Page 38 of A Billionaire's Secret

“Ugh, Tony. What a mess,” I looked down at my feet, searching for my sunken heart. “Please don’t tell anyone yet. Can you do that for me?”

“Yet? It’s already been too long. How much longer do you want me to wait?” He looked at me, flustered.

“Just a couple more days until I figure out what I’m gonna do. Please,” I pleaded. “And what proof do you have anyway?”

“You know the vet—Dennis?” Tony asked me, and I nodded. “He quit unexpectedly a few days ago, leaving us in the air without a vet onsite. When James Barrington asked him why he was leaving, he said he wasn’t being paid enough for this ‘shitty’ job. Then, a few days later, Alex, the stable hand, saw him driving a brand new SUV and approached him to congratulate him. Dennis told Alex that if he wanted to make some quick change, he knew a way, but Alex would have to prove his loyalty first. It all seems too obvious, Vicky.”

“So, Alex told you all that and refused to work with Dennis?” I squinted my eyes. “Wouldn’t it be better if Alex accepted and got an actual confession? This all sounds like a bunch of speculations.”

“Or you’re just blinded by your Mr. Billionaire?” Tony mocked me, which he had never done before. “I’ll get to the bottom of it, with or without your help.”

“Oh, I see now!” I gasped. “That’s why you really called me! You want me to use my closeness to Christian to get information!”

“Even if that were true, which it absolutely isn’t, wouldn’t you want to find out? Hell, don’t you want to know the truth?” he spewed.

“Tony, this is exhausting.” I stared at him with pleading eyes. “It’s all too much for me right now. I never imagined arguing with you like that. Can we agree to talk again when we’re both in a better place?”

“It’s very simple, Vicky. You either want to help or not.” Tony debated. “If not, I understand. But I can’t guarantee you won’t get caught in the fire, if my suspicions turn out to be true.”

“OK, Tony. I’ll take that risk, then.” I bit my lip the moment the words came out. “I’m in no position to help or investigate. It’s not my job.”

With that, I walked away, leaving my trainer behind, hands in his pockets, staring at me with disbelief.

I, myself couldn’t understand my reaction. Nor did I want to. For now, I just needed some sleep and a clear head.

***

“Vicky, what the hell! You came back, didn’t tell anyone, and just went to sleep?” My sister yelled through the locked door of my room.

“Lizzie, calm down, I’ll be right out,” I shouted back at her the following morning.

I had locked my room, which I never did. For the first time in my life, I wanted to be alone. The whirlwind of emotions had spun out of control with the latest news from Tony. I couldn’t bear to look at myself in the mirror and admit that my heart had clouded my mind, and I had chosen to look away from a possible doping scandal. A scandal in which the man holding my heart had a front-row VIP seat.

I peeled myself off the bed, threw on a robe, and shoved every last thought of that scandal away. I’d think about it after discussing it directly with Christian. For now, I could only hold my breath and wait for him to return my calls.

“Lizzie, here I am. Come attack me!” I stood need her room with my arms wide open.

“Ha-ha, very funny.” She rolled her eyes. “We were kind of worried, you know? You ghosted us completely after that one picture of the farm. Anything could have happened.”

I walked over to Lizzie, and against her will, I squeezed her into a tight hug. “Well, the only thing that happened was that I was treated like an absolute queen for two days; I got to ride the best horse in the whole entire world, and explored London with the most charming man. Still worried about me?”

“Ugh, who’s cheesy now,” Lizzie mocked me, just like I used to tease her. “That all sounds great, but now you have to convince Mom and Dad. They’re pretty hot.”

“I don’t blame them,” I frowned at the thought of explaining myself to any more people. “I’ll deal with them later, but damn, can a girl enjoy a few days of floating in the clouds?”

Lizzie looked at me, her eyes softened with understanding and compassion. “I’ll back you up with them. You owe me, though!”

With that, we walked downstairs together, and I entertained my parents with stories from across the ocean. They listened to me patiently, smiling at my happiness, but I could tell they were trying to hold back some of their thoughts.

“I don’t know, Victoria, I don’t trust this man,” my father finally blurted, crushing my excitement, tossing me into reality, and depleting the last reserves of any hopes for a future with Christian Forbes.

Maybe they’re all right.

18

Christian

Sittinginthestudyof my Nashville estate, the room spun around me as I reached for the phone to call Victoria. The ringing seemed distant, and my hand trembled with frustration and intoxication. But as the phone continued to ring without an answer, a wave of irritation washed over me.

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