Page 418 of The Morally Grey Billionaires Boxset

Gio

"So, you guys are breaking up?" Mira asks me.

I got married, then made an excuse about getting back to work.

Grams was surprised but she didn’t try to stop me.

She kissed me on my cheek, told me how happy she was to have me as her grand-daughter-in-law, then insisted I take Tiny for company.

When I protested, her lips drew down. "Tiny loves being with the both of you.”

Rick interjected, “But Grams, he’s not strictly my dog. He’s Liam and Isla’s. Since they’re away, the rest of us have been taking turns dog-sitting, and I thought you could do with some cheering, so—"

"And I’m all cheered up. Besides, he wants to go with the two of you,” Grams insisted.

"He does?" I glanced doubtfully at the Great Dane, who looked up at me with his melting black eyes.

Something in my heart shifted. Or maybe, it was simply that I was still getting used to the fact I was married and would be divorced soon.

I was going to be on my own again. For someone who sworn never to get married in a hurry, I sure crossed that one off my list fast. The thought was beginning to sink in, leaving me with a sense of despondency, when Tiny made that whine he does, and my heart completely melted.

I patted him, and the big dog pushed his head into my palm.

Suddenly, I didn't feel alone. It felt right to bring Tiny back with me.

So, without a second glance at my husband, I hurried Tiny out.

Rick followed me and insisted on driving me to Mira’s.

I told him I was keeping Tiny, and he agreed.

Of course, I texted Mira, and she confirmed it was fine by her; pets are allowed at her apartment building.

When Rick dropped me off, he confirmed he’d pick me up tomorrow, the day of the final match between the Ice Kings and the Sentinels.

I said no, but he simply brushed aside my protests. Then, Tiny pushed his big head between us from the back seat where he’d been strapped in, and that put an end to the argument.

Rick parked the car and carried Tiny’s food and necessities that Grams' companion had packed to the door of Mira’s apartment. He rang the bell and stayed until Mira opened the door. Then, he nodded his goodbye and left.

"I’m very confused. You two got married, and now you’re breaking up?" Mira takes a sip of her wine. She makes a huge fuss over Tiny, who laps up all of the attention.

"Apparently." I turn away, not wanting to face the questions she has for me.

I throw myself onto the settee and have no intention of moving.

Tiny parks himself next to me; he seems to sense my despondency.

He places his head on the edge of the sofa and is looking at me with his melting eyes.

"Are you hungry?" I drag my fingers through the fur on his big head.

He thumps his tail.

"Oh, come here, sweetie. Let’s get you some food." Mira jumps up.

Tiny whines again. Only when I nod my head, does he bound up to his feet and follow her into the kitchen. Her voice reaches me, “I know about your love for Champagne and you’re not getting any from me.”

Tiny sighs so loudly, I can hear him all the way in the living room. I can’t stop myself from chuckling.

“No, no, don’t think you can turn those big melting eyes on me and plead with me,” she admonishes him.

Tiny woofs in response.

I hear her continue to baby talk to him and realize I have a smile on my face.

Tiny seems to have that softening effect on people.

When he’s around, there’s never a dull moment.

No time to feel sorry for yourself, for your attention is taken up with him.

Maybe that’s why Grams asked us to take care of him?

But did Grams know I'm not staying with Rick and that I’d end up keeping Tiny?

Dogs aren’t allowed in the house we share with the rest of the team.

I hadn’t mentioned anything to Grams, and neither had Rick, but Grams must have sensed something, to ask me to take care of Tiny.

Or maybe it was a test, and I failed it? The doorbell rings.

"Will you get it?" Mira calls out from the kitchen. I hear the sound of Tiny’s chomping as I head for the door, and when I throw it open, I gasp.

My heart jumps in my chest. A thrill of pleasure runs through my veins.

I tilt my head all the way back and take in that square jaw, that mean upper lip, that pouty lower lip, that hooked nose which lends him an air of always being in control.

"What do you want?" I cross my arms over my chest.

"I wanted to see you,” my husband murmurs.

"You saw me less than an hour ago."

"I wanted to make sure you don’t lack for anything.”

"Why would you do that?" I frown.

"You’re my wife," he reminds me.

"Not for much longer."

His lips thin. "You are my wife. End of story." He pulls something from his pocket and holds it out.

I glance at the rectangular card in the palm of his hand, then up at his face. "What’s that for?"

"It's a bank card. You’ll have access to all of the funds in my account with this."

"I have enough money of my own."

"Call me old-fashioned, but I’d prefer to provide for my wife," he growls.

"We’ve only been married a few hours, and you’re already asserting your rights?"

"Oh, I haven’t even started." His shoulders bunch, and the tendons of his throat stand out in relief. He looks like he’s about to tear off my clothes, throw me on the ground and mount me and… Would that be so bad?

Heat flushes my skin. My heart descends to the space between my thighs. That familiar flip-flop of my stomach draws attention to the fact I’m utterly in his thrall. I try to look away from him, but those laser-sharp eyes of his hold me captive.

"Rick," I swallow. "Please, Rick." I’m not sure what I’m asking for, but he seems to understand.

"You’re my wife. You should be with me, at my side."

"It’s a farce, Rick. This was for Grams’ benefit, and now she’s happy. That’s all that matters."

"If it’s a farce, why are you wearing your ring?"

I glance at my left hand where the antique engagement ring, as well as the accompanying wedding band he placed there mock me. I curl my fingers into a fist and lower it to my side. "I forgot to take it off, is all."

"I didn’t forget you, not for one second since I left you here. Come back with me, Goldie. The bed is too big without you, the room is too empty without you and I… I’m nothing without you."

Pressure builds behind my eyes. "I can’t, Rick. Not after what you did to me. Everything you told me was a lie. Even getting me to share your room and your bed. All of it was a lie. There’s nothing real between us, not even our marriage, so there’s no reason for us to be together."

"But there is." He reaches for my hand then turns my palm face-up and places his bank card on it. "I’m rich, Gio."

"So?"

"I’m very rich."

He’s never flaunted his wealth, but given he’s the captain of the hottest hockey team in the country, not to mention Grams lives in a townhouse in the most expensive borough in the city, somewhere along the line, it had registered with me that Rick was definitely well-off.

Hold on, I frown. "If you think you can pay me—"

"I wouldn’t dare." His eyes gleam.

I scowl. "Are you laughing at me?"

He shakes his head.

I squint down at the card. “Why would you give me your bank card instead of a credit card?”

“Because what’s mine is yours. Because I trust you. But I betrayed your trust. I hurt you. I need to pay for betraying you, and I couldn't think of a better way than by placing my fortune in your hands."