Page 153 of The Rebel Billionaire

“Are you going to get that?” I ask.

“It’s my brother,” she says, her voice hitching as she slides it out of her pocket and answers. “G,” she whispers.

I turn away, offering her and her brother some privacy, wondering if they’re going to tell her they’ve changed their minds and she should come home. My stomach hardens at the thought.

“I’ll try… Look, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

I flinch at her words and listen as she says goodbye to her brother.

She ends the call and drops her head into her hands, rubbing her eyes.

“The doctors think she has peritonitis,” she whispers. Pain-filled eyes rise to meet mine. “From untreated appendicitis.”

Her hand flies to her mouth as a sob escapes her. I’m by her side in an instant, my arm snaking around her shoulders, pulling her against my chest, as her body is racked with heart-wrenching sobs.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” I whisper against her hair.

CHAPTER 46

HARPER

My face crumples, my hand flying to my mouth as another sob escapes. Alex is by my side in an instant, his arm snaking around my shoulder, pulling me against his firm chest. His scent invades my senses, soothing me. One hand cradles my head, the other tracing slow circles on my back. I allow myself to sink into him as more sobs rack my body.

“What if… I can’t lose her, Alex,” I say, looking up into his face before burying myself in his strength and warmth.

He doesn’t offer me platitudes or promise everything’s going to be all right. He knows he can’t offer that sort of guarantee. Instead, he offers me comfort.

We sit in silence as I cling to him. No judgement, no questions, simply support.

Why the hell would Kat leave appendicitis untreated?

But then I think back to the past week. My stomach twists. Kat has always been the stoic one. She was closest to Dad and worked with him every day for years as she learned the business. Finding the files would have knocked her sideways, and then to find out Dad didn’t just die, but was murdered.

My eyes and throat burn as I choke back another sob, Alex’s shirt damp under my cheek.

I pull away. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry.” I rest my hand against the damp patch above his heart.

Alex squeezes my shoulder before rising and crossing to his desk.

He dials a number before turning to face me.

“Enzo,” he says, his eyes locking on mine. “Can you cover for me? Something’s come up, and I need to leave the office … She’ll be with me … No, for God’s sake. Can you do it? … Great.”

He puts down the phone and turns to me.

“Get your stuff. We’re leaving.”

* * *

We make it out of the building without anyone stopping us. My blotchy, tear-stained face hidden behind the curtain of my hair. Alex’s driver, Keith, is waiting at the kerb.

“Get in,” he says.

I do as I’m told, too tired to argue and too drained to care, grateful to have someone directing me, taking charge. After last week’s bombshell about Dad, and now this with Kat…

Disasters come in threes, isn’t that what they say?

Alex gives Keith my address before he pulls out into the New York traffic. I stare out of the window as a familiar numbness, the kind I’ve grown to recognise and welcome, settles over me. By the time we arrive at my apartment, I’ve clamped down on my emotions and taken charge once more.