Vincent
She’s even more breathtaking in person. A part of me thought maybe she’d get here and I’d come to my senses. That she’d open her mouth and I’d be annoyed by everything that came out of it. Yet I’m finding it’s quite the opposite. I’m captivated by her. I want her to talk more, but it’s me that has to keep asking the questions, mostly to get her to speak.
When I took her hand, I knew immediately that there was no going back. I am never letting her go. There is something that pulls me to her. I’m not sure what it is, but I will find out. I hate when things don’t have reason or when I don’t understand them. Especially something that now has so much control over my life.
“You’re just going to let him steal it?” she asks. “Then he’s clear with this Anderson person. Will his gambling debts be paid off?”
“Yes.” I’ve actually already let him do it. He’s made his drop already. His debt should be clear with Anderson.
As long as Travis doesn’t do something to fuck that up, everything should be settled. But I’ll be making it very clear to Anderson to stay away from Travis when he finds out Castillo Global will no longer be working with BNA Holdings. Then in a few months when the dust settles, I’ll let Graysen tell some of his government contacts what Anderson is up to. They can take it from there.
“And you’re not pressing charges? You’ll just take the hit or what? Report it to insurance?”
“I run a clean business. I’ll take the hit. A million in goods isn’t worth insurance fraud to me.” Her shoulders drop as she relaxes some. She doesn’t want to be married to a con, I’m sure. Not when she’s been trying to make somewhat of a name for herself. I respect her for that. From what I read in her file, life hasn’t been easy for her.
“Why do you need a wife so badly?” Her eyes drop back down to the contract again. She stopped reading it over when I started telling her what Travis had gotten himself mixed up in. I might have played up how rough Anderson and his crew could be just a tiny bit.
In all honesty, I’m not entirely sure what they would do to get their money from Travis if he didn’t pull through with the heist. I’m guessing Anderson isn’t running this underground gambling ring on his own. That someone higher up and way more powerful has pulled him in. I’ll find out soon enough. I’m sure whoever that partner is would hit harder than Anderson who is clearly having some money problems of his own.
“Does it matter? You’d act as my wife when we’re in public. Only when we’re alone could you speak about us not actually being married.”
“What should I tell Rae?”
“Rae and Travis already know the deal. Both have already signed some paperwork saying they won’t disclose any of the details. But around my family, you would still need to play the part. My parents, especially my mom, are going to be over the moon.”
A small smile pulls at her plump lip. Her bottom lip is a bit puffier than her top, and it gives her an adorable pout. Something I doubt she ever does. Julieta isn’t the pouting type. She works for everything she has. She’s never had a choice.
The idea of a woman pouting to get something from me is the very reason I don’t even try to date anymore. But fuck me would I enjoy her pouting to get something from me. That would mean I’ve gotten past all those walls she has around her and made her comfortable. That she trusts me.
“You love your parents?”
“I do. I got worried about my father there for a while around the time I was leaving college. Thankfully, I was able to take over for him. Things had gotten to be too much for him. It was taking a toll on them,” I tell her. I don’t think I’ve ever said that to anyone else before, but if we want to make my mother believe we’re real, then I need to let Julieta in. To tell her about myself.
“I guess it doesn’t matter, but I’m just kind of curious is all.”
“One day I’ll tell you.” I don’t want to lie to her. “But it will be good for my parents. I think they’ve been worried.”
“I guess I’ll have to move here. Quit my job.” I try never to get ahead of myself. Or count my chickens before they hatch. I’ve learned that will get you into trouble, but it looks as though she’s agreeing.
“As the contract stated, money won’t be an issue. You’ll have your own credit cards, a driver, and anything else you desire. Once you complete the five-year term, you’ll get five million free and clear.”
“Five million?” She gasps. “I thought I’d just be taken care of. I didn’t know that. Wow. Sorry. I’m trying to wrap my mind around that amount of money.”
“You get to come home. Rae is here.” Her eyes light up at that. A surge of jealousy runs through me. I want her eyes to light up that way when she thinks of me. I take a deep breath to calm myself down, knowing I need to be patient. It’s not really my forte, but to have her, I’d pretty much do anything.
“But sex—”
“Is not required.” That is stated in the contract too. Paying for sex is something I’d never do. Or so I thought. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that if she offered to let me lay her out across my desk and feast on her for a price, I’d most definitely pay. “But we will share a bed. Our bedroom and home will look like a married couple's home. My parents come over, and there are housekeeping people and other staff that come and go. It’s a big bed, and we’re adults. I don’t need to pay for sex or have it with an unwilling participant.” I swear I see her frown for a second, but she quickly recovers.
“I didn’t think you’d have to pay for a wife, either.”
“It’s simpler this way.”
“Ah, so you don’t want all those messy love feelings and demands that come along with a real partner?” She gives me a teasing smile, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. I wouldn’t say that. I think I’d take anything messy from her I could get.
“We will still spend time together.” I want to make that very clear. “I’ll have a schedule drawn up and our calendars paired so you know when I have events I need you to attend with me.” She nods. “So you’re agreeing?”
“I mean. Yes, it’s kind of a good deal, and that’s without the whole getting Travis out of trouble part.” A surge of pleasure hits me. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been excited about something. I stand, going around my desk and calling for Aaron.