Chapter 17 #2
“And the public buys it too, then it might stop the speculation about the Webb marriage,” Blake continued stubbornly. “And if they stop poking around about the marriage, they won’t continue hunting, and they won’t find the crime family ties; the press will move on to another story.”
“There’s no way faking some romance makes a difference,” Axel pressed. “If they feel we screwed them, we screwed up everything they’ve been working for, it won’t matter.”
“Unless you’re actively working to undo the problem,” Blake pressed.
“He’s right,” Ryker agreed. “A love story online that the public buys might convince the public there was never anything between Axel and the wife, and if that’s true, then the happy couple can publicly reconcile, and the press backs off.
” He scrubbed his face, resuming his pacing.
“Plus, if you two stay in the public eye … if you manage to stay this viral, maybe even become the next it couple … if you have eyes on you at all times, that makes it far harder for them to eliminate you quietly.”
“You can’t be serious.” My voice cracked. “You think we should actually continue with the fake engagement?”
“I think it’s your best shot.”
Then perhaps we need a crime-family crisis consultant. Maybe they make those, the same as they make PR crisis managers?
“I agree with Dakota,” Axel said. The fact that we were on the same side sent a strange thrill through me, even under these circumstances.
“If we might have a crime family after us, we need tangible, realistic protection. Parading around at dinners and posing for influencers will just broadcast our location everywhere we go.”
Finally, something we agree on. Mark your calendars, people.
“Crime families know how to find people hiding with fake identities in holes in the forest,” Ryker said. “Trust me, them knowing your location isn’t the problem. They’ll find you regardless.”
“Well, that’s super comforting,” I said flatly.
“If you stay viral, all eyes will be on you everywhere you go.” Jace nodded slowly. “Witnesses. Cameras. Social media.”
“Good luck killing America’s new it couple,” Blake added.
“Unless they just break into the penthouse and slit our throats while we sleep,” I pointed out.
Something dark flashed across Axel’s face at my words, and his hand moved another inch closer to mine. Not touching, but close enough that I could feel the tension radiating from him.
“That’s not going to happen.” His eyes met mine with an intensity that sent my heart into more cartwheels. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
The promise in his voice, the protective edge to it, sent something warm and dangerous spiraling through my body. When had Axel Pierce started looking at me like I was something worth protecting?
“Look,” Ryker said, ignoring my cheerful observation, “the more you two look obsessed with each other, the less of a threat Axel ever looked to the marriage. And that’ll make the heat die down on the political couple. Win-win.”
“You’re speculating,” Axel argued.
“You’re right,” Ryker admitted. “But speculation isn’t the right word.
In my line of work, I’ve worked with victims of organized crime families.
I know them better than anyone else in this room, and they are businesspeople.
You either help them or you’re still a liability.
” He stopped pacing, fixing us with an intense stare.
“There are no guarantees. But out of everything we’ve discussed, this is your best option. ”
This cannot be happening.
“Maybe we’re overreacting,” I suggested weakly. “I mean, we’re just assuming this guy will be blood-killing angry. Maybe Tony Romano won’t come after us.”
Every pair of eyes in the room looked at me like I’d just suggested we all start a book club that specializes in fairy porn.
“Public visibility equals safety,” Ryker said simply.
“He might be right,” Jace agreed reluctantly. “I still think we should consider bodyguards. But if you two become the next it couple with everyone watching your every move … that makes it harder for a hit man to operate. And harder for them to do it under the radar.”
A hit man. How did that term belong in my life?
“So, if he kills the city’s it couple, that’s bad for business,” I said.
“Exactly. Might bring even more speculation on them.”
“So, you don’t think we’re in danger?” Hope crept into my voice.
“Oh, no.” Ryker’s frown was grim. “I think you two are completely screwed.”
“Don’t sugarcoat it or anything,” Axel muttered.
Well, at least he’s honest.
“But even if Tony Romano is fuming,” Ryker continued, “there’s one thing he absolutely won’t want: the investigation and heat that would come from taking out an it couple.”
“I love how you discuss murder investigations like Sunday brunch plans,” I said. “Not disturbing at all.”
“When a beloved, famous couple gets murdered, the media scrutiny is relentless. That means the investigation puts massive pressure on his organization.” Ryker’s eyes were deadly serious.
“At the end of the day, he’s a businessman who weighs risks and opportunities.
I have to believe that rationality will win. ”
“Have to believe? As in we’re still guessing.” Axel pinched the bridge of his nose.
“We don’t know anything for sure,” Ryker admitted. “But out of all your options, your best shot at staying safe is selling this fake engagement like your lives depend on it.”
“There has to be another way,” Axel pushed.
“You can’t just sell the engagement,” Ryker continued.
“You have to become the it couple that everyone follows and talks about. And you need to change the narrative about Axel flirting with Victoria Webb. If you sell this as a love story where you were never pursuing Victoria, the PR crisis effectively goes away, and her husband’s PR team will smooth the wrinkles of any portion of her flirting long before the press digs into criminal family ties.
If you can manage that, hopefully, the Romano family will lose interest.”
Hopefully. Our heartbeats depended on hopefully.
The room fell silent again. Rain continued its assault on the windows, and I could practically hear everyone’s minds racing.
Well, nothing says romance like mortal terror.
Thunder cracked overhead, and I had the distinct feeling our fake engagement was about to become a lot more complicated than either of us had bargained for.