Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

“Yes.” Jace did not appreciate the way Allison twisted the words “maid” and “Ella” into something that sounded low. His shoulders tightened, wanting to protect Ella from words she'd never even hear.

Allison dissolved into laughter. Her shoulders shook with mirth and she nearly fell off the desk. Jace stared at her until she caught her breath, completely at a loss as to what was so funny.

“Oh, Mother's going to be so pissed,” she gasped, holding her sides and wiping tears from her eyes. She took a deep breath, noting Jace's confused and concerned expression. “I'm sorry. It's just that Mother hates Ella. More than hates. Hates isn't even close to the loathing Mother feels.”

“She hates Ella? Why?” Jace asked.

“Something to do with Ella's father. I've never really understood it,” Allison shrugged, some of the laughter fading from her eyes. “She blames Ella for everything wrong with her life. Ella doesn't deserve any of it.”

That certainly explained why Delores had told him Ella was engaged. He had to wonder what Delores wasn't capable of.

“So I should cancel my plans to ask Delores for her permission to date Ella, then?” Jace asked with a wink.

“Oh, that would be priceless. Mother would flip!” Allison dissolved into another fit of giggles. “It's basically her worst nightmare and she would deserve it. Especially after all this.”

Jace couldn't blame her for the slight bitterness in her voice. She had every right to be angry with her mother for what Delores had demanded she do. He decided to ignore the small slight to his ego.

Allison checked her watch and jumped off the desk. The heel of her shoe landed crooked and she stumbled instead of landing. Jace reached out for her, pulling her to him and keeping her from falling. Her perfume was too sweet for his taste, but it wasn't awful.

“You okay?” he asked, making sure she had her feet firmly on the ground before letting her go.

“Yeah.” Allison blushed a deep crimson, but pushed him away. She was done trying to seduce him. “Thank you.”

“Thanks.” He turned for the door, pausing to look back. “Do you want me to storm out angrily or just walk out looking incredibly pleased?”

“You'd do that?” Allison asked, her face lighting up.

“Sure,” Jace said with a smile. “It'll get your mother off your back and mine. If she thinks you've succeeded, then we're both off the hook.”

“Then looking pleased would be great,” Allison replied. A little more tension melted out of her shoulders and the worry in her eyes lessened. “I can't thank you enough.”

She pulled out a tube of lipstick from her pocket and held it up. She waited to put it on, making sure he nodded before she did it. The kiss on his cheek was chaste.

“We good?” Jace asked, loosening his collar and running his hands through his hair.

“We're great.” Allison nodded, tangling her own hair with her fingers and skewing her clothing to make it look freshly put on. “Good luck with Ella. I'll make sure she has the day off tomorrow.”

Chapter Twelve

At least the kitchen fire was out. It had only been a small grease fire and nothing serious.

Ella pulled her hair back into a ponytail and hurried down the hallway. She still wanted to check the chairs one last time and needed to make sure the florists had the centerpieces set in the reception area. Then she was due up in the Bridal Suite to check on Madelyn and make sure everything was going well upstairs before the ceremony.

“Excuse me, miss...”

Ella turned to see a man in a dark suit with a thin tie. She recognized him from the other day when the billionaire family arrived. She was in a hurry, but she would always make time for customer service.

“How can I help you, Mr....?”

He ignored her attempt at a name. “Do you know where I could find Delores Phillips? She is the owner of this inn, correct?”

“If she's not in her office, I'm not sure where she is. If you give me a message, I'd be happy to deliver it for you,” Ella offered.

“Thank you. I've been unable to get in contact with her,” the man explained. “If you could please give her my card and inform her that it is of the utmost importance that I meet with her, I would appreciate it.”

Ella carefully took the card from the man's hand. The IRS logo was stamped large and black in the upper corner.

“I will do so. Is she in some kind of trouble?” Ella asked, uncertainty twisting in her stomach. For the millionth time, Ella wished Delores would let her handle the finances. Ella handled everything else, but she knew Delores would only hand over control of the inn's money over her dead body. And probably not even then.