Page 8 of A Billionaire's Second Shot

But Levi doesn’t leave.

“That went well,” he says, his voice low as he steps closer. “You’ve got a good team.”

“They’re great,” I reply stiffly, shoving my notes into a folder.

“Though I have to say,” he adds, a teasing lilt in his voice, “your colleague Callie seems... ambitious.”

I snap my gaze up to meet his, heat rising in my cheeks. “She’s just doing her job.”

Levi’s smirk deepens, and he leans against the table, far too relaxed. “Was that what she was doing? Because it looked more like flirting to me.”

“She wasn’t flirting,” I say, even though I know it’s a lie. “And if she was, why do you care?”

His smirk falters for a fraction of a second, and something flickers in his eyes. “I don’t,” he says smoothly. “I just thought it was interesting.”

“Well, don’t read too much into it,” I snap, turning away. “This is business, remember?”

“Of course,” he says, his tone infuriatingly neutral. “Business.”

I grab my things and head for the door, my pulse racing. I can feel his eyes on me as I leave, and it takes everything in me not to look back.

But as I walk down the hallway, I can’t stop replaying the scene in my head. Callie’s easy confidence. Levi’s calm deflection. The sharp stab of jealousy I felt watching her flirt with him.

It’s ridiculous. This isn’t real. Levi isn’t mine.

So why does it feel like I’m already losing a battle I never meant to fight?

Chapter Six

Levi

The private event atThe Sapphire Crestis the perfect blend of exclusivity and power—a place where reputations are forged, and legacies are challenged. The scent of polished wood and aged whiskey lingers in the air, accompanied by the quiet hum of conversation. It’s the kind of room where even the faintest weakness is noticed and exploited.

And that’s why I have Tania by my side.

She walks beside me, poised and composed, her emerald-green dress catching the low light and drawing more than a few stares as we make our way through the room. Tania has always had a quiet kind of confidence, the kind that doesn’t demand attention but inevitably draws it anyway. Tonight, though, I can tell by the stiffness in her posture that she’s less than thrilled to be here.

“This is ridiculous,” she mutters under her breath, keeping her lips in a forced smile as we navigate the crowd. “I can’t believe I let you take me into this.”

“You’re doing great,” I reply, lowering my voice so only she can hear. “Just keep smiling.”

She shoots me a sideways glare. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

I smirk, unable to help myself. “A little.”

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the corner of her lips twitch, almost like she’s fighting a smile. Almost.

We don’t make it far before a familiar voice stops me in my tracks.

“Levi Nichols,” Damon Hardwick drawls, his tone dripping with faux camaraderie. “I was starting to think you weren’t going to show.”

I turn to face him, already bracing myself for his usual brand of thinly veiled antagonism. Damon stands near the bar, his sharp suit and calculated grin as polished as the scotch swirling in his glass. He’s the type who thrives in rooms like this, where subtle jabs are currency, and power plays are a second language.

“Damon,” I say, forcing a neutral smile as Tania and I approach. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Damon’s gaze shifts to Tania, and his grin widens. “And who is this?”

“Tania Caldwell,” I say smoothly, resting a hand lightly on her lower back. “My fiancée.”

---