Page 39 of Exposed

“Normally?”

“Under any other circumstance,” I go on. “But this time, it’s not your best move. In fact, I’d argue that leaving would be a shit decision.”

She leans forward. “You have a lot of nerve speaking about my choices like that. Don’t assume I’ve told you everything, King. I got out, and there’s no reason to go back.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You have the best reason in the world to dive back into the Carter Cartel and claim what’s yours.”

“Now I’m curious, Special Agent Jennings. Humor me—why would I do something so idiotic?”

I hold out my arms. “Me.”

She huffs one ridiculous laugh. “You?”

“Yep. Me.”

She shakes her head and wets her lips like she’s getting ready for the verbal fight of her life, which I have no doubt she’d win.

With anyone else.

Hell, she talked her way out of a cartel, even if she did have to sign over millions on a contract that’s most likely bogus at best and non-binding in the least.

If I had to guess, she’s about to tell me to go to hell, but in a nicer way since she’s Marigold Carter, but I don’t allow it. I point tothe papers in front of her. “Let me list the reasons why you’ll sign this contract.”

“You’re unbelievable,” she mutters. “Has anyone ever taught you that humility goes a long way in life?”

I ignore that. “If the contract you signed that forfeited your portion of the business to Dex is at all legit, any C-List attorney would be able to get you out of it. The Pink is as much yours as it is Dex’s, and I know deep down, you want it. If you leave now, you’ll never be able to live free. The shadow of Dex will chase you forever. Even if he does leave you alone—and we both know that’s a big if—you’ll always look over your shoulder. That’s no way to live.”

She hugs herself tighter.

I go on. “I know good from evil, and you’re not the latter. You’re going to sign this document because no one has the inside information like you do. You can make a difference. All that shit you said Dex does, you can help put an end to it for good.”

Her eyes fall shut.

“Goldie,” I call for her.

She slowly opens her eyes and hits me with her troubled gaze.

“And the best reason to do this is me. You’ll never be alone. No one can keep you safe like I can.”

“You can’t promise that,” she whispers. “No one can promise the unknown.”

“I can. If you work with me and do as I say, I’ll keep you safe. No one will touch you—not even Dex. This is the right thing to do, Goldie. You know it is. If you don’t put an end to the Carter Cartel, you’ll never be free. This is an offer you can’t afford to turn down, and you know it.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t know.”

I reach for the pen I brought in with the contract and push it across the table to her.

“What will I have to do?”

“Pretend to be my fiancée. Pretend you’re part of an underworld where cartels, drug dealers, and mobsters play. Pretend that you’ve turned a blind eye to your morals to marry Daniel Armstrong.”

“That proves you know nothing about me. There’s no way I can do that.”

I tip my head and shake it once. “That’s where you’re wrong. What little I know about you proves that you can do all of it. You might not think you can, but you’ll do it because it’s the right thing to do.”

“You picked the wrong person.”

“I didn’t pick you. You landed in my lap like a gift from above. Hell, when all is said and done, Dex will be rotting away in prison. The Pink will be yours again once the government confiscates the illegal shit. I’ll get you your business back. What do you say? Pretend to be mine, Goldie. Let’s get this shit done.”

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