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

A hand weighed heavy on Edward’s shoulder, prompting him to turn and meet his father’s eyes. His left brow was raised ever so slightly, and he gave Edward a grave look.

“We need to talk.”

“What is all of this?” Charles asked with a look of disdain as he cast his eyes about the penthouse suite. Sam hastily collected the belongings he had scattered across the floor, his face almost entirely red, while Edward strode to the couch and collapsed. It was a relief to be back in familiar surroundings and he could not help but smirk at the sight of Sam, scrambling on the floor like an insect, trying to clear up the clutter.

“You two are not schoolboys anymore. Whatever games you’ve been playing, they stop now,” Charles said sternly. The doorbell rang, and Charles took the liberty of opening it before Edward could move from the couch. He looked out of the large pane window and sighed, watching the pine trees blowing in the wind, obscuring his view of the traffic.

“I came as soon as I heard.”

Edward rolled his eyes with a groan. The last thing he needed was his perfect brother turning up. He put on a fake smile and turned away from the window.

“Baby bro, nice to see you turn up to the party.”

“This isn’t funny,” Charles said. “We are all concerned about you.”

Edward rubbed the back of his neck, as he watched David cross the room, and Anthony come into view.

“Oh great,” he moaned. Anthony’s face was beetroot red and he was out of breath, as if he had forgone the elevator and charged up the staircase without taking in any air.

“I’ve just got off the phone to Catherine,” he said, his fists clenched. Edward’s ears pricked up.

“Is she alright? Is she at her parents’ house?”

Anthony scowled at him, his forearms tensing.

“I should have finished you off when I had the chance.”

Charles turned and looked icily at Anthony, who flinched under his gaze.

“And what is that supposed to mean?” he asked. The weight of his question hung in the air as Anthony struggled to find words. His mouth gaped open and his beady eyes flew around the faces in the room, then his eyes settled on Edward.

“Sam told me about the pathetic wager, you know,” he spat, giving Edward a filthy look. Edward clenched his jaw and rose to his feet as he shot a look at Sam, who averted his gaze.

“Anthony and I had a––disagreement––the other day,” he said mildly as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

“Disagreement? You’ve been sleeping with my cousin!” Anthony shouted furiously.

“Now wait, I can vouch for Eddie. He’s done no such thing,” Sam piped up, with his hands raised.

Anthony’s anger simmered, then his brows knit together as he looked down in thought.

“But he’s been playing her,” he said, his voice a little less strong now. Charles closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment.

“Do I want to know about this wager?” he asked.

“Probably not,” David said in a low voice. Charles looked up at him in surprise.

“You knew about this?”

David’s face reddened and he gave a short nod. Charles started to pace the room.

“Edward, I’ve lost count of the times you’ve got yourself into trouble. But David? I never expected you to have any part in this.”

Edward strode to the bar and pulled out a bottle.

“He had nothing to do with it father,” he said with a sigh. “Sam and I had a little bet that I couldn’t find a woman to fall in love with me if I wasn’t rich.”

Charles stared at him blankly, as if the information was still processing, which gave Edward the opportunity to pour drinks.

“You think love is a game?” Charles asked, finally. Anthony nodded furiously as he swiped a glass from the counter and chugged the drink down in one.

“Tell me, what was this master plan of yours? Win the girl and then break her heart?” Charles asked. Edward glanced at David, who shifted his weight and looked away, uncomfortable.

“No,” he said lamely. He took a drink and walked to the window. “I don’t know what my plan was. When I met Catherine at the side of the road I wasn’t even thinking about the challenge.”

“You what?” Anthony said, his breaths were heavy and labored as he marched over to him. “Side of the road? I introduced you to her, after the concert.”

Edward turned to meet his gaze and shook his head.

“No.” He sighed, swirling the drink in his glass. “Her car broke down. She was soaked to the bone, waving her arm in the air in the pouring rain.” He smiled to himself as the memory flashed before his eyes. “I had no idea who she was. After I got the car running again, I asked her out.” Anthony opened his mouth affronted but Edward raised a hand. “She said no, of course. But suggested that if we happened to meet again, it would be Fate and she’d agree to a date.”

“Fate.” Charles hummed. “How poetic.”

Edward took a sip of his drink as Sam and David had their own private conversation in the corner of the room.

“What are your intentions then?” Anthony asked hesitantly. Charles heaved another sigh and settled in one of the armchairs by the window as Edward rolled his lips inwards and bit down.

“Truth be told, I’m quite fond of her,” he admitted.

“Then what were you doing, racing across the city in Sam’s car, almost getting her killed?” Anthony shot back; his bushy brows raised high. Sam’s head popped up at the sound of his name and he walked over nodding.

“Yes,” he said, “I would like to know that as well.”

Edward leant over and rested his elbows on his thighs. His mind was spinning from the interrogation, and he wondered if Catherine was safe. Was she thinking of him? Would he ever see her again?

“As I explained on the