Page 37 of Twisted Lies

Hired kill.-Check.

Ability to quote the family’s history.-Not hard. With all my research, I could quote it now.

Business plan for the first year in the position. Men in place in order to succeed the plan. -Not difficult.

Married.-Now here is the problem.

Pass of the five tests. -This one I’m not sure about. This did not turn up in my research and my father never talked about this little book.

My hands tighten, reading the last two items. Married? What the fuck am I going to do?

“The first four won’t be a problem, of course. You’ve had plenty of time to come up with a plan to succeed. You’ve had plenty of kills. You know your history. You just have to find a wife and pass the tests. How difficult can that be?” He smiles.

“Not hard at all,” I state, throwing the book back on his desk. “Thank you for enlightening me in what needs to be completed. I’ll have it done before the meet.”

“Good. Good. We all look forward to meeting her.”

“Not nearly as excited as I am,” I say, slipping on a smile before leaving the room.That,I was not expecting. A wife? Lily flashes through my mind, but there is a better chance hell will freeze over before she agrees to this plan.

* * *

“Claire, stop laughing,” I beg, leaning my head into my hands.

“I’m sorry. I can’t,” she gets out before another wave of laughter takes over. “This is just too good. Well, are you going to find a wife? I told you this was going to be a shit show, but did you listen? Oh no! This is too good.” She laughs more.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying my pain,” I mutter.

“Oh, I am.” She laughs again before entirely composing herself. “But really, what are you going to do?” She asks the same question that’s been circling in my mind since the meeting with Gian.

“Find a wife. I’m not going to let that fine print get in my way. I’ll pay someone off to act the part if need be.” Lily will not be an option. How the hell would that even work? She can’t know the truth. It would only put her in danger.

“You know there is another option…” She lets her voice wander off.

“Oh yeah, what’s that?” I ask, fearful of her response. I hope she’s not going to say one of the women from the Bronze. But at least they know what I am to an extent. May not be a bad choice.

She laughs once more. “I can’t believe you had not already thought of it. Marry Lily.”

“Now you’re the crazy one,” I state, standing from my chair. She’s lost it. No way in hell am I going to get engaged to her, let alone marry. That would be an insane plan. I can’t be who she thinks I am here. There are too many people who know the truth. Her lack of knowledge will get her killed. I won’t have her blood on my hands.

“Why is it crazy? You two have already had sparks flying. It would be perfect. You know her, or at least better than anyone else.”

“And how do you recommend I convince her to marry me?” I ask.

“That will be the hard part, but we’ll come up with something. Give me a day to think.”

“A day is all you have. I need to get this done sooner rather than later. The sooner I get in, the less risk there is walking around alive again.”

“I know. All I need is a day.”

There is no way she’ll pull this off, but it seems she needs a project. “I’ll call you again when I can,” I promise and hang up.

Can I afford to have her blood on my hands if this ends badly?

ChapterFourteen

LILY

“Are you drunk?” I ask after spitting out my water.

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