The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 94

Orion

The moment I closed my bedroom door behind me, Aveline's question echoed in my head like a broken record.

*Is everything you do—every decision you make, every kindness you show me—is it all for Ryan's sake?*

I'd wanted to tell her no. The word had been right there on my tongue, desperate to be spoken. I'd wanted to say that watching her tied to that chair had made me want to tear the world apart with my bare hands, that seeing her hurt had affected me in ways that had nothing to do with my son's emotional wellbeing.

But I couldn't. The words had stuck in my throat like they were trapped behind some invisible barrier I didn't know how to break down.

I ran my hands through my hair and forced myself to focus on more immediate concerns. Whatever was happening between Aveline and me could wait. Right now, there was a more pressing problem that needed my attention.

Dwayne.

My psychotic cousin was still out there somewhere, probably planning his next move. Men like him didn't just disappear after being humiliated—they escalated. And as long as he was free, Aveline was still in danger.

The thought of him coming after her again made something cold and predatory unfold in my chest.

My phone buzzed, interrupting my murderous thoughts. The caller ID made me pause: Devan Blackwell.

Dwayne's father. My dear uncle who'd been making moves against me in the boardroom while his son was busy committing felonies.

I couldn't help but smile as I answered—it wasn't a pleasant expression.

I grabbed a cigarette from the pack on my nightstand and walked out onto the balcony, lighting it as the phone rang.

"Orion!" Devan's voice was loud and jovial, as if we were old friends catching up. "I heard there was some kind of misunderstanding tonight involving Dwayne and that teacher of yours. Nothing serious, I hope? Boys will be boys, you know how it is."

I took a long drag of my cigarette, letting the silence stretch until it became uncomfortable.

"Nothing serious?" I said finally, my voice deadly quiet. "Is that what we're calling attempted rape now?"

Devan's laugh was forced and dismissive. "Come now, don't be so dramatic. From what I understand, this was just a simple dinner party that got a little out of hand. The woman in question is just a kindergarten teacher, after all—not the mistress the tabloids are making her out to be."

The casual way he dismissed Aveline's trauma made my grip tighten on the phone.

"Let me make something very clear, Uncle," I said, the family title dripping with sarcasm. "I know exactly what you and your son have been planning. Yesterday it was corporate sabotage. Tonight it was assault. Your boy better be on a plane out of the city by morning, because if I find him first, you're going to regret the day he was born."

"How dare you speak to me like that!" Devan's voice rose, all pretense of friendliness gone. "I'm your uncle! Your father disappeared years ago, and your grandfather spends his time chasing women like a teenager! If it weren't for me holding this company together, you'd have nothing!"

His voice was getting higher, more desperate. "I'm warning you, Orion—if you lay one finger on my son over some worthless slut, I'll destroy everything you've built! I'll turn the board against you and watch you lose everything!"

The threat was exactly what I'd been waiting for. Now I had justification for what I was about to do.

"Oh," I said softly, taking another drag of my cigarette. "He's definitely dead now."

"Orion!" Devan's voice cracked with sudden panic. "Orion, wait—"

I hung up and flicked the cigarette over the balcony railing, watching its ember disappear into the darkness below. The city sprawled out before me like a glittering web—millions of lights, millions of people, most of them blissfully unaware of the kind of business that really kept places like this running.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I rarely used, one that wasn't saved in any contact list or written down anywhere.

"It's Blackwell," I said when the call connected. "I need a favor."