Page 70 of The Rebel Billionaire

Assured that I was safely strapped into the car, he went back in the house for my loot. I'd raided the attics for some extra things no oneneeded.

Not much. Furniture would only get in the way of the renovations. Just a card table and three folding chairs, plus a few camp chairs—the kind that folded out into a lounger with afootrest.

Not having anywhere to sit except the futon was getting on my nerves. Lucas loaded the trunk and joined me in the car, starting the engine and pulling out of thecourtyard.

"Did you get your job finished?" I asked, feeling oddly domestic. Lucas looked over at me and grinned, his green eyes lighting up even as shadows lurked inhisface.

"I did," he said. "Closed it out with the client right before youcalled."

"Good timing," Icommented.

"Yeah," he said. He fell silent, drawing in a half-breath like he was going to speak, then letting it out in awhoosh.

"What?" I asked. Something wasbotheringhim.

"Your brother came to see me," he said finally, shooting me a quick, worried glance before focusing again on the winding road throughBuckhead.

"Which one?" I asked, torn between dread andexasperation.

"Aiden."

"Was he awful?" I asked, bracing for theworst.

Lucas surprised me. "No, he was cool. He tried to hire me to be yourbodyguard."

"Okaaay." I drew out the word, inviting an explanation. None was forthcoming. Finally, I asked, "What did youtellhim?"

"Are you pissed?" Lucasasked.

"I don't know yet. How much did he offer topayyou?"

"We never got that far," Lucas said. "I told him I already planned to keep you safe. You're not a job,Charlie."

"Okay," I said again. "Then I guess I'm notpissed."

"Not pissed at me or not pissed atAiden?"

"Definitely not at you," I said. "I appreciate your telling me and not letting me find out on my own. Did Aiden ask you to keep it asecret?"

Lucas's silence was its ownanswer.

"Harrumph." The disgruntled sound rumbled in the back of my throat, drawing a laugh fromLucas.

"So, you're still pissed at Aiden?" he asked, stilllaughing.

"Mmm. Maybe. Idon'tknow."

I was and Iwasn't.

It was hard to be angry with someone who loved me so much. I remembered the cool, calculating look in his eyes when he said, "You'refired."

No, I was stillpissed.

"Yes and no," I explained. "I'm not mad at him for going to see you. I'm still furious with him forfiringme."

"I would be too,"Lucassaid.

"You're not going to try to convince me to forgive him?" Iasked.