Page 18 of A Billionaire's Second Shot

“Well, play it less convincingly,” I snap, my voice sharper than I intended. “It’s confusing enough without you making it worse.”

“Confusing?” he asks, his tone quieter now.

I close my eyes, regretting my choice of words. “Forget it.”

“No,” he says, his voice firmer. “Tell me what’s confusing.”

I glance at him, the intensity in his gaze making my breath hitch. For a moment, I consider telling him the truth—that it’s not just his lingering touches or the way he looks at me. It’s the way he makes me feel, like maybe, just maybe, this could be something real.

But I don’t.

Instead, I shake my head and look away. “It doesn’t matter.”

The rest of the ride is silent, the unspoken tension between us heavier than ever. And as I stare out at the glittering city lights, I can’t help but wonder if I’ve set boundaries I don’t actually want him to follow.

Chapter Thirteen

Levi

The sound of Damon Hardwick’s voice grates on my nerves before I even spot him. He’s standing at the edge of the ballroom, talking to a small group of investors, his easy charm on full display. But it’s the way his eyes keep darting toward Tania, who’s engrossed in a conversation near the bar, that sets my teeth on edge.

I know Damon. He’s not the kind of man to let things go easily, especially when he sees an opportunity to stir the pot. And ever since he met Tania, he’s been circling like a predator.

I excuse myself from the conversation I’m in and make my way across the room, intercepting Damon before he can slither any closer to her.

“Damon,” I say, forcing a neutral tone. “Enjoying yourself?”

His smirk widens, the kind of expression that makes me want to knock the scotch out of his hand. “Immensely. And you?”

“Can’t complain,” I reply evenly, though my patience is wearing thin.

His gaze flicks past me, landing on Tania. “Your fiancée is quite the presence, Levi. I can see why you’re so... protective.”

My jaw tightens. “Tania is off-limits, Damon.”

“Off-limits?” he repeats, his tone mockingly incredulous. “Come on, Levi. You can’t expect me not to be curious. After all, she’s a fascinating woman.”

The deliberate emphasis on the word “fascinating” sets off every alarm bell in my head. Damon isn’t just playing games—he’s digging. And knowing him, he’s already found something.

The event winds down,but the tension brewing inside me only grows stronger. Back at my penthouse, I find Tania in the living room, scrolling through her phone. She looks up when I enter, her brows furrowing at the look on my face.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, setting her phone down.

“Damon,” I say, the name coming out like a curse. “He’s been asking questions about you.”

Her expression hardens, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face. “And?”

“And he knows too much,” I reply, pacing the length of the room. “He’s digging into your past, trying to find something he can use.”

Tania crosses her arms, her posture defensive. “I don’t have anything to hide.”

“That doesn’t matter to Damon,” I snap, running a hand through my hair. “He doesn’t care if it’s true or not. He’ll twist whatever he finds to suit his narrative.”

She narrows her eyes at me, her voice steady but sharp. “Why do you care so much?”

I stop pacing, turning to face her. “Because he’s trying to hurt you.”

“No,” she says, stepping closer. “He’s trying to hurt you. Don’t act like this is about protecting me, Levi. This is about your deal, your investors, and your precious reputation.”

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