A Deception of Massive Proportion: A Romantic Comedy (The Billionaire Club Book 3)

by Victorine E. Lieske

  The guard raised his eyebrows. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.” He was sure. He wanted to be alone with Riley tonight.

  “Okay.” The guard ducked out of the room.

  He felt like a teenager on his first date as they left the resort and headed down the sidewalk along the beach. Riley was such a different kind of woman. She cared about others. He was curious what made her tick. It hadn’t gone unnoticed that she’d evaded his questions about her father, which probably meant he was seriously ill. He hoped she would open up to him about it. He liked her and wanted her to feel like she could trust him.

  Chapter 9

  Soft music played as Riley took the last bite of her lobster tail dipped in butter. It was amazing, as was everything they’d eaten at Today’s Catch, the restaurant they’d discovered at the docks. They were seated at the window, and a spectacular sunset was displayed outside which set the mood.

  A young girl, probably around eleven, tentatively approached their table. “Excuse me, can I have your autograph?” She held out a piece of paper that looked like it had been ripped from a grocery list out of her mother’s purse. The poor girl’s fingers trembled.

  Shadow smiled and took the paper from her. “Of course. What’s your name?”

  “Candice.”

  “That’s a nice name, Candice. You like music?”

  “Oh, yes. All kinds. But you’re my favorite artist. All my playlists have your songs in them.” She blushed and looked down at the carpet.

  “Thank you. Are you here for the extravaganza?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I hope you enjoy all of the concerts.” Shadow scribbled something on her paper and handed it back to her. “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

  “An artist.”

  “Do you like to paint?”

  Candice nodded enthusiastically. “I love acrylics.”

  “Well, you amaze me already. Keep up the good work.”

  The young girl blushed again and left. Riley took a sip of her water. “You’re good with kids.”

  “You think so? I haven’t been around children much.”

  “You were kind, yet you didn’t talk down to her. I wouldn’t have known you haven’t been around kids if you hadn’t told me.” Riley was surprised at how much she liked Shadow. He carried himself in a way that was hard to describe. He was self-assured yet had a humility about him. It was a mix that was both attractive and admirable. A major pop star like him could easily end up conceited.

  Shadow picked up a roll and tore a piece off. “So, you said you used to dabble in novel writing. Do you have any finished work?” He popped the bread in his mouth.

  Riley balked. She’d forgotten about that lie. Now what was she going to tell him? “A few,” she said, hoping to be vague about it.

  He put down his hand. “A few? Novels, you mean? You have several completed novels that are just sitting at home in a drawer?”

  She held in a smile at his wording. Like she would have written them longhand on notebook paper. Maybe she was doing a better job at portraying herself as an old-fashioned pioneer woman than she thought. “No, on my hard drive.”

  “Seriously? Have you ever submitted them anywhere?”

  Dang, how was she going to get out of this one? Now she’d written several non-existent novels. This lie was growing into something she didn’t like. Maybe it was time to sink it into oblivion. “Like to a publisher?” She snorted. “No, way.”

  He gave her a strange look. “Why not?”

  “Because they’re no good. I mean, they’re just silly. It’s not anything anyone would be interested in.” There. Now they were just her goofy ramblings. Maybe he would leave it alone now.

  “How many novels?”

  Ugh. He had to ask that question. Why were they still talking about this? “A few.”

  He gave her a flat look. “Three? Four?”

  He didn’t look like he was going to give up, so she picked a number out of the air that seemed reasonable. “Five.”

  He stared at her like he couldn’t believe she’d written five novels and hadn’t had them published yet. Nice. Maybe next she could tell him she’d won the Nobel Peace Prize last year but hadn’t accepted it because she didn’t think she was worthy of it.

  “When’s the last time you worked on them?”

  “Did you see this amazing sunset?” She pointed out the window.

  Shadow squinted at her a moment before he dusted the breadcrumbs off his hands. “Would you let me read one?”

