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

“A deal is a deal, and I overspent the budget.” Edward huffed and marched to the kitchen to grab another drink.

“Well, that penthouse suite is property of the Marks’ estate. Grandmother’s name is on the deeds. Not yours. So legally, it was never yours to give away,” David explained. “How are you dealing with your security?” Edward shrugged.

“I told them to take a couple of weeks off.”

“Have you gone mad? You need to keep your security.”

“No one knows who I am,” Edward said with a laugh. “What’s the big deal?”

“What about this ex-boyfriend? He sounds like trouble.”

“Actually, Anthony has caused me far more harm than Calvin.” Edward sat on the couch and winced at the pain in his back as he relaxed against the seat.

“So, you think Catherine was coming to warn you that her cousin was furious about you two dating?” David cleared his throat. “Though I don’t blame him,” he added quietly.

“Why would you say that?” Edward shot back, sitting bolt upright.

“You haven’t got the best track record when it comes to women,” David replied in a careful tone. “And you don’t exactly work, do you? You’re a––” He paused.

“Say it,” Edward said through gritted teeth.

“You know what I mean,” David said quietly.

Edward looked down. His father gave him a title in the family business, but he had little responsibility. His job was to travel and look for new sites to build hotels. He had a lot of free time to party and play with his cars. When he wasn’t traveling, he was planning his next track day. He had never needed to do a real job all his life, and he liked it that way. But it was not a quality that Anthony, the hard-working investor working at Wall street, would appreciate.

“She seemed troubled when she left, do you think I should check in on her?” he asked, his brows furrowed in thought. He remembered her surprised expression when he asked her if she had heard from Calvin. What if he was threatening her?

“What do you think?”

“I’m asking you!”

“Well, it’s late… but if you’re concerned about this ex-boyfriend, it could be worth checking that she’s alright. I think it’s best you call Luther. I get it if you don’t want an entourage, but a little back up won’t cause any harm.” David’s reasonable voice had Edward nodding along.

“Right, I’m going over there.”

“Let me know how it goes. I’ll be up most of the night getting this work done, so call anytime.”

Edward thanked David and ended the call with a firm nod. Then, without further hesitation, he grabbed his jacket and left the apartment.

The block was quiet. Edward stood looking up at Catherine’s apartment determinedly, eyeing the amber glow from her living room window.

“Hi Catherine, you left in such a hurry, I wanted to make sure you were okay?” he whispered to himself. Suddenly, standing at the bottom of the steps to her apartment, he didn’t feel so brave. From the outside, all looked normal. Was he imagining things? Maybe she just wanted to go home early? He stood immobile, wondering what to do.

After a few minutes, he hesitantly climbed the steps, his heartbeat picking up pace with each step. He settled in front of the door and cleared his throat. Then, he rapped on the door and waited with bated breath.

The lock clicked and with a squeal, the door swung open. Edward’s smile faded as he locked eyes with the last person he wanted to see.

“What are you doing here?” they both said at the same time. Calvin crossed his arms and gave him a hard look.

“I thought I made myself clear,” he said with a sneer.

“I guess you didn’t,” Edward shot back, squaring up to him with a defiant look on his face.

“Calvin, I’m sorry I’ve looked everywhere but I just can’t find –” Catherine’s voice stopped as she came into view. Edward peered over Calvin’s shoulder to meet her shocked gaze.

“Edward.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you two…” Edward backed away a couple of steps. “I just, I thought we were –”

“Wait,” Catherine shoved past Calvin, whose smirk disappeared as he watched her throw her arms around Edward.

“I’m glad you came,” she said into his shoulder. Edward broke into a smile and winked at Calvin who looked back, affronted.

“Calvin thought he lost something in my apartment, but I was just explaining to him that I haven’t found anything,” Catherine explained. She smiled, but her eyes bore into Edward’s, and she cocked her head in Calvin’s direction as if to give him a secret message. Edward looked back at her, puzzled.

“Such a shame,” Calvin said, lacing his fingers together as he descended the steps with ease. “Well, I suppose you’re busy. I wanted to talk, but it looks like I’ll have to come back another time.” He stroked Catherine’s cheek with a bony finger and slinked by. Edward stared him down and held Catherine protectively.

“Good night Calvin,” he said firmly. Calvin inclined his head and continued down the street. Edward and Catherine stood, barely breathing as they watched him disappear into the dark night.

“Are you okay?” Edward asked, looking back at Catherine. Her face was as white as a ghost. She nodded.

“Do you want to come in?” she asked tentatively. Edward nodded.

“Sure.”

Edward sat on Catherine’s couch and listened to her rant. She marched back and forth across the living room rug and threw her hands in the air with frustration as she explained what had happened. Edward picked up the black rose lying on the side table and stared at the label with a mixture of intrigue and confusion.

“What a strange guy,” he murmured, as Catherine finished.

“Really? That’s all you’re going to say?” Catherine stared at him with her hands on her hips. Edward tried to ignore the fact that her unruly hair and heaving chest conjured all sorts of dangerous ideas in his head. Instead, he put the rose down and stood.

“Come here,” he