Page 30 of Heart of Stone (Dark Billionaires)

Rhys’s flat was dark when he entered it, the only light coming from the golden sky beyond, illuminating the world inch by inch. Warren strode over to one of the vast windows, staring out as the sun rose over London. Buildings glistened in the distance, but Warren made his way to his old bedroom.

He paused halfway down the corridor, realising that the door was open. Frowning, Warren dashed towards it, uncaring of how much noise he made. His heart stopped when he saw that the bed was empty. “Kate?” he called, running into the en-suite. That was empty too.

Terror held him hostage, taking him back to the day of the attack, of hands around her bloodied throat. “Kate?!” Warren raced through the rest of the flat, full of fears that her would-be murderers had returned, that he hadn’t been there to keep her safe.

A low feminine murmur reached him a moment before his brain caught up. “Warren?”

The security team downstairs would have prevented anyone from either entering or leaving the flat. Rhys himself would have protected Kate, calling his security up here at the first sign of trouble.

He stopped outside of Rhys’s bedroom door, breathing heavily.

What he couldn’t figure out was why Rhys, Kate, and Saffron were all in one bed.

The fuck had happened whilst he’d been gone?

Kate tiptoed out of the room, gently closing the door behind her. “What’s wrong?” she whispered, clasping her cardigan over her front, her mussed hair clustered over one shoulder.

He led her down the corridor, speaking in a low murmur. “I came home and saw your bedroom was empty. I panicked.” Even now, his heart still raced, thumping a steady beat through his chest. “Why were you all in one bed?”

“We were watching TV,” she shoved past him with a sense of urgency, heading straight for the en-suite in his old bedroom. “And my bladder is about to burst, excuse me.”

Warren sat on the edge of the bed, giving his heart a much needed rest. “Where were you?” Kate asked when she came out of the bathroom, her voice still raspy from sleep.

He saw no point in lying to her. “Tonight? Questioning your father. Before that I was sorting out the additional security work to the house.”And missing you.

“Did my father tell you anything new?”

“No. He has a recording of Graves though. Did you know about that?”

Kate frowned. “No. A recording of what, exactly?”

“That’s what he wouldn’t tell us.” Standing, Warren tucked a wayward brown hair behind her ear. “I don’t suppose he’s ever mentioned anything like that.”

She shook her head. “Not at all. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault.” A wry smile curved his lips. “Sleeping in Rhys’s bed, however…”

“Hmm,” her eyes narrowed, though they held no bite. “Don’t tell me you were jealous.”

Warren let his eyes sink down to her lips. A promise. “What do you think, kitten?”

“I think you were right to order a second gulab jamun for me. I would have stolen the entire thing.”

He chuckled. “Can I get that in writing?”

“No, but if you don’t run away ag—”

A repetitive tone made Warren wince, and he took his phone out. His green eyes widened at the reminder. “Shit.”

“What’s wrong?”

He ached to stay here with Kate, but pulled away from her. “I need to leave again. I’m sorry, kitten.” Rifling through the wardrobe, Warren found something more comfortable to wear than his usual three-piece suit; a loose cotton shirt and a pair of old jeans. They were Rhys’s, but they’d have to do.

Kate watched him carefully. “How long will you be gone for?”

“I’ll be back tonight,” he called, hurrying into the en-suite to shower and change. It would be awkward without his 3D-printed shower prosthetic, but he’d manage. “You should get some sleep. It’s still early.” He was in and out in ten minutes, scrubbing the towel over his hair to dry it.

Kate wasn’t in bed when he exited the bathroom. Instead, she was fully dressed and looking at him with a hopeful expression. The same hopeful expression he’d see when she wanted to steal his chips after school.

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