Chapter 4
I’s Getting Married Now . . . To A Different Stranger, But At Least This One’s Fine
Tinsley
“Tinsley,” Moses began.
I was about to tell him not to freaking “Tinsley” me, but Lianna spoke before I could.
“Moses, she’s right. We worked out these details behind the scenes.
I’m sure it feels like we’re springing this on her, just like Gretchen did.
” She turned to face me. “Tins, there was no way we could get this information to you without Gretchen’s knowledge.
If we could have gotten your okay, we would’ve.
As it was, we were just trying to come up with a plan before the wedding to Sterling happened. ”
“Tinsley—” Moses began again.
I cut him off. “I’m pissed right now. I understand that I need to leave the island.
What I don’t understand is why I need to marry a .
. . different stranger. I don’t know this man.
” I jabbed my finger in the general direction of the man who called himself Double.
What kind of name was that, anyway? It had to be his street name.
I was certain that, even in a country as wild and crazy as America, they weren’t naming their brand-new babies Double.
“This man could be a killer or abusive.”
The slick-looking, pretty-boy one spoke up.
“My brother ain’t none of that shit.” He paused.
“Well, we are the progeny of Big Hill, so we have been known to let our guns bang. But Double is the most laidback dude you’re ever gonna meet.
He’s definitely the most laidback of all of us.
They’re offerin’ you the cream of the crop, shawtie.
The golden child. I’m an unserious playboy, and Lucky”—he threw his head in the direction of the cocky one, who was currently swiping through his phone—“is legitimately certifiable. He ain’t right in the head.
You saw how he hit your aunt and your best friend with the butt of his gun and didn’t even blink an eye.
Plus, he got a itchy trigger finger. Take ya blessing, sister-in-law.
Gon’ ’head and make this thing happen with Double.
You seem like a good girl, and he’s a good dude. ”
I looked over at Double. “What’s in this for you?”
He looked back at me. His soulful, honey-colored eyes stared into mine, almost daring me to look away or call him a liar. “That’s a long, long story, and now isn’t the time to get into it. Right now, we need to concentrate on wrapping this thing up and getting off this island.”
I looked over at my aunt and uncle.
“I asked Lynne and Chad to step in and help,” Lianna told me. “We love you, Tinsley. We couldn’t sit back and watch Gretchen sell you to the highest bidder.”
Moses nodded his agreement. “We needed to get you off of Iredia,” he added.
“And I knew you wouldn’t want to leave without your inheritance.
Double is willing to not only take you to America for your safety; he’s willing to marry you so you can get your inheritance.
We thought we were doing the right thing. ”
“It kinda feels like I went from my aunt selling me to my uncle selling me,” I mumbled.
Chad Hill stood from the table. “I came here because your aunt asked my wife to help you. Your aunt and uncle trust my wife and me. They know that we wouldn’t do you dirty.
If you feel some kind of way about accepting our help .
. .” He shrugged his shoulders dismissively before continuing.
“Take your chances on your own.” He looked around the table, making eye contact with everybody who came with him. “We’re wasting time. Let’s go.”
They began to stand, and my heart began to beat wildly in my chest. My intuition told me that letting them leave without me would be a huge mistake.
“Please, wait! I apologize. This is a lot to process. I went from a blessing ceremony for a wedding that my aunt orchestrated for her own financial gain, to being brought here and told that I would be marrying an American I’ve never laid eyes on before.
It’s not that I don’t want your help, Mr. Hill.
I can’t even wrap my mind around any of this. ”
Lynne sat back down beside me. She wrapped her arm around my shoulder before kissing me lightly on the cheek.
It was the most affection I’d received in I didn’t know how long.
Tears coursed down my face. Mr. Hill didn’t seem like the type to be moved by tears, but I hoped that he would realize how much of a nightmare my life had become and give me some grace.
Lianna walked over and stood behind my chair.
She ran her hands up and down my arms in a soothing manner.
“I trust my sister with my life, and I trust her with yours,” she cooed to me.
