Billionaires Runaway Bride (A Standalone British Billionaire Romance Novel)

by Claire Adams

  “How may I help you?” I asked them.

  The woman was a brown-eyed beauty, but too intimidating to throw such a compliment to. She looked tougher than the man she accompanied and a tad younger, too. She straightened her back and lifted her chin. “We’re here in the hotel investigating a crime. We’re asking the guests if they saw anything suspicious.”

  I shook my head. “No, ma’am. I was a tad busy last night and slightly drunk at that. If I recall anything later, I’ll let you know.”

  Hatcher put his hand on the door, and I didn’t think he’d let me close it if I tried. “You mind if we step inside?”

  “Not a problem for me.” I stepped aside, thinking the two maybe wanted to check out the suite. People were funny about that kind of thing, but not these two as it turned out: they were all business. The man turned to face me. “Where were you last night?”

  “I gave a speech in the Serendipity Hotel for my company and then headed over to the casino for a bit of a celebration.”

  “Were you alone or accompanied?” The woman’s question came as fast as a one-two punch.

  “I was with my assistant.” The two looked at each other as the man’s phone went off, playing “O Fortuna.” Detective Schaffer rolled her eyes as if she hated the piece, and I had to admit after seeing The Omen, so did I. I briefly wondered what it said about the person on the other end that it represented.

  Detective Hatcher palmed the device and turned his head to mumble something to whoever called. Schaffer stepped around the room, and I suddenly had the strange feeling something was terribly wrong. My fears were confirmed when the man turned around and stuffed his phone in his pocket. “Do you know two women by the names of Cindy Clarke and Stacey Boyd?”

  The names were immediately familiar, and I wondered what my two exes had gotten into. I’d seen Cindy the night before, when Luna and I were partying with some of the event goers in the casino. She’d come up to me and leaned in, brushing her lips to my ear as she whispered hello. Then she’d given Luna a cutting glance and strolled away. I hadn’t seen her since.

  She and Stacey didn’t even know each other, but had obviously plotted something up to come out against me. The two could never claim rape or any other sexual misconduct because everything had been more than consensual and it was public knowledge I’d dated the two women. It wasn’t like I’d even had them at the same time or anything. I didn’t have a habit of cheating and certainly not between those two women.

  How they even knew one another puzzled me, unless Stacey had heard about me dating Cindy and called her up. I couldn’t imagine what the two would have to talk about, and Cindy didn’t seem like the type to deal with Stacey’s immaturity.

  Cindy had been the more recent of the two relationships, and she and I dated for three months before I’d learned that she had a habit of sleeping with wealthy men in hopes of getting knocked up.

  Stacey had been a good girl in the beginning, but got too hung up on jealousy. I’d dated her a good year before Cindy, and it had been months since I’d seen either one – not counting the encounter the night before.

  My head bobbed up and down almost robotically as my heart started to pound. “Yes, I know them both.” A million things went through my mind as to what could have happened. Surely they were okay. Surely nothing had happened to them. It wasn’t normal for investigators to come in and ask about people unless something awful happened to them. No, I was in a panic. Nothing had happened to them.

  But part of me could imagine they’d both die before doing something to hurt me, unless they were teaming up to go after my money. People did shitty things for money, even people who were supposed to be your friends, and most certainly family.

  Detective Hatcher’s eyes narrowed. “When was the last time you saw them?”

  I shook my head as I tried to remember the exact time I saw Stacey, but came up short. “I haven’t seen Stacey in at least eight months, but I saw Cindy just last night in the casino. She came up to say hello and that was it. She disappeared into the crowd, and I haven’t seen her since.”

  “How did you know them?” the woman asked, sounding a bit like she already knew the answer to that question.

  “I used to have a relationship with them, but not at the same time, of course. I dated Stacey first and then Cindy.”

  Detective Hatcher looked over at his partner. “That’s all I needed to hear. I’m afraid we need to take you in for further questioning.” The man’s arm locked on my bicep and I stumbled, my knees trying to give out with the excitement.

