Without Warning: A Billionaire Romance (Playboys of New York Book 5) by JA Low (the best novels to read .TXT) 📕

for that. No, he got off on fucking me, that’s all,” she explains.

“Then who the hell is fucking me over?” Running low on patience, my tone of voice rises.

“I don’t know. I never dealt with them. They spoke on the phone using voice-altering software.” Fuck. It could be anyone. “They threatened to make public videos of Stanford and me together,” Madison tells me. “When I told them I was going to tell you, they also told me that they know some powerful people in the same jail where my brother is currently incarcerated.”

Wait, she has a brother?

And he’s in jail.

“To show me how serious they were, someone sent my brother a message via a broken jaw. I couldn’t risk him getting hurt again.” Tears well in her eyes as she talks about it. “He’s all I have left.” She breaks down.

This shit is seriously fucked-up. But I get now why she’s fighting me tooth and nail over my divorce—her brother’s life is on the line.

“Thank you for telling me.” I take a seat beside her.

“I’m seeking help in regard to my sex addiction, too,” she confesses. “I realize I have a problem.” Damn right she does. “None of this would have happened if I didn’t have a problem. Whoever is trying to fuck you over wouldn’t have had the ammunition they needed if I’d just kept my legs together.” She gives me a sad shrug.

“Why are you telling me all this now?” I ask.

“I’m tired, Rhys. Plus, it’s part of my therapy.” She sighs. “But I’m in so deep I don’t know what else to do.”

“Do you have anything that could tie this person to our divorce?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know.”

“Are you willing to help me find out who the hell is doing this?” I ask.

“If you can promise me my brother will be safe.”

“I know people, too,” I reply.

“Okay. I’ll do whatever you need.”

And with that, we make a plan.

17

Ariana

It’s been a month since I’ve heard from Rhys.

A whole month.

I know I said that I needed to get myself together, but I didn’t think he would ghost me like he has.

It hurts.

I thought maybe he was different.

I was wrong.

He’s just like every other guy out there.

I can’t believe I fell for his good-guy schtick. Urgh. I’m so over it. No, really, I am. Okay, I’m not, but I will be after we finish celebrating the launch of my new architect firm–Blanco.

It’s simple, modern, and my surname.

“Congratulations!” Chloe squeals while popping the champagne.

Stella has set up the private dining room at EJ’s restaurant to celebrate the launch of my new business. She pours us all a glass of champagne and hands them out. Everyone is here celebrating this huge milestone with me. I’m the odd one out in the group looking at the loved-up faces of my friends. I hate that my mind keeps thinking about Rhys and where things might have led. I need to let him go. It wasn’t our time.

An hour later, there’s a knock at the door of the private room. My stomach sinks for a moment, cursing my mind for thinking it might be Rhys for even a moment. But the biggest surprise that comes through the door is seeing my sisters.

“Ari.” Hearing my name from their lips in unison is crazy.

I haven’t seen them in ages as they live out in LA.

“Maya, Camila.” Getting up out of my chair, I rush toward them. Oh, my goodness. I can’t believe they’re truly here as I wrap myself around each of them while tears fall down my cheeks. How? When? So many questions.

“I can’t believe you guys are here?” I’m the eldest of the three girls, then there’s Maya, our middle sister, who works in social media for Dirty Texas Records, then there’s Camila, the youngest, who’s a huge Telenovela star in Los Angeles. We are all so busy that we never have time to get together.

“It’s so good to see you,” Maya tells me as she hugs me tightly.

“What are you doing here?” I’m genuinely shocked they have flown halfway across the country to see me tonight.

“Your friend, Emma, invited us,” Camila adds. I turn to see Emma grinning. I mouth the words “thank you” to her, and she raises her glass of champagne in my direction.

“I can’t believe it.” Shaking my head in awe, I continue, “How long are you both here for?”

“Just the weekend,” Camila adds.

“Mom and Dad are so proud of you, Ari, for going out on your own like this. They’re upset that they can’t be here,” Maya explains.

My parents moved back to Spain permanently a couple of years ago to retire. We moved to America from Barcelona when we were quite young for my father’s work. He worked in finance for a Spanish company on Wall Street. They stayed until he was ready to retire, then they went back home. I haven’t had time to go back and see them for a couple of years. I really should. It might be hard now that I’ve just opened my own business and, hello, no money.

“I’ve missed you both so much. Come, let me introduce you all to everyone.” Dragging my sisters over to the dining table, I start the introductions.

The night went by in a blur of way too much food and even more drinks—I’m a little bit tipsy by the time I get home.

“What the hell is this?” Maya points to a large vase of flowers out the front of Emma’s apartment, which is my new apartment, and the headquarters of Blanco. I hate that my heart flutters at the thought it might be from Rhys.

I grab the card and open it.

Dear Ariana,

Congratulations on Blanco. It’s going to be a huge success.

I can’t wait to see your designs lining the Manhattan skyline.

Rhys

xox

What does that mean? I can’t stop staring at the card.

“You okay?” Maya asks.

“Yeah. Just…” letting out a sigh, “… surprised is all.”

Maya gives me a frown.

“Is it from an ex?” Camila asks as I