Page 32 of The Billionaire's Secret Heir

Chapter Ten

Madi grew more restless as the neighborhoods grew nicer. She’d seen large homes in the Heights, built on too-small plots of land, and massive houses along Memorial Drive. But River Oaks was something else entirely. During Christmas one year her parents had driven them through to show her and Calista the lights on all the mansions. That memory came to her out of nowhere as she passed a plantation-style home set back from the road, the drive lined with live oak trees.

“I think the Bushes live here. Or lived here?”

Madi was used to talking out loud to Becka, who was currently with Madi’s go-to babysitter, a local college student named Kate. It seemed like the best idea to see Beckett’s property without Becka. She assumed that whatever guest house Beckett had, it might not withstand the gale force wind of Becka’s energy. If she was being honest, she also was a little fearful that what happened yesterday was a fluke. Beckett showing up out of nowhere, telling her that he wanted to be involved in their lives—Becka’s life.

Those were the big questions that kept her awake the night before. Did he want to be involved just with Becka? Would Madi be a part of a package deal simply because she would have custody of Becka?

Watching Beckett play on the floor with Becka the day before, Madi had fallen a little bit in love. Maybe love was too strong a word, but maybe not. A man who could wear a tiara, sit on the floor in what were surely expensive dress pants, and let Becka climb all over him, calling him by a name she made up—that really checked off all the boxes. Add in that he was handsome and, despite her protests, kept trying to take care of her, and Madi felt like she was a goner.

She had gone on a date with a guy named Paul in high school, who had parked his car and played a song for her on his guitar in the back seat. Surrounded by his voice and the sound of the guitar in that small space, Madi had fallen for him. By the end of the night, it was clear that the only thing Paul really loved was his guitar and that was that. The feelings that blossomed as Beckett played with Becka would probably fade out just as quickly.

Remembering that Beckett dated her sister definitely helped put a damper on her feelings. More than a damper—every time that thought hit her, she felt like someone had dumped icy water over her heart. Also, knowing that he could, at any moment, change his mind and go back to the guarded, aloof businessman terrified her. Moving into his guest house was a really poor choice. Wasn’t it?

The soothing voice of the GPS spoke: “The destination is on your right. Arrived.”

Madi stopped the car in front of a driveway with massive pillars on either side of a gate. She checked the number on the pillar with the one plugged into the GPS. This was it. From here, she couldn’t see much. Most of the properties along these streets were set up on display, but Beckett’s house was not visible, tall trees and expensive landscaping effectively blocked it off. She pulled forward to the metal gate with a call box. She was about to speak when the gate slowly swung open.

Madi hadn’t eaten breakfast, afraid her nerves would turn her stomach toward nausea. Her nerves only grew as she slowly followed the winding drive back through the trees and came across an enormous, very modern home that was a mix of white, steel, and glass. Part of the driveway branched off behind the home, but she pulled up in front and drew a breath as she parked before the front porch. The property was huge, much larger than the others in the neighborhood. He must have owned several plots of land.

Most of the homes in River Oaks were classic, but this mansion called to mind European architecture, which made sense considering Beckett’s Dutch heritage. She wondered if his love of these clean, modern lines was somehow passed down from his family or just something he was drawn to. The house matched his personality: cool, clean, stark. It was beautiful, but not Madi’s style. That didn’t really matter, though, since she was just looking for a place to live. And it’s not like she was going to marry him. Though if she did …

No. He dated your sister. Ugh.

Beckett wanted a relationship with Becka. That’s all he had committed to, not a relationship with Madi. It was more than she would have dreamed of and she could be happy just with that. Bret had emailed her the copy of Beckett’s proposal the day before, which included giving Madi full custody and paying twenty thousand a month in child support. She signed electronically, still feeling ill about that amount of money. Bret, on the other hand, seemed disgusted by the whole thing.

“This is a pittance of his salary,” Bret had said. “I’ve looked at what he should pay based on what he makes. It’s disgusting that he thinks—”

“Stop. It’s more than I asked for and more than I need,” Madi had told him. “Even if I had a job, I wouldn’t make that much. Not even close. It can help me save up for her college, maybe even buy a house. I’ll be able to stay home and be with Madi for a few more years without getting a job. It’s beyond generous.”

When Bret tried to argue, Madi threatened to get another lawyer in his firm to handle the paperwork. It was clear that he held a grudge against Beckett for thwarting grand plans Bret had for himself out of this situation. Madi couldn’t help but wonder how much Calista had been involved in planning this before her death. Had they planned to get as much as they could out of Beckett together? Or had Bret tried to steamroll her the way he did Madi? She didn’t want to think the worst of her sister, but Calista didn’t let people run her over. She and Bret probably had worked something out together. Hopefully, with all the legal things taken care of, she wouldn’t have to talk with him again.

Madi got out of the car, feeling underdressed and overwhelmed. Her stomach churned with nerves at seeing Beckett again. Maybe this was just about Becka, but there had been a moment the day before where she thought he might kiss her. Had she imagined something between them?

The gray double doors at the front of the home opened wide before she had even crossed the polished concrete porch. Beckett stood in the doorway looking nervous. It made her feel better that she wasn’t the only one. Or was he regretting this whole idea?

“Hi,” Madi said.

“Hello. Did you have any trouble getting here?”

“Nope. I’ve got GPS. This is really an incredible property.” Though the house was not her style, it really was a thing of beauty.

“Thank you. It was one of Georgio Ramirez’s designs.”

“Should I know that name?”

Beckett gave a small smile. “He’s a well-known architect, but if you aren’t into that kind of thing, probably not. I’m very interested in modern architecture. It’s kind of a hobby. Studying it, not actually designing.”

“Oh.” She still stood on the porch. Madi cleared her throat. “So, where is the guest house?”

Beckett shook his head and stepped back, opening the door wider so she could walk in. “I’m sorry. Come inside. It’s faster to walk through the house than follow the drive around the back.”

Madi couldn’t find her voice as she followed Beckett through the home. She did not belong here. The inside of the home mirrored the outside, with a clean, almost sterile feel. To say that it was a minimalist style would not have been enough. It almost looked as though the house was empty, save a few pieces of furniture scattered sparsely throughout. These all had that same modern, European feel to them. It was gorgeous, but not welcoming. Madi shivered as she followed Beckett past the open-concept kitchen, which had more of a lab feel with all its shiny white and metal surfaces.

“Are you cold?” Beckett asked. “I tend to keep the air on low.”

He must have noticed her shiver. “No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

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