Ruthless Billionaire (Billionaire Knights Book 2)

by Cheryl Phipps

  “Let me come with you. I might be able to help.”

  “That would be brilliant.”

  Ben held out his hand. She took it, welcoming the warmth and strength, and feeling giddy at something else. Was it lust?

  Chapter Ten

  Ben took Jenna around the pockets of guests, apologizing for the delay without disclosing all the behind-the-scenes drama. As far as most of them knew, Marcus got sick and then his plane was delayed. It seemed to appease everyone, and even Marcus’s father relaxed a little. Perhaps he really believed that was all that had happened.

  He wasn’t used to all this small talk, and if weren’t for the weight of responsibility he felt toward Sarah, he would have hidden out himself, long ago. Maybe with Matt and Evan. The games room sounded way more fun than this. Only Jenna made it bearable. With her vivacious personality and stunning looks, she was a pleasure to be around.

  His mother stood in the center of the garden with an entourage around her. She kept giving him silent admonishments whenever he looked bored, which when Jenna wasn’t talking, was clearly too frequently.

  If Sarah didn't kill Marcus, he would gladly do so. He was thinking about poking sticks in his fingernails, to help focus on a cousin’s retelling of a family story that had been embellished to improbable proportions, when Andy appeared at the side of the tent. He nodded toward the house, and Ben felt grateful and ridiculously relieved.

  Leaning down to Jenna, he whispered in her ear. "Andy has Marcus. I’m sorry to leave you again. Will you be all right until I can get back?" He could tell she was itching to come with him, but she merely nodded.

  He walked as fast as he could, trying not to run. With the time having been and gone for the start of the ceremony, he wasn't sure how long they could keep up the farce of everything being okay, despite mentioning the delay. There were already groups of people whispering, a sure sign that someone had divulged a piece of juicy gossip.

  He walked through the long hall and found Marcus looking worse for wear at the bottom of the stairs, although he was at least dressed for the wedding. The four men who’d accompanied him on his longer-than-necessary bachelor party, sidled out the door as soon as they saw Ben.

  Marcus flinched, then squared his shoulders.

  "I'm terribly sorry about this."

  A rage he’d held in check until now began to close in on him, and it took several seconds before he could speak. "I'm not the one who needs an apology."

  "I know."

  "And?"

  "Shouldn't I wait until after the wedding?"

  "No, you bloody shouldn't. No more lies, Marcus. What are you really doing here?"

  "Pardon? I mean, I'm here to marry Sarah."

  "Are you quite sure about that?"

  "Yes. I understand that it wasn’t right to go missing and muck everyone around, but I needed a bit of time to think about it."

  "You've been engaged for a year."

  Marcus paled. "I don’t think it felt real until I woke up yesterday. I couldn't get on the flight. I felt sick." He finished lamely.

  "I dare say you had alcohol still in your system."

  The groom grabbed onto that suggestion as if it were a lifeline. "That's probably all it was. Yes. That's it."

  Ben’s anger didn’t lessen. All that had come out of this chat so far was that Ben trusted Marcus less than he had even an hour ago. How was he supposed to sort this mess out and keep Sarah happy?

  "Do you love my sister?"

  Marcus nodded, like a bobble head in the front of a car window. "Of course. We've been together since school."

  "And there's no other reason you should change your mind?"

  "Like what?"

  Marcus seemed oblivious to how close Ben was to hurting him, or that Andy, who stood nearby wearing a look that could frighten the strongest man, was making noises of dissatisfaction.

  "Is there anything or anyone, apart from yourself, standing in the way of making my sister happy?"

  "I don't think so."

  Ben took the step necessary and grabbed Marcus by his tie. "You better know, not think, that you're not going to hurt her again. Is that clear?"

  Marcus gulped. "Very."

  Ben smoothed the tie. "Good. I’ve changed my mind about your apology to Sarah. Since it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, and I think she’s had enough of that for one day, I’ll explain that you’re here and ready to begin the ceremony. Now get outside, and you better be under that arch when Sarah comes downstairs. With a smile on your face."

