He Wants Her Back: The Billionaire’s Leading Lady Novel by Jasmine

A ruby for your time

“Talk to me Lily, what’s wrong?” I asked, my heart speeding up. Was she getting tremors again? Or did she get violent like she did sometimes. Lily sounded too calm for the latter.

“Mum’s fine.” She assured me and I let out a big breath, dropping into the chaise by the window. Tim sorry, I did not realize my phrasing would send you into a panic. Mum’s okay for now at least.” I listened to her shuffling feet and then she whispered. “She’s taking a nap.”

“What’s the problem then?”

1 called a call from the facility, Dad’s release date has been confirmed. They wanted us to know incase we wanted to pick him up.” My blood ran cold

“Why did you say this news could be good or bad?”

“Well it’s bad because_Dad. But the good thing is, we know how long we have till we move or have to play happy family with him again.”

That was true. He didn’t know we were responsible for putting him in jail which meant he would expect us to be waiting with open arms. I didn’t think the man would be eligible for parole. He was the only beastly man I knew of. Images of him bashing mum’s head against the door entered my head and I winced.

“I’m sorry, I was just trying to lighten the mood.” Lily apologized, the network breaking her words.

“It’s not you, love. How far away is it?”

“Two weeks An extra day to get here if he still remembers us. I’m kinda hoping he hit his head in jail and forgot he has a family.”

I sighed. “We can only dream. Thanks for letting me know. How are you?”

“You’re welcome. And we don’t have to do this ‘how are you‘ thing everytime I call. I’m fine, and I know you’re a busy woman, so I’ll let you get back to it. Love ya!”

The cell went dead in my hand and I let out another sigh.

Lily’s own way to avoid telling me what was going on with her.

As I made the salad, I could only think of my father. Mum was in the state she was because of the multiple head injuries she sustained before we put a stop to his tyranny. If he was back in our lives… We really needed to get away.

I set up the dining table, pouring cranberry juice into my own wine glass before I hid the large container at the back of the drawer. I figured I needed a substitute for wine while Pierce was around. The red color would fool him.

By

By the t

time I was through with the arrangements and clean up, all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and try to come up with a solution to all my problems.

Unfortunately, at the time Pierce had said he would come, the doorbell rang.

1 pulled the apron off my neck and tossed it in the kitchen before I ambled to the door. As always, Pierce

looked immaculate. My hands were around his neck before I realized it.

Pierce seemed taken back by the action as well but recovered quicker than I did. He planted a kiss on the side of my mouth before I stepped away from him.

My father’s impending release had me more frazzled than I thought.

“I take it you liked the ruby.” He said smugly, as I moved back to the dining area silently, taking my place while he removed his jacket behind me..

He glanced at my mellow face briefly before he dug into his meal.

Quickly, my mind strayed back to my father. What if he met with his old gang members and learned that we were the ones that had tipped the FBI on his operation? Moving houses would not be enough to save us. I moved my food around my plate, my mind, a million miles away.

“How was your day?” Pierce asked suddenly, startling me. I looked up confused, not sure I heard the words correctly. He cocked a brow but didn’t stop chewing.

“How was my day?” I repeated dumbly.

you had a terrible day.”

“You haven’t said a word since we started eating, so I assume you had a terrible

That didn’t explain him asking about it. I hadn’t said a word… That was it. On a normal day. Bad or good. I wuld be talking nonstop from the door way. Telling him about how my day went unprompted, making conversation enough for the both of us. My silence today was likely unnerving. I realized that I still hadn’t answered the question.

“Good, my day was good.” I replied quietly and stared down at my meal. Still untouched. I stabbed some peas with my fork and raised it to my mouth. Pierce was looking at me expectantly.

elg

I sighed, dropping my fork and tried to rack my brain for what happened before I got the call from Lily.

“Had breakfast with Hannah as usual..we talked about getting me a new role, did some shopping, that’s about it.”

“I wanted to talk to you about that. I know your production is rounding up gossip and dreams. I’ll talk to Murphy about fitting you into one of his other running series.”

I should be thankful. A guaranteed job, still with this studio. I didn’t know if Hannah would be able to find suniething good for me but I could not help but think about his ruby comment when he had entered the apartment. He thought the hug meant I had accepted his gift and was ready to stop throwing a tantrum like he assumed I was. So fitting that he mentioned this role, after Tami showed in his life. An extra gift from him to appease

“Is that supposed to be another ruby necklace?” I said, my voice not betraying my growing irritation, I lifted the fork to my lips. “Your way of sating your ‘attention seeking mistress.” I bit into my food.

He dropped his fork. “I see you’re still throwing your tantrum.”

Ishrugged, 1 guess your ruby didn’t do the trick.”

“Say what you want then…. “how long do you want to drag this on?”

asking

I thought about asking him for money, it was what he assumed my problem was anyway. Nothing would not change his opinion of me. and if I asked, I could help my family.

A ruby for your

No… It would just create more problems for me. Pierce considered me property. And I could argue that, except I had collected a huge sum from him when mum’s kidneys failed, not to mention the money he randomly sent to me. If I got more money from him. There would be no way to break out of his hold.

“Well?” He asked exasperated.

My mind strayed to dad again. All the beatings and Insults mum had taken. I knew he held something over her. It could not have been money, maybe he threatened all our lives? Was that what kept her prisoner to him all those years. Would I be a prisoner to Pierce? I knew he would NEVER treat me like my father treated my mum. But he had my heart. How much more damage could he do unknowingly?

“Myra, don’t expect me to beg you to take my money.” He spat.

I placed my fork across from his on the table. “If I paid you what I owed, would you let me go?”