Page 43 of The Marriage Negotiation

"There's a trust fund set up for this secret organization, Patty," Jake said. "We all contribute to it in one manner or another. Sometimes its money, sometimes its security, and sometimes its medical care. The important thing is to get these people the help they need and put their abusers behind bars."

"The other important thing is to keep it a secret," Delancy said. "Think of it as the underground railroad. No one talks about it because word cannot get out. Not everything we do is above board."

I narrowed my eyes. "Give me an example." I wouldn't make a decision or a judgment until I knew more.

"I won't name names, but we had one woman that was being abused by her cop husband. Every time she tried to report it, not only did her buddies tell him, but they sent her back to him so he could beat her up all over again."

I grit my teeth. "Tell me he's behind bars."

"Oh, he is." Delancy grinned. "And so are a few of his cop buddies."

"How?"

"I have a friend that is handy with a computer. He tapped into the police station video feed and made copies of her interview and the police calling the husband and handing her back over to him. That, along with her medical records, was enough to put them all way for a few years. She's living in Nebraska now under a different name."

"Good."

I was still in.

Chapter Twelve

~ Zaq ~

"You own a security company?" Patrick asked as he looked at Alejandro.

"I do," the man admitted with a wry grin. "Why? Do you need security?"

"We might."

Alejandro frowned and sat forward. "What's going on?"

"We might have a little trouble with Zaq's ex-fiancé, who just happens to be my brother."

Alejandro glanced from Patrick to me. "You were engaged to Patty's brother?"

I winced. "We all make mistakes."

"That's a pretty big one," Alejandro replied. "That guy is a complete ass."

"Well, he's an ass that found out where we live," Patrick stated. "He was waiting for us in the lobby when we came down to come here."

"You mean he was yelling at the security guards trying to get in," I corrected. "We told them to call the police if he continued to make a fuss, but I don't know if they will."

"They will," Jake assured me. "Security at our building is unfortunately very experienced with assholes."

I snickered at Jake's words.

"I don't know if Peter is going to continuing to make a fuss or not," Patrick stated, "but I can't shake the feeling that he is. I just don't understand why. Peter clearly didn't want to marry Zaq. He ran away from the wedding ceremony. Why show up now?"

Jake snorted. "You know why."

I sort of did.

"So, he comes all the way to New York because he feels as if he lost one of his possessions? That seems like overkill to me."

"Peter doesn't like to lose," Jake insisted. "If Zaq was at home pining for him, that was fine, but Zaq out there making a happy life for himself with you?" Jake shook his head. "Peter wouldn't be able to stand it."

I squinted at the two men as they went back and forth. "I'm a little lost here. What are you talking about?"

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