Page 33 of Off Limits Billionaire

He placed it in front of me with him at my back. I sensed the same energy from when he'd shown me the warehouse. I opened it. A beautiful watch stared at me, with a simple gold bangle wristband, diamond bezel, and a face made of onyx.

“That’s for you to keep better time. You’re over a week late to the project you’re supposed to be helping me with.”

“I thought I was fired!” I laughed as he placed the watch on my wrist.

“Well, if you hadn’t ghosted me again—I don’t like how good you are at that either. If you hadn’t ghosted me again, you would know that you weren’t fired and now we’re a week behind schedule. What do you plan to do about that, Pierce?”

“I plan to charge you a heartache and time wasted fee for what your brother put me through.”

“I think you ghosting me cancels that out. Let’s do a replay of London. We’ll stay in bed all day. I’ll pay for your friends, roommates, and brothers to stay out of here while we make up for lost time and plan our first date. We can order from wherever you want and have it delivered.”

“That sounds good,” I told him. “But, I still won’t go back to work with you until my rate is corrected for time and talent wasted.”

“How much?” he sighed.

“I’ll take a donation of triple my tripled rate to my favorite charity once your museum holds its first fundraiser.”

Marcus beamed with joy as he pulled me closer to him, and moved on top of me. He kissed me. “My goodness, Pierce. You are most definitely priceless.”

16

MARCUS

Five Months Later

The warehouse workshop remained quiet as the cleaning crew took their time resetting the space. Ana had put the final touches on one of the most beautiful antique timepieces I’ve ever seen. Her attention to detail was impeccable. She took her job seriously and worked diligently to restore the Godschalk.

My mind wandered to other details, like the pit growing in my stomach for deciding tonight was the best night for our families to get together. No one liked an ambush, but what are the odds of a frivolous feud going to shit at an anniversary party?

“You’re going to get crinkles right in the middle of your forehead like dad if you stay deep in thought like that.” Julie approached me from behind, turning me by the shoulder to face her so she could smooth the skin between my brows. I grunted and swatted her hand away.

“I thought you were going to get Brett from the airport?” Our youngest brother had decided to stay in LA after passing the bar and graduating with plans of starting an Adler firm on the West Coast. Tonight, however, he was going to be at the party where I expected nothing but a shit show.

“Do I look like the type to sit in a car and circle a terminal every 45 minutes until Brett decides to show up? Gross. Absolutely not. Lucky’s getting him. So where is this thing that you sweet talked eight thousand hard earned commission dollars out of my wallet for?”

“You’re going to see it at the party with everyone else. Am I crazy for doing this?” I asked Julie, knowing she’d never shy away from telling me the truth.

“No.” She softened in front of me, her dark brown hair falling around her shoulders, different than her normal ponytail. “Anabella is amazing for you.”

“I mean having her family come to the party. I know we talked about it, and everybody said they were ok, but I can’t help but feel like it’s going to be a disaster.”

Julie laughed. “Oh I absolutely hope it will be, which is why I plan on doing a live Instagram feed. My friends are going to love this!”

“And all our networking partners and clients will not. Please don’t joke around, Jules. I want this to go well. Honestly, if it doesn’t I’m not sure if Ana will want to keep seeing me.”

“If the whole story about what you both went through to get this clock is true, then I believe a family tiff will not keep you apart. Don’t worry about it.” She paused and tipped her head back as if she were truly seeing me for the first time. “Holy shit, Marcus. You’re in love. I mean I knew it, but I can see it. Seriously, don’t let our family shit get in the way ofthis.I love you in love. I like this side of you. It’s going to be fine, trust me. If it doesn’t go well, then at least you know you gave it your best shot.”

* * *

An hour into the celebration of my parent’s wedding anniversary, I was pleasantly surprised at how cordial the Adler and Pierce families were being to each other. My father held my mother, slow-dancing as music played softly across the dimly lit restaurant that overlooked Center City. My grandparents, who it appeared were on their third round of champagne, toasted each other. Over by the bar Lucky and Hunter were having a shot competition while Cameron scolded them but kept score. I was not surprised to see Julie flirting and hovering around the pianist. Wyatt and Anabella’s friend, Nina, looked like they were in the middle of an intense debate.

Brett sidled up to me, throwing his arm around my shoulder. “This is great, man! It looks like you’re really shooting for that favorite kid award. Watch out, it's gonna be hard with the baby in townall the way from the fucking L.A. bro,” he said, patting himself on the chest. “I traveled the farthest to be here for them. That’s whatcha call bonus points.” His smile made me laugh, easing the tension that refused to settle.

I shoved him playfully. He was like a younger version of myself, making me proud he'd decided to become a lawyer like me. “I’m always going to be the favorite because I was first.”

Brett gave out a hearty laugh. Before he could reply, an attractive server walked by with an appetizer tray in her hand, luring him away from our conversation and squashing the competition for our parents’ favorite. I wasn’t alone in the crowded room for long. Ana wrapped her arms around my waist.

Her smile seemed to light up the room. “This is so beautiful, Marcus.”

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