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

the woman who’d made a fake video depicting Maurice as an absentee dad—the Golds had met their quota of dealing peacefully with the media. Any intrusion into Riley’s wedding wasn’t going to go over well, Grace knew that for certain.

“Look, I’ll meet my deadline. That’s all you need to worry about.”

“You’d better, or you’re through. Not only will I never work with you again, but if I’m ever asked about you—”

“Okay, I get it, Eddie. Like I said, the story will be in your inbox by close of business on Monday.” She didn’t wait for Eddie to say another word, but disconnected the call on her own terms. Having him threaten her when the sun was barely up wasn’t her idea of good morning conversation.

She fell back onto the bed, feeling the urge to toss her phone again. But recalling how that had turned out last time, she simply dropped it onto the mattress and closed her eyes. She was definitely going to have a story for Eddie come Monday morning. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the story she’d pitched to him. Well, not exactly. The new angle she’d told RJ she would take on the story had turned out to be a great call. What she’d written so far was informative and enlightening; it was inspirational and touching. Not surprisingly each of the Gold siblings and Chaz spoke not only highly of Ron and Tobias, but also of what the two companies meant to them, to the people they’d ultimately become. She’d felt motivated just writing it, pressed to take everything her parents had taught her about resilience and courage to be the very best reporter she could be. She didn’t want to toss that aside.

She climbed off the bed, went to the table where her laptop was and opened it. Plopping down into the chair, she waited for it to boot up and clicked on the file with her story draft. After reading over what she had so far, Grace knew she couldn’t change it. Not just because she really liked it, but also because it was exactly what she’d promised RJ she would write. It wasn’t the juicy exposé she’d promised the Daily Gazette. It was a story about how RJ’s family had broken the mold of all fashion houses and become number one all while facing adversity. No, she wasn’t going to change a word, not even if it meant Eddie would probably try to ruin her career.

“I dare you to kiss RJ.” Maurice chuckled heartily after saying those words.

Grace froze, obviously regretting choosing a dare over the truth. RJ didn’t move either, but not for the same reason. He’d come into this game knowing exactly what his siblings would try to do. They’d each been on him about what happened in the past between him and Grace. Riley had been especially emotional, which he totally chalked up to her impending nuptials and new outlook on love.

“I don’t think she’s here by mistake,” she’d said a couple nights ago when they were the last two at the table after dinner.

“She’s not. She’s writing a story about our family, remember?” he’d replied, and Riley had smirked.

“You’re a goof, but you’re not stupid. She could’ve stayed in New York and written that story.”

“We’re all here—what better time to come and interview us?” he’d countered.

“There’s such a thing as a phone. Zoom, Skype, email. Besides those other options, she wasn’t guaranteed an interview with any of us. She had no idea we would agree to this story. Yet she used money from her savings to pay for the room and airfare just to spend two weeks on this island.”

“How do you know she used her savings?” Because of everything Riley had just said, that was the most important part to RJ. Grace hadn’t cared that she didn’t make a lot of money being a reporter. Even when her parents had compared her salary range to that of her sisters’, she’d argued that she made enough to live comfortably and that she was following her passion, doing what she was meant to do. And he’d championed her courage and determination. But the thought of her taking any type of financial hit because of this trip didn’t sit well with him.

“She mentioned it the other day when we were having drinks,” Riley had said with a wave of her hand. “But what I’m really saying is that I don’t think she’s here just to write this story and I’m hoping my big brother is smart enough to figure that out himself.”

Riley had left him to stew over that information and he’d been letting it ruminate in his mind since. On more than one occasion when he’d been with Grace at night, he’d thought about bringing it up, but since the night on the yacht, he’d liked the new low-stress caliber of their relationship. They’d been simply enjoying themselves, rekindling the things they enjoyed most about being together. Rocking the boat with questions and talk of where this was or wasn’t going was something he’d decided not to do.

Today, this truth-or-dare game that was meant to pass the time and entertain them may just be propelling them in another direction entirely. It made what they were doing much more public than either of them had probably considered.

“Well, alrighty then,” Grace said and stood from her seat.

She wore white capri pants and a yellow top. Her hair was out today, wavy and hanging past her shoulders. When she walked over to him he wanted to jump up and say something, do something that might take them out of the spotlight. But that would’ve been counterproductive.

Riley and Nina clapped while Major whistled and Maurice stood pumping a fist in the air. They were being ridiculous, and RJ looked at Grace with what he hoped she’d take as his apology for his wacky family. He made a move to stand when she was closer, but she stopped him by putting her hands on his shoulders.

“You don’t