Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

"How many times are you going to ask me that?" I replied sarcastically, flashing a grin. "I'm not hiding anything from you... or maybe it's the opposite. Aren't you the one hiding something from me?"

Classic reverse psychology.

But honestly, it was the truth.

I'd known from the start how corrupt Simon was, but I suspected there was more beneath the surface.

From the contents of the SD card I'd hidden during my mission involving Senator Windwood, I'd learned disturbing truths.

I wouldn't be surprised if Simon had committed far worse acts to secure his position.

"Leave," Simon said sharply, glaring at me before motioning for me to exit his office.

I smirked wider at his reaction. He couldn't even answer a simple question. His guilt was as clear as day.

Just as I was about to deliver a sarcastic comeback, my phone buzzed with a message.

[Let's talk. Please.]

"Hah." I scoffed in disbelief as I read the text. It was from Mason.

Noticing Simon watching me intently, I turned on my heel and left his office.

It had been a while since Mason reached out. What could have prompted him to text me now?

Ignoring it, I left the hideout and headed to the company. There were meetings and documents waiting for me before I could finally rest.

"You can go home now, Rita," I told my secretary, glancing at the clock. "You've been working overtime for days. You deserve a break. I'll be leaving soon too." "But ma'am-"

"This is an order," I said with a genuine smile. "Your bonus has been sent to your account. Take the day off."

She looked on the verge of tears as she thanked me profusely. I smiled and shook my head as she left, her gratitude evident even as she walked out the door.

I believe in rewarding hard work.

While finishing up paperwork, my phone rang.

"Are we getting drinks?" I asked cheerfully, only to frown at her reply.

"Ash's drunk as hell," she said casually. "Haze told me he almost caused a scene at the bar before they managed to get him out."

Worry crept over me. Ash had a high alcohol tolerance, much like Haze. For him to get wasted like this, he must've drank excessively.

What was he thinking?

"And... why do I need to know that?" I asked, puzzled.

As if I were his girlfriend.

"Just because," she replied, and I could hear the grin in her voice. "I'm at the bar, by the way, enjoying the show. This is the first time I've seen Ash like this. It's quite entertaining." I rolled my eyes. "I don't care."

She ignored my statement. "I'll text you his condo address if you want to check on him. He's been calling your name nonstop."

"I'm not going," I said firmly, though my conviction wavered.

Why did my feet itch to go there, even though I had so much to do? I stared at the pile of papers I still needed to finish.

"Stick to that," she teased before hanging up.

***

I told myself I wouldn't go, yet here I was at Ash's condo unit. Shaking my head, I saw Haze and Mason struggling to support Ash, who was too drunk to walk.

"They have the weirdest friendship, don't you think?" I told Evangeline as I shook my head. "Their families are enemies, yet they're best friends."

"No one can break those three apart," she replied bluntly. "You're the reason their families fell apart, though. Mason wants to protect you, and Ash's family needs you. Honestly, it'd be better if you just died." She laughed heartily at her joke, earning an eye roll from me. This bitch.

"Shut the fuck up," I snapped, but she ignored me.

"He hasn't stopped calling your name. My ears are ringing," Haze complained as he left the room, and Mason silently followed behind him.

Mason's gaze landed on me, his eyes unreadable.

"Talk to him," Mason told me, his voice serious.

I raised a brow, trying to decipher his thoughts, but his expression gave nothing away.

The only way to figure out what was going on was to talk to Ash.

Even though I didn't want to, I still stepped into Ash's unit. I didn't know he had bought a new place.

"Shit," I muttered as I caught the strong smell.

The scent of alcohol overwhelmed the air freshener sitting on the center table.

Ash was sprawled on the couch. His right arm covered his eyes, shielding them from the fluorescent light. One leg hung off the couch, and the other rested on the armrest. I shook my head at the sight of him.

"Such a pain in the ass," I whispered under my breath as I approached him.

I brushed my fingers through his hair, fixing it slightly. I also adjusted his position, laying him down properly on the sofa so he wouldn't wake up sore tomorrow. My chest ached as I looked at him.

He'd lost weight since the last time we saw each other. His skin was pale, a clear sign he wasn't eating on time or sleeping properly.

"Fuck, couldn't Haze at least clean you up?" I grumbled irritably, noticing his wrinkled white polo shirt and black slacks.noveldrama

I grabbed a blanket and turned down the air conditioning so he wouldn't get cold. He should be fine now... but my heart said otherwise.

I can't leave him just like this.

"Can you take a shower?" I asked, bending down to lightly slap his face to wake him up.

He only groaned softly, turning his head away to avoid my hand.

I froze. With his groan, memories of our last sex flooded my mind; how he'd kept me up all night, only letting me rest when I reached my climax-

Stop.

I shook my head, realizing where my thoughts were heading. I stepped back and took deep breaths, three times, until I felt calm again.

I wasn't here to get seduced. I was here because Haze told me Ash had been calling my name non-stop since he got drunk, and Mason said I should talk to him. Why, though?

Of all people, Mason was the last one who'd want me near Ash. Even before I found out Mason was my brother, he was already against me talking to Ash. That made me wonder if Ash knew something I didn't.

But how could I talk to him in this state?

"No. This can't be," I muttered, realizing I wouldn't get anything useful out of this.

I was about to step out when I glanced back at Ash, who was now sleeping peacefully.

"Hm..." I heard him groan again, his voice tinged with pain and fear.

Before I knew it, I was grabbing a basin and a washcloth from his bathroom. I sat by his side, wiping his face.