  Hands bunched into fists, he watched his soon-to-be brother-in-law almost fly out the door. Andy followed him, and Ben knew Marcus wouldn’t be making a second attempt at absconding.

  He had to take a few deep breaths before he went up the stairs to find Sarah. He didn't get far. She was sitting on the top step, her face swollen from crying. He hesitated, and she gave him a watery smile.

  "Thanks, big brother."

  From that he had to assume she’d heard it all. "Are you okay?"

  "I suppose I will be. Do you believe Marcus?"

  "In what way?" he hedged, unwilling to say anything else that she might not want to hear today.

  "Do you believe he loves me?"

  Ben rubbed his hands through his hair. "He turned up, eventually. He says he wants to marry you, and that he loves you. Only you know if he's being truthful."

  Her head tipped to the side. "You've never really liked him, have you?"

  "I... He wouldn't be on a chosen friends list, but he's okay."

  Sarah pulled herself up by the bannister. "If I’m doing this, I’d better make myself presentable. Give me ten minutes."

  "I'll give you twenty," he grinned as she went back down the stairs.

  He checked she’d gone before allowing the grin to slide from his face, and he frowned. As he left the house, he wondered if he'd done the right thing by not saying more. By finding Marcus. Damn the man for casting so many doubts. Then again, Ben had always had doubts. He'd heard rumors about the groom marrying for money, but had no concrete evidence.

  He found Jenna propped up on the side of the fountain. She was telling a group of young men the story about her shop going up in flames and how she missed fresh flowers, but couldn’t bring herself to buy any. There were lots of commiserations from her admirers, but Ben could see she was sad about it.

  Then she made a joke about smelling smoke, even when she wasn’t at home, and they laughed with her. She was amazing. And amazingly hot in that dress. He dragged his attention away from her delectable cleavage, which the group was also admiring.

  "Could I have everyone’s attention, please. The bridal party is ready, if you'd like to take your seats down on the next level." He pointed the way, and they filtered through the opening.

  He crossed to his mother, where she was making sure everyone was headed in the right direction. "Ready?" He held out his arm for her, but she gave him a hug first.

  "Well done, darling. How's Sarah?" she whispered.

  "She should be fine. Once this is over."

  His mother frowned. "I'm not sure I like the sound of that."

  "It's the best I can do. Try to enjoy the ceremony. It's what Sarah wants."

  She nodded, and taking his arm they walked down the aisle. He led her to her seat on the front row.

  "Come sit with me, dear," she said to Jenna, who was on her other side, and looking for a spare seat.

  "I couldn't, this is for family."

  "Usually, I’d agree. But this wedding isn't exactly going to plan, plus you’re Ben’s date and I love your bright and breezy way. I could use a bit of that right now."

  Ben was happy with this solution. He could leave his mother knowing that she had someone who wouldn’t fuss over her. It was one of the things he liked most about Jenna.

  What he didn't like was the way Evan and Matthew fought over who would sit on Jenna’s other side. He glared a warning at them, which had absolutely no effect, before go
ing back to the house to collect Sarah.

  Chapter Eleven

  The music began and everyone craned their necks to look back up the rose petal-strewn path. There appeared to be no flower girl, but a young woman led the way, in front of three similarly dressed bridesmaids. This had to be Caris. Her coloring was so close to Sarah’s and she had the same blonde hair.

  Then Sarah appeared. She was incredibly beautiful, but it was Ben who drew her attention the most. In his fancy suit, he walked proudly beside his sister. Handsome and sexy, he just happened to be her date. It would be a perfect moment—if it were real.

  When they drew to eye level he gave her a wink. Eloise Knight saw it and gave her a conspiratorial smile. Jenna couldn't stop a grin escaping. What the heck? It meant nothing to be here as Ben's date. She knew it. He knew it. If Mrs. Knight read more into it, then who was Jenna to spoil her day?

