Chapter 21
J ago
A wedding.
An alliance.
Merging two companies into one.
It was all too much for the woman who sat across from me. She was constantly checking her phone as if waiting for additional bad news. Given everything she’d been through, I would think being in my protected castle would at least provide her with some sense of comfort.
Or perhaps I was arrogant enough to believe the passion we’d shared the night before would ease the pain of being forced into our union. But as with so much regarding her, I’d thought wrong.
What bothered me more than her quiet insolence was how territorial I felt about her.
Even with her sitting across from me at my desk, I was constantly thinking about additional ways to keep her as my possession.
It was a strange feeling for me since no one had affected me quite the way she had and would continue doing.
I didn’t like being unnerved nor did I appreciate surprises.
Perhaps both were a fact of life, but that didn’t mean I was forced to accept them.
Generally, it was unwise to push me to the point of becoming unnerved anyway.
I usually lashed out with uncontrollable anger and typically that meant someone would get hurt.
Even damaged beyond repair.
But I needed to learn control as well as patience with her. That much I’d already gathered.
In learning about her mother’s death so long ago, I’d begun to understand her intense protectiveness. She’d been a mother to her two siblings. We’d both lost someone important to us.
Another connection.
Another weakness.
“So let me repeat what you’ve said to me,” she said quietly, starting the conversation all over again. She had the documentation my attorney had helped put together. She’d made notes on the sides, had even written two codicils that I could remember and yet she wasn’t satisfied.
Or perhaps she was simply trying to push the inevitable out as far as possible.
“Go ahead.”
“We combine companies but use my father’s corporation. Yes?” She lifted her gaze.
“That’s correct. We change the name to something like Torres-Morales Enterprises.”
“Morales-Torres Enterprises.”
Her demand brought a smile to my face. “Fine.”
“We combine products and territories, working together on all transactions while modernizing the system so we’re completely in control of the quantity and quality that goes out the door.
In addition, we beef up security and weed out any unwanted assholes who’ve caused either organization any trouble whatsoever.
” She wasn’t reciting it from her notes but providing more concise verbiage regarding the decision.
“Aptly put. Yes.”
“We have a wedding, although not a huge one that we try and pull off in a couple days including a reception for show more than anything. We’re required to act like we actually care about each other, at least in front of any cameras that might capture our pictures.
That will set the trap, at least in the beginning stages. ”
“An excellent way of putting it. Who knows. You might enjoy being married to me.”
“As I would having rusty spikes driven into my hands and feet. It’s not happening, Jago. But I can be a good little actress when necessary.”
“I know you can.”
She held out her left hand, heaving an exaggerated sigh as she wiggled her fingers. “And I don’t even have an engagement ring. How can I believe your honest intentions?”
Her voice dripped of sarcasm. “I’ll take care of that.”
“Make sure it’s a big, no, huge diamond. I won’t settle for anything less.”
I offered her a smug smile. “Trust me, darling. You’ll have the best of everything.”
The conversation was lively as usual and as had occurred so many times before, I was aroused. That would need to be controlled.
“Where would this glorious event take place? I’m certain if you walked into a church you’d burst into flames.
” As always, she threw out the question to see if she could stump me.
Since I wasn’t religious by any stretch of the imagination, she was right that I had no interest in the bullshit involved around a traditional wedding.
At least I knew one that would work. And if the priest didn’t desire to perform the wedding given our history together, I’d encourage him to change his mind. My way. “The Church of Saint Felip Neri. It’s small, a traditional baroque-style church with incredible paintings by Joan Llimona.”
She seemed duly impressed, her eyes opening wide. Then she lifted her delicately dark eyebrow at me. “How many men did you slaughter on the altar?”
Grinning, I smashed my hand on the surface of my desk. “Enough, but it is a gorgeous location. Then we can have the reception at a restaurant of your choosing. Of course there will be tight security, but at least we’ll be in the public eye.”
