Laughter bubbled up from her. He loved seeing her let go a little. It was fun to see her hidden personality shine through. “Eat your popcorn.”
People began filing into the theater after that, and Jalen decided he’d better behave, or he’d get them into trouble. But he had to admit, he was quickly falling for the woman sitting next to him. The only problem was the mask he wore.
But how would she feel if he revealed the truth to her?
Chapter 15
The movie was full of action and intrigue, but Riley found it hard to concentrate. She couldn’t settle her heart or her racing mind. Instead of allowing herself to get lost in the moment, sitting next to Shadow, she couldn’t stop her brain from obsessing.
Shadow’s secret identity wasn’t famous. He was a regular guy. And he was afraid that if he took off his mask she would be disappointed. But why? Just because he was an unknown person? Why would she be disappointed by that?
He did say he’d tried to get into the music business without a mask and had no luck. But that still didn’t give her any clues. What was he hiding from the world?
He was charismatic, that was one thing she knew for sure. He was driving her crazy. She couldn’t believe she’d lost her head and completely abandoned her persona. And he picked up on it right away. She needed to be careful.
But she couldn’t help it. She was drawn to him. And the chemistry they had was unquestionable. Kissing him was like lighting a match and tossing it on a pile of explosives. One more kiss, and her world could implode.
Shadow’s hand sought out hers in the darkness, and he threaded his fingers through hers. Her heart couldn’t take much more of this. Yet she wanted so much more.
He leaned over and whispered, “Do you want to go?”
She realized the credits were rolling, and the theater was once again empty except for the two of them. “Oh,” she said, standing. “Sure.”
“You seemed a million miles away.”
Very true. The building could have burned down, and she might not have noticed. “Yeah, I guess I was.”
“Mind if I ask what you were thinking about?” They threw away their trash and stepped out into the night. His security slipped into step behind them. She’d actually forgotten he had been in the theater with them. The temperature had chilled, and she rubbed her arms. Shadow put his arm around her.
She had no idea what to say. She couldn’t really tell him she’d been thinking about him, pondering who he was and how she would feel about having to tell the world his secret. She sighed. “Just thinking about my dad.” The lie didn’t sit well, but it was all she could do.
“How is he doing?” He paused before adding. “I get the feeling he’s not doing as well as you put on.”
She let out a breath. How did he do that? It was like he could read her mind, which was so not true, because if he could, he would run from her. But she pushed that thought out of her head. “He’s on the waiting list for a heart transplant.”
Shadow sucked in a breath. “It’s that bad?”
A sick feeling entering her gut, and she nodded. She didn’t like to think about how sick her father really was. It was too hard. Too painful. She couldn’t lose her father. He was the only one that held her together.
The night was clear, and a million stars dotted the blackness over them. Shadow walked with her, their steps falling into an easy cadence. “How long does he have if he doesn’t get the transplant?”
She didn’t want to answer him. She didn’t want to acknowledge it. If it wasn’t said out loud, it wasn’t as real. But she couldn’t tell him to mind his own business. Things had gone too far for that.
“They said he had a year, but that was two months ago.” The ticking clock was the worst thing in the world, and Riley blinked as tears pricked at her eyes.
Shadow squeezed her shoulder. “Hey, it’s going to be okay.”
It was easy to say those words, but he had no way to know. No one did. Her father could die in his sleep tonight. The thought made her steel herself against his kind words. “People say that when they don’t know what else to say.”
He took in her statement for a moment. “You’re probably right.”
She exhaled and ran a hand over her hair. Most of it was still held by her bun. “Sorry. I really put a damper on the mood, didn’t I?”
“It’s okay. I want to know what’s going on with you and your family, and not just the surface stuff. I don’t want to stay surface with you.”
Surface. Like, how she was being. His words sent a shot of pain through her heart. How could she be anything but surface with him? She was lying to him. And she couldn’t tell him the truth about herself. That depressed her, and neither of them spoke the rest of the way to the resort.
When they got to their rooms, Shadow leaned against his door. His gaze traveled over her face. “I’ve upset you.”
Yes. But she didn’t want to admit it. “I’m okay.”
“Do you want to come in?”
Those words held a deeper meaning than Riley wanted to explore at the moment. She shook her head. “It’s late. I should probably…” She pointed to her door.
“Yeah. Okay.”
As she dug in her bag for her keycard, her heart sank to her toes. Tonight had been good. She’d clicked with Shadow, and they’d had a good time. But all of a sudden, things had turned complicated and heavy. She found her card and pulled it out. Hesitating, she took one last chance to look at Shadow.
There was a sadness in his eyes she’d never seen before. It descended over her like a shroud. Before she could think too much about it, she gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “Good night.”
He pulled her close and kissed her back, a much slower and more thorough job. “Sleep well.”
She tried to unlock her door, but it took three tries before she could get her keycard in the right spot to work. It was a little embarrassing, with his security standing there, watching. Finally, she entered her room and closed the door, leaning up against it, her heart in her throat.
Through the wall, she heard Sir-Barks-a-Lot yapping out his welcome to Shadow. She smiled and walked into the bathroom, pulling out her makeup remover. As she scrubbed her face, something tugged at her brain, but she couldn’t quite understand what it was or why it was bothering her. She dressed for bed and took out her toothbrush.
