Page 10 of My Ex's Billionaire Brothers

Yes, he “gave” me until the end of the month to uproot my entire life.

I draw in a slow breath. “Your plans changed. Mine haven’t.”

“The hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I’m going to Castle Beach for the holiday.”

He opens his mouth as though to argue, but stops short. There’s an undercurrent of resentment in his eyes, as if I’m the one inconveniencinghim.“And you think you can just…take one of my cars?”

“No.”

“I’m sure you expect me to foot the bill for your travel.”

“Also no.” I snap the suitcase lock shut, turning to face him. “I don’t need your car. I have a ride.”

“A ride? With who? You don’t have friends.” The jab is precise, designed to remind me that I left my old life behind and let him orchestrate my every move.

For a moment, I consider lying or simply refusing to answer. But that won’t get me anywhere. “I’m going with Gage, Hunter, and Theo,” I say, gripping the handle of my suitcase. “They offered to take me.”

“Mybrothers?” A harsh bark of laughter escapes him. “Are you kidding me?”

“Again, no.”

His face reddens. “This is ridiculous. They’re only doing it to spite me.”

“Does it matter?” It does to me. A little bit, anyway. The brothers have an animosity between them that runs deep. But if they’re using me to piss Calvin off, and I get a free trip to Castle Beach out of it, that’s win-win. “They’ve shown me more kindness in a single evening than you have in months. So yes, Calvin. I’m going with them.”

He stares at me, eyes narrowed, as though searching for some last shred of control over me. With a glare, he steps aside, letting me move past him into the hallway. The thick carpeting muffles my steps, but my pulse thrums loudly in my ears.

We make our way downstairs. My hands clench around the suitcase handle, bracing for what, I don’t know. Calvin marches behind me, practically on my heels, muttering under his breath.

The antique furnishings—oil paintings, polished wood tables, vases of fresh flowers—once impressed me with their elegance. After the breakup, they seem like theatrical props for a play brought to tepid life.

“Do you really think you’re going to waltz out the door with them?” he hisses as we reach the foyer.

“Do you plan to try to stop me?”

He huffs. “They’re just stirring the pot. You’ll regret trusting them. Everyone does.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” A wave of relief washes over me the moment I open the front door. There, in the driveway, is a large white SUV, gleaming in the early daylight. I pause, breath catching in my chest.

Gage sits in the passenger seat, his silver undercut glinting in the sun. Hunter, half leaning out the middle seat’s window, waves in our direction, his golden-brown skin catching the light as he smiles at me. Theo stands outside the vehicle, checking something on his phone. His neatly styled white-gray hair is combed back in a distinctly formal way, pairing with the lines of his crisp polo shirt.

For a second, I picture them as literal knights on a white horse, come to rescue me from a beastly dragon. Maybe I’m letting my imagination run away, but the metaphor feels almost too perfect.

Calvin steps onto the porch behind me. “Unbelievable,” he mutters under his breath. He raises his voice, calling, “What are you three doing here? This is ridiculous, even for you.”

Theo barely glances up from his phone. “Good morning to you too, Calvin,” he says with measured politeness. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”

Gage slides out of the SUV, unfolding his tall, hulking frame with quiet confidence. He stands a good head above Calvin, broad in the shoulders, his green eyes sharp. Hunter also steps out, tucking his phone into the pocket of his jeans. I exhale as they converge on the front walk, forming an unexpected line of defense.

“So, you’re taking my fiancée—ex-fiancée—where, exactly?” Calvin snaps.

It’s like he doesn’t believe this is happening. “I already told you.”

Hunter moves around to the rear of the SUV, gesturing for me to hand him my suitcase. “We’re driving her down to Castle Beach.”

“I thought she was exaggerating. I didn’t think the three of you would butt into my business.”