  My jaw went slack and I felt as if all the wind was knocked out of me. “What’s this about? What kind of crime are you investigating?” I had the urge to pull away from the man, but I didn’t want to look as though I was resisting. No, nothing good could come from putting up a fight.

  “Can I at least get my shoes?” I motioned across the room and Hatcher gestured for Schaffer to grab them. She walked across the room, found them, and brought them to me, allowing me to shove my feet down into them. I supposed a pair of socks was too much to ask for. I was suddenly thankful I’d put on pants and a shirt, though the thing was barely buttoned.

  I could hear the shower in the distance, but they thought nothing of it. I needed to get Luna’s attention but hesitated. Should I get her involved? She could help me, and I’d have her get my lawyer much faster. “I need to talk to my assistant.”

  They weren’t listening. Instead, they acted like they hadn’t heard me.

  Schaffer went to the door and turned around as Detective Hatcher led me into the hall. “We’ll need your full cooperation, Mr. Grant. You’re being questioned in the investigation of the murders of both Cindy Clarke and Stacey Boyd. You’ll be allowed to call your lawyer from the station.”

  My legs went out from under me. Cindy and Stacey were dead? It couldn’t be. I couldn’t accept it. They had both been so full of spark and such fighters. Despite what had happened between us, I never had any ill feelings against either of them. Both had their own flaws, but I couldn’t even fathom a world without them somewhere in it.

  Hatcher dragged me along beside him to the elevator. “Please, I need to talk to my assistant! She’s in-”

  Hatcher let out a long sigh, as if this sort of panic from a suspect was not only boring, but overdone. “You can call her from downtown.”

  “Are you placing me under arrest?” I pulled away, my nerves getting the best of me.

  “We’re taking you in for questioning, but if you keep resisting, we’ll arrest you.” I met his eyes and knew he meant business.

  I didn’t fight it as I was led down to the lobby. Reporters and photographers from the press had gathered and were waiting as the elevator opened. Apparently, whatever went down, it took a while to point a finger my way. While I was upstairs regretting the night’s sins, they were gathering to see me emerge.

  Worse than that, though, Cindy and Stacey had been murdered somewhere in the hotel, and even though I didn’t kill them, I couldn’t help but feel responsible.

  As the first camera flashed in my eyes, I ducked my head, knowing my life was never going to be the same again. Thinking of Luna upstairs in my suite, I realized things couldn’t get any more fucked up.

  Chapter Three

  Luna

  My fingers had pruned to impossible extremes, and I wondered how long they’d take to go back to normal as I shut the water off. I grabbed a towel off the rack and wrapped the fluffy white cotton around my breasts, tucking the end in to keep it secure.

  The bathroom was steamy again, and like a big baby, I’d taken my time letting the pressure from the shower head work its magic on my tired muscles.

  Feeling a tad more normal, I contemplated putting my wrinkled clothes back on, but decided to grab the plush white robe, instead. Taking it from its hook, I dropped the towel from around me, and after I finished patting myself dry, I slipped into the robe and secured its belt. Its length was to my feet, and the instant warmth
enveloped me, making me feel much better, considering my headache was still nagging.

  As my stomach let out a growl, I stepped into the other room, hoping that room service had left a nice big breakfast, though looking at the time, it was closer to lunch.

  First, I’d get Gabriel to go down to my room and get me some fresh clothes and we’d talk through things like two adults. But as I looked around the suite, I realized he was gone. His bags were still there, even his belt. I went to the window of the balcony door, but he wasn’t out there, either. Glancing down, there was a crowd of people and police cars.

  Suddenly, behind me, the door to the suite opened up and a team of people barged their way in.

  “Excuse me?” I held the robe tight at my chest and they seemed just as surprised as I was. “What’s going on?”

  “Um, who are you?” A dark-haired young man stepped closer and waved to a Hispanic woman who came into the room. He brought her attention to me before stepping away like I had the plague.

