Going in Deep (Billionaire Bad Boys 4)

He looked to her for some reaction, but Kendall remained silent.

“Okay, well, as I was saying, I was friends with Billy. We used to… get high together… and he was my dealer. That was the extent of it for me but Billy was in deeper. Anything for a quick buck.”

Kendall swallowed hard. “Go on.”

“One afternoon, I met up with him to score. I had the shit in my pocket and all of a sudden, the cops came out of nowhere. I took off but the cops couldn’t catch me. Billy got popped for dealing and possession. I skated and he went to jail.” Julian shook his head.

Kendall blew out a sharp breath.

Julian went on. “Alex was left as a ward of the state. That was my wakeup call to get clean. Except… I was so wrapped up in withdrawal and my own problems I didn’t give a thought to what happened to Alex.”

Kendall tried to process his words and her feelings. Of course, she felt for the girl who’d lost her brother and ended up in foster care. “What’s going on now?”

“She aged out of foster care and has nowhere to go. She was staying with some kids who got out before her, but it was a bad situation, a rough crowd. They stole the money she’d saved from working. And I don’t think she’s been eating much, either,” he said, lowering his voice.

“She came here?”

He nodded. “I couldn’t very well turn her out on the street or send her back to where she came from, could I?”

“No,” she breathed out, taking in the story and feeling sorry for the young girl.

She also saw yet another side to Julian. A caring, sensitive, selfless side. So opposite of the man who’d callously used her last year. More proof that he really had changed. Was different. More self-aware.

The man she used to know would never have taken in a young girl who had nothing to do with him today. He wouldn’t feel guilty for leaving her behind to beat his addiction. This was the man she cared about.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“That I admire what you’re doing for her.” She felt the smile lift her lips. “That I admire you.”

He blinked in surprise. “You’re not upset that she’s here?”

“What would it say about me if I was?” Kendall asked.

It was his turn to grin. “Thank you.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing it tight.

“For what?” she asked.

“For believing in me.” He met her gaze. “I’m not sure I remember the last time someone told me I did good.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close. Everyone should have someone who believed in them, she thought. Even at her worst, she’d had her twin. “You’re doing the same for that girl. Let’s call her back in so I can meet her.”

Julian gazed at Kendall appreciatively, as if she’d hung the moon. “Alex!” he called. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

An hour later, she’d spent time with the girl who, despite a crappy set of life circumstances, had managed to come out with a positive attitude and a good work ethic. She wanted to make something of herself, did well in school, and held down a part-time job in the afternoons. She’d kept her head down in foster care and lived with a decent enough family—at least until she no longer brought money in from the government.

And she definitely trusted Julian, while he clearly had a soft spot for her, too. He treated her like a little sister, which made Kendall even more eager to meet his real sibling and check out their dynamic for herself.

“I want to meet the dogs at your shelter,” Alex said as Kendall was getting ready to go home.

“Everyone does.” Kendall grinned. “As soon as I tell people where I work, they want to come see.”

“Do you have a day you don’t work after school?” Julian asked.

Alex nodded.

“Then please come by,” Kendall said. “I’ll give you a tour.”

“Thank you.” Alex’s eyes had been sad when Kendall first met her, but now they sparkled with excitement.