Free Sweet Abduction by Sasha Gold Page B

days. I want him to kiss me that’s what I want but I’m not going to tell him that. He seems to have a no-touch rule. I imagine it’s because he still associates me with the family that he despises.
    We attend evening events together, both of us dressed formally, and while I stay close to his side to give the impression we’re a loving couple, I never touch him.
    This morning we have a photo shoot for some Italian cologne. Riley wants me in the picture. This will be the first time he’s shared the frame with anyone for any of his endorsements. I have no idea what that means or signifies but since no one seems to be noticing me, I’m hoping they’ve forgotten about that part. I wander around the set and snag a few things from the craft services table. Riley sits in a chair, slouched casually while people adjust lighting or props or fiddle with his shirt collar. Half the people on the set are Italian, including the director, Paulo something.
    The man is very fussy, barking orders at people. Riley has already told his assistant that Paulo better settle down. Apparently the two have worked together before. An assistant scurries across the set, weaving through the equipment, balancing a tiny cup of espresso on a saucer. He offers it to his boss and the man sniffs it several times before taking a sip.
    There’s a big commotion outside the set and I hear someone talking loudly. It’s a woman and she’s talking about me. Riley looks at me and lifts an eyebrow. He’s joked a few times that he needs to be careful taking me out in public. He doesn’t want Miranda to steal me back. I crane my neck to see who it is. Surely Miranda wouldn’t crash a photo shoot to make a scene.
    A woman’s voice rises above the din. “I happen to be Miss Mathew’s personal secretary and I have to speak to her.”
    It’s Charlotte. Two security officers accompany her, one on each side. She just got back from Mexico, landing three hours ago, and I’ve already gotten about a dozen messages. Half are her complaining about all the wedding stuff that “got dumped on her lap” and the other messages are her checking up on me, making jokes about renting a helicopter to come rescue me. This morning she offered to bake a cake with a file hidden inside.
    She would too. I think she’s the only person who might really try.
    “Oh look, there she is,” Charlotte says just a little too loudly. She waves at me. “Yoohoo, Miss Mathews, I have that information you needed.”
    “You know this lady?” one of the men asks.
    “Yes, I do. She’s okay.”
    “Leah,” Riley says quietly. “What’s going on?”
    “It’s Dane’s fiancé. It’s fine.”
    Charlotte pulls me into a hug. “I’m almost as mad as Miranda.”
    Her eyes flash with amusement as she eyes me up and down. “You look so cute. I love those boots. I’ve been in the jungle for the last week and I need to go shopping to get my fix. I can’t tell you how crappy it is that you’re a size smaller than me.” She winks at me and lowers her voice. “So. Have you done the deed?”
    Heat spreads across my face. “No. I’m not even sure it’s going to happen.”
    Riley comes to my side and stares at Charlotte intently like he’s trying to size her up and determine if she’s a threat.
    Charlotte smiles at Riley, a huge megawatt smile, her white teeth contrasting with her tropical tan. She offers her hand. “That was some stunt you pulled, Tarzan.”
    He takes her hand and shakes it. I can tell he’s not sure if he wants to agree with her or not.
    “Charlotte Davenport and Miranda Mathews hate each other,” I offer, trying to clarify.
    His shoulders drop a fraction of an inch as he relaxes and he looks at Charlotte with a whole new appreciation. Anyone who doesn’t get along with Miranda has to be all right.
    “Charlotte Davenport?” Riley says. “Your father is the doctor, right, Michael Davenport?”
    “Yes,” she beams. “You know him?”
    “I do. I have nothing but