The Pretend Girlfriend (A Billionaire Love Story #1)(107)

"So what if they are?" Aiden said, gritting his teeth. The sudden flash of anger from him shocked her. He was normally so collected and even-tempered, so mature and thoughtful.

"It's just that, if they are, maybe that means we have the time to come up with something else. Or who knows? Maybe Henry's called them off?"

"No," Aiden replied.

"No?"

"That doesn't matter. Can't you see, Gwen? Sure, maybe the paparazzi got bored with us. Maybe we got lucky and they haven't been able to find us. But that doesn't matter. Because if this doesn't work, Henry will move onto the next plan. And if that fails, then another one. He just won't stop." Aiden grew angrier as he spoke, until he practically shouted the final sentence.

Gwen shrunk back from him. She'd never seen him like this.

When he saw his effect on her, he deflated. Sitting down on the bed, he reached a tentative hand out to touch her foot. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled like that. It's never okay to speak like that. Not with someone you love, especially. Forgive me?"

"I do," Gwen said. She could tell that he genuinely meant what he said. It was just his father's effect on him that brought this out. "That tickles!" she said, jerking her foot back from his stroking fingers.

"You have to believe me when I say that this is the only way I think even has a chance of working," he said.

"But what if he makes you use it! The company..."

He nodded, understanding her implications perfectly. "We'll just have to hope that he comes to his senses about this."

"But if he doesn't, and you do use it, what about all your charity work? What about all the things you hoped to accomplish?"

He shook his head. That would all be gone, too. She could see the hurt in his eyes at that thought.

"If he pushes you, will you release it?" Gwen asked, not wanting to hear the answer, but needing to know at the same time. She got a quick flash of their life together. He'd be out of a job, definitely. He'd probably be called to court to testify and whatnot. That would complicate things.

At least they'd be together, she knew. Even if he was penniless, she'd still want to be with him. But she didn't like the changes she imagined he'd go through, having to experience the likely very public tearing down of his own life. He didn't deserve that sort of treatment, even if Henry did.

Aiden replied, "I hope I don't have to. I think the best way to go about this is the Band-Aid solution."

"The what?"

"You know, tearing it off quickly so that it hurts less?"

Gwen hated that. She usually spent a good five minutes psyching herself up to rip the things off, trying to convince herself that it really would hurt much less than slowly peeling it off. And she was in her twenties now!

Still, it made sense. Why psych themselves out worrying over what-ifs? Better to try it and discover the what-is, the reality of the situation. She nodded in agreement, threading her fingers together and squeezing them tightly. Seeing her anxiety, Aiden put one hand over hers.

And then he called Henry, putting it on speakerphone for her benefit.

Gwen kind of wished Beatrice could be here for this. One, because B would definitely enjoy it. Two, because she could definitely use the support of her best friend right about now. Even if it meant a few smart mouthed comments and jokes.

It rang twice. "Henry Manning's office. How may I help you?" the secretary answered.

"It's Aiden," he said, "I'd like to speak with my father immediately." Even when he made demands he was polite about it.

Silence came from the other end of the line while the secretary considered the situation. She probably knew at least in part about what was going on. She might also know that Aiden and Gwen had gone to ground, and that this call could be some sort of official surrender from them.

"He's in a meeting right now. I'll see if he's available," she replied.

"Please do."

She put them on hold. Some bombastic bit of classical music began playing.

"Wagner," Aiden identified, shaking his head.

They waited long enough that Gwen began wondering if there might be time enough for a bathroom break. She started tapping her foot.

Aiden noticed. "It's just another business tactic. Making us wait. It's supposed to make us frustrated and throw us off balance. Just relax. He'll be on within fifteen seconds. I'd bet my life on it."

By now, Gwen knew better than to question him on that. With all these various business tactics, Henry could probably make a killing writing them all into a book.

A countdown started in her head. The hold music stopped when she reached Four. Adrenaline squirted into her system, leaving her shaking. This was it.

"I see you've discovered that you can't hide forever," Henry said. His voice sounded just as imposing coming from the tiny speakers on the phone as it did when she stood in his office. How does he do that? Gwen wondered.

"We've managed well so far," Aiden said, "However, that isn't why I've contacted you."

"Oh, do tell. The suspense is killing me," Henry replied, the phone adding to his sarcastic tone.

Aiden read out a series of numbers, which he had apparently memorized. Gwen figured they were the secret bank accounts.