  She didn’t mean to laugh, but it came out as a bark anyway. Shadow Walker, the famous pop star, wanted to read her non-existent novels. The room grew impossibly hot. “Uh...”

  Their server stepped up to the table. “Are you ready for the check?”

  “Yes!” Riley blurted out. Then she forced a smile. “I mean, I’m done. What about you?”

  “No dessert?”

  “Nope. I couldn’t eat another bite, I’m so full.” It was time to abort this date. And maybe go back to her room and write five terrible novels.

  Shadow turned to the server. “Looks like we’re ready to go.”

  Riley pushed her glasses up her nose and grabbed her phone. “So, what does tomorrow hold? Do you need me for any shows or excursions?”

  Even through his mask she could see the look that let her know he knew exactly what she was doing. “Tomorrow night is the first concert on the beach. I’ll definitely need you there for that.”

  “Perfect. What time?”

  “It starts at seven, and then there’s an after-party mix and mingle.”

  Sounded like fun. It would be interesting to watch him interact with his fans. The server came back a second later with the check, and Shadow took care of it. He stood and held out his hand to her. “Do you want to take a walk along the beach?”

  Her heart picked up speed. Did he realize how that sounded? Either she was totally misunderstanding, or Shadow Walker was interested in her. Romantically. She wanted to celebrate because of what that meant for her job, but a part of her couldn’t because the guilt from her deception wormed its way into her chest.

  She didn’t have time to feel guilty. Her father’s health depended on her not letting anything get in the way of finding out Shadow Walker’s true identity. Shoving away all thoughts of guilt, she nodded. “I’d love to.”

  They left the restaurant, and moments later they were on the boardwalk. A group of children played in the water as a dog barked and ran along the sand. The sun had gone down, but twilight still gave the sky an orange glow. A slight breeze blew the smell of the ocean toward them.

  Riley had spent practically all day with Shadow, but was still no closer to finding out who he was, so she stared out at the water and tried to think of a question to ask that didn’t seem too out of the ordinary. “So, where do you call home when you’re not on the road?”

  “Los Angeles.”

  Darn. A lot of actors lived there. That probably wouldn’t narrow it down any. “What do you like to do when you’re not all dressed up like a ninja?” She flashed him a cheesy grin.

  “Non-Shadow related things?”

  “Right. Do you have other interests besides music?”

  He contemplated that for a moment. “I enjoy going to the movies.”

  The movies? Maybe she was right. Maybe he was an actor in the past and wanted to switch careers. She grew excited. “Ah, a movie buff. What kind of movies do you like?”

  “All kinds, but my favorites are the smart ones.”

  Riley looked at him, confused. “Like, cerebral?”

  His smile sent a zing of attraction through her. She could imagine him being a handsome man without the mask. “Not necessarily. I like movies that are well written, with snappy dialogue and a plot that comes together nicely. The kind that make you almost gasp at the end, like, how did they think of that? Or the kind that bring you to tears because of the beauty and simplicity of them.”

  Riley nod
ded, the sound of laughter from the children drawing her attention. “I agree. Those kinds of movies are wonderful. Do you rent a lot of movies, then?”

  “It might sound funny, but I much prefer going to the theater. There’s something about sitting in a dark room, completely alone, and experiencing the same thing as a hundred other people that makes it more satisfying to me.”

  Wait, did he say he goes alone? Why? He’s Shadow Walker. It didn’t make sense that he would not have women clinging to him. “You don’t go with anyone?”

  He paused for a second before speaking. “I don’t live a very social life.”

  The way he said it filled her with sadness. He was one of the most popular singers, yet he was alone. Why did that bother her so much? Maybe because that changed her view of him. She’d assumed he was a movie star, or someone well known, and that’s why he wore a mask. But what if it wasn’t that at all?

  What if Shadow wasn’t famous? What if he seemed familiar to her simply because she’d watched some interviews and had gotten to know some of his mannerisms? If he wasn’t famous outside of his singing, she had no idea how she would find out his true identity. There might not be a way, short of him taking off his mask in front of her, something that he wasn’t about to do.

