Page 57 of Billionaire’s Cruelty

“Or coincidence?” Trevon offered weakly.

I refused to believe in coincidence. Not here. Not now.

“Are you kidding me?” I raised my hand, ready to slap him back for his earlier assault.

“Sorry, sorry,” he said quickly, raising his hands in surrender. “I was trying to be optimistic, but you’re right. I think that’s your June.”

“We need to get her out.”

“And Wendy,” Trevon reminded me.

“Yes,” I agreed, feeling guilty because I kept forgetting that Wendy had been swept into this whole mess because of June, and I couldn’t leave her behind.

“We need to get back to our room,” he said urgently.

“Why?”

He held up his phone. A text from Wendy blinked on the screen. See you in five.

12

June

The door opened before either Wendy or I had the chance to knock. Without hesitation, Kai leaned in to hug me. It was a long hug—much longer than five Mississippis. More like fifteen Mississippis.

Trevon coughed, breaking the moment.

“We should probably move inside,” he suggested, glancing down the hallway.

Standing at the door hugging would definitely attract attention. I had no idea when Dannie would notice that Wendy and I had been gone far too long for a simple bathroom trip.

I fought the overwhelming urge to kiss Kai, but with Trevon and Wendy watching, a sudden shyness crept over me. It wasn’t as if they didn’t know how I felt about Kai—it was obvious—but expressing affection in front of others was hard for me. Even with an audience of just two.

Room 1202 was a standard hotel room overlooking the busy streets of Hong Kong. The faint hum of traffic filtered through the window. It was so ordinary that I couldn’t help but wonder what had been on Kai’s mind when he booked it. He was used to the best life had to offer—luxury suites, private villas. This room felt beneath him. Had he really chosen to book this room himself?

“I’m so sorry.” His voice was soft but urgent. I couldn’t believe those were the first words out of his mouth. “I shouldn’t have left without saying goodbye. I panicked. I had a nervous breakdown. I was afraid something might have happened to Jenny. I couldn’t think—I couldn’t function the moment you left me after lunch.”

He started to ramble, his words spilling out faster, a whirlwind of guilt and anxiety. I reached up and pressed a finger gently against his lips, shushing him softly.

“It’s okay,” I whispered, repeating it a few more times until he finally fell silent. I guided him to the edge of the bed and sat us both down.

Deep down, I had always known he had to leave. But when I realized he’d disappeared, my own demons had taken control—my fear of abandonment, the ache left behind when Chloe disappeared without a trace. The thought of losing Kai the same way had made me mad. Had I always been this fragile? This scared?

“I’m so glad to see you,” I murmured. My lips betrayed me, brushing against the corner of his mouth in a soft, impulsive kiss.

“Me too,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “So much has happened. I wish you had been with me through it all.”

“I would go anywhere with you.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. Would I really, though? Could I leave everything behind—my patients, my responsibilities—if he asked me to? Would I abandon an open operating table if he needed me?

Kai shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“No, no. As much as I want you by my side, I still have some sense.” He reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair—one rebellious strand escaping from the elegant updo Laura’s stylist had perfected—off my face. “It wouldn’t be fair to drag you into my mess.”

“Tell me what happened,” I urged softly.

He hesitated.

“It’s a long story,” he said finally. “Why don’t you tell me how you ended up here?”