Alpha Billionaire’s Bride, Part Three (BWWM Romance Serial) by Mia Caldwell

Chapter One
     
    “I’M SO SORRY,” MARINA SAID, looking at Jada with big dark
eyes begging for forgiveness.
    Jada knew the difference between Marina’s exaggerated
remorse and when she was being sincere. This was Marina at her most sincere.
    Jada stood up. “Whatever it is, I don’t want to know. Tell
me Tuesday.”
    Marina’s mouth fell open, then snapped shut again. “You
can’t be serious.”
    “I am. I want to have a great time for the rest of this
weekend. I’ll face whatever terrible thing you’ve done on Tuesday, when the
courthouse opens, and everyone finds out everything anyway.” Jada marched out
of the dressing room and flung open the double doors to the balcony.
    She stood in the doorway and inhaled a deep breath of fresh,
country air. It was sweet with the afternoon-heated scents of forest, wild
grasses, and earthy lake. “I’m going to enjoy this while I can. You know what?”
    Marina looked at her askance and shook her head.
    Jada raised her chin. “I’m going to sleep with Ian, that’s
what.”
    “Uh, okay. I wouldn’t—”
    “Don’t tell me what you wouldn’t do. Clearly, there’s
nothing you wouldn’t do.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “You know. And you’re not going to tell me what you actually
have done until Tuesday, after I’ve lived the good life, after I’ve slept with
the sexiest billionaire on the planet at least once (preferably several times),
and after I’ve eaten every pastry Mrs. Best can bake. I’m going to do that
because, hey, it’s all over on Tuesday, isn’t it? All of this. And all of my
old life where I had a career and a future. All over.”
    “I understand that you’re mad, but you’re exaggerating.”
    Jada glared at her sister. “Oh, forgive me. I’m a little
stressed. Perhaps you could back off and give me a break!”
    Marina flinched. “This won’t work. You can’t pretend I
didn’t say anything. However, you should definitely sleep with Ian no matter
what. That’s actually a good plan. The pastries too. I’ll help—with the
pastries, not Ian.”
    “Don’t try to be funny. I’m in no mood.” Jada stomped toward
the huge walk-in closet, her hand closing on the doorknob and pulling it
slightly open. “You can leave now. I’m going to be busy picking out the perfect
lingerie to seduce Ian tonight.”
    Marina stared at her, hard. “You’ve left me no choice. I’m
saying it.”
    “Don’t you say it! Don’t!”
    “I have to.” In a rush, Marina blurted, “I’m the one who
leaked the story about you and Ian to CGTV.”
    The words skewered through Jada’s chest. She held onto the
doorknob with a vice-like grip, using it to anchor her in place. It couldn’t be
true. Marina hadn’t ... wouldn’t—
    “Did you hear me?” Marina asked. “I said I’m the one who
leaked the story about your marriage to CGTV.”
    Jada swiveled on her. “I heard, dammit. And now you’ve
ruined everything.”
    Marina’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “I know. I’m so
sorry, Jada. I didn’t know—”
    Jada cut her off with a chopping motion, and hardly felt her
feet hitting the plush carpet as she stalked to the bedroom door and locked it
with unnecessary force. “The last thing I need right now is someone overhearing
you.” She headed to her favorite wingback chair and dropped into its cushy
depths with the regret that comes from knowing she’d probably never sit in it
again.
    “Jada?” Marina asked. “Are you okay?”
    “Sure. I’m just wondering how long it will take us to walk
back to Springers Glen. I’m pretty sure Ian won’t be offering us his
helicopter, or even a lift in a car, not after he hears what you’ve done.”
    Marina rushed over and sat across from Jada. “You can’t tell
him! Oh God, Jada. You seriously cannot tell Ian about this. Promise me you
won’t.”
    “If I don’t tell him now, then I’m a liar, Marina. I think
one liar in this family is enough, don’t you?”
    “I didn’t mean to