement. I’ll handle the rest.”
My office door nearly comes off the hinges as it crashes against the wall. Even Savvy seems surprised by the force of it as she enters my office like the goddamn hurricane that forced us together.
My fists tighten on the towel that’s draped around my neck. I hadn’t expected Quinn to be waiting for me in my office when I came out of my private shower, so I hadn’t finished getting dressed yet.
The skin around Savvy’s eyes pinches as she stares from my naked torso to Quinn.
Interesting.
Jealousy looks good on her.
“You arrogant piece of shit.” Savvy came for war. “How dare you decree anything regarding my life? This isn’t a fairy tale, andyou don’t get to pretend to be the white knight. You don’t even like me half the time.”
“Oh, I think he likes you just fine,” Sage says, entering behind her with Braxton and Madi on his heels.
My nephew is a modern-day Einstein, and he has the highest emotional IQ of anyone I’ve ever met. It would make him dangerous if he possessed even a single malicious intent.
“We are not doing this,” Savvy hisses. “This is the worst idea I’ve ever heard in my life. We’ll kill each other.”
“From a strictly professional standpoint, if you’re discussing the pending marriage, I have to agree, Greyson.” Quinn steps forward but smartly retreats when Savvy’s fiery glare lands on her. “This won’t help the situation.”
“This has nothing to do with their engagement, Quinn.” Why is Brax lying to my assistant? Savvy opens her mouth to fight him, but he’s focused on Quinn. “Can you give us a moment?” Braxton poses it as a question, but the order is clear. “This is a family matter first and foremost.” Quinn’s entire form stiffens. “We’ll worry about the professional side of this once my family is on the same page.”
A year ago, I would have argued that Savvy isn’t family, but since Braxton found Madi, his definition of family has expanded from Sage and me to an entire community that gives me a headache.
“Of course.” Quinn’s words are clipped, and while I appreciate her ability to reason without emotion, Braxton’s family is an emotional tsunami. “Family stands by family, or at least they should,” she mutters. “Who was there for Grey when you left him all alone? Me, that’s who.”
I furrow my brow as Quinn gathers her things. What the hell is she talking about? I’m about to ask when Savvy’s movements catch my attention. She’s a caged tiger pacing the room rightnow. If we were alone, the sex might actually bring down the building.
The second the door closes behind Quinn, Savvy—raw and unfiltered—explodes.
