Page 100 of Billionaire’s Heartbreak

Kai wasn't helpless. He had survived things far worse than this. He didn't need me to hold his hand through every difficult moment, even if some stubborn part of me wanted to anyway. I turned back toward the house.

The moment I stepped inside, I heard a familiar voice coming from the dining area.

“Lincoln!” I pulled away from Liam. “Where are you?”

“Over here!” His voice came from the other side of the room. “At the dining table.”

I half ran toward my big brother. “Lincoln!”

“Slow down,” Liam called after me.

I ignored him, reached Lincoln, and threw my arms around him. He laughed softly as he caught me, holding me tightly against his chest. I buried my face against his shoulder for a moment before pulling away.

“Who else is here?” I looked around the room, suddenly hoping for another familiar face. There were people everywhere. The house was packed, but somehow it didn't feel crowded. Everything seemed organised and controlled. People stood in groups rather than wandering aimlessly, each cluster apparently assigned its own purpose.

“Have you met Matteo?” Lincoln asked.

“Matteo?” I repeated the name, trying to place it. “The New York…”

“Yes.” A man stepped forward with a grin. “The Mafia guy.”

He took my hand before I could finish the sentence. His grip was firm, his smile easy. I stared at him for a second. “So you're real.”

He laughed. “I've been told.”

I smiled despite myself, then looked around the room again. There were two obvious groups. I pointed toward one of them. “Who are all these people?”

“Those are mine,” Matteo said. His attention shifted toward the group gathered near one corner of the living room. They were dressed casually, but there was something unmistakable about them. A few had the short, practical haircuts I'd come to associate with military men. Their posture was relaxed, but not really relaxed. They watched everything. Everyone. Now that Matteo had pointed them out, I noticed something else.

They looked unmistakably American.

“And those?” I pointed toward the other group. The Asian men were gathered more tightly together, speaking quietly among themselves.

“Mr. Beng's,” Lincoln answered.

My stomach dropped.

Oh, no. No, no, no.

That wasn't the answer I'd wanted. Something hot and uncomfortable twisted inside me. There had to be a reason Dannie had asked Beng for help. Something must have gone wrong with his people.

“Can I have a word?” I caught Lincoln by the wrist before he could say anything else. He didn't resist. I led him through the house, looking for somewhere quiet. We passed several people who glanced at us but didn't interrupt. Finally, I stopped near the back entrance of the kitchen. The delivery door. It was quieter here, far enough from the others that I could ask what I needed to ask without an audience.

Lincoln leaned against the wall and looked at me. “Whatever you want to know,” he said. He knew me too well.

I took a breath. There were too many questions. Too many names. Too many people I'd left behind. I had to prioritise.

“Maru?”

Lincoln's expression softened immediately. “She's fine now.”

My shoulders dropped slightly. “Now?”

His eyes met mine. “Don't worry. Wendy is with her right now.”

“She wasn't fine before?” I reached for his shirt, my fingers catching lightly against his collar. “Tell me.”

“June, calm down.” He gently removed my hand from his chest, holding it between both of his. “We've got it handled. I promise.”