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As I ask, “Tipped off? By who?”

“Whom,” he says. Dick. “It’s policy to protect my sources.”

But Sienna and I both say aloud, “Carl.” And Mantel pouts in response.

“I can’t believe he’d try to disrupt my visa,” she says, almost inwardly.

I can. The guy’s an idiot.

“I wouldn’t be doing a thorough job if I didn’t investigate all your living circumstances, Mrs… Sienna. Are you two living together?”

“Yes, though I still don’t see how it’s relevant,” Sienna says.

Mantel elaborately crosses through Sienna’s previous address, with Carl. “Another error on your application,” he says.

She sighs. “I’ll file updated details today but this doesn’t mean my visa is⁠—”

“Cancelled?” Mantel almost sings, smug as hell. “Not yet, no. I’m here to find out your next step.”

Not yet? Cancel Sienna? I want to rip Carl’s fucking head off.

But I’m too busy focusing on Mantel’s next question… “What are your intentions in five weeks’ time? Do you have another job lined up? Will you be applying for another working visa?”

“I— Ah— I’m still working on it,” Sienna fumbles.

I feel useless. How can I help her here?

“Well…” Mantel presses those fucking patched elbows onto the table between us and forms a steeple with his hands, tapping the tips of his fingers together like he’s playing a damn accordion. “My source was quick to tell me your marriage was a public relations stunt. So you best believe that if you attempt to file for a green card, I will be on you both like Agatha Christie at a murder mystery.”

Sienna and I look at each other. Huh? She shrugs, so I let it drop.

Mantel starts packing away his stuff and relief comes off Sienna in waves. Nothing compared to the tsunami of relief riding through me. She can stay… for now.

Let’s kick what happens next down the line for five weeks.

Though my mind is already whirring – how do I help her set up her new business in five weeks?

None of us speaks until we’re at the elevators to show Mantel out. The eyes on us from the rest of the Comms and administration teams in the open plan are searing. I need to strip out of all this kit, which is definitely the cause of my sweating profusely, not that I’m suddenly terrified of a ticking time bomb.

Mantel steps into the elevator and turns to face us. “Mrs Harris, my source also told me that he thinks you’re trying to establish your own PR business while on your working visa with the Dragons franchise.”

I stiffen. “To be clear,” he adds, slamming a hand on the side of the elevator to prevent the doors closing – I wish they would. “It would be a breach of Rule s78A of the Code on the Provision of Temporary Working Visas for you to work for any business, including your own, that is not permitted by your visa.”

Sienna swallows so hard, I see it in her throat.

“So I assured your ex-fiancé and employer that this cannot be the case and that he has no need to worry about you going into competition with him.”

I’m. Going. To. Kill. Him.

Sienna nods and when the elevator doors close on Mantel, she stares at them, biting down on her gums. My urge to hold her wins out against the eavesdroppers and I step toward my wife.

She holds up a hand. “Go get your lunch, Jax. We can talk at home.”

“Si—”

The glossiness of her eyes cuts me off before she whispers, “Please.”

I nod. Then reluctantly press the button for the elevator again. She waits with me until I step inside the cart.