Give Me More--A Sexy Billionaire Romance by A.C. Arthur (detective books to read txt) 📕

While Major looked almost as peeved as Chaz, Maurice’s tone was light. His question was definitely aimed more at RJ on a personal level than the impact of this story on the family.

“Calling the paper insisting that the story be dropped could’ve backfired on us. Eddie Kane, her editor, is known for his exposés and he’s meticulous with details. Fighting him would’ve no doubt been very public and even if we’d won on that front, Grace is a freelance journalist—she could’ve easily taken the story to another paper.” And she would’ve. RJ had no doubt about that. Grace thought this story was going to get her a full-time position, and she was probably right. It was a huge story and if she pulled it off, she’d definitely reap amazing accolades. He wasn’t prepared to take that from her, but his family didn’t need to know that.

“I think it’s a fine idea,” Marva said.

RJ’s attention immediately went to his mother. She wore a white dress with a bold fuchsia floral print tonight, her hair pulled back into a neat bun. She was the epitome of style and grace to RJ, a college graduate and an esteemed philanthropist. When his mother caught his gaze, she smiled and his chest warmed. There was nothing like his mother’s smile—her happiness meant the world to him. Always had.

“Grace is a wonderful journalist,” Marva continued. “She’s always handled her stories with tact and decorum that too many in the media lack. If she’s here to write a story about us, then we should be sure to give her all the facts. It may be our only chance to have a story told the way we want it.”

“Those were my exact thoughts,” Veronica said as she and Tobias arrived.

Tobias King was a tall man who commanded attention with his deep, raspy voice and snow-white beard against a sepia complexion. He was the same age as Ron, who’d decided to go bald and completely shaved his face when his gray had started growing in. Veronica was twelve years younger than Tobias, and the purple dress she wore tonight was a little tighter than the one she’d worn last night. Her golden-hued skin tone complemented the honey-blond curls that fell over her left shoulder.

“I figured it’s good to know what people are saying about you, but it’s even better when you can put the words in their mouth.” Veronica smiled around the table at everyone.

“You should’ve asked me before inviting someone to my wedding,” Chaz snapped, and then turned his attention to his uncle. “Did you know about this?”

Tobias looked grim but added a half-hearted smile to Chaz. “Not until last night, and believe me I told her exactly what I thought about her duplicity.”

“It’s not duplicitous if I came clean.” Veronica signaled for the server.

RJ wasn’t sure where the conversation was about to go but it didn’t matter, because Grace walked up to the table at that moment.

“Good evening,” she said, her tone clear and even, her gaze immediately finding his.

She wore a boho-style maxi dress tonight in a royal blue tone that made her deep mocha skin glisten. He’d always loved jewel tones on her, and she looked amazing tonight with her hair held back behind her ear with a sparkly clip, the rest left flowing in deep waves. He suddenly wished that this was a dinner for two and that there was no story as the topic of conversation, just the two of them having a normal reunion. That thought was interrupted by the sound of his mother’s voice.

“Grace.” Marva immediately rose from her seat. “It’s wonderful to see you again.”

RJ stood and watched his ex-girlfriend walk past him to greet his mother. The hug they shared was genuine. He could tell by the way his mother closed her eyes the moment Grace was locked in her embrace, and how Grace held on to Marva as if she’d been waiting forever for that moment. The sight caused in him an uneasy flicker of sorrow, and he breathed a sigh of relief when they finally pulled away from each other.

“Here, Grace, I’ll move down a seat.” Nina also stood, and RJ’s attention went from the hug to his sister-in-law, who’d been sitting next to him and was now doing the unexpected.

When Grace passed him again it was to smile at Nina. “Thank you.”

“No problem. I’m Nina, by the way. Major’s wife.”

Grace shook Nina’s offered hand and took the seat beside RJ. “Oh yes, I’ve seen a few pictures of the two of you. On your website, of course.” Nina and Major ran the Gold Service, a company geared toward app integration and tech development for the fashion industry. They had amazing new ventures on the horizon. “Congratulations to you and to you, too, Major,” she said.

Major smiled at her. “Thanks, Grace. It’s good to see you again.”

Eventually RJ sat down and more pleasantries ensued as Grace was introduced to Chaz and Tobias King. Ron remained quiet through the ordering of their meal, but as they all sipped their drinks, he finally settled his gaze on Grace to ask his first question of her.

“Why now?” He sat back in his chair.

The senior member of the Gold family wore a tan linen suit tonight, which fit expertly over his expansive build. RJ and his father shared not only the same body type, but their skin tone and deep voices were almost identical, as well.

Desta and Riley had been discussing something while his mother and Veronica were sharing a strained but cordial conversation. All of that stopped with Ron’s question and everyone at the table waited expectantly for Grace’s reply.

RJ waited for some sign that Grace was in distress or felt uncomfortable in any way. The instinctive spurt of protectiveness startled him. He was prepared to jump in and say whatever was necessary to smooth things over between her and his family, but when he glanced at her she was just setting her wineglass on