Page 22 of The Forbidden Husband

A fleeting idea filled my mind. It would be impossible, and it wasn’t worth even considering…

“If I have an opening.” Assessment filled her eyes. “But you couldn’t afford me if you wanted to. Not without daddy’s money.”

I knew it was meant to be an insult, but I shrugged it off. “Does my dad’s money spend any differently?”

For the first time, her eyes softened, and a smile crossed her face. “You’re not what I expected.”

“Which was?”

“Fragile. Needy. I thought you’d be like the other bimbos I’ve been assigned to protect. Incapable of defending yourself. I thought you would run off crying when you met me.”

Run offcrying?

I scoffed. “I do not need to be protected. I’m capable of doing that myself.”

“I’m doing what I was paid to do. You should know better than to come into an arrangement like this with an ego. Enzo has as many enemies as your father, and you being his new bride puts you at risk. When he’s not with you, I’ll be here.”

“Doing dishes?” I retorted.

Her shoulders bobbed with laughter, and it reached her eyes. “I make myself useful. Breakfast is on the table too. Enzo’s instructions were clear. Meet your safety and fundamental needs.”

If she was willing to do mundane tasks like breakfast and dishes, I didn’t doubt she took other jobs. Being here ensured that two of my three sisters were safe, and there had not been a feasible way to ensure the safety of the third. I couldn’t possibly go into Russian territory and walk out alive—especially without knowing for sure that Noemi was a willing member of Anton Petrov’s household now.

I couldn’t risk sending an Italian, but a mercenary who did work for hire…

I had the chance to make sure everyone I loved was safe, and I’d be a fool not to take it.

“I’ll pay whatever your rates are if you can find someone for me.”

That was all I needed to say before she went into business mode and began asking questions.

What was her name? Where was the last place I saw her? Was she suspected to be there of her own free will, or did we believe she had been taken and kept hostage?

Did I want her to be retrieved?

I answered everything as honestly as possible, telling her to leave Noemi alone unless she wanted to escape. I hoped the letter she had written for us had been sincere. I genuinely prayed that this would be a fool’s errand, but I couldn’t be sure.

“I want you to make sure she’s safe, and I need you to tell her that I am too.”

Jaimie took note of what I asked, and before long, she went to the house's front door and stepped outside to do her perimeter check.

I knew it would be my opportunity.

I was alone in a house with my enemies, and I could finally do what I was sent here for.

I stormed through the house, opening each door and noticing what I saw in each place. There were a few bland bedrooms with minimalistic, impersonal decorations. A theatre room. An indoor gym.

Bingo.

I swung open the door and found an office sitting unattended, the surface of a desk neatly organized with the only thing out of place being an ink pen haphazardly tossed in the center. I didn’t give myself time to think before diving into the papers. Bank statements, annual income reports of various different businesses…

I noted every piece of information I found, but none of it stuck out as substantial. The business names were unfamiliar in the sea of New York City. Bull’s Sandwich Shop, Capers’ Diner, Zhou and Higgin’s Real Estate.

Nothing.

I knew these were all likely money laundering accounts, but there was no indication of mob connections or how much laundering these businesses did for the Rissis.

I shifted my attention to the computer screen and padded over to it quietly, wiggling the mouse, only to find that it was password-protected.

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