WIFE WANTED (A Billionaire Bad Boy Romance) by Bella Grant Read Free Book Online

money for something.”
    “Most likely, but we really don’t have a choice.”
    “Great. I’m going to marry a freaking gold digger who’s going to take all my money,” Riley muttered as he skimmed over the profiles. Most of them were beautiful, definitely nice to look at, but their eyes were cold. He slid one to the side then another, muttering about their professions, if they even had one. Most of these women were unemployed. “This is going to be a long two months. And you couldn’t find any loopholes? Anywhere?”
    Ben reached for the file that contained the old man’s will. “No, not one. Your grandfather was very thorough in eliminating any chance you might have to get out of this deal. Either you marry or you lose everything to do with his company and the inheritance.”
    “Damn.” He didn’t even know where to start. The women staring back at him from their pictures…none of them looked like they could handle being his wife. Not that he was crazy by any means, but he wanted a partner, someone to whom he could talk, whom he could trust. These women looked like all the ones who wound up in his bed at night and snuck out by morning. “I can’t do this on an empty stomach. Need some food. Want Chinese or Italian? I’m going to order in…what?”
    “I sort of maybe…set you up on a date tonight.”
    “Ben…seriously, man? Come on.”
    “What? You are on a time constraint, and I know you. You’ll wait ‘til the last second, and then you’ll be really unhappy,” he argued. “Just go on the damn date. What’s the harm in it?”
    “She could be crazy, that’s the harm,” he said as he snatched the file off the table that Ben indicated. “Trisha? Really, her name is Trisha?”
    “Riley, I’m your friend, so know when I say this it’s because I love you.” Riley snorted as Ben shot back the rest of his whiskey and set his glass down. “Go get dressed and look presentable. You are going on this damn date, even if I have to drag your sorry ass there myself. Oh, and by the way, you’re borrowing my name until you know for sure. Keeps you somewhat secure.” His words were met with another loud curse. “You’re welcome.”
    Riley glanced up to find his friend, who rarely ever got annoyed, glaring at him. His green eyes darkened and he tapped his fingers on the counter, waiting for Riley to get moving. “Fine, fine. Just for you, I will go on this stupid date.”
    He headed back to his bedroom as Ben called out, “Don’t worry. If this one doesn’t work out, I already set up another for tomorrow.”
    “Course you did!” Riley headed to his walk-in closet and stared. What do I wear on a blind date with a woman who might end up as my wife? Hell, this is insane. Who cares? He pulled a button-up black shirt off the hanger and threw it on over his t-shirt, then headed to the bathroom to gel his hair. Once it was not as messy, he rolled up his sleeves, showing off the tattoos on his forearms. Remembrances for those he’d lost. On the left was a white lily with vines and his parents’ initials written along their lengths. On the other was a phoenix feather and Meredith’s initials. The feather ranged in color from red to shades of orange and yellow.
    He stared at the tattoo for a long time, remembering how, in the beginning, it had been done to match hers. Then when she’d died, he’d added her initials. His thumb brushed over the black ink and he felt the familiar pain tighten his chest. Heard the sirens wailing in the distance. If he’d been faster to react…if he’d seen the headlights just a second sooner…
    If the asshole that hit them hadn’t been drunk.
    “Riley, you ready?” Ben called. “We need to swing by your office to go over some merger papers before your date tonight!”
    “The merger. Almost forgot about that.” How could he, though? It was going to be the next great step for the company. A contract with the CIA and Homeland Security. It was going to take his