“For all those incredible photographs taken of the couple madly in love.” She fluttered her eyelids on purpose and seeing her long lashes skimming across the shimmer of her cheeks was another turn-on.
One of many.
“In truth. Yes. That will go a long way in making a presentation and issuing a silent warning.”
She debated the option. “Fine. I couldn’t care less. I’ll search for a restaurant that would be suitable.”
“Excellent.”
“Am I missing anything from your end?” she asked coyly.
“Not that I can think of.” I sat back in my seat and thought about her question. “One thing. You’re a very smart girl. You know you have a target on your back. You will learn to follow rules.”
“Your rules?”
“My rules because I know what happens to pretty girls with doe eyes.”
She frowned and leaned over my desk. “I don’t have doe eyes. They were opened wide a long time ago. Besides, I thought you said if I became your wife, I’d be safe.”
“To a point. But trust me, that point will be challenged.”
The way she sucked in her breath and glared at me made me think she was going to change her mind.
She had no idea how far I was prepared to go to keep her safe or what I’d need to do.
She also couldn’t understand that there were several men who would stop at nothing to find a way to get under my skin.
I hadn’t lied to her that she would have a certain protective layer around her, but not for an extended timeframe with the Moroccans.
They couldn’t care less about the sanctity of a single rule played by most cartels and crime syndicates.
Not that the various leaders and members hadn’t broken that seal of honor from time to time, but marriage was usually held in high regard.
Sadly, I had a feeling that was all about to crash and burn throughout Spain and perhaps other countries as well. Yes, times were changing and not necessarily for the better.
“Then we’ll both have rules, Jago. I’m not going to sit around and play your dutiful wife. I don’t cook very well and I certainly have no intention of waiting for you when you handle the deals or the issues with anyone who comes up against us.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning, I’ll be by your side. Partners completely. One hundred percent.”
I leaned over my desk far enough she almost flinched. I almost reached out and grabbed her by the throat, jerking her over the surface, but I resisted. She wasn’t in the mood for sexual games and we didn’t have the time.
“I’m curious, princess. You can wield a knife like a professional killer, but what happens when you’re confronted with someone who refuses to give needed information? Will you flinch? Will you ask me to handle the situation? Do you even know how to handle a gun?”
Her smile was cunning. “Let me see. As you told me last night, killing will become easier. While using a knife is messy, it’s also personal and I think there are times that personal is exactly what’s needed.
You can ask my men how I handled being talked down to.
I think I broke the soldier’s wrist… As far as a gun, why don’t you try me since my father deemed me a prodigy marksman. ”
Her statement should rile me, but it had the opposite effect. I was pushed into a moment where I wanted to take her up on her offer after fucking her across my desk.
However, having her by my side during the more tactical aspects of business would make it seem as if I’d lost some control to my wife. “I don’t know if allowing you to be involved in the day-to-day field operations is in either of our best interests.”
“Field operations? Is that what we’re calling it now?” She laughed heartedly. “As I said, if that’s not acceptable then neither is our alliance. It’s entirely up to you what you decide. But don’t take too long. I, like you, have no patience.” She rose to her feet.
“You’re a spoiled brat.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.” I sensed she still had more on her mind. “What is it?”
“I’ll want a dress. I’m not suggesting something formal and long, but I refuse to get married even to you in a pair of jeans.”
While the beautiful woman was more of a badass than a significant number of men I’d worked with or had the pleasure of killing, at the end of the day she was still all woman.
“We can arrange that.”
“Arrange. That’s how life in this profession will always be, right? We need to arrange me going anywhere with guards and guns.”
“Think of the pros instead of the cons. You have money. You’ll never need to worry about putting food on the table or paying your bills.
Our combined holdings will include four resort homes.
We can go anywhere at any time without worrying about transportation issues.
We’ll have power and influence that will allow us to control anyone in the country.
” I tilted my head, waiting eagerly for her reply.