Billionaire's Blackmail Bride: Billionaire Brothers Kent - Ridge's Story (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series)

  BILLIONAIRE'S BLACKMAIL BRIDE

  JUDY ANGELO

  The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series

  Volume 15

  Copyright © 2014 Judy Angelo

  Phoenix Publishing Limited

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or otherwise (mechanical, photocopying, recording or stored in a retrieval system) without the prior written consent of the Publisher. Such action is an infringement of the copyright law.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Author contact:

  [email protected]

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  Judy Angelo Author

  Cover Artist: Ramona Lockwood (Covers by Ramona)

  BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES

  Judy Angelo

  Volume 1 - Tamed by the Billionaire

  Volume 2 - Maid in the USA

  Volume 3 - Billionaire's Island Bride

  Volume 4 - Dangerous Deception

  Volume 5 - To Tame a Tycoon

  Volume 6 - Sweet Seduction

  Volume 7 - Daddy by December

  Volume 8 - To Catch a Man (in 30 Days or Less)

  Volume 9 – Bedding Her Billionaire Boss

  Volume 10 - Her Indecent Proposal

  Volume 11 - So Much Trouble When She Walked In

  Volume 12 – Married by Midnight

  Volume 13 - The Billionaire Next Door

  Volume 14 - Babies for the Billionaire

  Volume 15 - Billionaire's Blackmail Bride

  BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Coll. I - Vols. 1 - 4

  BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Coll. II - Vols. 5 - 8

  BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Coll. III - Vols. 9 - 12

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  Holiday Editions

  Rome for the Holidays (Novella)

  Rome for Always (Novel)

  The NAUGHTY AND NICE Series

  Volume 1 - Naughty by Nature

  COMING SOON

  Volume 16 - Bossing the Billionaire

  BILLIONAIRE'S BLACKMAIL BRIDE

  As a research scientist it is Lani Donatelli's dream to make a difference in the lives of people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. There's only one problem, and it's a huge one - she's lost her funding from the big pharmaceutical companies and her research lab is in danger of closing down. Without funding her experiments are at a standstill. On top of that, she has one month to come up with the money to clear months of arrears with the leasing company before she and her team are evicted. In desperation, she turns to the one man she knows can save her skin. But is she willing to pay the price he demands?

  As co-member of a Houston school board, Ridge Kent has admired Lani Donatelli for months. She, however, can't stand him. According to her, he's nothing but a joker and an annoying one at that. Their disagreements at board meetings don't help since the constant conflict builds a brick wall between them. He wants to get to know her better but how can he, when all their interactions have been the polar opposite of positive? And then, like a heaven-sent miracle, lovely little Lani falls right into his hands. She has nowhere to turn but to him. He is willing to help, on one condition - Lani Donatelli must become his wife.

  Bride by blackmail - a recipe for disaster or an unexpected chance for love?

  CHAPTER ONE

  Sweet. The gods must be smiling down on him today. Lani Donatelli was sitting right here in his office and she was in big trouble. Could things go any better?

  Leaning back in his chair, Ridge tented his fingers and regarded her through narrowed eyes. He was going to play tough even though he was laughing inside. She’d fallen right into his hands and he could not believe his luck.

  “How’s that again?” he asked, feigning confusion, watching the emotions flit across her face.

  Lani gave an exasperated sigh. “Ridge Kent, you heard every word I said. Why should I repeat myself?” The color rising in her cheeks, Lani was clenching and unclenching her hands like she was trying hard not to hop out of her chair, reach across the desk and strangle him. She looked so cute when she was angry, like a little pink pixie, so tiny she could pass for a kid as she sat there, lost in the big, black office chair. And it didn’t help that she was sporting a super-short boy haircut. If he didn’t already know her he’d swear she was a stray twelve year old who’d wandered into his office.

  But enough of admiring little Miss Cuteness. She’d asked a pointed question and he was only too willing to answer. “Maybe you should repeat yourself,” he said, his tone cool, “because you really need this favor.”

  At his words Lani’s eyes shot daggers and she looked like if she could have killed him with her glare she would have. “You don’t need to rub it in,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “Oh, but I do,” he replied. “I most certainly do.”

  “Jerk,” she muttered under her breath.

  But that didn’t faze him at all. He knew exactly what he was doing. “I’m waiting,” he said, just in case she needed a little more prompting.

  Lani gave a heavy sigh then shook her head. “I’ll go slower this time just so you’ll understand. I’ve lost my funding for the research project I’m working on. A very important project. It’s impossible for me to find alternative funding at such short notice and that’s why I need your help.”

  “I see.” Ridge leaned forward, holding her gaze. “And what’s so important about this research project of yours? Why not shelve it and move on to something else?”

  She looked at him like he was just short of being a blinking idiot. “Don’t you get it? This is important. Life changing. It could make a difference in thousands of people's lives. You don’t start a study that could make such an impact and then you shelve it. Are you crazy?”

