Billion Dollar Beast - Olivia Hayle

1

Blair

I’m at a wedding out of state when I’m confronted with my worst enemy. I spot him before he spots me: across the crowded reception hall, wearing a suit disdainfully, like he wants to shrug it off and transform into the brute he is inside.

Enemy might be too tame a word. Nightmare is a much better description. For a people-pleaser like me, he’s a personal affront. I’ve tried to make him my friend for near on a decade and I’ve failed for just as long.

He takes a sip of his brandy and sweeps a dark gaze over the guests. I’ll be noticed any second now. How had I not known he’d been invited to this wedding?

“Is that Nicholas Park?” Maddie asks at my side, speaking his name with obvious relish. I wish I could say no. I want to tell her that his reputation isn’t deserved, that he’s not that special when you’ve seen him drunk and disheveled.

But that would be lying.

“Yes,” I say, feeling like I’m confirming something far more than just his name. Because even drunk and disheveled, he’s absolutely magnificent.

“Aren’t you two friends?”

“He’s my brother’s friend.”

Maddie’s laughter is a bit too high-pitched. “Well, that’s even better! You have to introduce me, Blair.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not?” Her voice drops. “Is what they say of him true, then? Is it better to stay away?”

“I wouldn’t know,” I say, though I do. It’s definitely better to stay away. I’ve been trying to for the better part of a decade, but like a bad rash, he keeps returning, and there are no over-the-counter remedies in sight.

“I’ve heard that he once burned down a club he owned, just to get the insurance money.” Maddie’s voice is vibrating with delight at the idea of Nick committing fraud. “I had no idea he’d be here today. Did you know he was invited?”

“No,” I say honestly. “I had absolutely no idea. I can’t imagine he knows either the bride or the groom.”

I reach up to run a hand through my hair and glance casually around the room. Nick is leisurely strolling through the throng of people with his glass in hand. Despite his suit, he looks out of place amongst the mingling guests in brightly colored dresses and dark tuxes—like a fox in a hen house. Who’d left the gate unlocked?

“Introduce me, Blair,” Maddie urges again. “Come on.”

And before I can protest, her hand is on my arm and I’m pulled forward on my heels. They dip into the grass with every step I take.

Nick sees us approach, his eyes flitting past Maddie to bore into mine.

Dark, so dark, and not a hint of amusement in them. His lips grow thinner, the rough cut of his jawline working once. So he hadn’t expected to see me here, either.

“Blair,” he says. The gravel in his voice is no surprise to me, but it still makes my stomach tight with nerves.

“Nick.”

Beside me, Maddie preens. I clear my throat. “This is Madeleine Bishop. She’s a friend from college. We both know the bride.”

She extends her hand and Nick gives it a brief shake, face impassive.

“A pleasure,” she says smoothly. It’s her flirting voice—I recognize it from our partying days.

Nick doesn’t acknowledge it. He nods to the bar behind us instead. “The groom was on the thirty under thirty list in Forbes, but can’t shell for an open bar?”

Maddie laughs, like he’s being unbelievably clever. I cross my arms over my chest. “So you know the groom?”

“That’s not what I said.”

“So you’re here on the bride’s invitation?”

His eyes flit back to mine. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” he asks. “But I think I’ll keep you guessing. Ladies, it’s been a pleasure.”

And then he strides off toward the bar without a second glance. Beside me, Maddie turns to me with incredulous eyes. “Wow,” she breathes. “You weren’t kidding. You two really aren’t friends.”

“That’s what I said,” I say tersely, running a hand over my hair again. It shouldn’t be a sore subject. It’s been years, after all, since my big brother befriended Nicholas Park. And still, his dislike of me stings like salt in a never-closing wound.

Maddie takes the hint. “Let’s ignore him altogether,” she says. “They’re dividing guests into teams. Come on, let’s join.”

I take another sip of my champagne and give her a bright smile. We’re at a wedding. We’re here to celebrate love and life and happiness. The sun is shining. It shouldn’t be difficult to put Nicholas Park out of my mind.

“Let’s,” I say.

But as it