I blow out a breath.“All right.As long as you understand it’s fake.”
“Of course.”He dips his head, agreeing so quickly I don’t think it’s a real concession.“We can work out the details over dinner tonight.”
Give this man an inch, and he thinks he’s a ruler.
I raise a finger between us.“Don’t get too comfortable, Mr.Roy.I’m already interviewing assassins.”
The door opens just in time for George to hear my last statement.“Um, is this a bad time?”
“We’re almost done,” Rex says.Without taking his eyes off me, he breaks into a superstar smile.My insides quake under the full force of his charm.
A tall woman with a black headset fixed over her long box braids leans in past George.“Mr.Roy, Mrs.Roy.We’re ready for you.”
“Thank you, Nadia.We’re ready.”Rex lays a hand on my back, pressing slightly to move me forward.“This way, darling.”
“Wait.”I stiffen my legs.“I need to get down to records storage.There’s an old case with similar details to the most recent murder.”
Rex leans in, his expression intent.“You think it’s him?”He keeps it vague because we’re in public.
“It might be.Or it’s related.”The connection of the dead birds left at the scene is too important to ignore.“Either way, I need the murder book.”
“One moment.”Rex turns to George and murmurs to him.The man bobs his head so much he practically bows.Rex returns to my side.“We’ll have them within the hour.”His lips are close to my ear.“They’ll be delivered to Hotel Magnifique by an NRPD records keeper.”
I frown.Having a records keeper hand deliver a file is unheard of.
“There are perks to being a Roy,” Rex tells me softly.And then he holds out his hand.
Feeling flutters in my core that have nothing to do with nerves.I take it and let him guide me to our first public appearance as a couple.
Rex
Our first pressconference as a couple happens right on the City Hall steps.When I found out where Inara was, I worked with the head of my PR team, Nadia Jenkins, to plan the media event.We decided the classical architecture would make a beautiful backdrop for the world’s first glimpse of Inara and me as a couple.Under Nadia’s brilliant leadership, her team made it happen.
Events like these are a necessary evil.Better to craft a juicy public persona and feed the sharks than have them rip into my private life.
But today, I feel a sense of triumph facing the crowd with Inara by my side.Mine.
My reluctant bride hangs back, so I step up to the microphone and give a wave, drawing the camera’s attention.My security team—a long line of men and women in black suits—stand between us and the press.
In the past, I’ve dated a number of carefully vetted beautiful women.Mostly actresses or famous athletes, women comfortable with the spotlight.Our time together was more of a mutually beneficial business arrangement than anything else.
My relationship with Inara is different.I’ve never felt such strong emotions for anyone, both inside and outside of the bedroom.She’s the only woman I’ve wanted to claim so completely.I couldn’t wait another day without making it clear to everyone she belonged to me.
I hope St.James is watching.
“Dearly beloved,” I say.“We are gathered here to witness this man and woman joined together in holy matrimony.”I pause to wait for the joke to land.A grin stretches across my face, and cameras flash with a strobe effect.“It’s true.Earlier today, I had the honor of making this woman my wife.”I angle my body to include Inara.She takes a small step forward, raising her chin.She agreed to go through with this, and she’s keeping her word.
I take a few steps toward her and hold out my hand again, inviting her to meet me halfway.A small pause, a sigh only I can hear, and she moves to my side.Her face tilts up to mine.
I only meant to give the cameras a good shot of us together, but as I gaze at her, the world stops.Stills.I fall into her golden eyes.
Suddenly, there’s only the two of us.Her complexion glows, her cheeks chafed by the chilly air.Her beauty stops my heart, even now.
The wind picks up, and I tuck her close, wanting to shield her from the cold.She relaxes against me.The only sign that she’s out of her element is the way she bites her lip.
“All right?”I murmur to her.Press conferences are overwhelming if you’re not used to them.But for someone as private as Inara, it must be hell.
She nods.She’s strong and able to put on a bold front, as I knew she would.
