The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 72

72 A Calculated Distance

Estared at Sebastian’s text message until my eyes burned. The offer of axar servic seemed both thoughtful and threatening at the same time My paranoid mind couldn’t separate kindness from calculation anymore d

After a moment of panic. Itexted back: Thank you, but I already called a taxi. It should

be here any minute *

His reply came almost instantly: *Cancel it. My driver is more reliable.*

The directness of his command made my stomach clench had to hold my ground.

*I appreciate the gesture, but I prefer to handle transportation myself. Thank you

anyway.*

Three dots appeared, disappeared, then appeared again. Finally: *As you wish Take

care. Hazel.*

Lexhaled slowly, feeling like I’d passed some kind of test. Or failed it-couldn’t be

sure.

Instead of heading to the hospital as I’d claimed. I spent the evening pacing my apartment, planning my next move Sebastian clearly wanted to meet with me personally. If I kept dodging him, he’d get suspicious.

By morning, I had a solution. I would send Cherry, my assistant, to meet with him-but not alone. I’d send along Marcus from accounting as well. Safety in numbers.

Tcalled Cherry first.

“I need you to meet with Sebastian Sinclair tomorrow,” I said without preamble.

“Mr. Sinclair? But I thought you were handling that personally

“Change of plans. In dealing with a family emergency” It wasn’t entirely a he My own survival felt like an emergency

“Of course” Cherry said “What do you need me to do?

Just discuss the final details of our contract. Marcus will go with you

“MarcusWhy?

Thesitated “It’s better to have two perspectives in business meetings

Cher’s seemed to accept this xplanation, and we made arrangements for the

meeting: Next Loceded to inform sebastum of the change

My finger hovered over his contact infornuition. Every instinct screamed at me not to

call, but I had no choice I needed to maintainy normalcy

He answered on the second ring. Hazel

Just my natin his deep voice was enough to send conflicting waves of attraction and

fear through ne

“Sebastian “I said, trying to sound casual. “I’m calling about our meeting tomorrow”

How’s your stepsister?

The question caught me off guard. I’d almost forgotten my lie about going to the

hospital

“Not good.” I improvised. “The doctors are saving it’s just a matter of days now.

“Tim sorry to hear that His voice softened with what sounded like genuine

compassion.

Thank you

swallowed hard About tomorrow–I wont be able to make it. I’m

seriding my assistant Cherry and our head accountant Marcus stead

Abeat of sileme

His tone shifted cooler now Perhaps we should reschedule for when you’re

avariable

This wasn’t going as planned. It could be several days before I’m free don’t want to

delay your timeline

“My talehine is flexible where you’re concerned

The stittle emphasis on you sent a shiver down my spine

Tappreciate that but say sister’s condition is unpredictable and iny schedule is packed with the sizing rolleen

doist want to keep you waiting isteriostele

) tried to sound professional, reasonable

sebastian’s voice turned hard “Hazel, has something happened? Have for my family

done something to upset you

My heart raced He was 100 perceptive.

“No. of course not. I said quickly Why would you think that?”

“You’ve suddenly become very formal. Very distant. He paused. “Almost as if you’re

avoiding met

I scrambled for a response. “I’m not avoiding you. I’m just busy.”

“Busy” he repeated flatly Or perhaps suspicious?”

My breath caught. How could he read me so easily?

“I don’t know what you mean: I said

I think you do. Something’s changed.” His voice softened again. “Has someone

suggested my family has ulterior motives in working with you?”

My silence was damning

Sebastian sighed. “I see

“It’s not -” I started but couldn’t finish the sentence What could I say? That I wasn’t

terrified he wanted to harvest my organs or drain my blood? That I wasn’t having

flashbacks to Alistair’s betrayal?

“Don’t bother sending your assistant.” he said, his voice now painfully format. If you decide you can trust me enough to meet in person again, you know how to reach me

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