Page 7 of Sanctuary

“Do I need to have children?” she wheezed. “Because some inheritances stipulate that the wedding needs to be consummated and an heir produced. I need to know all the facts Connor before I decide.”

I scratched my head, trying to recollect if that was a condition or not. “Uhm… well, no. I don’t think so.”

I wasn’t planning on having sex with the woman. I mean, Mia wasn’t unattractive, but she just wasn’t my type. She reminded me of a mouse.

Her eyes narrowed as she studied my face. “So let me get this straight. You need to get married in six months to keep your inheritance and position as clan captain. And you’re asking me, someone you barely know, to be your wife?”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “Well, when you put it that way, it does sound a bit crazy. But hear me out. It wouldn’t have to be a real marriage. Just on paper. We could get divorced later.”

She took another long sip of whisky, her brow furrowed in thought. “And what’s in it for me, exactly?”

That was a good question. In many aspects, the mob life was horrifying. I had to think quickly. “Protection,” I said without hesitation. “You came here running from something, didn’t you? As my wife, you’d have the full protection of the clan. No one would dare touch you.”

Mia’s expression softened slightly, but I could see the doubt lingering in her eyes. “I don’t know, Connor. This is all so sudden. And I have my own problems to deal with.”

I leaned forward, my voice sincere. “Tell me about them. Maybe I can help. We have resources, connections. Whatever you’re running from, we can face it together, whether we get married or not.”

She sighed, setting down her glass. “It’s complicated. And dangerous. I don’t want to drag you into it.”

“I’m already neck-deep in complicated and dangerous,” I replied with a wry grin. “What’s a little more?”

She studied me for a long moment, then came to a decision. “Alright. I’ll tell you everything. But you have to promise me that whatever I say stays between us. At least for now.”

I nodded. “You have my word.”

She took a deep breath and began her story. As she spoke of the murder, mysterious USB drives, and shady people, I felt a mix of concern and, I had to admit, excitement. This was exactly the kind of intrigue I’d always imagined came with being clan captain.

When she finished, we sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of her situation settling over us.

“Well,” I said finally, “I think it’s clear what we need to do.”

Mia raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that?”

I grinned, feeling more confident than I had in days. “We’re going to get married, solve your mystery, and save the estate from Donovan. All in six months.”

She laughed; a genuine sound that made my heart skip a beat. “You make it sound so simple.”

“Oh, it won’t be,” I assured her. “But I have a feeling we will make a pretty good team.”

Her smile faded slightly as she considered my words. “This is crazy, you know that, right? We barely know each other.”

I shrugged. “Sometimes the craziest plans are the ones that work out best. Besides, after the wedding, we will get to know each other. How bad can it be?”

From beneath my shirt, I pulled a chain from around my neck and undid the clasp, slipping the antique ring in the palm of my hand. I held the engagement ring between my fingers and looked at the tiny twinkling solitaire diamond that was set in white gold.

“I know this isn’t as extravagant as the ring Declan gave to Wren, but it was my grandmother’s, and she wanted me to have it for when I was to get married.”

“That’s touching. Connor, it’s exquisite,” she breathed, looking at it. “But shouldn’t you wait to give that to your one true love?”

I shook my head. At 35 years old, I didn’t believe in love. I extended my hand, hoping she couldn’t see how it trembled slightly. She stared at it for a long moment, her expression unreadable. “Mia, will you marry me?”

Just as I was about to pull back, thinking her silence was her way of rejecting me, she reached out and clasped my hand firmly.

“Yes,” she whispered, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “But I have conditions.”

I nodded, relief washing over me as I slipped the ring on her finger. “Name them.”

“Let’s just keep the arrangement between us for now. I don’t think Declan likes me all that much.”

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