Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
DARIO
Four days until Christmas. Three days until our contract expires. One day until Marc Alexander arrives in Crimson Hollow.
I've faced armed insurgents with less tactical planning than we've devoted to this bastard's visit.
Every scenario mapped, every contingency covered.
Micah's security team has compiled a dossier on Alexander that would make the CIA proud.
Financial records, business dealings, phone logs. The man's dirty laundry laid bare.
And still I can't shake the feeling that I'm missing something. That there's a vulnerability we haven't anticipated.
"You're doing it again." Judith's voice pulls me from my thoughts. She stands in the doorway of my office, arms crossed, a small smile playing at her lips.
"Doing what?"
"That thing where you go all thousand yard stare and brood silently." She crosses to me, perching on the edge of my desk. "It's very sexy, but not particularly productive."
Despite myself, I smile. "I don't brood."
"You absolutely do." She reaches out, smoothing the furrow between my brows with gentle fingers. "What's on your mind?"
"Marc." No point lying. "Something feels off about his visit."
"He's always enjoyed dramatic entrances." She sighs, hand falling away. "Loves to catch people off guard, see them sweat."
"Not happening." I catch her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I don't sweat."
"No?" She leans closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "Not even when I'm on my knees for you?"
Heat floods my system at the memory of last night. Judith kneeling before me in the playroom, wrists bound in soft leather, those full lips wrapped around my cock. The way she'd taken everything I gave her, and asked for more.
"That's different." My voice comes out rougher than intended.
Her smile turns knowing. "Thought so."
This is what scares me most about Marc Alexander's arrival tomorrow. Not that he might expose our arrangement or threaten my land. But that he might somehow taint what's grown between Judith and me. This unexpected connection that's evolved from contractual to something I'm not ready to name.
"The land transfer hearing is today." I change the subject, needing to focus. "Silas called. Everything's in order."
"That's good." She studies me, reading between the lines as she's learned to do. "But you're still worried."
"Not worried. Cautious." I stand, unable to remain still. "The county attorney could still raise objections."
"Based on what? Your marriage is legal. The paperwork is filed. The requirements have been met."
Your marriage. Not our marriage. The phrasing shouldn't bother me, but it does.
"People find ways to challenge what they want badly enough." I move to the window, staring out at the snow-covered mountains. "That land has been in developer sights for years."
Judith comes up behind me, arms wrapping around my waist, cheek resting against my back. "They can't take what's yours."
The possessive statement warms something in my chest. I cover her hands with mine, allowing myself to lean into her embrace. "We should get ready. Meeting Silas at the courthouse at eleven."
"Already packed your good shirt." She presses a kiss between my shoulder blades before stepping back. "The blue one that makes your eyes look like murder weapons."
I turn, raising an eyebrow. "Murder weapons?"
"Sierra's description when I sent her a photo from the tree lighting." A faint blush colors her cheeks. "She said your eyes could kill a woman at twenty paces, and she'd thank you for it."
I pull her against me, enjoying the way her body fits perfectly against mine. "Been sending photos to your friend?"
"Just a few." Her hands rest on my chest, fingers playing with a button on my henley. "She wanted proof I hadn't been kidnapped by a serial killer."
"And?"
"And I might have mentioned that while you weren't a killer, you were definitely serial in other, more enjoyable ways."
The confession brings a growl from deep in my chest. "Sharing our private life?"
"Just girl talk." Her eyes widen innocently, though the effect is ruined by the mischievous curve of her lips. "Problem?"
"Depends what details you shared." I thread my fingers through her curls, tipping her head back slightly. "Some things are just for us."
"Like what you whisper in my ear when you're inside me?" Her voice drops, eyes darkening. "Or how many times you can make me come before you finally let yourself?"
"Judith." Warning and desire mix in my tone.
"Don't worry, mountain man." She rises on tiptoe, brushing her lips against mine. "Some secrets I keep just for me."
I deepen the kiss, unable to resist. What started as teasing quickly turns heated, her body melting against mine, soft sounds escaping her throat. I could take her right here on my desk, courthouse appointment be damned.
With reluctance, I pull back. "We need to go."
She nods, lips swollen, eyes glazed. "Later?"
"Count on it."
