The Billionaire's Claim: Obsession

“If it’s Annabelle Underhill, I’ll take care of it,” Elliot says.

I cringe. I hope it doesn’t involve publishing another lurid article about how she and he did something inappropriate together. “How about Mira? Didn’t she know?” I ask, in case we’re overlooking her.

“She did,” Ryder answers, “but she wouldn’t spill the beans. Her agent contract came with an ironclad NDA. She might be a backstabbing bitch, but she wouldn’t do something to make me an enemy for life.”

Suddenly the line beeps. I sigh. F

inally, Lucas.

“How the fuck did you get this to leak?”

“Hello, Lucas,” Elliot says to his twin with a deep sigh. “I didn’t realize you were going to join us.”

“I wouldn’t normally, but did you have to fuck this shit up? What the hell is wrong with you guys?”

“Inbox bursting with marriage proposals?” Blake says.

“No. I was on the verge of… Fuck!”

“Just tell her the truth and get her to sign an NDA and prenup,” Ryder suggests. “Women aren’t stupid. They’re gonna know if you’re faking affection.”

“Can’t. It’s Ava,” Lucas says.

Oh no. Ava and he used to be so close…until he had the accident that left him scarred and limping, and she vanished. Apparently my anonymous hint about her whereabouts worked, but I didn’t realize he was thinking about marrying her…and apparently because he really wants to, not because of the portraits. Although I’m certain Ryder and Elliot both love their wives dearly, their marriages did start out on a more…transactional basis.

“I’m so sorry about that,” I say. “But we didn’t do anything.”

“Oh, I know you didn’t, Elizabeth,” Lucas says. “But Ryder and Elliot?”

“That’s not fair,” Ryder protests. “You think I want this shit out there?”

“Don’t you? It gets you media attention.”

Ryder’s laugh is harsh. “‘Media attention.’ I’m already world famous, in case you’ve forgotten.”

“Stop fighting,” Elliot says. “We have to do damage control, and it’s got to come from me and Ryder.”

“I’m supposed to trust you guys now?” Lucas snarls.

“We’re the ones who are married,” Elliot points out. “It’ll sound better coming from us.”

“So categorically deny everything?” his wife, Belle, asks.

That poor woman. She’s probably overwhelmed by all this. Paige is much calmer. She knows what kind of a circus something like this can become, having worked as Ryder’s assistant for years.

“No, that would be a lie,” Blake says thoughtfully. “It’s always best to fight truth with truth.”

Lucas says, “Not a terrible idea, except the truth doesn’t help us here.”

“Everyone knows Elliot isn’t the type to marry just to get a painting,” Blake counters. “And Ryder wouldn’t marry his assistant over something as ridiculous as this…and start a family.”

“Think that’ll be enough?” I ask.

“It has to be. It’s the only thing we can say.”

“It’s all about the delivery,” Ryder says, all professional and actor-like now. “Definitely no written statement, at least not on my part. I’m scheduled to be on a bunch of talk shows this week to start laying the groundwork for promoting my next movie. So I can mention something there. Very casually, but with enough scorn to make people feel like idiots for believing the rumor.”

“That’s all fine and good, but when we get our paintings a year after all of us are married, it’s going to confirm the rumor was right,” Lucas says.