Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 Laura Burton (books to read this summer .TXT) 📖

“It’s got to be someone linked to Julie, an ex-boyfriend perhaps? I’m hoping you can figure it out?”

To Harry, whoever was behind the threats was either clever or old school. Handwritten notes given by random people and a kid to slash the tires of the car—there was no paper trail to follow. If it had been text messages, it would have been easier to trace, or if the guy faced Harry himself.

“I’m guessing you are going ahead as planned, then.” Harry detected a slight tone of defeat.

“I love her,” he said fervently.

“Sir, forgive me… but you’re infatuated with her. Love is quite different.”

Harry shrugged. “I don’t care what you call it. I’m not leaving her. We’re supposed to be together.”

The corner of Benjamin’s mouth twitched. “Do you think it’s wise to talk about marriage so soon? It has only been––”

Harry rose to his feet and clenched his fists.

“I know what you’re thinking. I know how it looks. But I can’t help the way I feel.”

“I understand, sir,” Benjamin said carefully. “I am merely considering Julie’s feelings. You don’t want to scare her off, do you?”

Harry faltered.

“Do you think she thinks I’ve come on too strong?”

Benjamin raised his hands and shrugged. “I’m just saying, people don’t usually ask someone to marry them on their second date.”

Heat rose to Harry’s forehead. He rubbed the back of his neck and paced the room.

“I don’t know what happened. It was like I wasn’t in my body and I just—”

“Got carried away, sir?”

Harry stopped pacing and slumped his shoulders. He stood less than two feet away from Benjamin and looked at him square in the eye.

“All right. I’m listening. Tell me what to do.”

Chapter Eleven

Foolish Lovers

“Are you crazy?” Emily burst out with her hands on her hips. She stared at Julie like she just announced that she was moving to Mars.

It was the next morning, and Emily had brought over breakfast, clearly as an excuse to catch up on the gossip. Harry had declined the other dates Emily planned and settled the invoice. Now that he no longer wanted to be contacted through her agency, Julie was her only source of information. And the mystery was clearly killing her friend.

Julie wondered whether to let Emily know about the events of the previous night. She gave a play-by-play on the photoshoot; how it went at the opera, how beautiful the orchestra played, the stirring songbird voices, and the heart-pounding tension between her and Harry.

She casually mentioned Harry’s proposal when Emily exploded.

“Look, I know I set you two up, but Julie… you’ve only been on a couple of dates.” She strutted around the room with her hands in the air.

Julie bit her lip. She hadn’t even reached the truly worrying part of the story. How would Emily react when she learned that someone was actively threatening Harry, even vandalizing his car to keep him away from her.

Emily eyed her with scrutiny before she continued. “I’m all for romance. You know that. But it must have been a joke, right?”

“Why would he joke about it?”

“Why would he ask a stranger to marry him?” Emily shot back. Julie cast her eyes to the carpeted floor and chewed her lip. Emily didn’t understand. Of course, she didn’t.

That’s just it… we’re not strangers.

She considered telling Emily that they were old souls. Because that’s exactly how it felt. A couple of old friends reunited after many years; although, there was nothing platonic about their friendship. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of Harry grasping her back when they fooled around in the back of the limo.

“Did something happen between you two? You’re blushing.”

Startled, Julie blinked up at Emily and tried to shrug it off. “I’m not blushing.”

“Then why is your face red?”

“I’m sick,” Julie said.

Sick of this conversation.

“So, how did you leave it? Are you going to this charity event? Did you find out where––”

“London,” Julie cut in. Emily stopped pacing the room and stared at Julie with surprise.

Emily Stewart had perfect brows. Expertly shaped and extremely expressive. Julie often marveled at how they appeared to move independently of each other. Today, they danced through all sorts of positions as she internalized this news.

“Are you flying together? Probably in a private jet, no less.” She flicked her hair back and arched her back as she looked up at the ceiling, as if expecting to see through the top of the building and spot Harry’s private plane.

“So, he’s taking you to England.” She rested her chin on her hand as she paced the room again. Julie could almost see her mind racing with thoughts. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised he’s fond of you. I mean, I am the highest-paid matchmaker in New York for a reason.” She smiled to herself. “But I don’t like how serious this is getting. As your best friend, it’s my duty to let you know when you’re making foolish choices.”

Julie sighed.

“I know.” She studied her fingernails to buy herself time to think of a proper response. Emily was right. They were moving too fast. Or maybe they weren’t, and the proposal was a joke. Maybe she’d made their relationship out to be far more serious than it really was. Her thoughts turned to the threats. Who they were coming from? Were she and Harry better off calling it a day and going their separate ways? She needed someone to talk to about it, someone to help her work out her options.

Resolved, Julie took a deep breath and looked up from her nails to Emily’s expectant face. “That’s not all… Emily, I need to tell you something.”

Julie slumped back in her chair and rolled her head from side to side as she rubbed the back of her neck. The steady hum of the sewing machines in the hall was so loud she wasn’t sure if her ears were actually ringing.

The simple clock hanging up at the top of the hall looked sterile in