  And, it was a glorious day for a wedding. The birds were singing in the trees to the right. The bridal march was played by a wonderful pianist to the left. The decorations were almost perfect, because the flowers on the chairs were paper, albeit expensive paper, and Jenna would have done so much more with the real thing. If her shop hadn’t burnt down she probably would have, because Renee would have pushed for it.

  Only one thing jarred more than this. The groom, standing under the pretty flower-festooned arch—at least that looked perfect, after she’d made some changes—was too pale. Beads of sweat could be seen on his forehead. He couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes and the groomsmen were equally downcast.

  She was curious as to the nature of Marcus’s no-show, and to Andy's ability to get him here so quickly. To get him here at all was a major accomplishment if the guy really wasn't keen to tie the knot. That being the case, why would Sarah still agree to marry him?

  Gasps and murmurs of appreciation for the bridesmaids, and then Sarah, had filtered around the garden. Eventually, the groom did look at his bride. His smile seemed forced. Wow. If Jenna ever did marry, which seemed highly unlikely given her track record with choosing a suitable candidate, she wouldn’t want it to go like this.

  All the money in the world and the most stunning of locations didn’t make up for a couple who didn’t look or feel right in the moment when it should be at its most perfect. In fact, they both looked ill.

  Ben was handing his sister over to Marcus, and she was sure he scowled at the groom. Sarah hesitated, then took Marcus’s hand.

  The minister began. After he'd asked who was giving the bride away, and Ben had answered in a rather gruff voice that it was him, Ben then took his seat, squeezing in between the twins and Jenna.

  As they began to say their vows, Sarah began to fidget. She had been so still prior to this that it was immediately noticeable.

  Ben hissed a breath through his teeth. His mother was clasping and unclasping her hands. Clearly, Jenna wasn't the only one who could see that Sarah was struggling.

  In an odd turn of events, the groom seemed to be warming to his moment in the spotlight. As he held Sarah’s hand he began to rub it with his thumb. His smile became warmer and wider. Maybe it was going to be okay. Or not.

  As she got to the part about for better or worse, Sarah stopped mid-vow. Pulling her hand free, she studied the ground for a moment. Then, shoulders back, she turned to face the guests.

  "I'm sorry everyone, thank you so much for coming, but Marcus and I will not be getting married."

  Her voice was sure and strong, and Jenna had an urge to clap as Sarah picked up her long train and strode elegantly back up the path. She managed to refrain from doing that, but felt she was like the rest of the wedding guests as they watched the train, which had been wobbling all day, finally derail.

  A few seconds ticked by, then Ben and Caris ran after her, followed more sedately by his mother and the twins, who held Eloise by the arms as if she’d suddenly become frail.

  A posh pandemonium broke loose. The groom had returned to his awkwardness, and was staring about wildly. The wedding planner had jumped into her damage control mode and was talking into a headphone, while achieving nothing.

  Jenna stood and faced the guests. They were unsure whether to stay or go, and Marcus's parents looked shocked.

  "Really, this is too bad." Marcus’s father said loudly, while his wife sobbed into a handkerchief about the embarrassment.

  Jenna mounted the small dais, where Marcus was frozen to the spot, a picture of disbelief. His groomsmen were consoling the bridesmaids, who had been oblivious to anything but the delay. She stood in front of Marcus, waiting until he looked at her.

  "You need to go and tell your family what happened prior to this, so they understand," she said, very quietly.

  "Who the hell are you?" he blustered.

  "Ben's date. I know everything, and you'd better tell them before someone else does."

  Marcus was confused, or pretending to be.

  "I don't understand. We were all fine."

  Jenna knew if her sister were here, she'd be telling her to mind her own business, but this guy was unbelievable.

  "No one was fine. You almost didn’t make it, then you stood here looking, for the most part, like you were waiting to be hanged. What choice did you leave Sarah?"

  Her voice had inadvertently risen, and when she looked around she realized she'd gained quite a crowd. Right in front was Ben.

