Hacking Mr. CEO (Billionaire Heists #3) by Anna Hackett

Boone stepped closer. “I’ll go with Mama to the hospital, and take her to the safe house when she’s released.”

Mav nodded. “And I have a team en route to collect your brother and the kids.”

Remi nodded tiredly.

“You’re staying with me,” Mav added.

She met his gaze for a long beat. “Okay.”

Over the next thirty minutes, Mav dealt with the cops and firefighters. Remi hugged all the kids and helped load them into a black van that had arrived, driven by Mav’s security team.

She had an intense conversation with Steve before the family left.

“Get your things,” Mav said.

He followed her up the stairs to her loft. He eyed her small space, liking the industrial vibe, and all the color.

Pure Remi.

She packed a small suitcase, and then put her laptop into a bag. She looked exhausted; her face was smeared with soot.

“Come on, angel.” He led her out to his car.

She was silent on the ride to his place. He turned onto his street.

“You live in SoHo?” she said.

“Yes.”

He pulled into the garage of his building and grabbed her bags. She looked around. He pressed a button for the elevator.

She eyed him. “I thought you’d go for sleek and modern.”

“I’ll show you Zane’s place sometime.” Mav shrugged. “I like a little history. I like this place. It’s solid, sturdy. I like the cast iron buildings in SoHo. This one dates from the late 1800s.”

They stepped into the elevator. He touched the button for the fifth floor of the seven-story building.

“Do you own the entire building?”

“Yes, but only live on the top three floors. The rest is rented.”

“Only three floors. Got it.”

“I hear that sarcasm.”

The doors opened into his living area, and her lips parted. She walked in, taking in the brick walls that had been painted white, contrasting with the black frames around the windows. She wandered to the black-tile fireplace.

“This is the Great Room,” he said. “Or at least that’s what the designer called it.”

She looked up at the skylights. “It must be drenched with light during the day.”

He nodded.

She wandered into the kitchen and gasped. “Naomi would love this. Wow.” She turned taking in the gray, floor-to-ceiling cabinets, the enormous island topped with black stone.

On the other side of a long, rustic table was another fireplace. She glanced out to the terrace—there was an outdoor table, and chairs clustered around the outdoor fireplace.

“How many terraces?” she asked.

“Six.”

“Jeez.”

“Come on. I bet you’d like a shower.”

She nodded, not bothering to hide her desire for that.

They headed up the oval-shaped staircase, also in black. He saw her taking it all in. Strangely, he felt nervous. He wanted her to like it.

She paused at a window. It gave a perfect view of the cobblestone, SoHo street below, and the row of historic buildings lining it.

He hadn’t wanted to be on top of a skyscraper. He hadn’t wanted his home to feel like a hotel.

“I like your place, Mav. It feels like home.”

Warmth filled him. He led her into his bedroom.

She scanned the huge, gray bed, the gray walls, and the large rug and two comfy armchairs arranged in front of the fireplace.

She smiled and pointed. “You brood here, right? In front of the fireplace.”

He set her bags down and slapped her ass. He was glad to see her smiling. “I don’t brood.”

She snorted.

“Get in the shower. I’ll make you some tea, or something.”

“Tea? Do you know how to make tea?”

“How hard can it be? Hot water and tea leaves.”

She snorted again.

“I see your sass is returning.”

She met his gaze. “Because I feel safe. And I know my family is safe.” She swallowed. “Thank you, Mav.”

He felt itchy. “It’s nothing.”

“Not to me. To me it’s something.” Her face hardened. “The Shadow tried to kill my family.” The words exploded out of her. She threw her arms up. “God, that asshole.”

“Hey.” Mav took her hand. “Your family is fine.”

“I’m going to make The Shadow pay. For this, for whatever he has planned. You and I will track him down and skewer the prick.”

“I like you bloodthirsty.” It beat shell-shocked and worried. “Now, go and clean the soot off. You hungry?”

“Mav, it’s four AM.”

“So?” He often stayed up working late, and ate at odd hours.

“Can you even cook?” she asked.

“I’ll try not to kill us.”

With a smile, she wandered into his bathroom. He heard her moan. “Look at this marble. And this bath tub.”

Smiling, Mav headed to the kitchen, fighting the knowledge that she was in his bathroom and taking her clothes off.

He blew out a breath. She was hurt. Upset. He wouldn’t take advantage.

It might kill him, but he’d take care of her, and nothing else.





Remi


I stepped out of Mav’s amazing shower.