Wife Wanted (A Billionaire Bad Boy Romance)(30)

 

***

 

Riley grabbed Ben by the arm and dragged him out into the hall. “I’m leaving. I can’t stand listening to that damn man prattle on any more about my grandfather. And why the hell is Diane here? I thought you checked the guest list before we left?”

 

“I did. And I have no idea. But you need to relax, seriously. If you bug out now, the board members will throw a fit, and I’m not covering for you.”

 

“Fine, but I need a break for a few minutes.”

 

They strolled down the hall until he heard voices. Linda had disappeared to the ladies’ room what seemed like an hour ago. She was there as Ben’s date after Riley spent an hour convincing them both that he didn’t mind if they dated. As long as he didn’t catch them doing it in his office, he couldn’t care less. They turned the corner to find Linda sitting on a bench with—

 

“Anna,” he breathed and put his arm out to stop Ben.

 

But they had drawn the attention of the ladies, who both turned.

 

“Ah, there you two are. I was beginning to think you’d run off and left me,” Linda said.

 

“Wait,” Ben whispered as the two women headed over. “Did you call her Anna? Is that the Anna?”

 

Riley nodded as his chest tightened in panic. He didn’t want her to know who he was yet. She was the one woman lately who had treated him normally, not like she was going to eat him for dinner. If she found out who he was, it could ruin everything.

 

“Ben, where’s my champagne?” Linda asked, frowning.

 

But Anna wasn’t watching her face. She was too busy staring at Riley.

 

“I’m sorry, I must’ve forgotten to have Frank get it,” Riley said, smacking the real Ben on the arm as he spoke. “Frank, it seems you were to fetch your date champagne.”

 

Linda glanced between them, confused. Riley raised his brows and subtly tilted his head towards the young woman standing at her side. Thank God his assistant was smart. “Yes, Frank, you did forget my champagne.”

 

“What are you doing here, Ben?” the woman in black asked.

 

“Anna, I’d like you to meet my associates, Frank and Linda. We’re attending the function for our boss.” The real Ben shot him a look but didn’t say anything. If they could just keep it together for a few moments, he could sneak out and vanish. This was getting too dangerous too quickly. If the wrong person walked down the hall or saw him at all, the charade would be over, and he had a feeling Anna would disappear.

 

“Nice to meet you, Frank. Linda was telling me how horrid these things are. I guess your boss makes you three come instead so he can lounge about at home?”

 

Ben and Linda smirked at Riley as he faked a laugh. “Yeah, something like that. Are you here with someone then?” Riley asked.

 

Phoebe cringed a bit. “Yeah, I am, sadly. The guy from the other night? Giving him a second chance.” Her eyes darted around nervously, as if she was worried he’d appear beside them. Riley stood straighter at her words and tried to keep the smile on his face. So, she was here with a guy. A guy that, the last he had seen, was not making her very happy.

 

“Second chance, huh? Well, I hope he really deserves it.”

 

“Don’t you think everyone deserves a second chance?”

 

“Depends on what they’ve done. Last time I saw you with him, you were pretty upset and I was ready to kick his ass if he followed you out of that place,” Riley said. Why was he getting so worked up? He hardly even knew this woman. Maybe she liked men like that. In that case, she certainly was not his type.

 

“Maybe you just don’t understand the circumstances,” she said hotly, cheeks flushing in anger.

 

“Fine, then, maybe I don’t. Either way, I still don’t think you should be here with him.”

 

“I didn’t give you permission to dictate my life.”

 

“You didn’t,” he agreed.

 

“Good. Then maybe you shouldn’t.”

 

They stared at each other for a long moment before Ben cleared his throat. “So, you two known each other long?”

 

Riley saw Anna’s lips twitch before she started to laugh. He joined her, and they shook their heads. “No, we met last week—briefly, but it was still quite an adventure.”

 

“Never been rescued by a pirate before,” she added, pulling her cell from her purse. “I should really get back inside before he comes looking for me, not that anyone in there actually misses me.”

 

“Why don’t you just stay out here and hide a bit longer then?” Riley suggested.