Page 3 of The Billionaire and I

“Since when? Since you started your VC company and acted like you built it yourself, instead of admitting thatDaddyput you through Wharton and gave you every single Goddamned thing you have? Remember that‘Forty Under Forty’article, the one where you said you were self-made? Ha!” He snorted.

“Of course I remember. It’s not like you let a month go by without mentioning it.” I’d made the mistake of being quoted for aBoston Magazinearticle. I said that I’d built my company from the ground up, which was true. Of course, I was also the son of a billionaire. I’d been born with every advantage, every connection, and my father never let me forget about it—especially when he wanted something from me. “Apparently, I’m supposed to mention you every time I speak. Sorry I left you and your empire out of one sentence.”

“You should be.” Dad’s face was still red. “I expect you to help me the way that I’ve always helped you. Call your friend. Tell him to give me the approvals.”

In my late thirties, I’d found myself running out of patience. “Or what?” I asked, challenging him.

The finger jabbed toward me again. “Or I’ll make your life hell.”

“Gee, thanks. Remind me the next time you call not to pick up.” I hauled my ass from the chair and headed for the door.

“Just remember who you are and where you came from.” His tone had gone from angry to self-assured. My father was a man who always got what he wanted, no matter what the cost. He’d been bully-buying his way through life for as long as I could remember.

“It’s not like I can forget,” I said as I closed the door behind me.

I wished I could. Man, he was such a dick.

Kevin was nowhere to be found—he was probably hiding from my father. I didn’t blame him. I checked my phone on my way out. There was a text from Shirley, who always kept me organized.

Don’t forget you have drinks tonight for Todd Preston—8pm.

Thank God. I would have several drinks and find a gorgeous woman to make me forget about my father and his long list of demands.

Still, I would make the call to Ramos for him. Not because I wanted to please him or because I was afraid of him—I was long past both of those things. I barely felt anything for my father other than the occasional headache. On a deeper level, I understood that he was, at least in part, responsible for my success. I wouldn’t be a billionaire without him. I wouldn’t have started my VC company from a place of strength. As much of a prick as my father often was, he still opened more doors than he closed for me. I wasjustself-aware enough to realize that.

Also, there was the fact that I was poised to inherit his multi-billion-dollar empire. That had something to do with me answering his calls. I didn’t like to think about it, so I chose not to. But in the back of my mind, the Bryson billions were, of course, a consideration. A pile of money that large was the elephant in the room that I would continue to be aware of and also ignore.

I would do him a favor to get him off my back. If he was satisfied, he would leave me alone.

And I couldn’t ask for more than that.

CHAPTER 4

Jenny

I hustled into AccommoDating.The office was bright, cheery, and immaculate, the perfect place to get ready and pretend to be a new person for the next John. Elena kept the place stocked with tons of designer clothes and high-end makeup, all the better for us girls to dress up like every man’s fantasy. Hooking was not my dream job, but I did appreciate the fancy dresses and shoes. I cleaned up real nice—so did all the girls.

We AccommoDating escorts were pretty hot, if I did say so myself. And I did!

I burst into the entrance and almost fell over when I saw the guy waiting in the lobby.Holy shit!Thishadto be Dre’s new assignment, James Preston, aka her Daddy Megabucks Billionaire John. He was freaking gorgeous, tall with thick, brown hair and chiseled features. He wore a custom-tailored suit that looked like it cost as much as a South-End condo.

Looked like Dre was about to hit the jackpot!

I blew past him as he looked up at me, surprised, but I didn’t stop. I had to find Audrey. I burst into the office, breathing hard. “Dre.Dre!”

“Jenny?” She looked concerned as I collided with her.

“OmiGod,Dre.James Preston is out front! And he’s frickin’ gorgeous! Can I switch with you? Please? You can have Fat Vinnie, and Loopsy, and all my other regulars, but I’m not kidding you, you’re gonna die when you see him?—”

“Jenny, I’m gonna die if you don’t stop talking so fast,” she said, laughing. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Okay? You okay?”

I exhaled a shaky breath and nodded. “But I am not kidding you, Dre, you’re gonna frickin’die. He’s that hot. I cross my heart and swear to God. My underwear is soakin’ wet just from looking at him!”

Audrey laughed, but she looked slightly mortified. She might be an escort, but she was a good girl at heart. “Okay, Jenny. I get it. He’s good-looking!”

I stared at her expectantly. She didn’t seem too hyped about the job. “Aren’t you excited?” I asked, feeling disappointed. James Preston was the Godfather of Johns—handsome, immaculate, and filthy rich. This was an assignment todiefor.

“Of course I’m excited,” Audrey said quickly. She pulled me in for a quick hug. “I’m just nervous.”

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