Page 92 of Scarlett and the Big Bad Billionaire
“Let’s just say it wouldn’t be the first time I made a troublemaker disappear.”
My menacing tone left no doubt I meant every word of what I was saying. “Oh—and you’ll never see or hear me coming. I can lie in wait for days without sleeping, eating, or taking a bathroom break.”
The man’s eyes widened in horror as he backed away. “You’re crazy.”
“You bet I am,” I assured him.
And that was the last we saw of Bryce. He turned and sped away without a glance back at me, or more importantly, at Scarlett.
She wore an expression I’d never seen on her before. “Wow. That was… that was amazing. I guess I’d better call David and tell him to start looking for a new robotics technician.”
“Sorry about that,” I said. “Maybe I got a little carried away there with the threats.”
She turned and walked back into the open door of Vivi’s room, motioning for me to join her. “No. Not at all. He doesn’t take a hint very easily, so apparently a bit of terror is what it takes. Thank you so much, by the way.”
“Anything for my lovely bride-to-be,” I said.
She rolled her eyes at me before turning to face Vivi.
The older woman was sitting up, the back of her hospital bed raised to its full upright position. Her eyes were alert and bright, and she was smiling ear-to-ear.
“Vivi,” Scarlett said with obvious shock. “Should you be up like that? Do you need something? What’s going on?”
Clasping her hands beneath her chin, Victoria looked from Scarlett to me then back to Scarlett.
“I can’t even tell you two how happy you’ve made me. I’ve been hoping and praying for this.”
Scarlett and I looked at each other, baffled.
Vivi went on, “I have to be honest, last night I thought I was a goner. But today… hearing your big news has given me a new lease on life. It’s a miracle, I think.”
“Big news?” Scarlett asked. “What big news, Vivi?”
Her grandmother gave her a knowing smile. “Your engagement dear. Your secret is out. These old ears are still good for something. I heard everything you said to that scoundrel out in the hall, and I approve a hundred percent.”
She picked up her phone from the bedside tray table and scrolled through her contacts.
“I know theperfectperson to help plan the wedding—unless you want to do it all yourself—but a big wedding is a lot of work. You’ll need help. You can hold it at the mansion. You know, I was starting to think that ballroom would never be used again—at least while I was alive. I once told Gray I wanted to dance at his wedding, and now Ican—as the grandmother of the bride!”
She looked like she was ready to get up and dance right now, in fact. How was that possible when just this morning she seemed so weak and fragile?
“But Vivi…” Scarlett began. She darted her eyes at me and bit her lip. “I think you misunderstood.”
The light in Victoria’s eyes dimmed a bit, and she sank back into the pillows. “What do you mean?”
Her heart monitor slowed, and maybe it was my imagination, but did it skip a beat or two?
I stepped forward, putting a big smile on my face. “What Scarlett is trying to say is that wewereplanning to elope. But if you’re up for helping to plan it, of course we’ll get married at your house. In fact, we’d love it.”
Victoria threw up her hands and let out a cheer.
“Yay! Oh, thank you, Gray. Thank you, Scarlett. This really is a dream come true—a fairytale wedding at Indigo Point with the world’s most beautiful bride and most handsome groom. The first time I saw you two together, Iknewit was a match made in Heaven. And now that I have a reason to hang on… I think I can put off going to that Great Beyond a little longer.”
While Vivi’s cheeks were suddenly pink and full of life, Scarlett was pale.
She was clearly conflicted about what to do—tell Vivi the truth and take the chance the disappointment would crush her and sap her will to live—or go along with the ruse… and pretend to agree to marry me.
I honestly had no idea which way she would go.
