Page 6 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

I control every emotion of jealousy and the overwhelming desire to fight him for her that’s starting to seep through with the new information.

“Wait, I thought you two were dating,” I state.

He gives a jesting laugh. “Very funny! Dele and I aren’t dating. She’s my twin from another life.” He relaxes in his chair after making fun of me. “I thought she was dating the Ramsey guy,but she recently confessed it was just a living arrangement with him to get her papers. But the idiot was happy to rob her and spend her money on other girls he’s fucking. He’d agreed to marry her, but kept stringing her along. Now she’s about to lose her job if she doesn’t produce a work permit, and that would affect her schooling too.” He sighs as I listen. “You know, I was surprised to find out she was born in the UK, and her plan is to finish her nursing program here and then move permanently to the UK, but she doesn’t want to leave without completing her degree. I don’t want her to leave without completing her degree either, so I’ll marry her.” I let the plan sink in, a plan that I intend to shut down. “What good am I if I can’t help my favorite girl?” He smirks. He just had to say it again.

“By your account, your only good is to be Mr. Noble and get yourself involved in fraud,” I replied, also realizing Declan was right. Guess I was clouded by jealousy that I didn’t notice they were friends. His tight-lipped attitude about them didn’t help. Now, if he marries her, with her already living with him … I don’t even want to think about how fast they’ll get to the finish line.

“Living up to my name, I guess.” He winks.

“Here’s what we’re going to do.” I state and lean forward. He does the same. “I’ll marry her, because she’d be doing me a favor.” I maintain eye contact. When he doesn’t flinch, I continue. “I’ll pay her a million dollars to stay married to me until she becomes a U.S. citizen. We can sign a marriage agreement laying out the terms. She gets a million bucks, and I get my dad off my back about marrying one of his friend’s daughters.” I lay it out as the best laid plan in a convincing manner.

“You mean Lily, right?” he interjects. He’s right; she’s the only one who came close to me succumbing to my father’s push. I killed the plan to marry Lily for my father’s sick need for control the night I met Dele. As it turns out, my dad is no longerpushing, though he keeps mentioning that I need to get married, as if being married is the next best thing in life. I’d told Osei and my other brothers about the pressure from my dad to marry his chosen woman, but I kept his cancer and his reforming behaviors a secret from Osei and mom.

Osei’s face is speaking volumes of doubt. His mind is racing at the suggestion of me marrying Dele, though I don’t respond to the mention of Lily. As lively as my brother can be, he’s also a thinker, thanks to Piah always teaching us to explore our minds. However, now isn’t the time for him to explore; I already did that for both of us.

“I doubt Dele would go for it. She’s convinced you don’t like her—or anyone, for that matter,” he mocks. I glare at him, not surprised that Dele would think that way. His words confirm how effective my aloof and stoic demeanor has been in concealing my true feelings for Dele, from both my brother and her.

The only words I’ve exchanged with her after our first meeting were a brusque ‘hello,’ and the fact that I didn’t shake her hand when we were officially introduced still makes me the bad guy. Good thing Osei isn’t thinking about the fact I’m planning to commit the same fraud I just chastised him about.

“I don’t have anything against her,” I say to interrupt his thoughts, except the fact that my body and soul want to fuck her like my life depends on it. She’s like that unattainable thing you want so badly, always within your grasp, yet you can’t have it. Only, I’m Luke Blythe, and I’m going to claim every inch of her.

“The million bucks sounds great, but I’m not sure I can convince her to marry you. Plus, the elusive Luke Blythe marrying a nobody black woman, and in secret, too? Won’t that raise eyebrows and have ICE agents digging more into her? I want to help her, not create more problems for her. All she wants is to finish school,” he remarks, shaking his head. “Your idea has‘bad idea’written all over it. Thanks for the offer, but I think I can saynoon her behalf.”

I chuckle inwardly at the thought of him still believing he has a stake in marrying her.

“I know you want to help, and I don’t want you to get into trouble if they find out it’s not real. My elusiveness, as you call it, makes it clear I can marry any woman without broadcasting it to the world. This is a win-win for both of us. She gets to finish school with a million dollars in hand, and I get my inheritance without drama,” I state convincingly.

“Luke Blythe marrying her will attract more attention. That’s something she doesn’t want or need. Dele needs to fly under the radar, and your name alone equates to a bullhorn radar alarm,” he leans back in his chair, while I try to read him, asking myself if I should let him marry her. The thought barely made purchase before‘Hell no!’rang out loud in my head.

“I have enough lawyers and power to shut down any attention that would jeopardize our best laid plan,” I say to him as I watch him quietly. I know he’s analyzing and thinking it through. I’m eager for him to fucking say yes, but I remain quiet, pretending his thinking isn’t bothering the heck out of me. Finally, he lets out a sigh.

“Fine!” he says in frustration. “You are right on both counts,” he grudgingly admits. “I’ll talk to her and convince her this is a good move. Guess she’ll have to suck it up and live with you. I’m going to need you to make it two million for her,” he says the last part in a stern tone. Is he really negotiating for her? I stare him down and he matches my gaze. Damn, I taught him well. The real question is,am I willing to let her go if he refuses to back down from the two million? Fuck no! I’ll pay more, but he doesn’t know that.

“Fine, two million. My place is big, and I’m rarely ever there; she’ll be fine.” I relax and watch his scrunched-up face. “We areadults, and we need each other to make this plan work,” I state to convince him a little more.

“Deal! Just don’t make her feel uncomfortable. She’s genuinely a nice person. Try not to suck that out of her,” he snickers.

“I’m sure we can both manage to be polite and act like two people in love,” I cheekily reply, glad it didn’t take much to convince him, and I’m sure he’ll convince her.

“Let me talk to her and bring her over to your place once she agrees.”

“Good. Call me, and don’t tell mom anything,” I remind him. He tells her everything, which sometimes ends up being my problem. This situation is the only time I’m glad he told her before he went ahead and put a ring on my woman.She’s not yours yet.

“You know mom will ask?”

“Just tell her I’m looking into it,” I sternly state, holding his gaze.

“Good luck taking her calls. So, what’s for lunch?” he asks, relaxing into the chair and crossing his legs.

“Get out, Osei. I’m busy.”

“Yeah, yeah, Mr. Big Shot.” He leaves without a backward glance.

The universe must be working in my favor. Though I can’t believe Osei said she’s scared of me. I’ve avoided her since that kiss. I barely acknowledge her whenever I see her. If I’m elusive to most, I’m certainly mysterious to her. Now she’s going to be my wife and live with me right where I want her. I just lied to Osei to get a woman—not just any woman, but my woman. I’m getting my woman and bringing her home. She’s probably going to find it shocking that I want to marry, but little does she know, I have a craving for her.

Chapter 5

DELE

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