“Murphy, honestly. Sabrina, let me explain. I would have you marry my nephew today in a judge friend’s office. He would begin your paperwork but, while that is in motion, you and your new husband would go into hiding for a week or two.”
“That is an interesting idea. And you have a nephew that would agree to marry a complete stranger?” I questioned.
“I need to confirm it, but yes. I have a nephew that needs a favor from me,” Victoria grinned. “This would be what he does for me for that favor.”
“Your poor nephew. That does not feel right to me.”
“I doubt being with you will be horrible for him,” Murphy said.
“I will call him to get his answer as soon as you give the okay.” Victoria pulled her cell from her purse. “What’s it going to be?”
“At this point, I would do anything to get away from Yury and not be returned to Russia disgraced.” I paused to think. “Yes. I will do it.”
ChapterEighteen
COTA
“Good morning, Aunt Victoria,” I said, entering my living room. “I assume you didn’t break in.”
“I may have, you can never be sure with me,” she joked. “Come sit with me. I have an idea.”
“I’m nervous and excited. Give it to me quick, like a band aid rip.”
“Okay! I want you to marry Sabrina and leave for a week or two.”
I jumped up from the couch and paced the length of the room. I know she said marry Sabrina, but that didn’t want to compute. My brain kept kicking it out.
“You did say “marry”, correct?” I asked. “Why would I do this?”
“You need a favor from me and it just so happens I need one from you,” she said. “She needs to be rescued and to marry someone. Going through the mail order bride agency would be the quickest way to help her.”
“Like my brothers did?” I stopped pacing. “Did any of them, including your sons, get to pick their bride?”
“Not really. Well, sort of,” she shrugged. “Does it matter? You already know it’s Sabrina, there is no picking.”
“I’m too young to get married, Aunt Victoria.” I rubbed at the back of my neck. “How long would I have to stay married?”
“Probably a year. You would also have to be on the run for a few weeks.”
“Like where on the run?” I asked. “Is it because of Yury?”
“Yes, because of Yury and his connections in Russia,” she said, matter of fact. “You would be saving her and helping yourself by proving your maturity.”
“How soon would I get to start working in a Hawthorne company?”
“When Bond says the coast is clear. He thinks a few months.”
“Where is it you’d want me to run away to?”
“I was thinking Sawyer’s island. It’s very private and Bond’s crew is always there.”
“Okay, okay. I see.” I stopped walking. “I suppose it could be a worse idea. I do like Sabrina, so she’d be easy to be around.”
“Her being pretty helps too, I would imagine.” She grinned again. “Just say yes and, in a few months, you’ll be head engineer for Hawthorne Hotels.”
That was the job I’d wanted but didn’t dare request. The Hawthorne’s were people who believed in making your way. They never minded nudging you in a good direction, either.
What should I do? Aunt Victoria would never steer me in the wrong direction. I trust her completely.