Chapter Eleven #2
“Okay, sweetheart,” he said, nodding, though I had my doubts. His words were said to appease her, and they sounded empty to me.
Victoria took my hand and led me out of the room, my heart still racing. Fear mixed with confusion drove every thought in my head.
She led us down the hall and we stayed silent until the elevator opened, then stepped inside. The moment the doors closed, I grabbed Victoria and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her with all my strength.
“You saved my life,” I whispered as the adrenaline from what happened slowly wore off. I was seconds away from a mental breakdown. I didn’t show defeat or vulnerability very often, but at that moment, I was.
Victoria hugged me back before slightly pulling away.
“I almost had to kick JJ in the balls so he’d finally tell me what was going on.”
“He set me up,” I said, brushing a hand through my sweat-covered hair. “I want to kick his fuckin’ ass.”
“Well, I wouldn’t. He might be as dumb as a box of rocks, but he’s still Daddy’s special boy.” She rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Well, for whatever it’s worth, I owe you big. Why’d you save me, anyway?” I asked before the doors slid open.
“You’re about to find out,” she said, stepping onto one of the penthouse floors.
“You live here?” I asked when she opened the door to a larger room than the one we’d just been in.
“Yeah, I help run shit when Daddy’s in New York.” She kicked off her heels, and I followed her through the place until we ended up in the kitchen.
“You need a drink.” She handed me a glass. “Whiskey, okay?”
“Anything will do at this point,” I admitted.
She poured until the cup was half full. “We need to discuss our plans, Liam.”
“Of course, whatever you need.” I shot down the amber liquid, welcoming the burn.
“I want out of the family business, and you’re going to be my ticket,” she explained.
“Okay…” I lingered, keeping my gaze on her.
“I get my trust fund when I turn thirty, but I don’t want to wait nine more years to get it. The only way I can have it before then is if I get married. We get hitched, I get my money and freedom to leave.”
She sauntered closer.
“And?” I prompted.
“And you get to live.”
It also meant my debt was forgiven and Maddie would be safe.
I swallowed. “For how long?”
“It has to be believable so Daddy doesn’t go back on his word and come after you or take my trust fund. It’ll take some time before he’ll sign it over, so…a year.”
“That’s too long,” I blurted. “Six months.”
Victoria smirked as she poured more whiskey into my glass. “Six months,” she agreed. “But Liam…” She pierced me with her savage green eyes. “There are terms you will follow, or I’ll make sure Daddy comes after you and anyone you care about.”
I knew the moment her words came out that Johnny was no longer my threat. This was now Victoria’s game, and she wasn’t going to allow me or anything to get in the way of what she wanted.
Our conversation from that day replays in my mind as we drive to Victoria’s penthouse. It was only a week ago, but it feels like forever. This is my only option, but it’s going to hurt everyone I love.
I’d tell my roommates the truth, but knowing her dad will keep his eyes on me means I can’t risk it. The only person I’ve told the truth to is Tyler, who waited anxiously for hours in the lobby of the Bellagio.
When I was able to sneak away to Victoria’s bathroom, I quickly sent a text letting him know I was still alive and that I’d explain everything when I returned home.
Even replaying the events to him had me shaking my head at how wild it sounds, but it was nice to have one person who could have my back.
He swore to help in any way he could, but I’m not sure there’s anything anyone could do now.
Johnny has no reason to suspect him, and since Tyler’s aware of my involvement, I know he’s loyal.
He knew the O’Learys were crazy fuckers, but he was shocked by Victoria’s marriage proposition and wanting to get out of the family business.
I’ll keep him updated as much as I can, but remind him to stay away from them at all costs.
If Johnny finds out this marriage is total bullshit, he’d kill me along with everyone who’s ever meant something to me.
His people can easily hide our bodies and we’d never be found.
No one would ever know what happened, and it’d be another cold case added to the pile.
Johnny isn’t a man I would intentionally cross or wish upon my worst fucking enemy.
So eventually, I’ll have to tell my friends that Victoria and I eloped.
I won’t be able to tell them why or that it’s totally fucking fake and that we have to keep up with appearances—me visiting when her dad is in town and even taking her home to meet everyone in California.
We have to play the part of the happy newlyweds who are in love with hand-holding, kissing, and other lovey-dovey shit I don’t ever do.
If Johnny thinks we’ve lied and duped him, everything and everyone is at risk all over again.
That’s not something I can do.
“Your tux is in the master bedroom,” Victoria says. “Take a shower and clean up. Daddy will be here in two hours.”
“Great,” I mutter, taking my duffel bag with me.
