Page 72 of The Rebel Billionaire

"Yes. Here's the thing about stalkers. They always escalate eventually. But it's not a stable escalation. We don't have a flowchart to say that after a certain thing happens—a note, a phone call, sending you flowers, whatever—after that thing happens,nowit's dangerous. This guy started with physically attacking you and then sent you a threatening note. Most of the time, it's the other wayaround."

"Do you have a theory on why he's coming at me backward?" I asked,curious.

I'd spent too much time being scared or ignoring the problem to think about the psychology of my stalker. Mostly, I just wanted ittostop.

"I have some ideas. I want to get a better picture of why Hayward is focused on you rather than your brother or someone else at the company. But as far as his approach being upside down, I think he saw all the security go in and realized it wouldn't be as easy to get to you as he planned so he dialed back his approach. That doesn't mean he's not waiting for an opportunity. The whole idea of constant protection is to keep him from finding thatopportunity."

"Okay," I said." I'd rather have you than one of the Sinclair guys. But don't you have work? I don't want to get intheway."

I didn't. Watching over me instead of working was a massive intrusion into his life. I was going to wear out my welcome with Lucas Jackson, and when this was over, he'd be so eager to get away from me I'd never see himagain.

The thought wasdepressing.

"It's not exactly a sacrifice, Princess," he said with a quirk tohislips.

"I can pay you for your time while you're guarding me," I said, wincing when his fingers closed tightly over mine, then let go as he yanked his hand back and dropped it into his lap, leaving myfingerscold.

Dammit.

"What is it with you Winters’?” he demanded. "Do you always throw money at your problems until theygoaway?"

"Yeah, because that works so well on most of ourproblems."

If I sounded bitter, it's because I was. Money doesn't erase problems. For every problem you get rid of when you throw money at it, another springs up in itsplace.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I appreciated all the benefits of being a Winters. It was nice not to have to worry about bills or tuition. But money wouldn't bring my parents back. It wouldn't heal our damaged souls or mend our brokenhearts.

Money didn't save Vance. And money couldn't help Annalise or Gage, who'd both run from home, fleeing their own demons. In Annalise's case,literally.

"I wasn't trying to be rude," I said through clenched teeth. "But I recognize it's a lot to ask. What do you usually charge for around-the-clock protection? I'm guessing it's a lot. I don't want to take advantage of your being a nice guy by expecting you to watch out for me for free,that'sall."

Lucas busted out laughing. His hand came back to the center console and closed over mine, his fingers twining withmyown.

"Princess, you've got business on the brain. Look, I'm not taking money for this. This thing with us works for me. Just because it's not going anywhere long-term doesn't mean I don't care about you, okay? I won't let anything happen to you. I already told you, you're notajob."

"But—" I started toprotest.

"Charlie, just because I drive a truck and don't belong to the country club doesn't mean I don't have money, okay? I'm just not into buying stuff. Some people grow up poor, and the first time they have money, they blow it all. I know that feeling, that rush when you can have the things you always wanted. It's almost impossible not to gocrazy."

"But you didn't?" Iasked.

"No, I did. I blew through my first few paychecks from the Army so fast they might as well have gone up in a puff ofsmoke."

"What did you buy?" I was curious. More curious when Lucas gave me the side eye, pressed his lips together, and shookhishead.

"Nothing appropriate for your ears,Princess."

"Hey, I've had my mouth on your cock," I said. "I think we're pastappropriate."

Ignoring me, he went on, "Anyway, after that, I realized that if I wanted to get ahead I needed to be smarter. I started saving, and once I got out of the Army and was making real money, I was already in the habit of socking it all away. I don't live large because I don't need to. If I wanted to, I could retire today and never have to workagain."

"Really? You're prettyyoung."

"I have specialized skills. They're worth a lot of money. I like my work, so I'm going to keep doing it. And when I do retire, I'd like to do it with enough money to live very well. I've got a few years left in me before I'm ready for that. But I don't need your money, Princess. Are weclear?"

"We're clear. I'm sorry if I hurt yourfeelings."

"Hurt my feelings?" He made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a grunt. "I'm a badass, Princess. I don't havefeelings."