Chapter 32 #2
I glance up at him, trying to find words to answer his question, but it’s hard when Ricky is fussing with some disinfectant on my wounded wrists.
I wince and pull away, raising my chin to meet Alex’s scrutiny.
He’s a man with great power, I can tell by the way he conducts himself, and right now I know how vulnerable I look.
This is not how I wanted to meet him. But I’m also not going to back down with my plan.
I know what I want, and he’s the key to it. “I need your help.”
Alex moves toward us. He’s intimidating as hell, and even though Ricky is in between us, I shrink back instinctively, not wanting him too close to me when I’m feeling so damn weak.
Asher wraps an arm around my shoulders protectively, and I’m grateful. I have no idea how he knew I needed him. But he’s here. I feel them all here with me. At my side, ready to face off with Alex if it comes to it.
Alex raises a brow as his eyes run over my face. “Let me guess, you’re the girl I have to thank for my casino being the scene of a biker war last night? Another mess I need to clean up this morning.”
“You want someone to blame, you’re looking at him.” I motion to the dead man bleeding out in front of us.
That pulls a grin from him. My guess is Alex is about as sadistic as Cruz. Am I really about to ask him for help? I must have hit my head again.
“Don’t be a cruel cunt, Alex, you know Daisy’s predicament,” Jagger growls in his direction. “She’s clearly in a state. Don’t play games.”
“I want to hear the girl do the talking, not you fuckers. You had that grimy lowlife thug call me.” He motions to Leone. “Something tells me you knew what you were doing, getting me involved.”
I look at Asher, and he nods for me to go on.
I tilt my head a little higher, trying to match Alex’s fuck-off energy.
“I… I recently found out that a thirty percent share of Moretti Media Italy has been left to me by my late husband. As you would be aware, since you now own the American subsidiary, it’s quite valuable, and now I have some asshole claiming to be married to me so he can take what’s mine.
” I point to Leone. “He ambushed us at Malachi’s engagement party and caused that scene.
I know we don’t know each other, but something tells me you’re a fair man.
If not, one who likes to do good business, and I think we both know Leone Russo would be terrible for your business and mine and Sloane’s.
Lucky for you, I took care of him already.
” The thought of that makes my head swim and insides turn to liquid, but I shove those uncomfortable feelings away and try to act strong, even if I don’t feel like it.
He tilts his head, a slow smile crossing his lips like he’s impressed. “I’m aware of your little situation. I was under the impression Jagger had it handled.”
I meet his dark gaze. “Jagger forgot to ask for the most important person’s opinion on what was to happen with my share.
” I can feel Jagger stiffen beside me, but I don’t care.
It’s the truth. “And apparently, my family had other ideas, thinking they could trade me off to the highest bidder with that as the prize.”
He huffs out a laugh and looks in Jagger’s direction. “I like this one.”
“She knows what she wants, Alex, and she has our backing if you can make it happen. We will compensate you in any way you need.” Jagger backs me up, making my heart swell.
Never in a million years did I think he would admit I could handle this myself.
I glance back at him, and he nods. “Tell him what you want, flower.”
My eyes well with tears. They’re backing me one hundred percent. I never thought I would see the day. I blink them away, trying to find the words for what I want.
“What are you looking for? Some sort of fake news story from me that incriminates him?” Alex asks. “The possibilities are endless, really.”
I return my attention to Alex. “No, I want a real story. A write-up about the company and how progressive your Italian sister company is with two female CEOs at the helm. I want it online tomorrow morning for the world to see. Especially my family.”
He rubs his chin as if he’s considering it.
Ricky finishes up bandaging my second wrist. “You’ll put a massive target on your back, Daisy. You’re still recovering from such a terrible injury. Can you really handle the stress?” Ricky asks, his voice filled with doctorly concern.
I stand, my legs shaky as all hell. “I won’t be alone. I’ll have Ash, Jagger, and Cruz by my side.” Asher’s hand laces with mine and gives it a squeeze as if to back me up.
“Can you add some shit in there about her already being married to me? That fucker might be dead, but her family won’t stop,” Asher growls, and I feel his protection wrap around me like a warm blanket.
I tilt my head toward Asher. “We’re going for truth here, Ash.”
He shrugs. “Mal said paperwork is all approved with immigration. All we need is a registrar to make it official. We can sort that shit out now if we need to.” He takes my arm and pulls me away from the others. “You know it’s what I want, princess. The question is, is it what you want?”
I stare up at him, gazing deep into his eyes to see the truth. I know this man loves me. Is that enough to go by? I glance back at Cruz and Jagger. They’re watching us, and I know this is as important to them as it is Asher.
“You can say no, I’ll still support you in every other way I can, but I’m in love with you, Daisy, and the idea of us being together forever gives me a thrill I can’t get any other way.” His smile makes it all the way to his damn dimples, melting something inside me.
I huff out a laugh, kinda knowing what he’s talking about. I get that thrill when I’m around the three of them. It’s insane and all-consuming and everything I want for the rest of my life.
“It will also ensure all the fuckers out there know we have your back no matter what,” he adds like he needs to sweeten the deal. “Your family will be forced to back the fuck off or deal with us.”
“How do we get around the fake marriage certificate?” I ask, still haunted by the piece of paper Leone presented to me back at the casino.
He made it looks so real. It’s scary how these men with so much power can manipulate authorities and whoever they want to get exactly what they need.
Scary and the kind of evil I want to call out.
This is why I know I need to put all my fears aside and claim my position in Moretti Media.
I can make a change, not just for me, but for other innocents who don’t have a voice.
Asher grins, all malicious. “Leave that to Mal. He can make that shit disappear or go round in circles for way longer than it will take our marriage to be approved. Then it will be too late. Besides, that fucker is dead as dog shit, what’s your papa going to do?”
“Malachai’s engagement party was already destroyed because of me. We can’t ask him to sort this shitshow out for us right now.”
Asher smiles warmly, squeezing my hand. “He and Dani live for this hacker stuff, it’s a piece of cake for them. And she’s decided you’re already one of the family. I’m sure they can do us one more little favor before they skip happily off into the sunset.”
“Okay, let’s add it to the story. I do feel like we’re stealing their thunder, though.”
“I think they’ll understand under the circumstances.” His lips meet mine. When he pulls back, he holds me close as we walk back to the others.
“Right, give me the details and I will send it to my best journalist. She’ll have it done by the morning,” Alex says, looking keen to get out of this place. He looks at Jagger. “You know what I want in return.” His grin is evil, and my heart sinks, having no idea what Jagger is giving up for me.
Jagger nods, his eyes dark and deadly in a way that tells me it’s a lot, whatever it is.
My eyes narrow at him to tell me exactly what that is, but I already know there is no way in hell I will ever be privy to that kind of information.
They are sacrificing something to help me, and right now, all I can do is be eternally grateful.
Because the four of us are now in this together.
Till death do us part and all that jazz.
And you know what? For the first time in my life, I’m okay with it.
No, not just okay. This is what I want as well.
My life with the three of them. Forever.