Page 188 of Money Reigns

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Wesley’s always been the level one.

Steady where I’m sharp.

Controlled where Wilder’s reckless.

But now…

The Amatos lit something in him.

Or maybe they’re weaving their webs around him, pulling threads I can’t see.

And that worries me more than I’ll admit.

Chapter thirty-eight

Olivia

My phone doesn’t stop buzzing on my desk. Between Mama and Daddy, my brothers, and Ella, my best friend, it’s been a steady stream of birthday wishes.

Dean even sent me a picture of my favorite strawberry cake Mama baked in my honor.

He plans on eating it.

I roll my eyes, but the ache slips in anyway.

I miss them.

I want War to meet them. To see the people who made me. To know I had a life before him.

But with Ronnie always hovering at the inn, I can’t risk it. If War knew, he’d get involved. And I can’t let him shoulder that weight for me.

I fire off another email, try to refocus, but my mind drifts to tonight. What War has planned. He’s been restless all day, that sharp glint in his eye like he’s holding a secret in his fist.

I should be excited.

Instead, I stare at the clock and think about the box of things I left behind at my old apartment. The clothes Mama bought me. My album of family photos. My grandmother’s heirloom necklace tucked in the top drawer.

I told myself I didn’t need them when I moved into War’s penthouse. That I wouldn’t be at his place long. I had no idea that we would become so much more.

But on my birthday, the weight of it presses down harder.

I want something that’smineon my birthday

Just a piece of home.

I get up before I can stop myself, before War whisks me away on whatever plan he’s plotting.

I grab my keys and head out.

Just a quick trip.

***

This wasnota quick trip.

I don’t know how War does it. We always make it back to the penthouse in like five minutes, this rideshare took forever to get me home.

Well, myoldhome.

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