  “I’m Luna Spencer. This is my boss’s room. I’m afraid he’s stepped out.” The team of people began rifling around as the woman stepped up and extended her badge.

  “I’m Detective Carla Schaffer. My partner and I were here earlier. So you’re his assistant, and you’re here for the security event?” Her brows rose as her lips pursed like she was anticipating my response.

  “Yes, G2 Security Corps. We hosted an event here at the hotel. This is Mr. Grant’s personal suite.” I didn’t think I had to explain that any further as the woman shook her head. She must have known that Gabriel owned this particular suite and that his company did all of the security for this entire chain of hotels. “What’s this all about?”

  “Do you know Cindy Clarke and Stacey Boyd?” She crossed her arms and lifted her chin; her eyes narrowed as if she were gauging my expressions, as well as my responses.

  “I have heard of them both, but no, I do not know them personally. They were acquainted with Mr. Grant in the past.”

  “They were his girlfriends.” The way she stated the fact made me wonder if I was supposed to be fazed by the information. She looked around the room and then back at me. “Do you normally stay in your boss’s private suite when you travel for work?”

  Her glance was equally accusing as her tone. “No, I don’t make it a habit. I was using the shower. Is Gabriel coming back?”

  “Gabriel?” She smiled, like my use of his first name gave scandal to the situation. “He’s been taken downtown for questioning.”

  My mouth popped open, and I gripped my robe tighter. “Excuse me? Has he been arrested?”

  She crossed her arms and lifted her chin to look down her nose at me. “How well do you know your boss, Ms. Spencer? Have you worked for him long? Do the two of you have an intimate relationship?”

  Her questions were making me nervous. I had no idea what kind of hot water answering anything she asked could put me in, much less Gabriel.

  I decided I’d cooperate as much as possible and hope for the best. “I’ve worked for Mr. Grant for two years, and I think I know him well enough.” I left the last question unanswered, mostly because I didn’t know the answer myself, and how pathetic was that?

  She smiled. “I don’t know how long you intended on being in Vegas, Ms. Spencer, but I’d make plans to stick around. I’m sure we’ll want to interview you, too.” She reached in her pocket and pulled out a card and passed it to me.

  Another young man entered the room in a hurry. “Detective, they need you back downstairs. They are ready to move the bodies out.” Bodies? My heart stopped.

  “What’s this about? Why has Gabriel been taken in?” I grabbed the woman’s arm before she could get too far away, and she cut her glare to me suggesting I had better unhand her immediately. I decided that was a good idea before I got arrested.

  “This is a murder investigation, Ms. Spencer. We’ll be in touch.” She turned and hurried out of the room, leaving me with the group of people who were no doubt looking for evidence.

  “Excuse me,” I called to the young man who I’d talked with before. “I’m going to gather my things to leave.”

  “That’s fine, ma’am, but show me your things. I’ll get a few pictures, clear the items, and you can be on your way. This isn’t an official crime scene, but as part of the investigation, I need to make sure everything has been checked out.” He gave me a sympathetic smile; his expression seemed to regard the fact that I was only in a bathrobe.

  I led him to the bathroom where he took a few photos of the clothes I’d left piled up on the counter before stepping out so I could get dressed. After, I went back into the bedroom and stepped around to the far side near the closet and grabbed my bag.

  Noticing Gabriel’s briefcase, I casually picked it up as if it were my own. I knew it might be wrong to take anything of his, but the very idea that the man was a murderer was ridiculous.

  Besides, I knew how important the case was to his work. The papers for his new deal were in there along with so many other important things. It seemed wrong to leave it. If this was a frame up, who knows who would try to find something like this laying around. It would be a goldmine in the right hands.

  The man took a picture of what I was leaving with, but that was all he did. I held my breath thinking he might ask to peek inside, but he didn’t. Instead, he returned to searching the other side of the suite.

