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But instead, Mr. Channing nodded.
“Sure. Seven o’clock okay?”
The elderly lady smiled happily.
“That’s perfect,” she cooed. “Now honey,” she turned to me, taking my hand. “We’ll have some quality time to get to know one another. I’m so looking forward to it.”
And with that, the elegant lady was off.
“Bye,” Grayson grunted. “See you tonight.”
I paused after the door shut, taking a deep breath.
“That was your mother?” I asked in a low voice.
“Sure is,” the alpha growled, looking me up and down. “Why? Something surprise you?”
A million things surprised me. Grayson’s mom was elegant and refined, clearly someone who was upper crust. But even more, Rhonda Channing was a perfect nice lady. At least she appeared to be nice, after our inauspicious start. Again, I was in over my head, and wasn’t sure which way to turn.
But the reality of the situation got to me. There was no sense in airing my fears, no sense in trying to figure out if Rhonda Channing really liked me or not. Because it didn’t matter. Ultimately, it didn’t matter because this was just a fake marriage, it’d be over in a month. So I bit my tongue, choosing not to get into it.
“Your mom’s really nice,” I said blandly, clearing my throat. “Real nice.”
The big man snorted then.
“Glad to hear,” he said dryly. “Because it’s just a cover. Mom can drive a hard bargain and more than a couple businessman have had their balls hung and dried by Rhonda”
I could believe it. After all, her son was alpha billionaire Grayson Channing, Rhonda had to have nerves of steel and a will that could bend iron.
But again, what I thought was all pointless. As merely a gun for hire, my opinion meant nothing. So I turned to Gray, pasting a smile on my face.
“Well, have fun at dinner,” I said with as much cheer as I could manage. “I’m sure there’ll be lots of witty conversation, your mom is a firecracker.”
The big man frowned at me then.
“You’re coming, Kitty. You’re invited tonight, you heard Rhonda.”
I laughed lightly, turning to pick up my bag once more.
“Oh no, I figured that was for show. Your mom doesn’t really need to get to know me, it’s just nice words. Seriously Grayson, it’s not necessary, this is one month for cash, remember? Family dinners not included,” I tossed off lightly.
But the billionaire frowned again, expression ominous.
“Stop this shit,” he ground out. “You’re coming.”
But I shrugged him off, turning to leave, my hand already on the door handle.
“No, it’s fine Grayson,” I said, tossing a smile over my shoulder. “This is a fake marriage, remember? I’m a fake fiancée, just a girl you’re paying so that you can get whatever it is you need from your dad’s will. I’m a nobody, there’s no need for me to be there tonight.”
One foot was already out the door when suddenly I was whisked off my feet and swung like a sack of potatoes over the alpha’s shoulder.
“What?” came my squeal, small fists beating against his back. “What in the world, let me down, let me down!”
But the big man was really, truly angry this time.
“Shut the fuck up,” he snarled. “You’re coming even if I have to tie you to the dining chair myself.”
He plunked me down on the couch once more, curves bouncing and jouncing.
“What is it?” I protested, breathless. “Why does it matter? Why does it matter if I come or not? Just say I came down with the stomach flu!”
But Gray reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a checkbook, scribbling madly. And before I knew it, the big man slid a piece of paper towards me, blue eyes cold as ice.
I took the paper in my hands, fingers trembling.
“Two hundred thousand dollars,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. “Made out to Kitty Jones.”
Gray’s jaw was tight, that expression menacing.
“I’m paying you extra to act the part of a fiancée,” he snarled. “Specifically, I’m paying for a head-over-heels, madly-in-love type of fiancée. None of this “I’m nobody,” shit,” he raged. “So you’re coming tonight, and you’re gonna be all over me like you can’t wait to get married.”
I paused, hands trembling, big brown eyes searching his.
“Are you sure?” I murmured quietly. “Absolutely sure?”
The alpha literally let out a roar of rage then.
“Of course I’m sure, damn you!” he thundered, that huge body filled with repressed rage. But the thing is I wasn’t afraid. Instinctively I knew Gray would never hurt me physically. I was completely safe in his presence.
So nodding, I murmured.
“Okay, I’ll do it. Just text me the address and I’ll be there.”
The billionaire looked at me with murder in his eyes.
“My car will come by at 6:45 sharp,” he bit out. “Be ready little girl.”
And this time, I looked up at him, brown eyes wide and sincere, lips trembling.
