Page 102 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire
Yanking his head back, I hissed, “You have cost me something priceless.”
The stupid drunk grinned, his teeth crimson. “You look like you can afford to buy another of whatever that was.”
A moment later, an agonized howl ripped through the air.
By the time I was done with him, his face was unrecognizable, and he was missing more than a few teeth.
My woman might have left me, but the agony remained.
But I wouldn’t let her leave me today. Or ever.
Once we arrived back in D.C., I had my driver take me straight home. I made my way to my office and locked the door behind me.
I put the code into the safe and then pulled out two passports, skimming through the pages until I stopped on the one I was looking for.
Odette Madeline Swan. Ares Etienne Swan.
I hadn’t taken Billie’s. That woman could stay or go for all I cared.
Without hesitation, I shoved the passports back into the safe, slammed it shut, and I locked it once more. Nobody had the combination code but me. It was my insurance policy that would keep them both here.
I couldn’t risk her leaving me for that French blast from the past.
Chapter42
Odette
We arrived home with a car loaded with bags, the driver not far behind us as he wheeled in our shopping bags. Ares gripped his bag full of trains with a big grin on his face.
“Now here is a sight for sore eyes.”
My head whipped around to find my husband waiting for us at the top of the staired entrance leading into the impressive mansion. It still felt surreal that we lived here, and I wondered if the grandness of it all would ever cease to shock me.
“You’re home early,” I remarked. “I thought you said dinnertime.” I glanced at the time on my phone. “It’s only three.”
Something dark passed his expression as he stood with his hands in pockets, sending a wariness through me.
He didn’t answer me, but he smiled at Ares. “Hey, buddy, you liked the train set?”
Ares nodded eagerly, running over to him to show him what he got today. Byron lowered to his knee, bringing the two of them to eye level.
“Maman said you bought it for me.” Ares beamed, happiness evident on his face and in his words. “Thank you.” My son’s small hands wrapped around Byron and I froze, watching the two men I loved in an embrace. Byron scooped Ares up and rose to his full height. Although he was tall for his age, in Byron’s arms, he looked so small. Almost tiny.
Suddenly, my mind conjured up images of what could have been. Byron holding Ares when he was born. Or feeding him. Holding his hand as he took his first steps. My throat squeezed, and for the first time, I wondered,Did I do the right thing?I shook away my self-doubt. Everything I did was to protect my son and my sister. We wouldn’t have survived the senator’s wrath.
“Let’s go see your train set, buddy,” Byron remarked, throwing me a dark look over his shoulder.
The two of them disappeared into the house and Billie came up to me. “Why is he mad?”
I swallowed. “I don’t know.”
“Maybe we spent too much money?” She reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope that held her cash.
I shook my head. “I don’t think it’s the money. Put it away.”
“I don’t want—”
I shot her a warning look. “Put it away, Billie. I mean it.”
