Nick cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable and moved at the same time. He shook my hand firmly, and I smiled, knowing that was his way of affirming my statement.
“Go on. We don’t have much time.”
I watched his broad shoulders as he exited the room, and then lifted the receiver of my desk phone. “Where’s Leticia? I need a room prepared for Bianca Rossi.”
“I’ll have it done shortly, sir,” Burns, the head of my household staff replied. “Leticia just arrived and it will be her first task of the day.”
“And Carmen?”
“Leticia is set to train her today. I expect her to arrive soon.”
“Excellent. Thank you, Burns. I also need you to find me an officiant who’s available to perform a wedding at two p.m. here at the house.”
“Uh...of course. A wedding for whom?”
“For me.”
“Well, congratulations, sir,” he said, causing me to grin at the surprise in his voice.
“Thanks. I also need an officiant who’s willing to...bend the truthabout the timeline. I’m going to get the marriage license today and complete the ceremony, but the officiant will need to officially record that the wedding happened tomorrow to comply with city law.”
“And do we know the bride?”
“I’ll keep that under wraps for now. I need this done quickly, Burns. Thank you.”
Replacing the receiver, I glanced at my watch. It wasn’t even seven a.m. yet, and the day had already seen several disasters averted. Lowering behind my desk, I sent a simple prayer to the universe hoping that the rest of the day would go as smoothly.
Chapter 12
Bianca
After Nick dropped me off, I jogged home quickly, anxious to get to Alexis and update her on the agreement I’d made with Michael. Closing Victor’s door behind me, I sat on the bed, my heart constricting as she peacefully slept under Victor’s ornate comforter.
“Wake up, sweet girl,” I said, stroking her hair. “We need to talk.”
She rolled over and smiled as she stretched her arms. “Hey, Mom. You okay?”
“I just met with Michael Caruso,” I whispered, holding my finger over my lips to emphasize the importance of speaking softly. “He’s going to help us.”
Alexis sat up and tilted her head. “How?”
Sighing, I pursed my lips. “I’m going to marry him.”
Alexis blinked rapidly, her eyebrows drawing together. “Excuse me...what?”
“He and I have a history from the distant past that I never told you about—”
“What type of history?”
“Not now,” I interjected, holding up my hand. “We don’t have time. I’ll explain that later. But I met with him this morning and he’s offered to help us. I’m going to marry him and he’s going to assign his cousin Nick to protect you.”
Alexis’s features drew together. “Protect me how?”
“He’s going to take you to a safehouse until Michael asserts clear control over your father’s business and his remaining loyalists.”
Her mouth fell open. “That could take months!”
“Yes,” I said with a curt nod, “but we don’t have a choice. We have no protection in a very dangerous world, sweetheart.” I squeezed her wrist. “I can’t lose you. You’re all I have.”
