Page 20 of Escape You

He offered me a warm smile, as if this new proposal were a huge favor to me. “I didn’t think you’d object. You seem keen on Ms. Torelli.”

“Can we discuss it? In private.” I gestured for him to move this absurd conversation to his study before Mia said something that would make Jac send it all to hell and shoot her.

Behind me, one of the bodyguards moved closer to her. “You touch me, and I will kill you.”

“No one moves until we get back,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Stand down.” Jac nodded to his men.

There wasn’t enough training in the world to prepare anyone for this kind of thing. Jac wasn’t wrong. I didn’t object to marrying Mia, only to the circumstances.

I followed him to his office and shut the door behind me. “I’m here to make up for lost time. But now you’re using me, and that wasn’t part of the bargain.”

He let out a breath and sat behind his desk. For the first time since I’d met him, he showed me how tired he felt. His shoulders slouched as he eyed his drink. “I know what I’m asking isn’t easy.”

“You’re asking me to marry a complete stranger. How real do you intend this marriage to be?”

“As real as it gets. I need you to be my successor, but unless you have a successor of your own, the Big 5 won’t support it. They’ll bring in one of their own people instead. Mia’s rise to power created a unique opportunity for us.”

Mia was an opportunity to him. No wondered he put up with all her antics. He needed her and her crew. “She was right, then? Big 5. That’s your endgame?”

He sat back, looking older than he did this morning. “She was right. I need the Jersey faction under my control. Your marriage to Mia would get me what I want.” He smiled at his hands. “I’d marry her myself, but like I said, without a successor, the Big 5 will not support my proposal. You’re young. You can continue our family’s work.”

Our family’s work? As if he were some kind of missionary concerned with good deeds. Unfortunately, I wasn’t Chase Rossi. I was a government official. I didn’t have the luxury of allowing myself to be offended. I had to make a decision that would serve the greater good. A surge of raw energy bombinated through me at the idea of having a “real marriage” with Mia. For however long that lasted.

I plopped myself on the leather club chair. Jac regarded me from behind his desk, surrounded by old books and fine furnishings. When was enough power, enough power? “How do you see this working for me?”

“You’d stay here for a while. I’m sure the transition will be difficult for Mia.”

“The transition? You mean the part where she’d have to have sex with me against her will so you could have a successor to your successor?”

He slow-blinked. He hadn’t considered that part, and that made me sick to my stomach. Though I shouldn’t’ve been surprised given his latest business ventures.

“You’re a good-looking kid, she’ll get over it.”

I braced my elbows on my knees, pursing my lips. This was why I’d accepted the assignment. He had very little regard for human life. Getting in bed with the Maracaibo cartel and selling people was the next natural step for him.

But other than Rebecca’s testimony, we had no other evidence of what their plans were. If I went along with him now, I could get access to everything. I would earn his trust and finally give the FBI what they needed to dismantle his business and put him away for the rest of his life.

“What happens after the transition period?”

“We take Jersey and turn it into a faction under our control. One big happy family.” He brought his hands together.

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth and met his gaze. “Fine. I’ll do as you ask. But you have to let me deal with Mia my way.”

He beamed with pride, and bile rose in my throat. “I knew you’d understand what’s at stake. You have my support. But, Chase, we don’t have much time.”

“I understand. You need a quick wedding.” I stood, and he did the same.

“Stay here. I’ll send her in. And you can deliver the news. My guys will be right outside the door, if you need anything.” He patted my shoulder on the way out.

Agreeing to this marriage plan of his was the best way to keep Mia safe for now. But I would have to work fast to bring this son of a bitch down. The problem was, how was I going to convince Mia to agree to marry me. What would she gain from this alliance? I couldn’t tell her who I was or what my plans were exactly. What would she do if I told her the truth? Would she rat me out or help me?

The door to the study swung open, and Mia ambled inside. She was ready for a fight. “Your grandfather tells me you’ve come to an arrangement.” The tinge of hope in her voice cut me because that meant that deep inside, she wanted to trust me.

“Have a seat.” I pointed at the club chair across from me.

“I’d rather stand.” She braced both hands on her hips, looming over me. “Talk fast. I’d like to go home before morning.”

---