  "That'll do, Jenna. I can take this from here." He climbed up beside Marcus, ignored him, and picked up the microphone. "I'm very sorry everyone. As Sarah said, there is to be no wedding. Without going into details, it appears to be very mutual that this has happened. Our family understands that while this might be unorthodox, there’s a lot of food ready in the main tent and we would like you to stay and help us eat it." He gave a dry laugh. "Unfortunately, Marcus and his immediate family will not be joining us. Everyone else is welcome to stay. Jenna and I will be here should anyone require assistance with rides back to town."

  There was a moment when no one moved, until they realized that Ben was totally serious. Marcus and his family filed out, watched by the rest of the wedding party, as they tried to look as though this was no big deal. Unfortunately, his mother ruined it by sobbing hysterically all the way.

  With his arm on her elbow, Ben led Jenna down the aisle and into the tent, where the wait staff were racing to get the food ready.

  "Are you kidding me? We're going to feed his friends and family?"

  "We are."

  She heard his censure, but had to know, "Sarah’s really okay with this?"

  "It was her suggestion. My sister is one in a million. She made a bad choice, but she gets that, and she's moving on."

  "Ah."

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "She didn't really love him."

  "How the heck would you know that?"

  "Think about it. Who dumps her fiancé at the altar and then celebrates it?"

  "I wouldn't call it a celebration."

  Jenna swung around to find Sarah in a lovely cocktail dress. Her eyes were a little puffy, but that distressed look had gone. "Forgive me, my mouth gets carried away sometimes."

  Ben snorted.

  “Yes, you’re right. Quite often.”

  Sarah gave her a genuine smile. "Everything you’ve said is true. This is weird, but I can’t in all conscience waste everything. Anyway, Matthew and Evan told me what you've been doing today."

  Jenna wanted to crawl into a hole. "I’ve overstepped, I’m sorry."

  "Don’t keep apologizing. You kept the masses from running amuck, and entertaining strangers is not easy. I imagine that telling Marcus off would have been worth watching."

  "He was a bit shell-shocked,” said Ben.

  Sarah waved her hand. "It's irrelevant now, and I think you're right, Jenna. I didn't love Marcus. I was in love with the idea of him, and of getting married. I never thought I was the sort of woman who wanted the whole shebang. Apparently, I almost wanted it more than I wanted a happy marriage." />
  "So, a lucky escape?" Jenna ventured.

  "Exactly. I wish I’d had the epiphany a little earlier, and saved myself a heap of anguish,” she said wryly.

  “Me too,” added Caris, who had also changed. “Some of the guests were downright rude about the delay unless they were talking to Mother or Jenna. Then nothing was a bother.”

  Embarrassed by Caris’s praise, when she had hadn’t noticed her before the wedding—or the non-wedding—Jenna dismissed it. "Still, it's brave of you, Sarah, to come back to face everyone."

  "Look around. You may not know any of these people, but most of them are my family and friends. Now that Marcus's immediate family and his sidekicks have gone, why should I miss out on the party?"

  “Yeah, because you’re such a party animal,” Evan or Matthew said as they went past with heaped plates of food.

  “Bite me,” Sarah called after them.

  This was so absurd and alien to Jenna that she began to giggle, along with Caris. Sarah heard and grinned. It didn’t take long before they were laughing. Ben watched them, not sure what was happening and was perhaps wondering if they were a little hysterical.

  Sarah wiped a tear from her eye and put her arm around Jenna’s shoulder. "I like you, very much."

  "I like, and admire you, Sarah."

  "You’d better sharpen up, Ben. This one’s a keeper."

  "We're just . . ."

  "Oh sure. I may have thrown away my chance of a decent marriage, but I'm not blind to everyone else. You two have it bad."

  Jenna shook her head. "No, it's not like that."

  "Whatever. Let's eat, I'm starving. I haven’t had an appetite for weeks."

  Sarah marched into the tent, leaving them to an awkwardness which hadn't been there since yesterday. Had it really only been two days that she'd known him?

  “I should go. Could I get someone to bring my car around to the drive?”

  Ben was surprised. “Don’t you want to stay?”