Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Billionaire's Mask (A Dark Steamy Romance): Kabanata 91 - Kabanata 100

“Guys, wake up! It’s him. Silvanus is calling now; he’s calling,” Pauline says, and I snap out of my dreamless sleep. I roll onto my stomach and find that my head is still resting on Brandon’s lap.I push myself up and realize everyone is gathered in the living room. Jason, Arianna, and the twins are wide awake.“Damn, Pauline.” Casey rubs her eyes and sits up on the sofa. Cassius is next to her.The twins automatically move to her side and stare at the phone she’s holding. It’s as though I can feel everyone’s tension, and my heartbeat accelerates too.“What are you waiting for?” Constantine asks.“Answer him!” Carmelo says.Brandon and I briefly share the same astounded look.“Put it on speaker,” Brandon instructs.“Isn’t he supposed to talk to Arianna first?” Pauline asks anxiously.“Just answer him!” the twins shout simultaneously.“No, no. It’s fine. She’s right,” Arianna says. “He should hear from me first. We don’t want him dropping the call.”Pauline blows out a sharp breath an

BRANDONOne o’clock. Josephine Shaw Memorial Fountain, Bryant Park.From the inside of the food truck facing Bryant Park in Sixth Avenue, Cary and I monitor the satellite covering the front of the memorial fountain. In about three minutes, we should be in contact with Oliver. My left ear gives me the line for Stan, Pauline, and the Wolf; they’re only a few miles behind Pauline as she is getting ready. My right ear offers me Silvanus’s line.In every corner of the streets, people are on standby: walking civilians, a man making out with his girlfriend by a bench, a lady feeding the pigeons, and a man selling hotdogs in a food cart. All of them are Jason’s Wolves in disguise.I tap my earpiece and speak, “Stan, what’s on your view down there?”“We’re still waiting,” he answers. “Oliver should be here in three minutes. I’m looking at Pauline.”I tap another button on my ear to connect with Pauline. “Pauline, do you copy?”“Copy,” she says.“Good. Harry? Can you find Oliver?” I shift my at

ALAYNABrandon’s side of the bed is empty when I wake up. I wanted to think that he’d only gone to his office, but I know today is their operation. I am now sitting with Casey in the living room, watching her brother drag a suitcase in our direction.“Cassius, can you tell us what’s going on now?” Casey asks warily. “Are you going somewhere?”“Not me, we. Pack whatever you can take with you. Clothes, money, passport...” Cassius instructs, and we watch him as he opens his suitcase and shoves some folders into it.“What?!” Casey springs up, shocked. “What’s going on? Where are we going?”“Just do as I say,” he orders.“But can you at least tell us what is going on?” I ask. My heartbeat is accelerating in anticipation. I can’t help but think that this has something to do with Brandon.“Not now. Just do as I say.” He holds up a hand. “We are leaving in an hour.” He speaks to one of the security men and storms out of the house. Cassius is never the kind to rush things, but I can tell that

ALAYNAWhen we return to the hospital, Brandon and the twins visit Pauline’s ward, and I remain in Oliver’s room. I can’t complain about that, even though jealousy hits me every time. Pauline is a human being who needs another human to look after her. It’s only ethical that Brandon would visit her since she almost died, though fortunately, she already passed the critical stage. However, Oliver hasn’t regained consciousness yet, although his doctor has assured us he will wake up soon.I find my siblings in Oliver’s room with Casey and Cassius. I embrace Arianna as soon as I see her. She’s fine, but Jason has a bandage over his left bicep. He’s standing on his own two feet, though, which means he’s okay. His injury doesn’t look very serious, but I can’t help but worry.“I’m perfectly fine, Laynie. It’s just a scratch,” Jason says.I pat his uninjured arm. “We only just met up again, and you’re already jumping on bullets?” I pat him again and again. “Mom’s going to worry.”“Ouch. Your ja

ALAYNABrandon finds me in Ollie’s room when his cousin falls asleep. I am gently patting a damp towel on Ollie’s forehead. He exerted himself earlier while explaining things to me and got really tired.Brandon stands next to his cousin, crossing his arms. “Should I be jealous?” There is a ghost of a smile on the side of his lips.I want to laugh at his joke, but I can’t seem to get myself back in the right mood after everything Ollie told me.“Brandon, can I talk to you?” I say after I’m done taking care of Oliver.His eyes narrow. “I was expecting that.”“But can we talk outside? We might disturb Ollie. I’ll just ask a nurse to look after him.”“No, let me do that. Wait for me and wear this.” He shakes off his coat and wraps it over my shoulder. “It’s freezing outside.”I inhale the fragrance of his coat and sigh at the warmth he transferred to it. “Thank you.”Brandon kisses my temple like he always does, and I’m getting used to it. Now, how can I let this all go? He leaves the roo