Or the better question was, could he live without her? Could he live with other men, putting their arms around her? Their mouths on her?
Fuck. He needed to punch someone.
“There’s talk. He’s making a run for president,” Josh said. “It could take us time to get proof, but I think this blackmail is about funding his campaign.”
And yeah, it would do that, but only if they paid out.
“So he’s expecting Dufort Hotels to pay, and not go through with the wedding,” Daniel stated.
“I think so.” Josh replied. “I can’t be sure, but I think the Senator believes you would be so against the idea of marriage you would pay out the cash.”
Mother fucker.
“Let’s proceed,” Daniel said. “I need some goddamn information against this asshole. But fuck, Josh, don’t get caught.”
There was silence and he silently kicked himself. It was unlikely he’d offended the man, but it was a dick thing to say. The private security agency owner was, after all, one of the best.
“We’re good, Dufort,” Josh said, then added more darkly, “If Mackenzie’s guilty, I won’t let him get away with this. Nor will he ever become my president.”
Daniel felt a shiver run through his body. He had a feeling if Josh decided on something, even someone like the powerful senator wouldn’t have a chance.
“Gotcha.”
“It just might not be as quick as you want. Ask for a long engagement or some shit.”
Daniel shook his head at the reality of the situation. “Yeah. Fuck.”
“I’ll be in touch when we get something.”
They ended the call and Daniel leaned back in his chair, running his hands through his hair.
“Fuck!!!!” he yelled, slamming his fist on the table.
Time was running out.
He didn’t have long before Mackenzie was sending the engagement notice out. Which meant he had to approve the fucking prenup his lawyers had drafted.
He dialed the man’s number.
“Hello, Daniel,” Duke Johnson said upon answering.
“I’m sending through the changes,” he growled. “Add in a clause that Nadia can’t use the Dufort name. Then it’s approved.”
“Got it,” he replied. “I’ll have it for you in the morning, Hawaii time.”
Daniel ended the call and tossed the phone on the table, cursing again.
Fucking Mackenzie.
No one fucked with the Dufort’s—they were a powerful family.
Many of the senators and governors were, in one way or another, in their pockets. They weren’t a corrupt family, but it helped to get legislation passed when you wanted to build hotels or change laws restricting progress. It was how business and politics were done.
It was no different from other countries around the world. Daniel had dined with world leaders, Prime Ministers, and royals to influence their decisions many times.
Now, this asshole had them over a barrel because of a lost document.
Fuck.