Billion Dollar Revenge: An Age Gap Opposites Attract Romance: (The Lincoln Brothers Book 2), page 23
“I can. You worked hard.”
His compliments fluster me, and I look away, biting my lip. “You did help.”
“I didn’t do much. This is all you.”
My fingers tighten around the bouquet as my stomach flutters. “Your designer. And you helped me with the booking system.”
“I’m glad I could help,” he says, stepping closer. His closeness sends a shudder through me, and I feel a lump forming in my throat.
My heart bleeds. I want to say, I don’t care about marriage and kids. I want you back.
But the other part of me says, you’ve come so far, don’t let yourself down now.
“I⸺” he starts, his voice hesitant, as if he’s about to say something important.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Iris says, coming to join us.
I twist to face her. “You're never interrupting.”
“I’ll come back later,” Evan says. My eyes flick to him and watch him walk away to join his brothers.
Returning my attention to Iris, I take in her white mid-length dress with a collar. It’s the perfect style for her. It looks comfortable and yet trendy. Her slip-on shoes add the touch of casual needed for the event. No one is overdressed except for the Lincoln men. All of them are in suits of some kind.
“I love your dress,” I say, needing to tear my attention away from one Lincoln in particular.
“This silly old thing. I’ve had it for years.”
“I know the feeling.”
“It’s nice to see a woman in a blazer. Very classy.”
I shift the bouquet up a little, hiding the small cleavage that's visible from the top.
“I’ve had it for years too.”
In fact, I’ve had these blue jeans and this black blazer since I was twenty.
“What's happening with Evan?”
Uneasiness swarms my body. I’ve not been asked this directly before. How much can I say to his gram?
“Um...”
I sense a pair of eyes on me. Looking over her shoulder, I see him watching us, a deep wrinkle between his eyebrows.
“You can tell me. Is he grumpy?”
My lips part, and I bite back a laugh. “With me, no.”
“What is it, then? He was happy before.”
“I was too.”
Her gaze drops to the gardenias. “He’s never brought a woman flowers.”
His family is well aware he’s not been with another woman since his ex.
“We want different things for our future,” I admit.
“He’s fallen for you, dear.”
Hearing those words makes my heart crack. It’s supposed to make me feel better, but it doesn’t. “I’ve fallen for him too. But I want what my parents have. Since I was little, I dreamed of that fairy tale love.”
“You know his past.”
“I do.”
“Then things will work out the way they’re meant to.”
I give her a small smile as hope flares in my chest. “I hope you’re right.”
I miss him.
“I can see why he likes you.”
I wait for her to explain because I don’t.
“We're so different.”
“Exactly. You’re fun. Yet caring. He needs your energy to bring him back to life.”
“What was he like growing up?” I ask curiously.
“My boy was caring and cautious.” Eliza stands beside Iris, joining our conversation.
“He’s still the same,” I say with a smile.
“With you, he’s the old Evan, but the last few years, he’s been withdrawn.” His mom’s eyes wash over with sadness.
Iris’s mouth flattens. “His ex wasn’t very kind.”
Iris is so polite. I’m sure those aren’t the words everyone else would use for her, but I love and respect Iris’s opinion.
“Excuse me,” Summer interrupts. “Chelse. Do you want to do the speech now?”
Checking the time on my watch, I see Summer came right on time.
“Oh yes, thanks. Sorry, ladies.”
“Go.” Eliza waves her hand, encouraging me.
I head off toward the DJ and explain I’ll do a quick speech. I put the flowers down and stand at the front of the room.
With the mic in my hand, I suddenly take a mental picture of the full room. All the support for me to succeed. It gives me the push to tap the mic.
Everyone’s chatter silences.
“Hi. Thanks, everyone, for coming today. I was just looking at you all and thinking how lucky I am to have all your support. I hope you're all having a good time. There’s plenty of food and drinks. And now is the time to let your hair down and dance.”
“You’re first,” Oliver's loud voice calls.
The room applauds.
I shake my head.
The DJ starts the music, and the moment “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran plays through the speakers, I turn to Evan, wondering how he knew. I scan the crowd until I find those bright blue eyes.
It’s the song he and I danced to the night of his work function.
My parents take the dance floor, then so do Jeremy and Nova.
But my feet are frozen on the spot. Evan moves between people, weaving through them until he's in front of me. He slips the microphone out of my hand and hands it to the DJ.
“I believe this is our song.”
My heart is in my throat. To touch him again. Have his hands on me. God, just the thought sends a shiver down my spine.
“We shouldn’t,” I whisper.
He frowns. “Why?”
“We’re not together anymore.”
“It’s just one dance.”
“Go on,” my mom encourages from her spot on the dance floor.
“If I was your age, you wouldn’t be able to get me off there. Me and Gramps loved a good dance floor,” Iris says.
My eyes flick from my mom to her.
Where did she come from?
Iris and Sebastian move slowly around the dance floor.
When she says it like that, I have no reason not to. The encouragement from our families makes it hard to say no.