The drive to town passes quickly, filled with comfortable conversation about everything except what looms over us. Marc's impending arrival. The December 26th deadline. The uncertain future beyond.
Silas waits outside the courthouse, Jordyn at his side bouncing their infant daughter against her shoulder. The sight brings an unexpected pang. A family. Something I've never seriously considered for myself.
Until now.
"Wallace." Silas extends his hand. "Judith. Good to see you both."
"Pleasure's mine." I shake his hand, noting the concern behind his professional demeanor.
"How's our case look?" Judith asks, getting straight to business.
"Strong. All paperwork is in order. The hearing is just a formality." Silas adjusts his tie. "However, there's been a development."
The hairs on the back of my neck rise. "What kind of development?"
"The county attorney received an anonymous tip suggesting your marriage might be... arranged. For the purpose of circumventing the inheritance clause."
Ice floods my veins. "When?"
"This morning. Early." Silas glances at his watch. "I've already filed a motion to dismiss the allegation as baseless speculation, but the judge may want to question you both."
Judith's hand finds mine, squeezing tight. "They can't prove anything. We're legally married. We live together. We're a couple in every sense."
Every sense except permanence.
"Just answer truthfully." Silas leads us toward the courthouse steps. "You married because you fell in love. The timing was accelerated because of the inheritance situation, but the relationship is genuine."
Not a lie, not really. What's grown between us is genuine, even if it didn't start that way.
"And after December 26th?" I ask quietly.
"You're planning to remain married, building your life together." Silas speaks with practiced ease. "The deadline was only relevant to the inheritance clause, not to your relationship."
We're ushered into a small courtroom, nearly empty except for the county attorney and a handful of observers. Including, I note with narrowed eyes, a representative from Northstar Development. The company that's been trying to buy my land for years.
The hearing proceeds with dry legal arguments. Property boundaries. Historical ownership. Inheritance clauses. Silas presents our case with precision, highlighting the unbroken chain of Wallace ownership, the completed requirements of the will, the legal marriage certificate.
Then the county attorney rises, adjusting his glasses with affected deliberation.
"Your Honor, while the paperwork appears in order, we have concerns about the authenticity of Mr. Wallace's marriage." He produces a sealed envelope. "We've received information suggesting this is a sham marriage, entered into solely to circumvent the terms of Edwin Wallace's will."
The judge, a stern woman in her sixties, frowns. "What evidence supports this allegation?"
"First, the timing. Mr. Wallace married mere days after learning of the marriage requirement. Second, there's information suggesting the couple plans to separate after December 26th, the day after the deadline specified in the will."
My jaw clenches. Someone's been talking. Someone with connections.
"And third," the attorney continues, "we have testimony that Mr. Wallace has never been seen with Ms. Mars prior to their sudden marriage, despite both residing in the region for some time."
"Objection." Silas rises smoothly. "This is baseless speculation and hearsay. The county has no standing to question the legitimacy of a legal marriage."
"I agree." The judge shuffles papers. "Unless you have concrete evidence of fraud, Counselor, these allegations are inappropriate."
"Your Honor, if I may." The county attorney gestures toward the gallery. "We have a witness who can attest to the suspicious nature of this relationship."
The judge sighs heavily. "This is a land transfer hearing, not a divorce court. The validity of the marriage is established by the certificate, which neither party contests."
Relief courses through me. But the county attorney isn't finished.
"Your Honor, the will specifically requires a bona fide marriage, not merely a legal certificate. The intent of Edwin Wallace was clear—the land should remain in family hands, with stable family leadership."
"And how do you propose to evaluate the authenticity of Mr. Wallace's marriage?" The judge's tone drips sarcasm. "A love test? Bedroom surveillance?"
A few chuckles ripple through the gallery. I remain stone-faced, though Judith's hand tightens in mine.
"Simply a brief questioning of the couple, Your Honor. To establish basic facts about their relationship."
The judge considers, then nods reluctantly. "Brief questioning only. Limited to facts relevant to the timing of the relationship as it pertains to the inheritance clause."
"Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, please approach." The judge gestures to the witness stand.
We're sworn in, side by side at the front of the courtroom. The county attorney approaches, smiling like a shark scenting blood.