Her mother lives in New York, playing the perfect mobster’s wife by attending galas and donating thousands of dollars to charities. Victoria told her not to bother coming because we’d make a trip out there to visit—to perpetuate the lie further.
This is Victoria’s game, and she’s the puppetmaster.
Her father mailed me a prenup to make sure I couldn’t go after any of their family money in case we divorced, although he made it crystal clear that wasn’t an option.
I’ll sign anything as long as he doesn’t come after me after our inevitable “breakup.”
“Well, how do I look?” I walk out in a penguin suit.
“Very handsome.” She smiles approvingly. “Hector picked up our rings. Wanna see?”
“Sure.”
Victoria’s ring nearly blinds me, and I blink a few times to clear my vision. “Jesus.”
The thing has to be at least two carats. Most definitely something I couldn’t afford.
“Everything about the O’Learys is about money, power, and being on top, which means you are too. At least when you’re here.”
Which is hopefully hardly ever.
“This going back and forth is gonna be expensive for me, so—”
“Aww, is it?” She rolls her eyes. “He’s gonna forgive your gambling debt and not kill you because of me. You have no room for wagering, Liam.”
“I wasn’t,” I hiss. “I was just gonna tell you a heads-up would be nice so that I can schedule it between my jobs and save money for the flights.”
“Fine.” She bats her eyelashes. “He’s bringing my grandmother here at the end of June, and you need to be here for that. That enough notice for you?”
That gives me six weeks until I have to return. “Yes, thank you.”
“Also, you need to look the part of a mobster princess’s husband when you’re in Vegas, and that means arriving in nice clothes. Here—” She pauses, then grabs her designer purse and digs into it. “Twenty grand enough?”
She holds out stacks of hundreds like it’s no big deal.
I look at it, eyeing her curiously. “What do I need?”
“Suits, watches, shoes, a decent haircut.” I take the money, then mentally slap myself for the urge to blow this on a poker tournament.
“You’re part of the O’Learys now, whether you like it or not.
Our enemies are your enemies. Our friends are your friends.
After we get hitched, everyone will know who you are, and you’ll not only need to watch your back from my father but also all the other assholes who want a piece of our family’s empire. ”
I wince.
“That wasn’t part of the deal, Victoria,” I remind her. “You didn’t tell me any of that. You said we’d be married for six months.”
“We’ll be married as long as it takes to get what I want,” she retorts, shrugging. “I want my freedom and you want to live. It might take longer than that to appease my father.”
For fuck’s sake.
I have zero room to argue, so I keep my mouth shut.
“After you meet my grandmother, you’ll be free for a couple of months. During the summer, Father travels overseas for business. However, you might wanna take me to California for a trip in case his guards check up on us.”
That’s the last fucking thing I want to do, but she’s right. It’ll be obvious as hell if we’re living apart for too long and I don’t introduce her to my friends and family.
“Great. I’ll come meet your grandmother, and then we’ll fly back to Sacramento,” I offer.
“Sounds like a plan, hubby.” The amusement in her smile makes my blood boil.
This is all fun and games to her, but my whole damn life’s on the line. Victoria O’Leary holds all the cards on whether I live or die, and for once, it’s not something I’m willing to gamble.
I wasn’t prepared for nor wanted to participate in the events on our wedding night.
After we said our I Do’s at the courthouse and kissed as husband and wife, Johnny took everyone out to celebrate at one of his clubs.
I don’t know what all he owns in Las Vegas, but he has a lot of partnerships and does business with a lot of rich and powerful men.
JJ steered far away from me the entire time except when we were forced to take family photos. Victoria reassured me JJ was on board with our plan, but he’s another one I have to watch. If he spills the truth, our whole facade could unravel.
The morning after our nuptials, Victoria surprised me with news that she was sending a brand-new custom-built Mercedes to my house. Before I could argue with her, she mentioned it was already paid for and being delivered as soon as I return home—a wedding gift, she called it.
No doubt my roommates will have a fucking field day.
Victoria wants me to drive it exclusively, but I negotiated being able to use my truck when I’m working so it’s believable I bought a second vehicle for pure luxury.
Though I have no idea how I’m supposed to explain any of this, considering I don’t plan on telling them about Victoria until the very last possible minute.
I’m hoping all these out of town trips will be convincing enough for them to think I’ve been secretly going to visit her.
Though, considering I’ve never had a relationship, I don’t know how they’ll react or if they’ll even believe it.
A part of me is holding out hope Victoria will want an annulment before I have to bring her here.
The other part knows I won’t be that fucking lucky.