Page 61 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set
He turns.
Mayor Vance is Carly’s father. He means something to her, and she means something to me.
Hell, she means a lot to me.
If we’d known each other for more than a damned week, I’d say I’m falling for her. But how can I be? Love at first sight doesn’t exist.
Except I feel like a wolf who needs to protect his mate.
But protect her from whom?
The only other person who wants her safety as much as I do. Her father.
“I’m aging here,” Miles says. “Vance isn’t going to wait forever in the other room. Soon enough, he’ll start searching.”
“I need to put on something more than jeans. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“With Carly?”
“That’s up to her.”
He turns toward the door. “Good enough. I’ll tell them you’re coming. The mayor and Chance are in the living room.”
“Wait, wait, wait… You’re not going to be there?”
“This doesn’t concern me, bro.”
“It doesn’t concern either of them either.”
Miles lets out a laugh. “Good point.”
“Look,” I say. “You and I don’t know each other at all, but if there’s something good to come out of this, it’s that I have a brother who I think I might like.”
He rolls his eyes. “You’re a fucking sweet talker. I’m blushing.”
“For fuck’s sake. That came out all wrong. I need you, man. I need you on my side out there. I’d do the same for you. I swear it.”
He cocks his head and studies me. “Yeah, I think you would. Get some damned clothes on and meet me in the living room. You’re right. I’m not missing this showdown for anything.”
“Ha. Funny.” I push him out of the room and hastily dress in a clean shirt. I slide my leather slippers onto my feet. Then I kick them off and put on socks and my jogging shoes. Slippers mean I just got up. They mean I was in bed. Jogging shoes mean—
Oh, fuck. Like it matters.
Carly emerges from the bathroom, her silky hair pulled back in a high ponytail. Yeah, one look at her and it won’t matter. She looks freshly fucked no matter how much effort she puts in.
“I borrowed your comb. I hope you don’t mind.”
I frown. “Why would I mind?”
“My mom hates when I borrow hers. She says I get my long hair stuck in it.”
“Well, I don’t care.” I draw in a deep breath. “You don’t have to go out there.”
“Yeah,” she says. “I do.”
“You sure, baby? Because I can take this for you. I’m happy to.”
“You don’t know my dad. If I don’t produce myself he’ll search this whole house.”
