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

his hand and kicked the side door open. She marched through, tugging on Edward’s hand, and he followed. Catherine was seething. He could almost see the anger rising like fire from her body and her confident strides made Edward weak at the knees. It was undeniably sexy.

“Easy tiger. Before you go breaking through any more doors, you need to tell me what’s going on.” He pointed at her as he came to a stop. Catherine turned and eyed him carefully, the anger fading from her aura and what replaced it took him aback. Fear.

“I’ve made a mistake,” she said. The two of them stood alone in the back alley, surrounded by dumpsters. Yet, Catherine still looked warily around them as if expecting a group of bandits to jump out of the trash and attack them at any moment.

“Okay,” Edward said slowly, taking a hesitant step towards her. “How can I help?”

Catherine walked away a few steps, stopped and shook her head before she walked back to him.

“I’m not sure.”

“How about we go back inside, have a drink and talk through what’s on your mind?” Edward offered gently. He raised his hands to her shoulders. Catherine shook her head again.

“I need you to be as far away from this place as possible.”

Edward sighed.

“That’s going to be tricky,” he said tilting his head to the side. “Seeing as I live right above the club.”

Catherine looked at him with surprise.

“You do?” She opened and closed her mouth in silence. “This is a… very nice place.” She glanced up at the tall building. Edward resisted the urge to scoff. If she only knew what his real place looked like. Until – he shook his head in dismay – he had lost it on a stupid bet.

“Do you want to come upstairs and talk instead?”

Catherine bit her lip. She wore a daring shade of rouge red lipstick that matched the rose pendant on her silver chain necklace. Edward swallowed nervously, waiting for her response. Then, she gave a curt nod.

“That’s a good idea. Let’s get out of this alley, it’s freaking me out.”

Edward grinned and led Catherine round to the front of the building. The evening had taken an unexpected turn. He wasn’t sure if Catherine would even turn up to the show, let alone go upstairs with him. They had walked hand in hand around the corner when a sudden whack struck him in the gut. He fell to one knee winded.

“Stand up and face me like a man. You filthy vermin.”

Chapter Thirteen

The Consequences of Falling in Love

“Anthony!” Catherine screeched as she watched Edward on his knees, bent over with a groan. She looked up to see her cousin standing like a wild bear, his hair fuzzy and standing on end, his broad arms rounded. He ploughed a fist into his right hand and stared at Edward.

“You think you can sneak around with my cousin, and I wouldn’t know?” he said with a sneer, ignoring Catherine.

“No one is sneaking,” Edward said in a breathy voice.

“Oh yeah? Then what were you two doing in a deserted alley?” Anthony grazed a hand across his stubble and roared before he landed another blow to Edward’s torso.

“Get off me,” Edward grunted as he staggered to his feet. Catherine dashed in between the two men. They towered over her and stood, chests heaving, fists clenched. Two stags primed for battle.

“What has gotten into you?” Catherine shouted at Anthony. He blinked at her, his eyes glistening in the streetlamps.

“You didn’t come with me to my mom’s.”

Catherine faltered as she stared at the devastation in his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” she said in a small voice. “Did something happen?”

Anthony marched to the side of the building and pressed his hands against the brickwork, his head bowed low.

“She’s getting remarried.”

Catherine and Edward exchanged looks before Catherine gingerly rubbed Anthony’s back.

“Oh dear,” she said sympathetically. She turned her head and mouthed an apology to Edward who stared at her bewildered as he rubbed his stomach.

Anthony was close to his mom – Catherine’s aunt Gloria – who had been widowed for nineteen years. Catherine’s uncle had been in the military and died while on duty. Even though Anthony was in his thirties and had moved to the city, he remained a little too attached to home. Catherine realized that Edward was not the true aim for his punches, and that Anthony was just a little boy, hurting over the loss of his dad. Insecure about how their relationship might change with a new man in the family.

“I’m sorry mate, that’s tough,” Edward said, as he placed a hand on Anthony’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry too…” he said with a sniff. His shoulders wobbled and tears leaked out of his eyes. Catherine and Edward each took an arm and coaxed him to a taxicab waiting outside the club.

“Go and talk to Aunt Gloria. She’ll want to know about how you’re feeling.” Catherine offered a reassuring smile.

“See you later mate,” Edward said with a wave. The two of them stood side by side in silence as they watched the cab roll away. As it disappeared from sight, Catherine turned to Edward.

“I am so sorry,” she said. Her mind was reeling.

“You know, I always thought Anthony was a bit strange.” Edward was scratching the back of his neck, Catherine noticed. “Sorry, I know he’s your cousin.”

Catherine traced her finger along the scratch marks on Edward’s neck and sighed.

“Who can deny it?” She shrugged. “Come on, let’s get you upstairs.”

Catherine removed her jacket and hung it up as she eyed the collection of baseball caps on the wall.

“This looks like a work of art,” she remarked. Edward chuckled as he pulled open the fridge. The apartment was dark, with dim lighting and the floor vibrating from the music below.

“You have a… nice place.”

Edward sighed heavily and took a swig from his water bottle. Then kicked the fridge door shut.

“My old place was better,” he said as he handed her a drink. Catherine held the glass with both hands and