  For someone who’d come to his door begging she sure wasn’t acting humble. The way she was speaking to him it was like he was the one who needed the favor, not her. Ridge had to hold in a chuckle. He kept his face serious as he asked the next question. “So if your project is that important why can’t you get funding? Isn’t this the sort of thing those big pharmaceutical companies want to be involved in?”

  Lani grimaced. “Not this one. I’m not doing research on a synthetic drug, something they can patent. My research is on natural plant alternatives so they don’t give a damn. If you can’t make billions off it they don’t want to hear about it.”

  “I see,” he said again, nodding slowly as he pondered her words. “So what you’re saying is, you want me to invest in a project for which there is no return. The pharmaceutical companies won’t do it so why should I?”

  “Why should… is that all you ever think about? How much money you stand to make?”

  Her scowl was so dark Ridge was having a hard time keeping a straight face. God, he was having fun pushing her buttons.

  He shrugged. “I’m a businessman,” he said, his tone nonchalant. “If you ain’t makin' money you ain’t got no business.”

  That got her good. He could see it in the way her teeth clenched and her eyes narrowed. “Well, if that’s the position you’re going to take it looks like I came to the wrong person.” She slapped her hands on the arms of her chair and hopped to her feet. “Thanks for nothing. Good day, Mr. Kent.” Then she turned and stalked off toward the doo
r.

  Ridge waited until her hand was on the knob and then he spoke. “Come back here, Miss Donatelli.” His voice was firm and curt. “Come back and sit down,” he paused for maximum effect, “or else you’re not getting a cent out of me.”

  She froze, hand still on the knob, and then slowly she turned and stared back at him. Eyes narrowed, she frowned. “So you’re giving me the money?”

  Ridge gave her a crooked grin. “I might. But there’s just one thing.”

  Her frown deepened and, moving slowly, she folded her arms in front of her. “What,” she said slowly, the word dripping with suspicion, “thing?”

  She was curious now, and wary, but he wasn’t going to make things that easy. Lani would have to learn that he was the one holding the blade and she’d better tread carefully.

  “I’ll tell you,” he said, his tone frigid, “as soon as you find your butt back in your chair.”

  He saw her quick look of surprise at his imperious tone but in a flash it was gone. Now her ebony eyes glinted with unmistakable anger. It was obvious she wanted to tell him to go to hell but she was too smart for that. Her mind was ticking fast and he could see the second that she decided to suck it up and do what he’d ordered. She was a proud and independent woman but she wasn’t stupid.

  With a twist of her lips she released her arms and marched back to the chair she’d just vacated. It was a good thing she was wearing slacks and not a dress because she practically flung herself down into it, her expression telling him that whatever it was he had to say to her, she was not looking forward to it.

  “So what ‘thing’ is it you want to tell me,” she said, “before you give me the money?”

  Ridge didn’t answer. He’d been planning to make her a friendly proposition, one she could live with, but screw that. Little Miss Lani was being a bit too haughty for his liking…even though she was the one asking favors. Time to take her down a notch or two.

  “I’ll give you the money,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers, “on one condition.”

  Lani drew in a slow breath and her gaze grew even more suspicious. “What condition?”

  “You can get your money to do your precious research project,” he said, his tone even, “as long as you agree to marry me. I want you to be my wife for a year.”

  That declaration didn’t get him the reaction he’d been expecting. Instead of the shock and horror he’d anticipated Lani did the very opposite. The contrary girl burst out laughing.

  “I heard you could be a joker but this takes the cake. So you’re a businessman turned comedian now?” She wasn’t shy with her guffaws. She was laughing so hard Ridge was thinking she might pitch forward and fall out of her chair.

  But he wouldn’t say a word. He would let her have her moment of fun and then he would set her straight. That grin would be wiped from her face soon enough.

  When she finally calmed down enough to stop laughing and slide back in her chair Ridge got up and walked over to the credenza on top of which sat an ice bucket with bottles of water and juice. He glanced over at her. “Want one?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  With a shrug he turned, grabbed a bottle of water and tipped it to his lips. He downed a third of it in one swig. As he lowered the bottle and replaced the cap he regarded her with casual interest. “Ready to talk to me now?”

  “About what?” she asked, a smile teasing the corner of her mouth. “Of course you weren’t serious.”

  He gave her a slow smile. “I’m dead serious.”

  It was only then that things seemed to sink in for Lani. The smile that had tickled her mouth disappeared. The lips that had just curled so prettily now turned thin and firm. “But why?” she asked, her tone half combative, half confused. “Why would you want me to marry you? We don’t even like each other.”

  And the way she said the last sentence, curling her lips like the very thought repulsed her, made him even more determined to stick to his guns. He would bring her to heel if it killed him.

