Page 72 of My Grumpy Billionaire Protector

For the past four weeks, my mother has been saying the exact same thing. While I want to believe her, it is getting harder and harder to do that,especiallywhen I am no closer to leaving now than I was when I first arrived. My grandfather still remains unusually tight-lipped about the matter.

He only looks at me for a few moments during the entire call as if he is studying my face before he looks back down at his phone. The white screen lights up his face, illuminating his cold but handsome features and the determined glint in his eyes.

Something is definitely happening.

“Want to share the plan with me?”

Silence stretches between us.

I sit up straighter and clear my throat. “Okay, that’s fine. I get that you might be worried they’re spying on me. They probably are, but it doesn’t matter since I’m supposed to get out of here soon anyway, right?”

My mother and grandfather exchange a quick worried look.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

TJ and Sienna mutter something under their breath and disappear out of the frame. Alba runs her hands along the front of her sweater and picks imaginary lint off it. My grandfather’s thumbs fly over the phone’s keyboard, but he still remains silent.

“Okay, I guess I should get going anyway.” I swallow and force a smile to my lips. “Same time tomorrow?”

Alba nods. “Of course. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

SHANE

Over the past two days, I’ve been avoiding Evie, even going so far as to engage in pointless conversation with Cory when we pass each other in the hallway.

Evie isn’t buying a second of it, but she also doesn’t fight me on it.

Given our last conversation, I know she wants to give me my space. However, I also know that she is waiting for me to come back and find her so we can finish what we started. Sooner or later, we are going to have to talk about the shift in dynamic and the fact that we’ve gone from angry sex to caring about each other, but I want to put that off for as long as I can.

And I am angry at Evie for forcing the issue into the harsh light of day.

Why can’t she just let it be?

You’re not blameless here, Shane. You played a role in this by letting it get as far as it did.

But I didn’t mean to.

The first time I slept with Evie was a lapse in judgment, one I could write off, brush under the rug, and never speak of again. The second time, I couldn't come up with a reason except that we both wanted to, and I hadn’t been able to come up with a single reason why we shouldn’t.

Fucking feelings.

Of all the things to feel toward Evie, getting all sentimental about her isn’t in the cards, and it bothers me to no end. Still, I stand in the kitchen near the study door where Felix and Hayes are posted with their arms crossed over their chests, and the sound of Evie’s voice floating out makes the knots in my stomach tighten. I imagine her gesturing with her hands, her face lit up and animated as she speaks to her sister. Although I can’t make out anything they’re saying, it is obvious the two of them are reminiscing.

About their father of all things…

I’ve heard her talk about her mother, her grandfather, and her friends, but in the time since I’ve known her, Evie has studiously avoided bringing up her father. It is strange to hear her talk about him now, especially considering I am eavesdropping, but I can’t help myself.

The more she talks about him and the kind and patient kind of man he was, the more envious I become. I let my arms fall to my sides and shift closer, realizing they are talking about the annual camping trips he used to take them on. During those trips, he taught them everything he could about hunting, fishing, and surviving in the wild.

It is a strange thing to bond over but neither of them seem to mind.

On the contrary, both of them talk about those days with fondness, warmth, and a hint of sadness. It makes my stomach clench as I drift closer to the door and peek through the slit. Neither Hayes nor Felix say a word. Both of them treat me like I am little more than a fly on the wall. In the beginning, I can’t see her well until I realize I am looking directly at the back of the laptop. As if she hears my train of thought, Evie sits up straighter in her chair, a small smile playing on the edge of her lips.

With the sunlight slanting in behind her, bathing her in a soft, buttery glow, she is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I freeze and continue to drink her in, from the warmth in her eyes to the tilt of her head. She looks vulnerable, youthful even, and I suddenly feel the bile rise to the back of my throat. Abruptly, I straighten up and turn my back on her.

You’re being a creep, Shane. Just walk away. It’s not too late.

Out of the corner of my eye, I feel Hayes and Felix staring, so I stand up straighter and walk past them. On my way up the stairs, I can’t stop replaying Evie’s words in my head and fixating on the affection in her voice when she referred to her family.

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