Going Down Easy (Billionaire Bad Boys 1)

“What’s with all the racket?” Her twin stepped out of her room wearing an old sleep shirt and a pair of sweats. “Oh! Who’s this?” she asked, pushing her hair out of her eyes and looking Kade over, appreciation in her gaze.

Lexie drew a deep breath, aware of his large, looming presence behind her. “Kendall, this is my … boss, Kaden Barnes,” she said, deliberately keeping things professional. “Kade, this is my sister, Kendall.”

“Nice to meet you,” Kade said, stepping up beside Lexie.

Her twin’s eyes popped open wide. “Oh. Hi. Well, then, I’ll just leave you two alone.” She spun around with the obvious intention of closing herself back in her room.

“Kendall, we need to talk to you,” Lexie said.

Her sister’s steps slowed. “I’m not feeling well,” she mumbled without turning back to face them.

“I’m sure you’re not,” Lexie murmured.

Kade put a hand on her shoulder, and despite the absurdity of the entire situation, she appreciated his attempt to support her.

“Come on, Kendall. Let’s all sit down,” Lexie insisted.

Shoulders slumped, Kendall followed them over to the couch, and they all settled in, Kade in the big club chair in the corner.

“Kade, really, I can talk to her alone,” Lexie tried once more.

“No.” He remained in his seat, but he didn’t attempt to lead the conversation, allowing Lexie to jump in.

“Kendall, what do you know about your boyfriend?” Lexie opted to start with a broad question and not an accusation. She’d get there. Somehow.

“Jay?” Kendall asked, clearly startled by the subject. “I told you. We met at the gym. He’s been good to me. Well, until yesterday,” she muttered. “Haven’t heard from him since I saw him on Saturday, and he hasn’t replied to my texts about being in the hospital on Saturday night,” she said, obviously hurt by his neglect.

Lexie shot Kade a concerned glance.

“What’s Jay’s last name?” Kade asked her.

“Dane. Why?”

“I’ll explain in a minute.” Lexie closed her eyes and shook her head, wishing she’d asked that question sooner. Still, there was no telling whether she’d have made the connection.

Now for the tougher question. “Did you steal—take—Kade’s watch off his dresser yesterday?” Lexie asked.

“What? How could you even ask me that?” Kendall jumped up from her seat, hurt in her eyes. “Lexie, really? You’re accusing me of stealing?”

“Sit down,” Kade said, speaking up for the first time. “And have some respect for your sister by telling the truth. If you don’t want me to call the cops, you’ll talk to us.”

“Kade!” Lexie didn’t want him attacking her twin.

“Pussyfooting around isn’t going to solve anything. Kendall, did you take the watch?” he asked her.

Her sister’s shoulders slumped again. “Yes, okay? I overspent on a credit card and—”

“I thought you cut up all your cards,” Lexie interrupted.

“Yeah, well, I got another one,” Kendall said without meeting Lexie’s gaze. “And things got out of control. You won’t give me more than t

he bare necessities to live. Dad wouldn’t help me out. I was desperate. Jay said you wouldn’t miss it if I took a little something,” Kendall said, shaking as she spoke.

She lowered herself back into her seat, head hung low.

“How did Jay know anything about Kade at all?” Lexie asked.

“He asked a lot of questions about you,” Kendall said to Lexie. “He wanted to get to know me better and was interested in my family. Why is that a problem?” she asked defensively.