Going Down Easy (Billionaire Bad Boys 1)

Her breath left on a harsh exhale. “And you think I stole it?” she asked, her voice cracking along with her heart. “How could you accuse me of something like that?”

He strode around the desk, crossing his arms over his chest, mimicking her stance. “Because I know for a fact I saw the timepiece Saturday morning, and you were the only one to enter the apartment between the time I left and when I reached for it the next morning.”

Not the only one, she thought, realizing that her sister had not only been with her but she’d entered the bedroom while Lexie was in the closet. Her body went cold, and fear permeated her insides. Oh my God, no wonder Kendall’s behavior had changed the minute they’d left Kade’s place. Kendall had been antsy and claimed she had a headache and needed to lie down, but instead she’d gone out to meet her new boyfriend. Could he have something to do with her sister stealing? Kendall had her issues, but she’d never resorted to theft. Then again, Lexie didn’t know how much money Kendall owed on her recent purchases.

Nausea filled her throat.

“Nothing to say?” Kade asked sarcastically.

“I didn’t take the watch,” she said, hearing the pleading in her voice. “I swear. But—”

He held up a hand, cutting her off before she could explain. And she was going to do just that. Tell him all about Kendall and beg him not to press charges because her twin was sick and needed help.

“No excuses. I don’t want to hear them. This is all I needed to see.” He pulled his phone from his back pocket, hit a few buttons, and held it up in front of her eyes.

There, on the screen, was a photo of Kendall, in the same clothes she’d worn Saturday, holding hands with a man who must be her boyfriend. “That’s—”

“You and Julian Dane, the man suing me and my partners. I have eyes,” Kade said, not withholding the sarcasm.

She let out a sound of distress. “No,” she whispered, the pieces of a puzzle she hadn’t known she was putting together finally falling into place. Kendall’s new boyfriend, Jay, was Julian.

“Yes. I know everything. You’ve been a busy woman, screwing me at the same time you’re fucking him,” Kade spat.

She flinched at both the ugly accusations and the cold, unfeeling tone of voice. It was as if they’d never been intimate, his body had never been full and thick inside hers.

Dizziness assaulted her, and she fell against the desk, needing something to keep her upright. “It’s not me.”

Kade frowned. “Like I said, I’m not blind. Get your things and get the fuck out.”

“Whoa.” Derek walked into the room and slammed the door behind them.

“I can handle this,” Kade said.

“I don’t think so. The whole office can hear what’s going on in here, and you’re not normally one to air your dirty laundry.”

Lexie pulled herself together and stood up straight. “I have a twin.” She cleared her throat.

“What?” Kade spun to face her.

“I have a twin.” She spoke louder. “And I know this looks bad on so many levels, but she’s sick. I can’t explain now but I will. I just have to talk to her first.” She had to find out what was going on and whether Kendall was a willing participant in Julian’s scheme, or if she was being used as well.

Then, once Kade calmed down, she’d have to convince him not to press charges against her twin. She turned and headed for the exit, opened the door and ran out.

Ignoring the stares of the other employees as she passed, she headed for the elevator and took it downstairs.

She couldn’t bring herself to think about the relationship she’d finally allowed herself to have and how it had just crumbled around her. Nor could she begin to process how cruel and mean Kade had been to her, the things he’d thought her capable of. And he’d had good reason to believe them. She couldn’t even call his assumptions unreasonable or overreactions.

God, when would her twin stop messing up the things in her life that meant something to her? When Lexie stopped letting her, a small voice inside her said. Lexie understood, but she just wasn’t sure she knew how to cut the tie that bound them and let Kendall flounder on her own. And once again, that meant giving up her wants and desires in favor of taking care of her sister.

* * *

Kade stared at the door Lexie had just run through, stunned by her words. “A twin? A fucking twin?” he asked, feeling as though he had whiplash.

Derek spread his hands in front of him. “I didn’t know, man. But what are you doing? Go after her.”

Since Kade obviously wasn’t capable of thinking for himself, he listened to his best friend and took off after Lexie. He caught up with her downstairs, as she attempted to hail a cab, but because it was still morning rush hour, fate was on Kade’s side and they were all full.

“Lexie, wait.”