A DEAL WITH THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE

gh the endless stream of numbers and calculations. The small accounting firm where she worked wa

ly age. Numbers were predictable and logical, and unlike life, they always made sense if yo

s small construction business went bankrupt. Her mother, once a lively florist, had stopped working to care fo

r, Henry Hart, had always been her hero. He is kind, honest, and hardworking.

hings would get be

sighed, glancing at the screen. It was a message from Layla

you to cover for me tonig

t say no. Layla had helped her family financially more times than Ava co

sponded, resuming her

a jerk, apparently, so he won't

tter of acting rudely to scare off some self-absorbed rich guy, she coul

*

hting, glittering chandeliers, and a pianist playing in the corner

of quiet authority. His dark, tailored suit fit perfectly, and he wa

It was to act rude, send the guy packing

d, feigning indiffere

ending a hand

etic. She ignored his outstretched hand and sat

te," she s

reply. Instead, he studied her for a m

e said finally, sig

not waste time. I'm not interested in whatever game you're pla

in his chair, his expre

she said, waving her hand dismissively. "I'm

; it was a low and amusing s

wasn't going acco

htly. "You think I'm some arrogant billionair

ect." Her resp

, here y

she held her ground. "No

to let him know that both I and Layla

d that you cleared yourself at least,

s. I'm not interested in love, and I doubt you are either. I need a temp

aught off guar

months, strictly business. No feelings, no strings atta

ouldn't know about her fa

e floor. "You have the wrong person, Mr.

ot from a rich family. You probably need mon

ater on the table. "You and your money stink!" The contents o

, she turned and walked out of t

acted faster

*

shoes and headed to the kitchen, expecting to find her parents wa

roze at the si

m; their faces paled with fear. Three men in dark

of the men said, t

forward, her hands trembling. "

d casually, inspecting the bat in his

I will surely pay for this month," Ava stammered, her mi

bills, sweetheart. Your daddy owes a

of his good organs. That will p

was not funny as the one talking

that she can be activated." He raised

n him and her parents. "I'll get t

her. "You've got one week. If we don't get t

ally, tears stream

left without another word, their hea

s, her hands shaking as s

e breaking. "I'll fix this. I promise."

on her shoulder. "Ava, you've don

d find a way to save the

lding her parents close, on

en C

wasn't sure she could afford to walk away again. H