Page 126 of Playboy Billionaire's Fake Marriage

Ryan chuckles, “He’s not dead. But he’s in some seriously deep shit although he doesn’t know it yet. Before we go on Carmen, I want you to meet my wife.” Ryan pulls me into view.

“Stella!” She squeals. “I’ve been dying to meet you! I’ve heard so much about you- from the internet of course which is hardly satisfying…”

“Hi, Carmen. It’s great to meet you too. And that place looks breathtaking. And also super warm.” I eye the sheen of sweat on her skin.

“I know right? I have not missed New York one bit. Except for the endless drama. How are you loving our family so far?”

I smile, “It’s never dull, I’ll admit.”

Carmen cackles, “I bet. We Reubens have a knack for stirring the pot, don’t we? And now I hear my dear husband has dug his claws into Seattle. But not for much longer, mind you.” she declares with confidence. “The only thing Ronald can hold onto for long is his evil schemes.”

Her frankness draws a laugh from me, and I find myself already warming to her.

Ryan leans forward, “Speaking of evil, Don’s done some unforgivable things…”

“Mierda! Bad enough to drag my ass back to the States? What the hell has that man got mixed up in now?” The screen starts swinging back and forth and I suspect she’s wildly gesticulating.

Antonio interjects, “You might want to sit for this one, Carmen. Besides, quit with the overfeeding!”

“Fine, cow Daddy! I’ll go to the barn.” She starts walking while I turn my puzzled gaze to Ryan.

“Daddy?” I whisper, my mind painting all sorts of scenarios.

Ryan scoffs, then mutes his mic. “Yeah, I believe Antonio birthed those calves. He happened to be visiting Mendoza when one of Carmen’s cows was in obstructed labor. The guy is a literal grump of all trades…. master of fuck-all.”

“I can lip read as well, Mr. Fairchild.” Comes Antonio’s grim response, and I stifle my laugh.

Ryan clicks the mic back on. “Exactly what I mean, you’re a man of… many talents.” It doesn’t sound like a compliment coming from Ryan.

Antonio only grunts an answer.

Something tells me despite mutual respect and Ryan’s gratitude to Antonio, they’re not about to become best buddies any time soon. I move to Ryan’s back and absently massage his shoulders.

Carmen balances herself atop what I suspect are bales of hay. “Okay, I’m ready, hit me with it.”

Ryan gives her the short version of events. Her complexion pales more and more with Ryan’s revelation.

Ryan’s voice takes on the coaxing note I’m familiar with, the one he uses when negotiating. “So, this is why I need you in New York. I bet he’s done it before and I know you know something that can help us nail him for his crimes.”

“Oh, I know plenty,” Carmen’s voice suddenly sounds hoarse and defeated.

“What do you know?” Ryan asks.

She swallows hard. “You know, I never fully explained why I left him.”

Ryan replies, “I figured it was his abusive behavior.”

“Yes, that... and more. He’s deranged, he took pleasure in my pain.”

As Carmen reveals her ordeal, I see Antonio’s expression darken with rage.

Camen pauses as if trying to recall more. Or brace herself to delve into it. “At first, I couldn’t speak. Coming from a humble background and being an immigrant in need of a green card, I felt indebted to him. He belonged to a powerful family, and I didn’t know whom to trust. He had me completely trapped.”

My hands on Ryan’s shoulder go still, and he gently reaches for me and pulls me onto his lap as Carmen goes on.

“But that wasn’t the end of it. One night, I caught him in the library, watching a video. He’d been drinking and had passed out, but the video was still playing. It showed him with another woman, and let’s just say, he’d been gentle with me.”

Antonio’s eyes close, a muscle twitching in his jaw. Ryan’s hold tightens around me.

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