Evan stretches his hand out, palm up in a clear invitation. I slip my hand in his, and I shake my head at the applause around us.
Do they not understand we can’t be together?
As much as his hand feels so good in mine, it’s just a tease. There can never be an us.
His hand closes over mine and he tugs me gently to the floor.
Eyes flaring with fire, he glances over me, starting at my body and sliding up to my lips.
Don’t, my heart whispers. Eyes up and away.
Our bodies sway closely, following the beat of the music. My head is close to his shoulder, but I resist resting it there. “I haven’t seen you.”
“I know.” His breath tickles my hair.
My eyes close momentarily. “Is it too hard?”
Time passes before he breathes out, “Yes.”
That one word echoes my own crushed heart.
“You found Bobby,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
His grip on my waist tightens ever so slightly. “I did. Shyla actually helped.”
“She did?” I tilt my head to look up at him, trying to read his eyes.
“Yeah. But I had to let her go.”
I nod, enjoying being here in his arms again, even if it’s only for a short time.
The song ends, so I step out of his embrace, needing to clear my head. I see my group of instructors talking and join them. Looking over my shoulder, I spot Evan on the opposite side of the room with his dad, his eyes firmly on me.
I twist around with my heart in my throat and pay attention to the group.
The afternoon comes to an end. People slowly say goodbye. I thank them for coming, and I only have my family and the Lincolns left.
“We need to get to the airport,” my sister says.
I look at the room and then my watch.
“Summer will drop us off,” Mom adds, seeing the wheels turning in my head.
There are still trainers and Evan’s family here. I’m backed into a corner.
“I feel awful, Mom,” I admit.
“Why? It’s a short ride to the airport.” She kisses my cheek and hugs me.
I wrap my arms around her, thanking her and Dad silently for the support to open my dream studio.
“Thank you for everything.”
“Of course. We’re so proud of you,” Mom says, eyes shining with pride.
“I’ll be back home soon.”
“We look forward to it,” Dad says as he squeezes my shoulder.
I hug them all and thank Summer, telling her I’ll see her later at home.
The Lincolns come over and I smile at them naturally. They’ve been like a second family.
“Thanks again for coming.”
“Of course. It was a great afternoon,” Eliza says.
I say goodbye, hugging Iris last. Of course, she whispers in my ear, “Don’t give up on him just yet.”
I pull back and stare into her eyes, seeing her truth.
With no idea how to respond, I simply smile and nod.
“Where did you get the painting?” Oliver asks with a deep wrinkle between his eyebrows.
“The designer found it. Why?”
He shakes his head. “No reason. Thanks for having me, and congratulations again.”
I smile and thank him.
Evan is the last to say goodbye. Luckily for me, we have an audience. So we have to keep it short and sweet.
“I’m so incredibly grateful to have met you. I may not do another class, but I’m sure I’ll pass you in the elevator sometime.”
“Unless you avoid me.” I wink, but I feel pained by this exchange. I don’t want to be just passing acquaintances.
His lips turn up into a small grin. “No more hiding.”
“Okay, I’ll hold you to that.”
We grin at each other. Staring into his eyes, I wonder why he makes it so hard to let go.
He steps forward, and I quiver the moment his arms wrap around me. I hold back my emotions. This is the end of us. Only fleeting elevator rides now.
I step back, and a shaky sigh leaves my lips. Waving, I watch them leave. Evan is the last. He looks over his shoulder one last time. I clutch my hands together, and when they are out of sight, I spin and look around my now-empty studio. Yes, it’s messy. In fact, I should have been more panicked that I have to clean up by tomorrow, but thankfully I decided to splurge and hire a cleaner.
I begin to tidy some of the pieces the cleaners aren’t expected to do, like folding up the trestle table the food was on. I have a few minutes before they are due.
There’s a noise at the door, as expected; the cleaners must be here. But when I look, I do a double take. My heart plummets and my body temperature rises.
Bobby.
Chapter 34
Chelsea
There’s no one else here but me and him. Suddenly, the room feels oddly still and cold. I’ve never feared for my life until today. The way his pupils dilate sends a chill down my spine.
I concentrate on breathing slowly and steadily, so he can’t see how rattled I feel.
“What are you doing here?” I say, keeping my voice steady and in control.
“No hello?” he sneers, goading me.
Straightening my shoulders, I bite back. “You put a private picture of me in the newspaper, so I think we can skip the pleasantries.”
He steps closer to me, eating up the space between us like I’m his prey. “Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea,” he mocks. “There’s no need to get snappy.”
My heart pounds powerfully, but I keep my back ramrod straight. His feet continue to step closer, but mine stay glued to the floor.
I can see the purple under his eyes, his hair limp and without styling products, his top has a coffee stain, and he's wearing a pair of basic blue jeans. This image of him before me is so unlike him. His usual immaculate image has fallen from grace.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
He flashes me a deranged smile. “To see you.”
He's in front of me now. I should run. But I freeze the moment his hand touches my arm. I try to tug it out of his grip, but it makes him squeeze it tighter, and my eyes prick with tears.
