Heaven or Hell: Loving My Twisted Billionaire novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Finn’s POV

The bass pounded through my skull like a second heartbeat. Even

blind, I could sense the garish lights flashing across the water, feel

the oppressive humidity from the heated indoor pool. All around me,

bodies moved their laughter, their inane conversations, their

splashing–each sound a separate assault on my heightened senses.

But the word echoing in my mind drowned everything else out:

transaction.

Fuck transactions!

My entire life had been reduced to a series of cold exchanges–loyalty

bought, services rendered, debts collected. Even my return to the

Sterling family had been nothing but a business arrangement.

I’d foolishly thought Hannah might be different. The way she’d

invited me to join their game at the pool, the sounds she made in bed

as if she actually desired me, the gentleness of her touch–it had

almost felt real.

Then she’d called it a “transaction.” Just another fucking business deal. Another person using me for what I could provide.

Chapter 13

The revelation shouldn’t have surprised me. It certainly shouldn’t

have hurt. Yet here I was, brooding in the corner of a party I despised,

still tasting the bitterness of her words on my tongue.

I remained perfectly still on the leather sofa in the far corner. No one

dared approach. Good. I had no interest in whatever trust fund brats

my cousin had invited to this impromptu pool party. Let them have

their meaningless fun; I had business to attend to.

“Sir.” Jack’s voice cut through the noise, low and efficient as always.

I tilted my head slightly, acknowledging his presence without wasting

words. Jack had been with me for years, first as security for my underground operations, then following me when I returned to the

Sterling fold. He was the only person I trusted completely.

“It’s done,” he said, his breath warm against my ear as he leaned

down. “We questioned Johnson’s son as instructed.”

I felt the corner of my mouth twitch. “And?”

“The illness is fake. He’s been using–meth, mostly. That’s why he

looks like shit. Been playing everyone–the old man, Hannah,

everyone.” Jack placed a phone in my hand. “I’ve got documentation.”

“Play it,” I commanded.

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Jack pressed something on the screen, then described what I could no

longer see: “He’s tied to a chair. Face pretty messed up. Black eye,

split lip. Blood on his shirt.”

I didn’t need to see it. The image formed perfectly in my mind–Peter

Johnson, that pathetic leech, finally facing consequences for

manipulating Hannah. Not that I cared about her, specifically. I

simply despised liars.

“Did he admit it?” I asked, keeping my voice even despite the

satisfaction spreading through me.

“Yes. No terminal illness. Just an addict looking for cash.”

“Did they mention my name? The Sterling name?”

“No, sir. Just as you instructed. Your connection stays hidden.”

I allowed myself a small smile. “Jack, your methods are getting more

effective.”

“Thank you, sir.” He paused, and I could hear him shift his weight–a

tell that meant he had something else to say, something he thought

might displease me.

“Out with it,” I ordered.

Chapter 13

He cleared his throat. “There’s one more thing. About Hannah–about

your future Mrs. Sterling.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. I stood abruptly, every muscle

in my body tensing.

“What did you just call her?” My voice dropped to a dangerous

whisper.

Jack shifted his weight. “I just meant… the way you’ve allowed her to

stay at the mansion, sir. I thought perhaps she was different from the

others.”

“She is not my future anything,” I snarled, fighting to keep my volume

under control. “She’s a surrogate. A tool. When she’s done her job,

she’s gone. Is that clear?”

“Crystal clear, sir,” Jack replied quickly. “I was going to ask if you

wanted us to help her get revenge on Johnson’s son as well. Given

their history and how he’s been using her.”

Heaven or Hell: Loving My Twisted Billionaire

Chapter 14