Heaven or Hell: Loving My Twisted Billionaire novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“What makes you think I give a damn about her problems?” The idea

that Jack thought I might care about Hannah’s feelings was almost as

infuriating as his presumptuous label. “She made her choices. She can

live with the consequences.”

“Understood, sir. Won’t mention it again,” Jack said, his tone

returning to strict professionalism.

I sat back down, forcing my breathing to steady. Why had his words

affected me so strongly? Hannah Lancaster was nothing–a name on a

contract, a vessel, a means to an end. The fact that I’d slept with her meant nothing. The fact that her skin felt like silk beneath my

fingers, that her voice had a cadence that somehow calmed the

constant rage in my head–none of that mattered.

I leaned back, closing my eyes behind my sunglasses. Not that it made

any difference. Darkness looked the same with eyes open or closed.

I was acutely aware of the party continuing around me. Every laugh,

every splash, every clinking glass registered in my consciousness.

A new presence approached–light footsteps, the scent of expensive perfume, the subtle rustle of fabric that suggested minimal clothing.

Female. Confident in her movements. Standing directly in front of me

Chapter 14

now.

“Finn Sterling,” a voice purred, pitched to carry over the music. “The

prodigal son returns–and now in darkness. How poetic.”

I remained motionless, assessing. I didn’t recognize her voice, which

meant she wasn’t in my immediate social circle from before the

accident.

“I don’t believe we’ve met,” I said flatly.

“We haven’t. But I know all about you.” The sofa dipped slightly as she

perched on its arm, too close for comfort. “Your mother’s…

unfortunate accident. Your mysterious fifteen years away before

returning to the Sterling fold.”

Every muscle in my body tensed. My mother was off–limits. The

fifteen years I spent in hell after her car crash–also off–limits. This

woman had just crossed every line.

‘Let’s play a game,” I suggested, injecting false lightness into my

voice. “It’s called Find the Sound.“”

I stood in one fluid motion, my spatial awareness perfect despite my blindness. My hand found her wrist–warm, slender, wearing several

bangles that clinked as I grasped it. With precision born from years of

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Chapter 14

fighting in darkness, I calculated her position and pushed her

backward.

The splash was immensely satisfying.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” she shrieked after surfacing, her

voice now shrill with outrage.

I didn’t respond. Instead, I turned slightly toward Jack. “Give me your

baton,” I commanded, palm outstretched.

I felt the cool metal weight as he placed his security baton in my

hand. It was heavy–meant for enforcement, not guidance. Perfect. I

extended it with a practiced flick of my wrist, feeling the satisfying

snap as it locked into place.

I moved to the pool’s edge, tracking the woman’s location through the

splashing sounds of her panicked movements. With precision born

from years of operating in darkness, I swung the baton down. It

connected with water and flesh–her shoulder, based on her scream.

Her screams echoed through the now–silent pool area.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

“Stop it!” she screamed.

Chapter 14

I increased the tempo, feeling the vibrations travel up my arm with

each strike. “I’m blind,” I said conversationally. “I’m just trying to find

you by sound. Isn’t that what blind people do?”

A smile spread across my face as her discomfort grew. Hannah’s

suggestion about using a proper cane suddenly didn’t seem so

ridiculous. Maybe the assistant wasn’t completely useless after all.

I sensed Jack moving through the crowd, heard him urging people

toward the exits. The party was ending, the mood thoroughly

shattered. Perfect.

“Sir,” Jack murmured near my ear. “Everyone’s leaving.”

The woman was still in the pool, sobbing now. I turned away,

indifferent to her distress.

“Take me to my room,” I ordered Jack. “And get me a proper cane

tomorrow.”

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