Going Down Easy (Billionaire Bad Boys 1)

“Can I help you?” Julian greeted him, arms folded across his chest, dressed for the day in a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt and surprisingly clear-eyed.

Kade brushed past him and walked into his apartment. No way he wanted to have this out in the hall. He waited until Julian shut the door behind him before confronting him.

“I’m here so we can have this out between us. Because only a coward hides behind a woman.”

“You figured that one out, huh? I have to admit it was fun getting one over on you. Did you think I was fucking your girlfriend?”

Kade was too aware of his already fractured knuckles to haul off and punch his former friend. “I’m really glad that gets you off, buddy. Too bad the woman you hurt has other issues. Good job, asshole.”

Julian flinched, and a telltale muscle twitched near his left eye. A sure sign he hadn’t done his homework on Kendall Parker before he’d seduced her and set her up.

“What are you talking about?” Julian asked.

Kade wasn’t about to give away private information. “Nothing you need to worry about now that you used her, dumped her, and she’s completely aware of what a prick you are.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt her,” Julian said, his voice low, looking and sounding more like the man Kade used to know. “She seemed like she was up for a good time.”

“Yeah, well, you never were the best judge of character. Where’s my watch?”

“Gone. I pawned it.”

No shock there, Kade thought. “And the cash? God knows you didn’t give it to Kendall to help pay her debts.”

Julian didn’t reply. Again, Kade wasn’t surprised. He hadn’t come here expecting to get anything back.

“It was never about the money. I just wanted you to know I could get to you. Mission accomplished,” Julian said, sounding smug and pleased with himself.

“What do you want?” Kade asked. “What’s it going to take for you to go away?”

“Finally, he sees reason.” Julian’s eyes flashed dollar signs. The greedy bastard obviously thought Kade was here to cave. “Given what I’ve got on you, I want one-quarter of Blink’s net worth. I was there when the four of us came up with the idea together, and I’m going to profit like the rest of you.”

Kade shook his head. “You were drunk and high when we came up with the idea. No way are you taking close to that amount.”

“Maybe you’re forgetting I’ve got Lila. I can blow your cushy life sky-high.” Julian’s grin exuded overconfidence, and that would be his downfall. “I own you,” Julian said.

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Kade pushed past him, heading for the door. “Nobody owns me but me.” And he knew just what to do to prove it to himself once and for all.

* * *

Lexie couldn’t get out of bed. She wanted to. She needed to pick herself up and move forward, but she decided she needed time to mourn the relationship she’d had, however briefly. Kade had brought something to her life she hadn’t known she needed. She’d spent so much time taking care of her sister and putting her own needs aside she’d almost forgotten she had desires that most women took for granted.

For a short time, she’d enjoyed being the focus of a man’s attention. And not just any man. Kaden Barnes had shown up in her life and turned it upside down. He was unique on so many levels. Intelligent to a degree she couldn’t come close to comprehending. His arrogance was a cover for insecurities over things he couldn’t control. His ADHD, his anxiety, all things that were a part of what made him unique and defined him also set him apart from others.

She was pretty sure he had his mother to thank for making him feel those things made him less than … less than his brother. Less than a man. Ironically, those were the qualities she found his most endearing. He was also generous and giving despite being hurt over and over. He could so easily have pressed charges against her sister. God only knew what that watch cost. But he hadn’t and she’d be forever grateful to him.

Kade deserved a woman who could embrace those things that made him unique, which she did, and be there for him one hundred percent, which she obviously could not. No matter how much she loved him, and she did.

She loved him in a way her younger self couldn’t have imagined, and she wanted to give him everything. But she was pulled in two different directions, the twin she loved, who had no one else by her side, ever present. Always demanding.

As if on cue, a knock sounded on her bedroom door. After Kade had left, she and her sister had both retreated to their own rooms. They’d eaten dinner separately, each alone with their thoughts. Lexie hadn’t been ready to deal with her sister, and she suspected Kendall had been too upset and humiliated by everything Julian had done to face Lexie.

Apparently Kendall was ready now.

“Come in,” Lexie called out, bracing to deal with her sister. She pushed herself upright in bed as Kendall walked in, loo

king no better than Lexie felt.

She still wore the same sleep clothes she’d been in when she’d met Kade yesterday, her hair was a tangled mess, and her eyes were red-rimmed from crying. Lexie had a feeling she was looking in the mirror.