  “I’m surprised to hear that,” she finally said.

  Someone called the children from the beach, and they raced across the sand, their dog jumping and barking. Riley watched them as they disappeared into one of the villas hiding in the trees.

  “Pop stars can be lonely too.”

  A lump rose up in Riley’s throat and she stopped. Shadow turned to her, a heaviness settling over them. She looked up at him, his eyes barely visible beyond the shadow that his mask created, the moonlight getting swallowed up in the darkness of his costume.

  She didn’t know who Shadow was, but a wave of empathy surged in her chest. She understood being lonely. Yes, she had her father, but there were times when she yearned for someone she could talk to. Someone who understood what she was going through. She had friends, but they were surface friends. She didn’t have anyone who truly understood her.

  Neither of them spoke, but understanding somehow flowed between them. She slowly reached up and touched his jawline, one of the only parts of him not covered by his costume. He closed his eyes and nestled into her palm, his five-o-clock shadow lightly scratching her skin.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  He opened his eyes. “What are you sorry for?”

  She removed her hand, but he reached up and took it, placing it back on his face. A jolt shot through her, and her heart hammered. He’d taken off his glove.

  Words swirled in her head, but she couldn’t think of the right ones to say. What could she say at this moment? She was sorry he had to go to the movies alone. Sorry she didn’t know what could make it better.

  And sorry that she was lying to him.

  A whisper of a wish echoed through her, one that she didn’t dare to acknowledge. She couldn’t wish to be with him. It was impossible. And yet, she couldn’t help wondering what it would be like.

  “Nothing,” she finally said after the silence became too awkward.

  “Don’t feel sorry for me. I don’t want your pity.”

  “I wasn’t…” She swallowed. Words evaded her. It wasn’t pity that was growing in her. It was attraction. But she couldn’t tell him that. And she couldn’t act on it.

  The moonlight played off the waves in the water. An urge to lighten the mood zapped through her and she stepped back, breaking contact with him. “Let’s go wading in the ocean.”

  He gave her a strange look. “Wading? In this?” He motioned to his outfit.

  “Well, of course you’d have to take off your boots.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the water. “Come on.”

  “But…”

  She slipped out of her shoes and tugged her socks off while trying not to fall on her behind. Shadow stared at her a moment before following suit. She rolled up her pant legs and walked onto the wet sand. “Isn’t it a beautiful night?”

  After tugging up his pant legs, Shadow joined her. “It is.”

  The water rushed over their feet, and Riley squealed, the sudden cold forcing her to do a dance. She almost slipped and grabbed onto his arm at the last second. “It’s colder than I thought,” she said, unable to stop from laughing.

  Shadow chuckled. “I tried to warn you.”

  “It’s okay. I love the ocean. The feel of the sand between my toes, and the power of the waves. It makes me feel so small and yet is a comfort as well.”

  “How so?”

  “I don’t know. The sound of the water is so soothing. It calms me. It’s a constant in an ever-changing world. Although I wish the weather was this nice back home. I could take eighty degrees year-round.”

  Shadow slowed his pace. “Wait. You don’t…live here?”

  Riley froze, panic shooting through her. What had she done? She was supposed to be a temp. How could she have forgotten herself and let that slip? Shadow stared at her, waiting for a reply.

  What was she going to say? She had to make something up. A plausible reason why she was on Grand Cayman working for a temp agency. But time had already stretched on long enough, without an answer. Before her brain could fully work up a plan, words began spilling out of her.

  “I’m just here for a short while. I was…I mean, I got a job that transferred me here, but then that job fell through, so I’m working at the temp agency until I can get enough money to go back home.”

  It felt like a really lame excuse, but Shadow simply nodded. “Where do you call home, then?”

  She debated telling him a lie but couldn’t find a good reason to. “New York.”

  “I see.”