  “Let’s just say I’ve got my reasons.” He spoke calmly, not giving away the fact that she’d just pissed him off. There would be time enough to get his revenge for that transgression.

  “But I don’t get it.” As he walked back to his desk her eyes followed him, boring into him, never letting him go. He definitely had her attention now. “Ever since we met,” she continued, “we’ve been at loggerheads. In fact, I wouldn’t even be in your office right now if I weren’t desperate.”

  Ridge smiled. “That, little Lani, is the operative word. The question is, how desperate are you?” He made sure to put emphasis on the word just so she didn’t miss the point.

  Lani’s breathing was growing more and more agitated by the minute. Nostrils flaring, she got up and out of the chair and stood there, hands clenched at her sides. “You’re sick. You know that?”

  His smile deepened. “I may be,” he said, his tone relaxed as ever, “but you’re the one who’s going to make this decision. Not me.”

  With a shrug he sank back into his chair and looked at the seething woman standing in front of his desk. “My condition is on the table, Lani. Take it or leave it.”

  ***

  Lani couldn’t believe the pickle she was in. Worse, she couldn’t believe her only way out might be to consider Ridge Kent's insane proposal. Marry him just so she could get funding for her research? He must be mad.

  When he’d laid down his condition she’d stormed out of his office, slamming the door shut behind her. Then she’d gone straight to the research lab and put in six more hours of work even though that had her leaving at minutes after ten o’clock. She’d been so worked up she couldn’t have slept even if she’d tried and so she’d worked into the late hours of the night. By the time she quit and went home she was exhausted.

  But if she’d thought making herself super tired would ensure a night of deep sleep she was sadly mistaken. After a long night of fitful sleep she dragged herself out of bed and readied herself for another busy day. And thanks to Ridge she felt as beat up as an old jalopy. Great.

  After a quick shower and some cereal Lani grabbed her bag and a clean lab coat then headed for the elevator. She’d just exited the underground parking garage and was driving away from her apartment building when her cell phone rang. “Lani, where are you? I stopped at The Breakfast Klub and got you a Katfish and Grits meal. You’re gonna get here soon?”

  “Just heading out,” she said as she turned onto South Heights Boulevard. “Be there in fifteen minutes.”

  As she hung up from her assistant Lani sighed. Chris was as good as it got when it came to assistants – dedicated, focused and always ready to go the extra mile. She only hoped she wouldn’t have to let him go. But if they ran out of money what else could she do? She was the only one who knew it but the research lab was this close to being closed down.

  When she got to the lab Chris had already set up the test tubes and Bunsen burners and was busy washing beakers in the sink. As she came in he turned. “Hey, boss. What took you so long? Your food’s getting cold.” Then he frowned and a look of concern crossed his face. “You don’t look so good. Are you all right?”

  She grimaced. “I’m okay. Just tired, that’s all. I didn’t sleep so good last night." She shrugged out of her jacket and donned her lab coat. “And the traffic this morning didn’t help, either. Why is traffic always so tight in Houston? I hate Westheimer Road.”

  Chris grimaced. “I avoid it like the plague, especially at this time of year. Don’t you know March is the worst month to want to be on that road? Too many tourists in town for the rodeo.”

  Lani rolled her eyes. “Now he tells me.” Then she walked over to look at the Petri dishes on the long table against the back wall. She stared at her specimens for a while then, growing thoughtful, she put her finger to her chin. “We haven’t made much progress with these cultures,” she said to no-one in particular. “I just hope we haven’t wasted the last three weeks.”

&
nbsp; “But we can’t go any further until you get some more plant samples, remember?” Of course, Chris had to remind her about something she already knew, so his stating the obvious didn’t help her any.

  “Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “But that comes with a price tag.” It was a price they couldn’t afford. She didn’t bother telling him that part.

  As lead researcher and director of Allied Labs it was her job to worry about where the money was going to come from to pay for plant supplies, the equipment, the salaries and all the overseas trips that would be required to source the supplies. Beside herself, she had Chris and Minerva to worry about. Even though Minerva was part-time her wages were still a strain on the already meager budget. But right now she didn’t even want to think about that. She had a long day ahead of her and she was already depressed. There was no sense in making things worse by dwelling on the problems.

  “Okay, young man,” she said with forced cheeriness, “let’s see what we can do to save this experiment.”

  At her words Chris smiled and Lani knew why. Even though she called him young man, at twenty-nine she was not much older than Chris. In fact, when they attended meetings people often thought he was the one in charge. With her short boy haircut and her penchant for shirts and trousers she could pass for his little brother. And the fact that he was on the heavy side made him look older than his twenty-seven years.

  Instead of taking offense at the frequent misunderstanding Lani just laughed it off. It was always so comical when they realized she was the one with the doctorate degrees in botany and neuroscience. It never failed to crack her up when the serious-looking corporate heads did a double-take when they found they wouldn’t get answers to their questions unless they talked to her.