Page 6 of Married to the SEAL
“No one is privy to Grace’s mind except Grace herself.”
Matteo looked out the window and tapped his fingers on his knee, his eyes scanning the lush grounds of the Vasile mansion as his mind worked to frame the situation.
He was a kid from the projects, and he’d only seen places like this on TV. Now he was marrying the president of Lutsia’s daughter, even though it would be a marriage in name only.
Jax explained Matteo would be required to accompany Grace Vasile in public, but his life behind closed doors would be his own. His presence here would do much to secure the election for Vasile, and Matteo understood the importance of that for world events.
The limousine slowed as they rounded a corner, a massive structure Matteo found difficult to call a home appearing in the distance.
His assignment was simple. Marry Grace Vasile for three months and keep her and her baby safe from harm. He suspected the latter part of that sentence was going to be far more difficult than the first.
He’d only seen one recent picture of her, a grainy shot, clearly taken from a distance. He’d been struck by the sadness in her eyes even more so than her beauty, which was great.
It was a sham, a false marriage. But at the same time, it was legally real. Someday when he met the woman he truly wanted to marry, he would need to explain why he had chosen to do this for Grace.
For her country.
For human liberty.
“There’s one more thing,” said the general. “I believe there is a mole close to the administration. The pedestrian bridge that was destroyed was going to be mentioned in Vasile’s speech tomorrow as an example of things this administration has done to help the people. Before that, an office building in the capital city burned to the ground. It was slated to be the site of a rally focused on job growth.”
“Whoever it is wants you to know they are there.”
“Exactly. I fear there will be more terrorist attacks. Every time we discuss a venue or a past initiative, I fear for the safety of those at that location.”
“What places are you most concerned with right now?”
“The subway system that runs beneath the city, and the baseball fields that were built on the site of an old munitions factory.”
“Have you beefed up security at those locations?”
“To the best of my ability, yes. But I don’t want the public to suspect we are concerned, either.”
“I understand.” The idea that this was an ongoing terrorist situation, with a potential mole so close to the president, was alarming. “I appreciate you letting me know.”
The car pulled up in front of wide stone steps that led to an ornate front door and portico. The door opened, the first daughter herself appearing in the entranceway.
Grace.
“What’s she like?” Matteo asked.
For a moment he thought the other man wasn’t going to answer. “Stubborn.”
Matteo grinned. If you only had one word with which to describe someone, stubborn wasn’t a bad one to choose. At least these months were going to be interesting.
5
Matteo climbed the stairs, his eyes taking her in from head to toe. She wore sandals and shorts, the length of her legs between them golden from the sun and pleasantly curvy. A grass-green tank top creased beneath her folded arms.
Then he got to her face.
She was fair-skinned and freckled, with wary eyes that matched her shirt and seemed to be assessing him just as he was her. She held out her hand. “I’m Grace Vasile.”
“Matteo Cruz. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Are you ready to get hitched?”
The corners of his mouth pulled up into a smile. “I thought I might walk in the door first. Have a glass of water. That kind of thing.”
