Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

"MOMMY, are you going to leave us again?" Chiara asked as she woke up, catching me getting ready to leave.

It was already six in the morning, and I had things to take care of. I'll miss them as much as they'll miss me, but I hope that one day she'll understand I'm doing this for them.

Thunder was still fast asleep, probably tired after chasing Chiara around last night. Finnick had already left. He only visits occasionally, but I still pay him, even if he doesn't do much. It's my way of securing his loyalty. I don't want to go, but I have to.

I wanted to tell her that, but I knew she wouldn't understand.

"Yes, Chiara," I said instead. "Be good, okay? Don't tease your brother too much."

I needed to head back to the hideout today. Simon was sure to summon me, and I also planned to visit Mom.

I quickly got ready and left the mansion. I always made sure no one followed me whenever I arrived or departed.

Once in the car, I managed to drive even though I felt lightheaded. There wasn't much traffic since it was still early, and the place where I was hiding Chiara and Thunder was more like a province.

I was enjoying the quiet peace inside the vehicle when someone called.

"Hello, Evangeline?" I greeted her, keeping my eyes on the road.

"Do you have some time to spare?" Her tone made me frown. She didn't even greet me back.

I glanced at the clock before focusing on the road again. "I'm a little busy, but I think I can spare some time. Why?"

"I discovered something... and it's unbelievable," she said, her tone amused but with a serious edge. "What I found in Senator Windwood's hideout was out of this world... but it's real." "Congratulations," I said mockingly, remembering what she did during her mission.

She manipulated me into doing my mission at the same time she was raiding Senator Windwood's house. It wouldn't have bothered me if she hadn't involved Ash in her plan. "You're mine until the end."

I suddenly recalled what he'd said last night. Even though he wasn't here, I could smell his cologne. That was strange-why could I smell him when he wasn't around?

"Fuuck."

I quickly pulled over to the side of the road and rubbed my face. I figured it was due to lack of sleep. Maybe I needed some rest... or a distraction.

I grabbed the bottled water from the passenger seat and drank it, trying to clear my head.

"On second thought, I remembered I have something important to do-"

"If you don't come now, you won't find out what I discovered," Evangeline said with a hint of intimidation. "This is the only time I'll talk. Who knows? By this afternoon or tomorrow, I might change my mind." I rolled my eyes but smirked. She really knew how to get to me.

"If you're curious, come to the Parker Company at exactly ten o'clock. Mason and Haze will join us," she said with authority. "And don't forget to bring Ash."

At that, I slammed on the brakes, almost hitting the steering wheel. Luckily, mine was the only car on this bridge. Otherwise, I'd have been cussed out for reckless driving.

"Bring who?" I asked, confused, but she hung up before I could get an answer.

"Bitch!"Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Moments later, my other phone rang-the one I use for business.

An unregistered number.

I grabbed it from the compartment and answered. Before I could say anything, the caller spoke.

"I'm in front of your unit," he said coldly. I didn't need to ask who it was. His voice gave him away instantly. "Fetch me, or I'll break in."

"Why are you there?" I didn't bother hiding my irritation when I asked him that.

My grip on the steering wheel tightened, clutching it like my life depended on it. I couldn't risk losing control and crashing my car just because this guy was testing my patience. "If you're that curious, come over here quickly."

I heard him chuckle even under the circumstances. And somehow, I could picture him smirking, which made my temper flare even more.

"I might get bored and break into your unit. You know I'm capable of that, right?"

Before I could reply, I heard a faint noise on the other end, and the call ended. Frustrated, I brushed my hair aside and let out a deep breath. Self-control.

I could manage it with anyone, but with him? My resolve crumbled every single time. Just like before, when I swore I wouldn't fall for him.

Yet, I did exactly the opposite. I didn't just fall in love-I fell hard.

So hard I drowned in my own feelings... while he left me stranded in the middle of the sea.

"Damn you, Ash."

I felt like I was about to fly my car off the road as I sped toward my building. The mere thought of him being there made me restless. How did he even get in?

And worse, how does he know which unit is mine? Is he standing in front of my penthouse right now?

The longer I thought about it, the more unsettled I became. After all these years of no communication, he suddenly shows up whenever he pleases.

He hasn't changed-still the same person as before.

I don't understand what he wants from me or why we need to go to Parker Company together. But what confuses me the most is why Evangeline keeps helping him, even knowing everything that happened. Her loyalty won't get us anywhere. I need solid evidence to prove Ash wasn't the one who tried to kill me back then.

We're cousins... so why would she side with the enemy?

"Fuck it," I muttered angrily, the only thing I could do as I approached my condo building.

I need to dispose of him as quickly as possible... because Chiara and Thunder don't deserve a father like him.

WHEN I finally arrived, I tossed my car keys at the valet without a second glance. I went to the penthouse and tried to find him.

Where the hell was he?

"Looking for me, baby?" he asked, suddenly appearing in front of him.

Unlike his usual self, he looked formal today-white dress shirt, black coat, and slacks. His hair was neatly combed back, as if he'd just come from an important meeting or event.

"Get out," I told him.

I still didn't know how he got inside my unit. Did he use his connections to bypass security-even in my own company?

"Is that how you treat a customer?"

I felt him sit beside me, his intense stare boring into me even though my eyes were closed. I tried to ignore him, thinking about something else, but no matter what I did, my thoughts always circle back to him. I always come back to him.