Sir Barks made another yipping noise next door, and she froze. Wait. Why had Jalen left his dog with Shadow? That was odd, right?
A tingle went down her spine as she brushed her teeth. Shadow had Jalen’s phone as well. That had been strange too. And when she went to talk to Jalen about her foot, he’d been so weird, all wrapped up in the blanket.
Could Jalen be Shadow?
She shook her head and smiled at her silliness. “I saw them together in the lobby,” she said out loud. “It can’t be.”
Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it had been obvious all along. If Jalen was Shadow, it would explain a lot. Why he couldn’t catch a break before he donned the mask. People were shallow. She could see the burn on his face making it difficult for people to see his talent. And why he’d known about Miles Davis and her saying she loved jazz.
But she’d seen them enter the building together.
After she dressed in her pajamas, she flipped open her laptop and started it up. There should be an easy way to prove it wasn’t Jalen. She called up a Google window and searched Jalen Carter and Shadow Walker. Dozens of photos came up showing them together, at awards ceremonies and other social events.
She was wrong. It wasn’t Jalen. Disappointment settled in her gut as she shut her laptop. She hadn’t uncovered the truth. She was no closer to the job she needed, no closer to the large payout she’d receive if she broke a massive story like this one.
Still, she couldn’t stop thinking about the possibility that somehow Jalen was the one behind the mask. He could have hired someone to dress as himself, at times when he needed to be seen with Shadow. That
was a possibility, right? Or was she grasping at straws? Thoughts kept niggling at her brain until she could no longer think, and sleep overtook her.
Chapter 16
Why was it so hot? Jalen struggled to move, the heat pressing down on him. Everything blurred before him. He blinked, trying to see. He was back in his childhood home, standing in his bedroom, smoke pouring in through the crack above his door. He heard his mother scream.
His heart pounded in his chest. He had to save her. He opened his bedroom door, thick smoke choking him. Flames licked the wall in the hallway. Where was his mother? He ran into her bedroom, but it was empty.
More screams, but he couldn’t see his mother. Fire dripped down from the ceiling, onto his back. Terror shot through him as the flames ate at his skin and clothes. He was surrounded by flames now. Too many. Too hot. He couldn’t breathe.
Jalen woke with a start and gasped for air. Another nightmare. The same, as always. He grabbed the glass of water he always kept by his bedside and drank. He was okay. There was no fire. He took in a calming breath, his hands shaking. He was fine. He just needed to keep telling himself that.
The next morning, Jalen stared at his face in the mirror, still a little shaky from last night’s dream. The sunburn had faded enough that he was pretty sure no one would notice. Still, he’d told Riley that he was out of town for two more days. He had to play the part of Shadow until then. Unless…
…he let her take off his mask.
His stomach clenched as his gaze lifted to the scars on his forehead. The mottled skin really did look horrible. Riley hadn’t flinched when she met him, but how would she feel knowing she’d shared such personal things with him? Or that she’d kissed him? He thought getting to know her as Shadow would be good, but in reality, he’d created an awkward situation that he didn’t foresee.
Now he was unsure if she would accept him. His phone chimed and he walked into the other room. Sir Barks picked up his head and stared at him, his ears up. “No, it’s not time for a walk.”
He checked his messages and saw one from Riley.
Hey, just checking to see if this is Jalen or Shadow.
Jalen typed the word, both, but immediately deleted it and sent a different message.
It’s Shadow.
Okay, good to know. I wasn’t sure if Jalen had taken his phone with him when he left yesterday.
Well, shoot. That would have made more sense. What was he thinking? He really should have gone out yesterday and gotten a phone for Shadow. He’d already given Riley a stupid excuse about it. Now he had to think of something else.
Jalen told me he was going to get me a new phone and bring it to me on Saturday.
It was lame, but it was the best idea that came to him.
Okay. Do you need anything this morning?
Your lips? Jalen chuckled and deleted that. He was sure in a mood.
No. I’ll just be working on my album. I’m scheduled to sing a couple of songs at the restaurant here over the lunch hour, and tonight there’s another concert on the beach.
Her response came quickly.
Okay, text me if you need anything.
Disappointment settled in his chest. Why didn’t he say he needed something? He could have asked for her help. His fingers itched to text her back and have her come bring water or take his laundry to the cleaners. But it was selfish of him. She deserved some time off.
He tossed his phone on the bed and walked to the window. He couldn’t stop playing last night’s events over and over in his head. Their kisses. Riley’s quirky personality shining through. And her invisible wall she hid behind. Riley was a mystery, and he wanted to unravel every thread.
Sir Barks whined, his tail thumping on the floor. “All right. Just a second.”
Normally, he’d just walk his dog as Jalen, and no one would pay attention to him. But now that he’d lied and said Jalen was gone, he had to walk Sir Barks as Shadow in case Riley would run into them. Not ideal, because he’d definitely attract unwanted attention.
He could ask Riley to walk Sir Barks. But he’d just told her he didn’t need her. Still, that’s what she was hired for. To do all the things he couldn’t.
