Page 60 of Billionaire’s Cruelty

As soon as we were on the road, Kai’s voice cut through the silence. “Tell me about your ex.”

I swallowed hard, knowing I couldn’t avoid this any longer. “Okay, I met him ten years ago during a summer holiday here. We were… kind of married.”

His face paled and he swallowed hard while blinking at me rapidly. “Kind of married?”

“We weren’t legally married,” I clarified quickly. “It was just some ceremony to please his dying grandfather.”

Kai let out a harsh breath. “Do you realize that, for some people, that kind of ceremony is an even bigger deal than a legal document?”

I did now. But back then, it hadn’t felt real. And right now, that piece of paper—or lack thereof—was the least of my problems.

“Apparently,” I admitted. “But we weren’t in love, if that helps.”

“Are you sure?” His question hung heavy in the air.

“Yes, I’m sure. And I’m not in trouble. Dannie wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Then why are we running?” His words sliced through my reassurance, and suddenly, the truth hit me harder than I wanted to admit.

This wasn’t about me.

“I want to know that too,” I said, turning toward him. “What kind of trouble are you in?”

His jaw clenched before he gave me the brief version of the story. By the time we arrived outside Mama Bella, an upscale Italian restaurant, a staff member guided us to a private VIP room tucked discreetly in the back. The dim lighting and polished wooden table suggested this was a place for quiet deals—or secret meetings.

As we waited for Wendy and Trevon, I pressed Kai for more details.

I exhaled slowly. “Jenny must be terrified.”

Kai nodded, his expression unreadable.

I was the one that blinked rapidly this time. What was he thinking about that had him so distracted? “You need to help her.”

“I don’t know what I can do,” he confessed.

“We don’t know for sure that her husband is dead right?” His gaze sharpened, staring into my skull like I was joking. “It’s possible he’s still alive.”

His hand was warm beneath mine as I reached for him.

“You’re not saying that just to comfort me?”

“Yes and no. You’d be surprised what doctors can do these days.”

“I feel a lot better.” Kai kissed me—slow, deliberate—and without hesitation, I kissed him back.

A knock on the door shattered the fragile intimacy. Trevon and Wendy entered, their faces tense.

I pulled away, heart pounding.

“You should go back,” I said softly. “Jenny needs you more than I do.”

“I came here for you,” Kai countered, his voice rough.

“I don’t need saving,” I snapped, trying to convince myself as much as him.

Wendy huffed, shaking her head so forcefully it was impossible to ignore.

“You don’t get it, do you?” Her tone was razor-sharp. “He’s still in love with you.”