Rose is worried; it’s obvious from the shake of her smile and the way her eyes flick nervously around her. When she went to bed last night, I was up and arranging our wedding. I chose Vegas because it’s the one place we can marry under the radar, presuming the radar isn’t aware we are on it yet.
Richie Evans is my lawyer and a good friend. We have shared many secrets together that not even my family is aware of. I saved his life, and he is eternally grateful for that and refuses payment for his services because I am also saving his wife’s. Years ago, she was in a road traffic accident while he was out of town. I got the call from him, delirious with grief, asking if I could help.
I didn’t hesitate and attended the hospital where I arranged the best care, subsequently organizing her long time care in the nursing home she ended up in. Her prognosis isn’t great. Her brain was impacted in the collision, and she cannot speak, eat, or care for herself. Richie is mad with grief even now and will do anything he can to bring her back to him. I’vebeen assured that will never happen, and it would be kinder to allow her to slip away, but he hasn’t given up hope. Her care is costly, and I pay without question, ensuring his loyalty in a far better way than a healthy paycheck every month.
Richie’s loyalty runs deep with me, and even though I don’t agree with his decision, I respect it and am happy to pay for his services this way. Plus, he is the best at what he does. He is clinical, cold and brutal in his quest for perfection, and there is nothing he can’t swing in my favor.
So, I trusted him to deliver because, for some reason, he is the only person outside of family who I fully trust.
Eddie is the only other man I allow the privilege, but the ambush in Spain has made me question that. We have been followed, and not only by my men, and I wonder if somehow they are answering to Eddie rather than me in this case. Which is why I changed everything and took the cab, choosing an independent company rather than a bigger business.
The flights were booked under two different names which Richie arranged last night and had the relevant documents delivered by courier to the hotel reception this morning. If we are discovered, it will be because we were followed, and I took steps to prevent it. In this case, I am flying solo because the stakes are too high to trust anyone else.
It doesn’t take long before our flight is called, and only when we are safely on the plane do I relax a little the moment the doors close and the engine starts.
Richie scrutinized the passenger manifest and sent me the list, and I have no reason to doubt any of the other passengers or crew. It definitely pays to work under the law because information in our business can save lives—mineand in this case the stakes are too high to leave to chance. I’m a planner, and that will never change.
Rose is silent, which I appreciate. She is astute and observant and knows when to be quiet and when to speak. I haven’t underestimated her emotions on this matter, and she must be second-guessing her decision right now. It’s to be expected, and so as the aircraft taxis to the runway, I grasp her hand and inject some warmth into my smile.
“It will be okay. You will enjoy the best year of your life.”
“Only one year? I expect more of you than that.”
Her genuine smile lights my dark soul, and I nod, promising myself more than her. “You have the power, baby. One year is still the deal despite our wedding.”
“What do you mean? I thought–”
“If you choose to return, you will do so as my wife, and I will always wait for you to come back to me.”
“Julius, I–”
Her eyes fill with emotion and as the aircraft lifts into the sky, we share a smile more intimate than what will happen later tonight. Now we are a team, whether we make it or not and her best interests are at the forefront of my mind and I want her to know it.
We makeit back on American soil, but I can’t breathe a sigh of relief yet. Not until we are married and safely back in Washington.
I am passing on the trip to the ranch because I’ve decided to stick with the original plan. We will be safer in Washington at the family mansion while the news hits the street that one of the sisters is now out of the game. Then we can continue with our lives, safe in the knowledge Rose isprotected and my part of the deal has been honored. I consider myself the lucky one and wonder if Rose’s sisters are just as fantastic as she is.
When we arrive in Vegas, we take a cab to the Palazzo, where I pre-booked the penthouse. However, our stay here will be short because as soon as we are married, we will make the journey to Washington.
Another hotel, another elevator and another anonymous penthouse and as we take the short journey after checking in, I prepare Rose for the day ahead.
“Today is our wedding day.”
I remind her, and she nods, excitement glittering in her eyes.
“I know.”
“Are you still okay with that?”
“Are you?”
I shake my head. “Never answer my questions with another one, Rose. I am interested in hearing your thoughts before my own.”
“Yes, Julius. My answer has not changed. I want to marry you today, and I want to put an end to this.”
For some reason, her words hurt rather than reassure. Rose is stating the obvious, but for some reason it wounds my pride a little. I want her to marry me because of me and not her situation, and I wonder about that.
I say nothing, and she considers me for a moment and then reaches for my hand.
