Page 21 of Burning for the Billionaire 7

So, my family isn’t really crazy, just misunderstood. This trip home is turning out to be eye-opening.

Chapter 10

Rowan

As soon as we stepinto my living room, I drop our bags and grasp Grace’s shoulders. Peering at her, I ask, “Are you okay?”

“No. My sister is married to a dickwad. I had to stand by poor Belle while she made her vows to a cheater because she thinks she can’t do better than Colton. I had to smile for freaking pictures when all I wanted to do was kick that asshole in the testicles.”

Her rant has her flushed and breathing hard. Even in anger, she’s cute, and I’m tempted to kiss her.

“Your sister chose to go through with the marriage, Grace. There’s nothing you could have done.”

“I know.” After a moment to pout, she asks, “Okay, what do we do about your situation?”

I smile and release her to drop onto the nearest couch. It feels good to be home. The only thing missing is my dog happily welcoming me back, but I left her with Mel for the week.

“There isn’t much we can do about that but wait.”

Grace sits beside me and rests her head on my shoulder. “I hate this for you. I hate Rebecca and Devlin.”

Chuckling, I tell her, “I doubt you could truly ever hate anyone.”

She’s got one of the purest hearts I’ve even known. For almost her entire life, her family has failed her emotionally, and after one trip home with better communication, she’s forgiven and forgotten. I’m happy she’s begun fixing things with them.

She lifts her head to gaze at me. “I’m going to ask you something, but I don’t want you to get upset.”

Eyebrows popping up, I eye her cautiously. “Okay...”

“Would it really be so bad if the world knows you’re a Lockwood? I know it’ll come with a lot of attention and excitement, but all of that will die down, eventually. You know how gossip goes.”

I just stare at her, and her cheeks turn pink.

“It’s just, you seem so upset and distracted.” She shrugs. “It won’t be the worst thing in the world. The most awful part is your mother using the information to blackmail you. She’s a horrible human being.”

Still, I say nothing.

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