Romancing the Billionaire by Jessica Clare Page A

“He was also drunk as a skunk.”
    She wanted to laugh, but it only made her feel a bit bitter. “So he only brings me up when he’s drunk?”
    â€œThat’s the only time Jonathan ever opens up,” Cade agreed. “The rest of the time, he’s locked down tighter than Fort Knox. If you want to go cliff diving, he’s your man. If you want to talk about feelings, he’s the last person you’d head to.”
    Violet chewed on her lip as she considered this. “Does he have a drinking problem, then? I can’t seem to get him to stop.”
    Cade shook his head. “I’ve known him to drink all of twice in the time I’ve known him. The other time was at his father’s funeral. He was beside himself with grief. Got drunk, talked a ton about you, and then clammed up and refused to speak of anything again afterward.”
    Well, that didn’t make her feel much better. “I don’t know what to do to get him to stop drinking right now. I . . . We fought and I said some harsh things. I guess I hurt him worse than I imagined.”
    He gave her a friendly smile. “I find that hard to believe.”
    He also hadn’t seen Jonathan the last few days. Violet shrugged. “He’s in a funk. We’re supposed to be searching for a message left for us from my father, but Jonathan won’t get out of bed. Or if he does, he heads to the bar. I’m trapped until we finish this.”
    â€œTrapped?” Cade looked curious.
    â€œTrapped,” she agreed flatly. “He’s basically bribing people to keep me at his side, all under the guise of being charitable.”
    â€œThat . . . also doesn’t sound like Jonathan.”
    â€œIs that so,” Violet said politely. “Perhaps you and I should compare Jonathans and see which one is the real one. Because he and I seem to be having a hell of a time together.”
    â€œWell,” Cade said as they strolled across the lobby. “The Jonathan I know is extremely loyal. Very passionate about his work, and willing to do anything to win someone over to his cause. He’s a bit single-minded but a good man. Very intense. Very determined. And a bit of an adrenaline junkie.”
    Okay, so that did sound like him. “Don’t forget the part about not being able to keep his hands off of women.”
    That time, Cade gave her a curious look. “Really? I’ve never known Jonathan to act like that. He’s been groping women in front of you? The Jonathan I know keeps himself closed off. I don’t ever recall him having a steady girlfriend.”
    Her cheeks pinked. He’d been groping
her
, not other women. She thought of the photo in his wallet. No condom, no other women’s phone numbers or pictures stuffed into his billfold. Just a picture of her with zinc on her nose. “Like I said,” she fidgeted. “I guess we’re seeing two different men.”
    â€œStrange,” Cade murmured, but he didn’t argue with her.
    They went up to the bar. It was busier due to the time of night, but Violet still had no trouble finding Jonathan’s table. She just looked for the one with the most bottles in the darkest corner. Yep, there he was. Violet sighed and pointed. “At the table in the back. He’s busy trying to drink himself into a stupor again.”
    â€œDamn.” Cade rubbed his jaw and looked over at Violet curiously. “What exactly did you say to him?”
    â€œIt’s . . . personal. So you’ll handle him from here?”
    â€œYou don’t want to stick around?” He looked surprised.
    Her smile was bittersweet. “I don’t think he wants me around at the moment. I’m sorry.” Violet gave Cade an apologetic look and hustled off before he could ask further questions.
    It was cowardly of her to run, but she couldn’t handle things at the moment. Her mind was spinning. She