“You’re hurting me,” I whisper-shout as a tear leaks from my eye. My strong facade falls as soul-deep fear courses through my veins. Is he going to kill me?
Tears sprinkle my cheeks, but an inaudible gasp leaves my mouth when I see a blurry Evan behind him.
A new thought hits me. Evan’s going to kill him. No. I can’t have Evan go to jail.
Evan holds his index finger to his lips in a shh motion. My eyes flutter and roll as the hold Bobby has on me is bruising; he’s never inflicted this much pain before.
My heart rattles inside my chest like I’m sprinting instead of standing here, unmoving.
Tears continue to roll over my cheeks and down into my mouth. I taste the salt.
“Why are you crying? I thought you loved me?” he taunts, his voice tight and strained.
I hold his eyes as I say, “I thought I did.”
His face darkens into a scowl. “You loved me before he had his turn with you,” he spits venomously.
My heart is racing so fast it causes pain to hit my chest. I feel like I need oxygen; I’m lightheaded.
In the distance, heavy footsteps enter the studio, and an unfamiliar deep voice speaks. “You are under arrest, Mr. Cox. Anything you say can and will be used against you.”
“You fucking bitch,” he snarls, sending a spray of saliva in my face. I wince as it hits me, recoiling as sobs rack my body.
Someone touches my arm, and I instinctively try to hit it away, terrified it’s Bobby. I thrash around in panic.
“It’s me,” a voice repeats over and over.
Evan’s voice penetrates through the noise. I stop flailing and wipe my face one last time.
Blinking, I turn toward him. “Shell, it’s me, baby.”
My body is overtaken with a fresh wave of uncontrollable sobs.
“You’re safe now.”
He sits on the floor in his suit.
“You’re going to ruin your suit.”
“Fuck my suit. All that matters is you.”
His words sting, but it’s a different kind of pain. I want him, but one touch will make it harder to leave.
“Come here. I’ve got you. Lean on me.” He guides my arms around him. His familiar touch and spicy scent wash over me like a warm blanket.
My arms circle his neck, and he wraps me in his embrace. He holds me until there are no more tears, but my breath is still shaky.
When I’m spent, I slowly peel myself away. Our faces are an inch apart, his eyes scanning mine. His hands gently cradle my cheeks. I stare into his familiar handsome features, his square jaw visibly tensed.
Old familiarity and yearning crash into me. His lips part, revealing his white teeth, and I realize he’s talking.
“Okay?” I catch the end of his sentence.
“Better now,” I tell him.
He nods. “Are you ready to go home?”
He must sense my hesitation.
“My house. I need to hold you.”
I need to stay strong and say no.
“We sh⸺” I start.
His eyes call to me, making him irresistible. “Please. We can just talk. I can-n…” he stammers, shaking his head and running a hand through his hair.
If I thought Bobby shook me up, the pained lines on Evan’s face and his rigid posture show he’s struggling with what happened too.
“Let's talk to the police, and then I’m taking you home.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
I nod. “Take me to your place. But⸺”
I can talk to him. A hug would be nice too.
He tilts his head when I leave him hanging.
“Bourbon and Chick-fil-A are also required.”
His lips twitch. “You got it, baby.”
His affectionate words seep into my body, bringing a warm welcome I’ve been craving from only him.
Chapter 35
Evan
Witnessing Bobby’s filthy fucking hands hurting her and then the spitting in her face sent the pulse in my temple ticking and my hands curling into fists. He’s so fucking lucky the police intervened; otherwise, I would’ve beaten the shit out of him. What a deplorable human being.
Thankfully, my security guys have been keeping an eye on him and alerted me. They called the police first. I was walking my family to their cars before I was going to go back and talk to her, when I received the call and rushed back inside.
Chelsea’s fearful face flashes before my eyes. I hold her closer in the back of my private car, taking in her sweet scent. A sense of comfort washes over me, but it’s still not enough to just hold her. I need her to be okay. I can’t let her go.
Marriage. Kids. We need to talk about it, in the safety of my home.
My heart pounded at the sight of her happy face earlier today. She saw the people who want her to succeed. And then fucking Bobby comes along and ruins it all.
She deserves to know there are many people who love and support her.
She’s slumped beside me, as if she needs me to hold her up. It’s like the adrenaline has worn off and her body is fatigued.
I cradle her like a precious shell in the ocean—Unique, gentle, and beautiful.
She shines a light on me. I was in the dark ripple of the sea, unable to see or feel my way out of it. Now I found her, like my way back to the shore. She’s the one I can’t live without.
Her body shakes with fresh shivers. “Are you cold?” I ask, pulling her closer, letting her nuzzle into my body.
She moves her head. “No,” she murmurs, her breath tickling my neck.
The car arrives at my house. “We’re here,” I whisper against her.
She pulls away to sit up, looking a bit dazed and very tired.
“Wait there,” I say, quickly exiting the car and rushing around to her door. In a hurry, I rip the door open and sweep her up in my arms, carrying her like a delicate flower. A whoosh of air leaves her mouth, but she doesn’t resist. Her head rests on my shoulder.
