“Then you marry him.”
“Don’t make that offer twice,” she cooed. I’d be damned if she didn’t have a dreamy look in her eyes. “For five million?” Now her tone was as sheepish as the way I felt.
I’d orchestrated a portion of the deal, so I only had myself to blame for it spiraling out of control. I should have known he’d gain and keep the upper hand. The thought of the man touching me ever again was…
Debilitating.
Not only because I should feel absolutely disgusted, but also because I could still feel his lips on mine. I remained hot all over, incapable of shoving thoughts of him aside. That had been a full day before. My pussy had throbbed half the night even as I’d envisioned skewering him with metal prods. Nothing had worked and sleep had evaded me.
At least only the best defense attorney in town had made contact. We had a meeting tomorrow where he was going to try to have the charges dismissed with the caveat that Donovan agreed to a long-term stay at a respectable facility.
Tonight, my first decision as the fiancée of the rich and handsome Christian Elliot was choosing which center my brother would reside in for at least three months. Ugh. The thought was both a relief and disturbing. That would be the second step in selling my soul. There would be many others in the six months. I already felt strangled.
The marriage contract had arrived on my desk before I’d left from work that afternoon. His attorney had been thorough, so much so everything was spelled out, including that I was to move in with him as soon as the contract was signed.
That had occurred by noon the next day after my attorney had been pressured to review things quickly. I’d been provided with all the reasons I needed to be careful entering into a fake marriage in general, let alone one with potentially damning results.
Repercussions against my business. Scandal. Total family alienation. Financial ruin.
And my favorite.
Losing my heart.
My attorney obviously didn’t know me very well. When I set my mind to something, I stuck with it.
Thank God Amelia was here to ground me. If that was possible.
She’d followed me to my house, helping me pack several bags, even offering to take my plants home with her. The entire situation was sad and ridiculous, the whirlwind of events creating more stress in my life than I’d ever experienced.
“That’s the fifth time you’ve shoved that in my face,” I teased as I struggled to close one of the bags, finally yanking the zipperuntil I heard a slight ripping sound. Who cared if the damn thing broke? I could get a new one or a thousand of them with all the money that would flow into my bank account. “Yes. His success in this business adventure is worth that much money to him.”
Somehow, I’d use that to my advantage.
“I still can’t believe it. For six months of work. Maybe not too much work. At least you’ll get to go to fancy parties. Imagine the food. Maybe you’ll end up on the yacht for your honeymoon.” When I gave her a hardcore look that I should reserve for my… fiancé, she blushed.
“There will be no honeymoon unless it’s over my dead body.”
“I’m sorry. I know this will sound horribly off-putting, but he’s hot.”
“Yes, it does, but you’re right. The money will help. I hate to admit anything positive about that man or the situation, but it will.”
“There’s nothing wrong with having money, girl.” Amelia winked.
Maybe not. “With my endowment already deposited into the bank, I transferred two hundred thousand to the corporate account. Why don’t you go ahead and pay the rent for the next three months? I’ll wire more later when I get settled.”
“Oh, two hundred thousand. Pennies.”
This time I laughed and sat down on the bed. “What am I doing?” I dropped my head into my hands.
“What’s necessary to help your brother get better and to keep the business you adore and are good at afloat. Six months will go byin a flash. By the way. Is that what the money is being called, an endowment?”
I laughed, nodding profusely. “A little corny, huh? No pre-nup since the contract is ironclad, but I’ll have a tidy divorce settlement in addition. I wheeled and dealed.”
“You didn’t!”
“I did. I was getting back at him for… For forcing me to be married to him in every way.” I wrinkled my nose and she huffed. “What?”
“You could do worse. Try and think of it that way. Besides, you’ve already tasted the merchandise and from what you told me, it’s not too bad.”
