Page 25 of Billionaire’s Game

“Actually, most people think this car is pretty awful.”

As I got closer to it, I realized that it was a reproduction of a car I’d seen before, but I couldn’t put my finger on it until I slid in.

“Oh my gosh, did you reproduce the DeLorean from Back to the Future?” I said. “I love eighties movies.”

He nodded. “I’m a nerd. I totally did.” He smiled self-consciously. “It’s my pet project. My first invention.”

“You’re an inventor?” I asked, surprised.

He nodded. “Well, it’s more like I came up with the modified design and I had a team create this beauty.”

“It really is a beauty.”

He pressed a button as he slid into the car. The passenger door lowered, making me feel as if I were in a spaceship. He placed his hands on the wheel and then to my surprise the car said, “Good afternoon, Mr. Deacon. Where to?”

“Jude’s loft, Jaz.”

“Your car talks and her name is Jaz? Oh my gosh, is this a self-driving car?” I couldn’t hold back my excitement.

“It sure is. Well, it’s a prototype. I still manually control it, but it’s equipped with sensors, the whole nine-yards.”

“That’s freaking awesome. I’ve never been in one before.”

“Yeah, that’s true for the majority of the population.”

“Wow, if this is a perk of hanging out with a billionaire, then I’m all for it.” I settled in as a seatbelt wrapped around and secured me. “Sweet.”

He laughed. “If I’d known that my car would impress you that much, I would have shown it to you when we first met.”

“It’s not every day that a girl gets the chance to hang out in a fancy version of the DeLorean. You’re a lucky man, Magnus.”

“Oh trust me, I know it.”

He gave me a devilish smile and then the car smoothly started to move.

“It’s like we’re riding on air.”

“Engineered to feel exactly that way. This is probably one of my few toys.”

“Some guys buy yachts and foreign cars, but you build a DeLorean.”

He shrugged. “We all need our hobbies. But I want to hear more about you. We didn’t get around to doing that since we were jumped by a duck and some turtles.”

“More like I was jumped by a gang of ducks and turtles.”

“True.” He smiled down at me again. “So tell me about yourself. What should I know about you, Lesli?”

“What would you like to know?” I said, relaxing as I enjoyed the ride.

“Where are you from? Let’s start there.”

“West Virginia.”

“Oh really? You’re the first person I’ve ever met from there. I heard it’s beautiful.”

I nodded. “Some places really are.”

“Did you go to school in West Virginia?”