Billionaire's Blackmail Bride: Billionaire Brothers Kent - Ridge's Story (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series) Read Online Free Page A

doesn’t it?” Lani’s words came out more as a grumble
than a compliment. It was so unfair. The money had come so easy for this event
– and Lani knew Ridge was spending thousands – but when it came to finding
money for research that could make a huge difference in people’s lives, she
couldn’t get any. Unless, of course, she married a man who was an expert at
working her last nerve. How she would survive a year with him, she had no idea.
    Marie stepped back, her brown eyes glistening as she gazed at her
daughter. “You look so beautiful,” she murmured, her voice cracking. “The
perfect bride.”
    Lani frowned. “Mom, are you crying? Don’t tell me you’re getting
emotional over this. I told you, it’s just an arrangement. We’ll be going our
separate ways in a year.” Then she gave Marie a cheeky grin. “Or less, if I’m
lucky.”
    “I know your situation is a bit…unorthodox…but it’s a wedding. My
daughter’s wedding. I can’t help it if I get choked up.”
    “Just try and hold it in,” Lani said drily. “Please.”
    Marie sighed. “I’ll try, honey, but I’m not promising anything. You
know me.”
    Lani shook her head but she didn’t answer. Yes, she knew her mother
well, like how she would tear up at the drop of a hat. Her mom cried over
commercials, for goodness sake.
    “But do you know what?” Marie continued. “Maybe it’s a good thing
this is happening. You were always so focused on your studies and then on your
work, you haven’t paid much attention to your social life.”
    Lani gave Marie a crooked smile. “You seem to know a lot about my
social life.”
    “I do,” Marie said with absolutely no hesitation. “You’re
twenty-nine, Lani. It’s time you started thinking about your future.”
    “I am thinking about my future. That’s why I work so hard.”
    Marie gave an exasperated sigh. “Let me put this another way. It’s
time you started thinking about my future which, I hope, will include
grandbabies.”
    Lani laughed. “Mom, you're asking for grandkids already? You’re only
fifty-five. You’re not like Dad, who’s already retired. You’re a busy woman.
Where would you have time for grandchildren?”
    “Don’t you worry about that. All I want is for you to start thinking
about family. You’re not getting any younger. Remember that.”
    Lani didn’t bother answering. It was no use reminding her mother
that this wasn’t a real marriage, only a temporary arrangement that would be
over in a year. When she’d first told her about it, instead of expressing shock
that her daughter would even consider such an arrangement she’d looked
relieved, like she was glad there was finally hope for Lani. At the news, her
father had simply shrugged and said, “You do what you have to do.” She had such
weird parents.
    The only sane one had been her sister. Three years older than Lani,
she’d always acted like she was a surrogate mom, dispensing advice like it was
her purpose in life. Of course, she’d had lots to say about the ‘arrangement’.
She hadn’t liked the idea, not one bit, and she’d told Lani so. But Lani had
made up her mind and she wasn’t about to change because Paula said so. It
wasn’t like she ever followed her sister’s advice anyway.
    And just as the thought crossed her mind the door swung open and
Paula stuck her head inside. “Come on, Lani. We’re ready for you. Dad’s already
at the front, waiting to give you away.”
    Those words made Lani’s heart flip over but she straightened her
back and drew in a steadying breath. Then, as her sister held the door wide
open, she walked out.
    “Well, here goes nothing,” she muttered under her breath. 
    ***
     
     
    “You pulled this one out of a hat,” Ransom said, peering into the
mirror as he straightened his bow tie. “Where’ve you been hiding the little
lady?”
    “Oh, around,” Ridge said casually as he relaxed on the sofa and
watched as his older brother finished his titivation