Free Very Bad Billionaires by Alyse Zaftig, Meg Watson, Marie Carnay, Alyssa Alpha, Cassandra Dee, Layla Wilcox, Morgan Black, Molly Molloy, Holly Stone, Misha Carver

who doesn’t come with real feelings. That way no one else can get hurt.”
    “No. I’m not leaving without you.”
    “I’m not your ward anymore. You can’t order me around.”
    “I’m not ordering.” He fell to his knees in front of her and her mouth fell open. “I’m begging. Come home with me, Bryce. Let me make this right.”
    “I should say no.”
    “Don’t. Please, just hear me out.”
    Bryce swallowed and glanced up to see the EMT with his phone out, holding it in front of him like he was taking a picture. Or a video. Shit . The tabloids. The news. The thought of Alston’s reputation and his business ruined because she wouldn’t get in his car. “Alston, get up. That jerk is taking your picture.”
    Alston turned to the man and waved. “I don’t care. Let the whole world find out about us, Bryce. Let the whole world see how much I love you.”
    Bryce blinked and sucked in a breath. What? “You can’t do this to me, Alston. You kicked me out. You called me…terrible things. And now you just waltz up here like I’ll take one look at you and melt into your arms?”
    “No. I’m asking you to give me a chance.”
    “I don’t know if I can.” She glanced up at the paramedic as he held the phone up high. They’d be all over the news. If Alston didn’t get that phone away from the guy, everyone would know they were…what? Lovers? Exes?
    Alston stood up and she could see the anguish in the lines of his face and the pain in his eyes. Without the calm mask he always wore, he was raw. Vulnerable. Insecure. She swallowed. He’d just risked everything for her. Told her he loved her on camera. Probably made the wannabe paparazzo rich. As she let out a breath, Alston stepped closer and took her face in his hands.
    “I’m sorry, Bryce. If you’ll come back to the house, I’ll explain everything. Why I doubted you. Why I don’t let anyone in. Please.”
    Her eyes flitted to the side and the EMT.
    “I love you, Bryce Meadows. And I don’t care who knows it.” Alston surged forward and kissed her. Hard and hot. She didn’t know if his proclamation of love in front of the world was enough. But it bought him a chance. She owed it to him after that.
    He pulled back and she grimaced. “I don’t need to read the tabloids to know what they’ll say tonight.”
    “Let them talk. Just say you’ll come.”
    She nodded. “I will.”
    Alston turned to the paramedic. “She’s coming with me. Your services are no longer needed.”
    Without another wasted second, Alston escorted her to the waiting car. She slid into the passenger seat and laid her head back. It was just a conversation. She could always leave again. If it went south, maybe she’d help herself to another car.

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Bryce sipped a coffee as she tucked her legs underneath her on the couch. Alston had brought her home, ushered her into the living room, and buzzed Malcolm to bring a tray before she’d even had time to breathe. And now she sat across from him, waiting for the answers to all her nagging questions.
    As Malcolm slipped out of the room, Alston gave her a small smile. “I know you’ve always wondered why I’m so closed off. Why no one’s ever been a part of my life until you.”
    She nodded and took another sip.
    “It’s because of a woman. A girl, really.” Alston clasped his hands in front of him and rested his forearms on his thighs. “Bianca MacMillan. I haven’t said her name out loud in a very long time. Our families were neighbors in the Hamptons, and we spent every summer together. When we were both seventeen, we started dating in secret. Both our families had great dreams for us—matches that would advance the families, not our personal happiness.”
    Bryce blinked. He didn’t get to choose his spouse? “That’s awful.”
    Alston shrugged. “That’s wealth. Anyway, we…became involved in some heavy things. She introduced me to bondage, domination, more. She liked to be controlled and