Page 114 of Mob Bride

Chapter Twenty-Two

Carrie

I stare at Cormac’s phone, unsure what possessed me to send that text. But I don’t regret it, and I won’t retract the offer.

“Carys?”

I glance up at Cormac, who’s utterly stunned.

“You told me they’d force us to testify against each other. That they’ll make it impossible for us to avoid either incriminating ourselves or each other. If either of us pleads the fifth, we’re just turning the attention to the other. I won’t do that, and I know Shane won’t accept anything happening to me. This is the only way.”

I’m whispering furtively to him now that we’re in an interrogation room alone. I’ve been in here enough times to know they have the entire place bugged. Even when it appears like the camera in the far-left corner of the room is off, we’re—they’re—still recording shit. They don’t believe Cormac’s my attorney, so they’ll claim there’s no attorney-client privileged information. But they’re scared enough they haven’t kept Cormac from remaining with me.

I maneuvered us, so we’re facing the two-way mirror. Let them know we’re talking. As long as they can’t see his phone screen and can’t hear us, I couldn’t give two shits that they can see our mouths moving. Let them wonder what we’re discussing.

“He won’t agree while you’re under duress.”

Shane

It’s me Carrie but D’s typing. I won’t trap you. Now’s not the time to decide.

“See.”

Cormac may as well scream, “I told you so.” But I’m not interested in hearing it. I type out another text instead.

Me

It’ll protect both of us. They can’t compel us to testify against each other. There’s a two-day wait after getting a license in NY and NJ but none in CT. From here to Greenwich takes 45 mins to an hr. We can get married as soon as the courthouse opens.

I check the clock on Cormac’s phone. It’s nearly five a.m. The courthouse opens in three hours. I know we can fill out the marriage application online because I had a friend in college who eloped with her high school boyfriend while he was on leave from the Merchant Marine. The marriage lasted about as long as his leave—three days. But they didn’t divorce for another three years.

I never planned to get divorced, but I will if it means marrying Shane now keeps him safe.

Shane

There has to be another way. I’m not marrying you to keep me out of prison.

Me

Then marry me to keep me out of prison. I don’t care who keeps who out as long as neither of us goes in.

My palms grow clammy as I wait for his response. Is he discussing this with his family? Does he wish Cormac was part of the conversation? His displeasure echoes in the room even though he’s said nothing since the ominous “see.”

Shane

What about your parents? What if they can’t be there?

Me

They’ll understand. Yours?

Shane

They’d understand too. But

But what?

I wait.

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