  The mood shifted, and Riley wondered if maybe he hadn’t believed her lie after all. She searched for something to say that would make things better but was left with nothing. Instead, she changed the subject. “Are you cold? Should we head back?”

  “I’m not cold.”

  They continued to walk along the edge of the water, silence taking over. Great. She’d totally messed things up, and now he was suspicious of her. But what could she do about it? She couldn’t take back her words. And trying to say anything else about it would just draw more attention to it. It was best to stay silent.

  As they walked, she noticed someone trailing along behind them. A woman. Had she been at the restaurant too? The hair on the back of her neck stood up. But after Riley glanced back again the woman headed up the beach to a villa. Maybe it had all been in Riley’s mind. She did vow to be more aware, though. The last thing she needed was some other reporter zeroing in on her territory.

  After a few minutes, Riley stepped on something sharp, and pain shot through her foot. She yelped and involuntarily grabbed onto Shadow’s arm. “Ouch!”

  “What happened?”

  “I stepped on something. Maybe glass? I don’t know, but be careful. It was sharp.” She hopped around on one foot for a second while she tried to see the bottom of her foot in the dark, in case the glass was embedded into her skin. She couldn’t see, so she tentatively touched it.

  Something warm and sticky met her fingers as she explored her foot. “I think I’m bleeding.”

  Shadow crouched down, examining her. “Yes, you are.” He scooped her up and carried her toward the resort.

  “Is it that bad?”

  “You shouldn’t walk on it. I can’t tell yet if you need stitches.”

  “Stitches?” Her voice cracked. “Seriously?” She didn’t want to go to the hospital.

  “I don’t know. Let’s get you back to the room.”

  As Shadow carried her, Riley closed her eyes and wondered how much more embarrassing tonight could be. She’d made a mess of her cover story and now was practically bleeding all over the pop star. This was totally going down in her Riley Hall of Fame moments, right along with the time she accidentally sat on Matt Damon’s l
ap while sneaking a seat at an awards show.

  Chapter 10

  Jalen tried not to stumble as he carried Riley across the sand, his heart in his throat. She’d sliced up her foot pretty good, from what he could tell. As Jalen approached the deck, Neil, his oldest security guard, scrambled to let him inside. “Everything okay, Sir?”

  “We’re okay, just a bit of glass on the beach.” He tried to sound reassuring, in case Riley was freaking out. He couldn’t quite tell.

  Sir Barks jumped and made all kinds of noise as he entered the room.

  “Do you need anything?” Neil asked.

  “Can you run to the front desk and get a first aid kit? Also, get our shoes. We left them on the beach.”

  Neil nodded and left. Jalen carried Riley into the bathroom and set her down on the toilet. Sir barks whined at being ignored but sat down on the bathroom floor beside where Jalen was crouched down.

  “Let’s have a look.” He gingerly lifted her foot. There was more blood than he’d thought, and it was hard to tell where the gash started and stopped. Red liquid dripped to the tile floor, making a tapping sound.

  “How bad is it?”

  “Well, it’s bleeding pretty good, but I can’t tell yet how deep it is. Let’s get it cleaned up. Do you think you can stand on one foot?”

  “Yes.”

  He helped her up and over to the glass shower door. Luckily, the shower had a removable head, so he unhooked it and turned the water on. Testing the temperature, he waited until it was warm before he raised her knee and sprayed her foot.

  She sucked in a breath as blood turned the water pink.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “No. It just stings.”

  “I’m sorry.” He tried to be gentler, but he needed to get all the sand out of the wound, so he continued to slowly work his way over the skin. The skin on her foot was surprisingly soft. When it looked good, he shut off the water. “Are you okay if I carry you into the other room?”

  She nodded, so he picked her up and carried her to the couch. Sir Barks followed him, his tail wagging. Jalen wrapped her foot in a hand towel and applied pressure. The bleeding needed to stop before he could assess it. And he needed to figure out if Riley was slipping into shock.