“Her husband is one of the most . . . make it happen men I’ve ever met.
When Gretchen told us her intentions, I knew who to call.
If Lynne trusts Double, then he has my full confidence.
If you trust your uncle and me, if you believe we have your best interest at heart, listen to what Chad has to say.
This thing is serious, Tins. I’m sure if they know what happened at Gretchen’s home tonight, they’re already scouring this island, looking for you.
Gretchen is desperate, and desperate people can be very dangerous.
Sterling Gillespie has an ego bigger than this island.
There’s no way in hell that he’s gonna let you embarrass him by running out on this wedding.
He would rather see you dead than for you to get away with not going through with this marriage. Trust me.”
I knew she was right. Still, the thought of marrying a stranger scared the hell out of me. “Can I just leave the money in the trust and go with you and uncle?”
“That’s not what’s written in your future, baby. You’re not meant to live on the run until things settle down. Your future is with my sister’s family. With Double. They’re gonna take care of you. You’re gonna have a good life in America,” she told me.
Chad Hill spoke up. “Time isn’t on our side. We need to get this thing moving and get off this island. The judge still needs to perform the ceremony and complete the necessary documents.”
“My identification, my birth certificate,” I said. “All of my important documents are at my apartment.”
“It’s okay, niece,” Moses said. “Before we came here, Judge Bosco took me to your place. We have everything you need.”
My eyes widened as I took in the man who had greeted us at the door. He grinned at me.
“It’s nice to meet you, Tinsley. I’m Judge Deity Bosco.”
I hadn’t recognized him, but I definitely knew the name.
His family was famous . . . or infamous on Iredia for having ties to organized crime.
They had politicians, cops, and businessmen in their pockets.
No wonder he agreed to open his home and perform the ceremony.
He was one of the few people on Iredia that Sterling Gillespie couldn’t touch. “Hello.”
“Come out onto the deck.”
We all followed him out of a door in the kitchen, onto the deck. I was sure the views were picturesque and beautiful during the daylight hours. At this late hour, though, it was pitch black. We couldn’t even see the ocean.
Double and I stood side by side while everybody else stood behind us. We repeated the words to the wedding vows as Judge Bosco gave them to us, finishing up by saying, “I do.”
And then, we were married.
We walked back into the house, stopping where documents were arranged on the kitchen island. Double and I signed them. Then Moses and Chad signed as witnesses.
“I’ll file these on Monday morning and begin the process of having your inheritance released.”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling like I was having an out-of-body experience. There was no way that I had just married a complete stranger to get out of marrying a complete stranger.
I didn’t have much time to think about it, because a loud whooshing sound cut through the stillness of the property.
“The choppers are here,” Chad announced.
Choppers? I thought to myself.
“Let’s head to the roof.” The judge turned and walked away, and the rest of us followed.
On the roof, I said a teary goodbye to my aunt and uncle. “Thank you for getting me out of Gretchen’s clutches,” I said to my uncle as I hugged him tightly around the neck.
He kissed my cheek. “I would do it again and again.”
“What about my cousins?” I asked about their two sons. “Mr. Gillespie said he’d kill them if—”
“Bosco had them and their families put on a helicopter right before you all arrived.” He broke the embrace to look into my eyes.
“Take care of yourself. You were dealt a tragic hand from the very beginning. You’ve done great things in spite of it.
Continue to make yourself proud.” He lowered his voice.
“Fuck all these other people and this rotten bloodline you came from.”
I hugged him again before moving on to Lianna. “Thank you. I don’t know what else to say. Nobody could’ve saved me but you. You’re the only person I know who has connections outside of this island.”
“Thank God for family.” She kissed my cheek.
“I love you, sweet girl. Take care of yourself, . . . and give Double a chance. He really is a good guy. He’ll take care of you until we meet again.
” She broke the embrace and turned to follow her husband to the awaiting helicopter that would take them to a secret location.
“Until we meet again,” I whispered as all of the tears I thought had dried up raced down my face.