Jalen picked up his phone again.
I hate to ask, but could you walk Sir Barks for me again?
Sure. I’ll be there in a minute.
He realized he hadn’t dressed as Shadow yet, and he quickly rushed to get his outfit and mask on. He didn’t bother with his gloves, since he often took those off around her anyway. Luckily, she didn’t knock until he was ready. He pulled open the door and ushered her inside.
“Thanks for taking him on a walk. I don’t like to go out dressed like Shadow if I can help it.”
She considered him. “Have you ever walked him as yourself, then?”
Jalen worked his jaw, guilt making his palms sweat. “Yes, I have,” he said carefully.
Riley walked to the desk and picked up Sir Barks’ leash before slowly turning to him. “But not now, because we’re here? You don’t want people seeing you with Jalen’s dog?”
He nodded, glad she’d thought of a good reason why he couldn’t walk the dog. “Right.”
Her gaze shifted around the room until it landed on the door that led to the second room he’d booked. The one he used when he was Jalen, not Shadow. “You have an adjoining room.”
Heat flared in him, and he walked to the window and picked up his dog. She was perceptive. He knew this from the start. But now what was he to say? He swallowed, a lump forming in his throat.
Last night he’d been willing to take off his mask. In the heat of the kiss, he’d wanted to show her his true self. But today, in the harsh sunlight, it was the last thing he wanted to do. He stared at the door connecting the two rooms together. “Oh? I didn’t notice.”
She observed him for a moment before breaking into a smile and taking his dog from him. “Come on, Sir Barks. Let’s go. I’m sure you’re excited about the beach today.”
He unlocked the sliding glass door and opened it for her, moving the blinds out of the way. “Thanks for taking him out.”
Her smile widened, although it looked a bit forced. “No problem.”
Jalen exhaled and flopped onto the couch after shutting the door behind Riley. She suspected something. That had to be it. Why else would she be asking about the door? And why would she be staring at him like that?
Was she really suspecting he was Jalen? She did ask about the phone. If she figured it out on her own, maybe that would take the pressure off him to unmask in front of her. Maybe it was okay that she was suspecting the truth.
Nerves shot through him, and he paced the floor. No, it wasn’t okay. She couldn’t figure it out. Not right now. He wasn’t ready. He wanted more time with her. They’d just started to connect. He didn’t want to scare her away yet.
How could he convince her he wasn’t Jalen? He chewed his lower lip while he tried to think. There had been a time when he’d scheduled a text to come from a dummy number so it looked like Shadow was texting him. Maybe he could do something similar. He opened his laptop and clicked on the keys, logging into the website he’d used last time.
What to send? He pondered for a moment before setting up a few texts to come in about fifty minutes. The first was a simple message telling her he had a new number, and asking a yes and no question. The second apologized for being busy and not having time to answer texts, but told her to ask Shadow if she had any more questions. His heart pounded as he shut his laptop. That should convince her, right?
As he waited for Riley to get done walking Sir Barks, he pulled out his notebook. He was supposed to be working on his new album. Right. Like he could write song lyrics right now. He was too keyed up.
He read through the lyrics to his latest song. The one Riley said needed a sad ending. But as he read over the words, he knew he wanted to change them. Riley had changed him, and now he wanted to reflect this in the lyrics.
He went through the song,
adding in more wanting and longing, and made it more about himself…and Riley. As he worked, he felt that excitement, that rush, he always felt when he was working on a hit. He was improving the song. Making it into his next billboard topper.
The glass door slid open, and Riley stepped inside with Sir Barks, his happy welcome dance making her laugh. “Settle down, let me get the leash off.”
Jalen closed his notebook. “He looks like he had fun.”
“He discovered seagulls.” She crouched down and rubbed his fur.
“That sounds exciting.”
“He figured out a fun game to play. If he ran and barked at them, they would just fly away. But if he snuck up on them, he could bark and startle them, making them flap their wings uselessly for a moment before they came to their senses.”
He chuckled. “So mean, Sir Barks.”
“The children liked watching him. You probably heard them screaming in delight.”
Jalen shook his head and pointed to his notebook. “I was working, and I kind of got into the zone. I’m afraid I didn’t hear anything.”
Her phone made a muffled noise, and she stood, digging it out of her bag.
He glanced at the clock. It was the text he’d sent from “Jalen.” He froze, waiting to see what she would say.
“Oh,” she said, staring down at the screen. “It’s from your manager.” Her gaze lifted to him and then bounced to his phone sitting on the desk.
“What does he want?”
“He got a new number. He wanted me to know. And he asked if I have taken your laundry in yet, because you have a gig after this one and won’t have time to get it done in between.”
She sent a text back.
His second text would be coming in a couple of minutes. He held his breath, hoping he could pull this off. “Ah. Yes, he’s right. I’ll put the laundry in a bag for you.”
Riley sat on the other chair. “The resort has a laundry room, doesn’t it?”
He tapped his pen against his chin. “Uh, yeah. I think it’s down the hall.”
A Deception of Massive Proportion: A Romantic Comedy (The Billionaire Club Book 3) Page 10