Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3) by Lauren Asher

“Shit.”

Cami sucks in a breath.

I put her down. “My wallet is on my nightstand. If you count all my bills correctly, I’ll let you keep them all.”

Her eyes widen. “Really?”

“Yup. But you have to stay in my room until I come and get you.”

“Okay!” Cami squeals as she takes off for my bedroom.

Lana abandons her whipping cream. “What’s wrong?”

“Your sister is outside.”

Lana’s mouth drops open. “Antonella is here?” Her face pales. “Oh my God.”

“You didn’t know she was coming.”

Her head shakes. “No. I thought I made myself clear during our last phone call.”

“Do you want me to see what she wants?”

Her hardened gaze lingers on the door. “I already know what she came here for.”

My brows tug together. “But—”

Her shoulders slump. “Let me go talk to her.”

I step in her way. “Lana.”

She doesn’t look up at me, so I tip her head back.

“Do you want to speak with her?”

Her head shakes ever so slightly. “Not really after she…”

“After she what?”

“Took the last bit of inheritance money I had.”

Fuck. “She stole from you?”

Her eyes drop. “Yes.”

“Is that why she’s back? To get more money?”

“Probably.”

“Do you want me to give her some?”

Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as she shakes her head again.

“What do you want to do then?”

“I don’t know. After the way she talked to me on the phone… I hate seeing her that way. I hate it so damn much, knowing she is struggling and there is nothing I can do to make it better.” Her voice cracks.

My heart feels like Lana wrapped her fist around it and squeezed. “You’ve done everything possible to help her.”

“Then why isn’t it enough to help her stay clean? I’ve done everything. Paying, praying, pleading, yet she always goes back.” There is a sheen to her eyes that wasn’t present before.

“It has nothing to do with you.” I wrap my arms around her.

She places her head against my chest with a sniffle. “I’m so freaking tired of people hurting me.”

The tightness in my chest becomes unbearable. “I’m sorry.” For me. For Anto. And for everyone who has caused her pain in the first place.

The doorbell rings again, followed by hard pounding. Lana flinches against me.

I kiss the top of her head. “Let me go talk to her.”

“But—”

“Just allow me to do this for you.”

She sighs as I release my hold around her body.

“Stay inside.” I reach for the doorknob.

“Cal?”

I glance at her from over my shoulder.

She twists the fabric of her apron. “Thank you.”

“I’d do anything for you.”

Her bottom lip wobbles. “I know.”

I tip my head before walking outside. Antonella tugs at the sleeves of her long-sleeve shirt as if it can hide the track marks speckled across her skin. She looks thinner than ever, with her bones jutting out from underneath her shirt and her brown eyes nearly bugling from their sockets.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she snaps.

“Antonella. It’s been a while.”

She sneers. “Don’t tell me my little sister took you back.”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Like hell it isn’t.” She tries to walk around me, but I block her path.

“Get out of my way.” She speaks through clenched teeth.

“No.”

“I need to speak with Alana.”

I give my head a hard shake. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Because you said so?” Her frown deepens.

“Because you’re strung out.”

Staring into her beady eyes feels like I’ve been thrown back into the past. If anyone understands Antonella’s desperation for her next fix, it’s me. Going through my own shit made me aware of the darkness and self-loathing that fester right below the surface, waiting to be unleashed.

“Like you’re one to judge. Lana told me all about your issue with Oxy. It nearly broke my sister when she realized the man she loved let her down just like everyone else.”

Her blow lands its intended mark right over my heart.

You’re not that guy anymore.

I switch tactics before I lose my cool. “I can get you the help you need.”

There is a certain spark in her eyes. “Like money?”

“Like rehab, therapy, and whatever you need to have a clean start.” I tuck my hands into the pockets of my sweats.

Her head shakes. “I just wanted a place to stay and some money to get back on my feet.”

“I can head over to the motel and book you a room or I can fly you out to a facility and cover the cost, but I’m not going to give you cash.” Doing so would only enable her addiction and hurt Lana even more, neither of which I find acceptable.

Her head shakes, making her thin hair fly. “I don’t want to go to a facility again.”