Married in Name Only

“Then let’s do it,” she urged. “What’s a few days? I swear, every issue will be waiting for us when we return, so we might as well ignore them for a bit.”

Ryder reached up and smoothed her hair from her face. The wind kicked up and wrapped them in the evening summer air. What she wouldn’t give to be somewhere else with him right this moment instead of in Houston where her father was out on bail and no doubt ready to fight, where there was an unidentified dead body that her father was framed in the murder of, and where the whole financial scheme seemed to touch everyone she knew.

When her father caused a mess, he caused a hell of a disaster. She honestly didn’t believe he had killed someone—he wasn’t vicious. He might be egotistical and greedy, but he wasn’t a killer. Still, he had that black cloud looming over him, and she couldn’t help but worry the drama would trickle down onto her.

The feud between her father and her lover...

Angela closed her eyes and rested her head in the crook of Ryder’s neck. She inhaled the familiar scent she only associated with him and attempted to calm herself.

Would they ever just get peace? Could they ever truly be happy or would something, or someone, constantly be trying to pry them apart?

“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

Angela jerked back, unable to stop the smile. “Seriously?”

Ryder covered her lips with his before easing away just enough to reply, “Yes. You deserve it. Hell, we deserve it. Pick the place and I’ll have my jet ready.”

Ryder Currin was a workaholic, but she also knew he’d do anything for her. She thought herself lucky that Ryder wanted to be with her, considering the feud, but that was just a testimony to how strong their bond was. Angela refused to let anyone come between them, including her powerful father. She and Ryder together were a dynamic couple and could forge through anything.

“Better yet,” he amended, “I’ll surprise you. Give me a few days to get things lined up and some work settled and I’ll take you away.”

Angela couldn’t even explain the excitement that rushed through her. Finally, they were going to escape and just be a real couple with no problems. The idea of getting away with Ryder thrilled her and she couldn’t wait to see where he decided to take her.

Her father had pointed out that Ryder was too old for her, but Angela didn’t care about age. She cared about how a man treated her, how he put her first, and Ryder did just that. He was romantic and loving and selfless...exactly what Angela needed in her messy life right now. Not to mention what she wanted in her future.

But, now that her father was home, she couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t double down his efforts to cause trouble and tear them apart. Even if he was under house arrest, Sterling Perry’s arms reached far and wide. When he wanted something, people reacted swiftly and effectively.

Angela nuzzled back into Ryder and already started a mental countdown to their romantic getaway. She refused to let anyone or anything stand in their way of happiness.

* * *

The bastard was out on bail. How the hell could that have happened?

Oh, right. Money. Something I’d never have enough of to simply pay off my sins and make people drop and obey my every command.

Sterling had to take the fall for murder. I wouldn’t go down for something that I’d done only to protect myself.

Maybe Sterling hadn’t done the actual crimes he was incarcerated for, but he’d sure as hell done plenty of others. He was a complete bastard and nearly everyone could agree to that.

I wouldn’t get caught. I had a plan and nobody would get in my way. Not the police, not Sterling.

I was making my own way through life and it wouldn’t be long before people took notice and respected me.

* * *

Paisley had just slid her satin gown over her head when she heard the chime from the elevator. She glanced to the clock and wondered what Lucas’s version of late actually was. He’d told her she didn’t have to wait up, but it was only eight o’clock.

She stepped into the living area just as the elevator door slid open. Lucas’s eyes immediately met hers and she got that giddy, aroused feeling she always did when she saw him. Maybe that young girl who’d been in love with him was still inside there. She was hopeful something could come from this crazy arrangement.