After The Los Angeles Billionaires

LDA'

nce and the creepy threats. The image of blood everywhere kept flashing i

hroat tightened, making it hard to swallow. I to

the embossed letters, a cold calculation spreading through my chest. Pablo Ricardo, Coby's unc

mysterious figure, taunting me with cryptic messages? My eyes darted to my

d every detail, every interaction. Who could have uncovered my true intentions?

e shadows cast by the moonlight twisting into

r's text still lin

PLANS LITTLE O

e card he had given me. The phone rang twice before hi

ell

"" he said, his t

ied, trying to sound casual despi

I wondered if I'd misread the situatio

making it sound like a caress. "I di

tricity. "I couldn't wait," I said

. "We should meet up, then," he suggest

racing with exciteme

his voice dripping wi

," I replied, feeling a sen

y spine. "Looking forward to it, Mati

n, of excitement. I was playing with fire, and I knew it. But I could

BY'

I ended the call with Matilda. Our conve

our upcoming meeting. What would she wear? Wou

to make a good impression. My watch glinted

Coby Blackwood, heir to a busine

's text with the address, my phone buzzed with an incoming message from an unknown number.

e, my mind racing with possibilities. I stared blankly at my phon

lled out, "Coby, sweetie! Where are you off to?" I forced a s

another chance! Good for you, baby. Bring her home to us soon." I f

I'm just happy to see you moving on. You deserve it." I hugged he

cked onto mine. "Be careful, okay? You're still healing." I nodded, my throat tighten

ith a final smile, I grabbed my keys and headed out, the m

rooftop bar downtown. My heart skipped

ILDA

My drink, a chilled martini, sweated condensation onto my palm as I gazed out at the view. But my m

he thought sent a pang of guilt stabbing through me, but I pushed it aside with a pract

ing on the screen: "Running late. 10 minutes." A slow smile spread across my face as anticipation

yed on my lips as I recalled the ease with which I'd eliminated him. But my thoughts quickly shifted to Coby, an

quickened, and I turned, my eyes scanning the approaching figure. For a moment, our gazes locked, and my puls

tfit. His eyes met mine, and I felt a sudden jo

wn to him. "Coby," I r

ut inside, my mind was racing. I thought about every word I said, every move I made, trying

would C

would he

aze. Our conversation flowed effortlessl

, pushing back his chai

king the phone from him. As soon as he disappeared into the bathroom, my gaze dropped to the screen. The display flickered to life, an incomi

up, but a text

ilda. Meet me at Midnight Lounge at mi

s that trembled ever so slightly, I swiped the screen, deleting the mes

thing. His gaze landed on me, and a warm smile spread across his fa

h, everything's fine," I said, handing him his phone. My finger

f fear and questions. W

ised his glass, the whiskey sloshing against the sides as his hand trembled

only wanted one thing – my family's money. She played me, Matilda. She made me

He looked away, his shoulders shuddering as he struggled to compose himself. T

nt. Money and revenge drove me, not love.

s around him, pulling him close. His eyes, red-rimmed and desperate, locked onto mine.

he confident stride – all of it fell away, revealing a fractured, vulnerable sou

ords, my tone soothing, reassuring. Coby's eyes clung to mine, hungry for comfort, for solace.

charming facade. My heart remained untouched, b

Coby's ear. "We don't have to go back to our places. Let's get a r

vulnerability. "I don't want to be alone tonight." The

ogether outside. As the door closed behind us, Coby's lips found mine. I met him h

about being seen and understood. Coby's hands cradled my face, his touch was

I responded, my body su

art perfectly – the caring l

rface, my mind tick

where I wanted.

my through identity

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