Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30316 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
“Do what you have to do.” Her father’s tone was distracted, clearly finished with our conversation. “Keep me updated.” Then he hung up.
I looked at my phone in disgust before tossing it down on my desk. Keaton’s file was in front of me, but I hadn’t had the chance to look through it yet. The man I’d assigned to her case had given me a summary, enough to know how I was going to proceed. I was curious what else there was to know about her, though.
Before I could open the file, my assistant’s voice came over the intercom, reminding me that it was time to leave for my appointment with Julia.
My office was a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) room, basically a safe with our clients’ most sensitive information in it. I punched in the code and used the biometric pad to scan my fingerprints and complete the locking sequence before heading out to the front of the building. My driver, Jack, was already idling at the curb. I climbed into the back of the black Escalade and traveled across town to Columbus Circle, where Luxe Connections was located.
Julia was waiting for me at the reception desk, and we shook hands before returning to her office. She gestured to the chairs situated in front of her desk, and I lowered my frame into one as she rounded her desk and sat down.
“What can I do for you, Garret?” she asked with a pleasant tone. “Miles was a little vague about what you’re looking for.”
“I’m a very private man,” I said. No other explanation seemed necessary.
Julia tilted her head to the side and eyed me thoughtfully. She didn’t comment, so I continued on with why I was there.
“I need a wife.” She raised an eyebrow, but not in surprise. It was more like she was telling me to get on with it since she already knew. Why else would I come to a matchmaker? “I’m going to be completely honest with you. I understand that Keaton Michaels has signed a contract with you.”
I didn’t wait for her to confirm or deny it. Even if she had said she couldn’t divulge that information until I was officially a client, it didn’t matter. I already knew the answer. When I wanted something, I got it.
“I want you to facilitate a temporary contract for me with Keaton. Her father hired my company to provide security for her, with the very explicit instruction that she be unaware. As her husband—in name only, of course—I’d have complete access to her without raising any questions.”
“I wasn’t under the impression that Keaton was looking for a temporary situation,” Julia commented. “How would you suggest I explain that to her?”
“We can make up a reason.” I shrugged. “Terms of a will?”
Julia tapped her lips with her index finger as she contemplated my words. When she finally released her lips, she said, “I suppose that could work.”
“Also, we should include a monetary severance at the conclusion of our contract. Make it clear this is a marriage of convenience.”
Her mouth tilted up at the corners into a tiny smirk. “And if you decide to stay married?”
I blinked at her in confusion, feeling my brow furrow. “I don’t see why that is a relevant scenario to consider. When the job is done, we’ll go our separate ways. If she chooses to try again with another match, that’s her business.” I was being completely logical, but for some reason, the words left a sour taste in my mouth.
Julia was silent for so long it would’ve made a lesser man uncomfortable. Then she tapped a perfectly manicured nail on her glass desktop. “All right. I’ll help you out. Leave the details to me. I’ll contact Keaton, and we’ll have the contracts signed the day after tomorrow. When you choose to get married is up to you.”
We discussed a few more details, then shook hands, and I left, entirely confident in my plan.
…
I waited on the courthouse steps for my “bride” to arrive, glancing at my watch impatiently. She’d had a detail on her for the few days it took to get everything ironed out, file the necessary paperwork, and get an appointment with a judge. I knew she was safe, but I was eager to finally take over.
In order to have a genuinely surprised response to the marriage from her father, I’d kept the details to myself. The other reason was to keep him from derailing my plan. It helped that her tool of a father was out on the campaign trail until the end of the week.
The car I’d sent for her pulled up to the curb, and I jogged down the steps, waving away Jack and opening the door myself. His laughing eyes met my serious ones over the hood for a second, and he smirked before sweeping his hand out as though to say, “all yours.” I tipped my head to the side, confused about why he seemed to find this so amusing.