Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

"IN A BAD mood again?" asked Haze when he saw me at the shooting range, practicing. Every shot I fired hit dead center on the target.

I kept imagining Ash as the one I was shooting at, which is why I didn't miss a single shot.

"Hey, damn it! I was just asking!" he complained when I suddenly pointed my gun at him.

He raised both hands as if surrendering, even though I'm not a cop.

"Then don't ask," I said coldly, avoiding his gaze.

I set the gun down on the table and grabbed some wipes from my bag to clean off my sweat. I've been spending most of my days at Parker Company, working my ass off.

I missed shooting practice, so I came here today.

I also needed stress relief. I was about to go to a bar to find someone to f. uck or at least give me some pleasure, but I remembered my last attempt. By some awful coincidence, I ended up inviting Ash, so I decided against it.

I couldn't forget the expression on his face at that time... or the hardness I felt poking against my thigh. Remembering that made me grab the gun again and fire off another round.

When I ran out of bullets, I threw the gun to the floor in frustration.

"Why are you here?" I asked Haze, annoyed. "I don't want company right now. Leave."

That wasn't true. I feel so alone... and I hate that I can't call or visit my kids.

Someone is following me. No matter how careful I am, I'm terrified someone might find where I'm hiding my children.

Haze was about to say something, but I grabbed a dagger from the table and threw it in his direction. He froze as it landed near his foot.

I already told him I'm pissed. I'm angry about everything happening in my life. I'm angry because my mind is filled with questions, but I can't find any answers.

I fucking hate feeling so lost... and betrayed. Too much information-from my father to Ash's strange behavior-I don't even know where to start.

"Why is it that whenever you're upset, you take it out on me?" Haze asked again as he sat down beside me.

"Why is it that every time I'm annoyed, you're the one I see?" I retorted with irritation, glaring at him. "Are you here to look for Evangeline? She's busy working on a new drug. You can't reach her."

He laughed, then casually propped his feet up on the coffee table. This guy always made himself at home, no matter where he was. I felt like kicking him.

"I know. Evangeline is my business partner, Sapphire. I'm more updated on her life than you are," he said smugly, shrugging. "I came here because I wanted to see you."

"Hey, I'm off-limits. I wouldn't entertain you even if you offered me a million bucks," I replied with a grin.

I remembered when he once told me he liked me, so I cut him off early.

His laughter grew louder at my comment. "Don't flatter yourself, Sapphire. That was back when my standards weren't as high. My type in women has changed-what the fuck."

He froze mid-sentence when I threw my shoe at him. Haze, being quick, caught it and tossed it back. I laughed lightly, catching it before putting it back on the floor.

After that, there was a brief silence. I liked it. I leaned my head back on the couch and closed my eyes, but within seconds, Haze spoke again.

"I've got a problem," he admitted.

Like me, he was looking for someone to talk to.

"So do I," I replied immediately, opening my eyes. "My problem is your existence," I added, seeing his forehead crease in annoyance.

I smirked. This guy was so easy to tick off. No wonder he and Evangeline got along back then.

"Fuck you. You're useless to talk to," he snapped, making me burst into laughter as I looked at him.

"As if you're any better," I shot back. Mimicking his move, I propped my feet on the table too. "Spill. Stop beating around the bush. I already know it's about your love life."

He seemed surprised, and I just shook my head. Typical of him. "You're disgusting. Serves you right for all the women you've hurt."novelbin

Karma is a bitch, as they say. You never know when the good or bad you've done will come back to you. Sometimes it strikes when you least expect it, and in ways you'd never imagine. It's powerful. It can work for you... or against you.

"Maybe this conversation is good with alcohol, don't you think?" I suggested.

He nodded, so we went to a bar and rented a VIP room before talking.

I wasn't surprised. Haze wasn't just anyone. He was a cut above the rest of us, thanks to his family of politicians. He couldn't drink casually at the bar like I did. He had to be discreet.

He was drinking beer while I sipped on wine. I was pacing myself tonight. I didn't want to get clumsy and wasted like last time.

"It's about Harriette," he opened up after taking a shot.

I already knew. She was all he ever worried about these days. Ever since he saw her, he couldn't get her out of his mind. What bothered him more was that his charm didn't seem to work on her.

I understood her, though. She was in a tough spot, focusing solely on her mother. Haze, an influential heir who never faced hardships, wouldn't get that.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I don't know how to win her over, damn it," he said, running his hands through his hair before continuing. "I mean, I've done everything I know how to do. What doesn't she like about me? I'm handsome, smart, rich, kind-" "You're a liar," I interrupted, frowning.

He had me until he added "kind." I couldn't hold back and had to cut him off.

"I'm being serious."

He looked at me, clearly troubled. He ran his hands through his hair again and rubbed his temples, showing how stressed he was.

I'd never seen him like this over a woman-not even when he liked me. He used to move on easily. But this time was different. It had been a while since he started feeling this way about Harriette. He had finally met his match. Poor Evangeline.

"I've never felt this way about anyone else but her. I've tried getting her out of my system, but I just can't..." He took another drink and lowered his head. I sipped my wine before speaking.

"Maybe it's just lust," I teased with a grin.

"If it were just lust, I'd have solved this ages ago," he shot back, glaring at me.

I just laughed. Of all people, he came to me with this problem, knowing I had no real solutions. Did I look like I had a functional love life? Should I hit him with my glass for giving mixed signals to my cousin?

I chose to keep that thought to myself. It was their lives, after all.

"If she won't agree to come with you willingly, blackmail her. It works," I said in a low, serious tone.