The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 201

201 A Tense Alliance and a Lingering Threat

“Intervene with Alistair. Drive me home. Any of it.” (1

“Mr. Everett,” Sebastian’s voice was deceptively calm. “I suggest you consider Ms. Shaw’s words carefully. Some battles aren’t worth fighting.”

We rode in silence for several blocks, the city lights casting moving shadows across his sharp profile. I noticed the driver watching us discreetly in his mirror and wondered what he thought of this strange conversation.

“Thank you,” Cora said softly. “I appreciate the ride.”

“I noticed,” Sebastian’s mouth curved in a grim smile. “He seemed quite determined not to let you leave with me.”

“I reminded him that I could destroy his sister’s life if he pushed me,” I explained quietly.

“He backed down.”

My head snapped up. “You heard that?”

“Insurance fraud,” Sebastian mused. “That’s quite serious leverage.”

Sebastian’s face remained impassive, but his knuckles whitened slightly on the steering

wheel.

My phone buzzed in my purse. Vera’s name flashed across the screen, and I quickly

answered.

“Am I?” I murmured, more to myself than to her. “Goodnight, V.”

“It’s not like that,” I hissed, acutely aware of Sebastian’s presence in the front seat. “He

offered me a ride home.”

“I will,” I promised.

The car fell silent again. I could feel Cora’s curious gaze on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet her eyes. The weight of everything-Alistair’s threats, Sebastian’s protection, my own weaponized secrets-pressed down on me.

She stepped out of the car, then leaned back in. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Sinclair.”

“Alistair has always been possessive,” Cora broke the silence, patting my hand

sympathetically. “Even back in college. Remember how he’d show up to ‘surprise’ you at every study group?”

As I stepped out into the night air, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant had shifted between us. Sebastian Sinclair wasn’t just offering me a ride home-he was offering me protection, alliance…and perhaps something more.

“We’ve arrived, Ms. Cadwell,” the driver announced as we pulled up to the entrance of

the Grand Palace Hotel.

Before I could answer, the car stopped in front of my apartment building. Sebastian

turned to face me fully for the first time since we’d left the venue.

“Sebastian Sinclair?” Vera’s voice rose an octave. “Well, that’s an interesting

development.”

“And he’s threatening to appeal it?” Sebastian’s eyes met mine briefly in the rearview.

mirror.

Sebastian was quiet for a moment. “Would you prefer I hadn’t?”

“I make it a point to hear things that might affect people I care about,” he said simply.

“On the contrary,” Sebastian replied. “I know exactly what I’m doing. Do you?”

“And now?” Sebastian’s question hung in the air between us.

“You barely know me,” I pointed out.

Cora squeezed my hand. “Call me tomorrow, okay? We’ll catch up properly.”

I gave it to him, then added, “You didn’t have to do this.”

“Hey,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Sebastian settled into the driver’s seat and adjusted his rearview mirror. His dark eyes

locked with Alistair’s for a moment before he lowered the window.

I nodded, grateful for her attempt to normalize the situation. “He called it romantic. I

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called it checking up on me.”

I nodded stiffly. “Just a week ago.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Sebastian replied. “But sometimes it’s good to have allies.”

“Likewise,” Sebastian replied politely. “Safe travels back to New York.”

“Your address?” Sebastian asked after a moment.

The intensity in his dark eyes made my breath catch. There was something dangerous there, something that both frightened and thrilled me.

“Good,” Vera approved. “Save the big guns. But seriously, are you okay?”

hung up and dropped the phone back into my purse. The car was filled with awkward silence. Sebastian had heard everything, of course. There was no way he couldn’t have in the quiet confines of the vehicle.

laughed humorlessly. “Is that what you call threatening to expose my ex-sister-in-law’s crime? Grace?”

I glanced toward Sebastian, who was pretending not to listen while driving with perfect concentration. “I’m fine. Just tired.”

I sighed, rubbing my temple. “I already had the pleasure of his company. I’m in Sebastian’s car now.”

“The cancer fraud evidence? You finally used it?”

“Take a right at the next light,” Sebastian instructed his driver. “We’ll drop Ms. Cadwell at her hotel first.”

“Self-preservation,” Sebastian corrected. “He gave you no choice.”

Without waiting for a response, Sebastian raised the window and pulled away from the curb. The smooth purr of the engine was the only sound in the car as we left Alistair standing alone in the dark.

“I know enough,” he countered. “I know you’re talented, resilient, and dealing with a difficult situation with remarkable grace.”

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36

## Hazel’s POV

“Where are you?” Vera demanded without preamble. “That ass Alistair is still lurking outside the venue. I think he’s waiting for you.”

“I’ve had practice,” I replied, reaching for the door handle.

“Call me tomorrow,” Vera insisted. “And Haze? Don’t let him get to you. You’re free now.’

Alistair stepped toward the car. “You don’t know what you’re getting involved in, Sinclair.”

“He confronted me outside,” I admitted. “Made threats about appealing the divorce.”

“That bastard!” Vera’s outrage echoed loudly in the quiet car. “What is wrong with him? Hasn’t he done enough damage?”

I sighed. “No. Not if he’s smart. But Alistair isn’t always rational when it comes to me.”

“And you accepted?” Vera sounded impressed. “Good for you. But listen, be careful. Alistair looked unhinged. He was asking everyone if they’d seen you leave.”

“Men often confuse control with love,” Cora said, shooting a glance toward the front seat as if checking Sebastian’s reaction.

After a moment of tense silence, Sebastian spoke. “So, the divorce is final?”

“He won’t,” I replied, staring out the window at the passing city lights. “Not if he values his family’s reputation.”

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