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

they hiding in one of the laurel bushes to the side. She peered left and right to catch a glimpse of a person running away. But she saw no one. Then, her eyes lowered to her feet and her breath caught in her chest.

“What is it?”

Catherine stood frozen as Johnny swaggered to her side, his heavy breathing grew louder as he passed by and knelt down. When he stood, he turned and held out a single rose to her.

“I’ve never seen a black rose before,” he said mildly. As if there was nothing disturbing about the unexpected gift. But Catherine was not looking at the color of its petals. Her eyes were staring at the small tag, fixed to the thorny stem. She pulled the tag and studied the calligraphy writing on it.

Be home. Tonight. 11pm. Calvin.

Johnny had to leave for a job interview, much to Catherine’s relief. He did not see anything strange or sinister about the rose and she did not want to raise concern. Catherine needed time alone to sit and think. After they said their goodbyes, she sat on the edge of her bed with her head in her hands and groaned.

He’s not going to give me up.

If there was a time Catherine wished magic was real, when she could wave a wand and make all ex-boyfriends disappear, it was now. She wondered why he wouldn’t leave her alone. And why send a creepy message to say he was going to drop by that evening? Most normal people would pick up the phone or send an email. Of course, he couldn’t do that because she had blocked his number and social media profiles.

I ended things too abruptly.

When Calvin showed his aggressive side, she simply cut him off and told him it was over. Then she went on tour and thought that by the time she returned home, he would have gotten the hint.

Not only was he now showing up wherever she went, he was also coming to her apartment and leaving weird gifts. His words echoed across her mind.

“You still have something of mine.”

Catherine searched her apartment for anything that looked like it belonged to Calvin. A watch. Keys. Hoodie. He never stayed over, they hadn’t taken their relationship to the next level so it couldn’t have been a toothbrush or family heirloom. She struggled to work out what he could have left behind and her fruitless attempts to find something left her collapsed in a tired heap on the couch with books and clutter scattered around her.

The phone vibrated on the carpet and she moaned into the scratchy cushion.

“Go away.”

As if to obey her command, the phone promptly stopped. Catherine lifted her head and padded her hand on the floor to grab it. Her fingers curled around the phone and with a heavy sigh she sat up and looked at the screen. She pressed a button to return the call and studied her fingernails as the phone rang.

“Anthony, sorry I missed your call. I was…” she glanced around her messy apartment. “Cleaning up. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, fine.” Anthony sounded a little too breathless to sound convincing. “Listen, remember the friends I introduced you to the other night?”

Catherine’s stomach lurched.

“Yes,” she replied hesitantly. “What about them?”

Anthony cleared his throat.

“Sam owns a club, you see. And I know you’ve been looking for work. I was thinking, I could put in a word and––”

“Oh no,” Catherine cut in sharply. “Ant, I’m an opera singer. I don’t––”

“Now, hold on. Don’t write it off just yet. This club is not like normal clubs. It’s––you know––fancy.”

“Fancy?” Catherine repeated. “I’ve never heard you use that word to describe anything before.”

“I’ve already spoken to him and set something up. You’re not busy tonight, right?”

“You what?” Catherine exploded, jumping to her feet. This was just like Anthony, to stick his nose in where it didn’t belong.

“Come on, it would be good for you to be a little more open-minded. It’s about time you try something new.”

Catherine threw her hand in the air with a dark laugh.

“Funny you should say that,” she began, pacing the room. “I have been trying something––or someone––new.”

There was a silence that followed. Catherine imagined Anthony’s dark eyes flitting around with his brows furrowed as he considered the meaning behind her words.

“I didn’t want to know that,” he said frankly.

“I’ve taken a full-time job at Lincoln Center. And I’m seeing someone new, is what I meant.” She bit her lip. It had only been a few days, but saying it aloud made it sound so much more serious that it was.

“Lincoln Center…” Anthony hummed. “Good for you. Well, come and see Sam tonight anyway, he’s expecting you. As for this fella you’re seeing, anyone I know?”

Catherine chewed her lip for a moment, then exhaled.

“His name is Edward, you know––”

“What! I’m going to kill him.”

Catherine opened her mouth to reply but the phone fell silent. She stared at it in stunned silence, her ears ringing. That was the last reaction she expected from Anthony. Now she knew she had no choice but go to Sam’s club, before Anthony got his hands on Edward.

Chapter Twelve

Things Just Got Complicated

“It’s become complicated, Sam.” Edward dragged his hand through his hair and slumped his shoulders in defeat. Sam was on his back as he lifted weights with heavy puffs of air and groaned as he lowered the bar to its stand.

“Talk to me,” he said, sitting up and taking his flask.

“I’ve already blown the budget – which was stupid and unrealistic by the way – and I can’t lie to Catherine. She’s also got more baggage than I think I can deal with.”

Sam snorted.

“You blew the budget? You’re only four days in.”

Edward nodded towards a carefully wrapped package in the corner of the room. Sam rolled his eyes.

“I see,” he said before taking a swig.

“I met with her ex––”

A spray of water drenched Edward as Sam spat out his drink.

“You – did – what?” he said dramatically as Edward scrunched his face and wiped