Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 by Laura Burton (learn to read books .TXT) 📕

to be out in public, so they’d be featured in some gossip column alongside a Kardashian. It was a loveless relationship, yet at the time Harry didn’t see it. He was so desperate to be loved that he was blinded by the fact Ebony was just using him for her own ambitions.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell your parents the truth.” Julie’s words interrupted Harry’s thoughts. He rubbed his thumb along her cheekbone and studied the guilty look on her face. A small worry line had formed between her brows.

“I felt so small. To say I’m just a seamstress when your mum assumed I was a fashion designer… it was too humiliating.” She averted her eyes.

Julie was the polar opposite of Ebony. She was sweet, funny, and gentle. Even when she was dishonest, she ended up confessing the truth. Harry’s heart swelled and he leaned in to give her the softest kiss.

“I understand why you did it,” he said as he broke away. He took her hands and pressed his lips against her smooth knuckles. “Just promise you’ll never lie to me.”

Julie pressed a hand up to Harry’s chest, the warmth from her fingertips radiated through his whole body. As if she had special healing powers, the ache in his stomach and flashbacks of Ebony dissipated.

“All right.” Julie walked her fingers to his shoulder and squeezed. “Seeing as we’re being honest, I want you to know. I don’t think your mum likes me.”

Harry laughed.

“Well, I do.” He kissed her again. “In fact, you have bewitched me. You are all I can think about. Being with you is all I want.” He pulled up the sleeve of her cardigan and kissed her arm.

“Me too,” Julie said in revered tones. Her words were almost drowned out by the rumble of the car engine.

“I’m glad we met and I’m happy you’re here.” Harry leaned in for a deeper kiss when the car pulled to an abrupt stop. Harry and Julie jolted forward, then lurched back again.

“Apologies, sir.” Thomas had rolled down the glass divider and his dark eyes were looking at Harry from the rearview mirror.

“Is everything all right?” Harry asked.

“Yes, sir, the security team are just clearing the road. No need for alarm. Just stay in the car.” The tone of Thomas’ voice did not make Harry feel settled. He had known Thomas for too many years to not know when something was wrong. A few years back, Thomas had tried to insist that there was nothing to worry about, when they were sitting in a traffic jam downtown. His voice was a little strained, and Harry discovered that a bank robbery was taking place, which led to a car chase around the city.

Harry patted Julie’s knee before he took off his seatbelt.

“Stay here. I’m going to check it out,” he said to Julie, who––not sensing any reason to be alarmed––gave a nod.

Harry pushed open the door and climbed out of the car. The gravel crunched underneath his feet as he marched to the front. The sun was hidden behind a batch of clouds and the air was eerily still. Benjamin and four of his men were standing in a line, immobile, looking ahead. Whatever they were observing was obscured by their forms.

“What is it?” he shouted. Benjamin turned, his face grim.

As Harry approached, two of the security staff moved aside and then he saw it. A giant piece of blue tarp was fastened to a pair of oak trees on either side of the road. It hung like a banner, sporting large words written in red.

Last warning. Leave her… or the consequences will be deadly.

Chapter Seventeen

Dangerous Escalation

Julie decided she couldn’t just sit in the car and wait. Long minutes had passed and curiosity got the better of her. She got out of the car and tiptoed to the front to see why they’d been stopped for so long. She wondered if a tree had fallen or a farmer was crossing with a herd of cows. Either of those scenarios would have been plausible—and far better than what she saw. A couple of men in dark suits were untying a piece of rope, attached to a blue tarp. To the side lay an animal. At such a distance, she could not guess what it was exactly. Then she saw the writing, in dripping red ink.

“Is that blood?” she asked aloud. Harry had his hand to his head and turned quickly on the spot. His face drained of color.

“No, it’s not.” He hurried over to Julie, rubbing the back of his neck.

“But that dead animal… did someone––”

“It’s fake. Just someone playing a prank,” Harry said quickly.

“Don’t lie to me, Harry,” Julie warned. “That doesn’t look like a couple of kids pulling a prank. It’s a death threat.” Saying the words aloud made it sound worse than it had in her head. Julie swallowed against the uncomfortable tightness in her throat. Who would go to such lengths to send a message to Harry? She thought they left the weird stalker in New York. But this message was clear. Whoever they were, they knew where Harry would be. Surely this was beyond the scope of what the media would do? Or a jealous fan?

“It’s been staged. The goat is a prop. They used fake blood for the lettering, sir,” Benjamin said as he approached. The men removed the tarp from the trees and folded it.

“We’re collecting the evidence and will take it to the authorities.”

“Shouldn’t we have called them out here? Now there will be multiple prints all over it,” Harry asked. Benjamin shook his head.

“No. We need to get you both out of harm’s way. I’ll deal with this. My team will escort you home.”

Harry gave a nod and took Julie’s hand.

“Right,” he said. “Come on.”

They returned to the car and Julie’s imagination ran wild. They had been in the Bowood’s home for almost two hours. Someone set this up, perfectly primed for their return. But who? An old school nemesis? One who now