  I managed to get out of the room with it and hoped Gabriel wouldn’t be upset that I’d taken it along. The elevator was full of people, all too busy talking about the excitement to pay me any mind. I rested against the rail to keep myself from falling down.

  Holy shit. Murder? I tried to piece everything together. The woman had asked about the two women, but I wasn’t clear if they were accusing Gabriel or if they had been the victims. The man had said they were moving bodies, plural, so it very well could be the two of them. What a coincidence: two of Gabriel’s exes turning up dead in Vegas?

  This was going to be a PR nightmare, to say the least, and I imagined what would happen once the media got a hold of it. I knew I should sit tight, but I was terrified. The elevator stopped on my floor and as I pushed my way out of the crowded space and into the hall, a couple stopped me.

  I recognized the pair from the night before and was certain I’d seen them at the casino, but I didn’t think we’d been introduced. “Hey, honey. Where’s that husband of yours?”

  Husband? Lord, these people had seen us together and thought we were married. I realized they’d been at the blackjack table with us when that crazy kiss happened. “Ah, he’s busy this morning.” I gave them a smile and pushed past to keep walking.

  Who was I to correct them? Besides, they’d seen us kissing and no doubt having an amazing time, which I wished I could remember, so whatever. There was no harm in letting them believe it. It wasn’t like they were someone from the company or even the police for that matter. The police? Holy mother. What the hell had happened? I had to get to my room.

  As I rounded the corner, a man bumped into me, and before I could even get a good look at him, he apologized and kept on going. Right outside my room, there were three men and an older woman; they seemed to be waiting for me and as one turned, and I noticed his camera, it occurred to me that they were reporters.

  I took a deep breath, as if I was about to go underwater, and that’s exactly what it felt like as I approached the door to my room.

  They crowded around me as I took out my keycard. “Ms. Spencer? You’re the assistant to Gabriel Grant, right? We have a few questions for you, if you have the time?” The woman was pushing her way between me and my door and I knew if I opened it, she’d push her way inside, as well.

  “I have no comments. I’m not even sure what’s going on.” I tried to push my way to where I could get inside once I opened the door.

  “Your boss has officially been placed under arrest for the murders of Cindy Clarke and Stacey Boyd. Do you have a statement for us now?”


  Arrested? He’d only been taken down for questioning, hadn’t he? With my head still pounding from earlier, my entire world started spinning again as they crowded around me. Their body heat combined with my nerves made me break out in a sweat, and I knew this situation would only get uglier.

  “Please, I have no statement at this time. It’s all very new to me.” I pushed the woman out of the way and opened the door, barely squeezing myself and the briefcase in before slamming the door. I pressed my back against it and waited for their steps to go farther into the distance as they gave up and went away.

  Knowing how these things went, I was sure not all of them had gone. One peek out my peephole proved I was right. One of the men had stayed behind and I had a feeling he wasn’t going to be leaving anytime soon.

  But then again, neither was I.

  Chapter Four

  Gabriel

  Where the hell is Mason? I couldn’t stand being held up in the interrogation room for hours, and my lawyer had more than enough time to get his ass over to Vegas from LA.

  This day had started off as a complete nightmare and turned into a personal apocalypse. I didn’t think that my life could spiral down the drain any quicker until Detective Hatcher came in to interrogate me.

  I’d gone over the same damned story three times. I raked my hand through my hair and scrubbed my face with my palms. How could I have done it?

  Knowing full well I was on camera, I wasn’t about to take the rings or the certificate out of my pocket in case any footage got leaked to the media, but the weight of them had been a burden the entire morning since I’d slipped Luna’s ring off her finger. I knew I was taking a big risk; she could have woken up wondering where it was, but I decided to take a gamble. It was Vegas, after all.

  I’d hoped she’d remember the mistake we’d made and want to amend it with an annulment, but just in case, I thought it best to take charge of the situation. It was pure dumb luck that she’d been so drunk she didn’t remember anything, and I held my breath that she’d continue in her fog at least until I had a moment alone with her.