Chapter 42 #2
Except Rochelle. “I’m sorry, guys, but this is serious. Our visas were up for renewal when we left Houston, and the government has decided they don't want to reissue them."
There were shocked gasps.
She spread her hands wide. "The upshot is, when we left the country, our visas were revoked. We can't get back into America."
There was a flurry of outrage, as everyone spoke at once. Max was very aware that Violet hadn’t said a word. She hadn’t even flinched when Rochelle broke the news. It seemed she’d already been aware of the situation.
Rochelle carried on. "I’d hoped this job would convince the authorities that we're good at our job and an asset to Houston. But they cancelled the visas before Max could write his story."
"Can we appeal?" Abasi asked.
Rochelle shook her head. "I was going to tap into my contacts in the government, but unfortunately this morning’s news means that's no longer an option."
"Because we took down a senator," Rodrigo said knowingly. "While this mess is sorted out, nobody is going to stick their neck out for us."
"No," Rochelle said. "We've stumbled into a political nightmare."
"So, what now?" Harris asked. "We can’t go back to our old lives. The only reason my brothers and I aren’t in jail is because we made a deal with the authorities to work for Lake in the US office. If we return to Scotland before our agreed term is up, we go straight to prison."
"I can't go back to London," Abasi said calmly. "Half the city want me dead."
"Couldn't you come to Canada?" Max asked Violet, before turning to include her team. "Canada's part of the Commonwealth. Wouldn't that make it easier for you to get visas to work there? I have contacts who can help push them through, if needed, and I can help you guys get set up in Toronto."
Harris pointed at him. "I like his idea. Let's go with that. Canada sounds way better than jail."
Max glanced at Violet to see what she thought, but her dark eyes were unreadable. Once again, he felt the same nerves that’d assaulted him during their wedding ceremony. Would Violet choose to go with him? Or would she go her own way?
He honestly didn’t know.
"What about Noah and Annabelle?" Katrina asked. "They can't move to Canada. She might be getting better, and it's wonderful she's made it as far as Atlantic City to see Noah's family, but her agoraphobia won't let her leave the country. Not yet."
"Noah's talking about moving to Atlantic City permanently," Rochelle said, drawing more gasps. "He wants to see how this visit goes first."
Rodrigo nodded. "He's got a family, and with the baby on the way, he wants to be close to relatives. It makes sense."
"Also, I think he'd like a safer job," Rochelle said with a touch of sadness. "He mentioned going back to the police."
Rodrigo chuckled. "Says a lot when being a cop is an easier option than working for Benson Security.” He cocked an eyebrow at Rochelle. “Is Canada a possibility?" he asked.
"That depends on the owners of Benson Security," Rochelle said. "But I think we also need to bear in mind that this isn’t just a business decision for Violet."
“Why?” Evan said. “She can move to Canada without staying married, can’t she?”
“Hush yourself,” Rosey snapped. “Don’t speak about things you know nothing about and clearly don’t understand.”
Evan turned red. “Sorry, Mrs. Lee,” he said.
There was a heavy silence as everyone looked at Violet.
She didn't like it at all and frowned back. "What?" she demanded.
Max angled himself toward her, his heart racing. “Maybe we should talk in private,” he started.
“You will not.” It was his turn to feel Rosey’s wrath. “We won’t have you two going off and screwing this up on your own. It’s clear you need adult supervision when it comes to your relationship. Plus,” she sniffed, “we’re just as invested in your marriage as you are.”
Max doubted that, but he also didn’t think they would be allowed to leave the room. Not when Violet’s family were so intent on them staying right where they were.
"Then I guess we’re doing this here,” Max said, turning to Violet who glared at him.
“Don’t let them bully you,” she said. “This is between us.” She got out of the sofa.
Lian spoke up. “Violet Lee, you sit down right now. Your family has a right to hear this.”
For a second, Max thought Violet would argue. But after an intense staring competition with her grandmother, she sat back down.
“Proceed,” Lian said, giving them permission to discuss their own personal relationship.
If the situation hadn’t been so intense, it would have been funny.
Once again, Max faced Violet. “I already told you this marriage is real for me," he said.
Her mother gasped and Jasmine started to cry. Well, that didn’t take long. He glanced at Harvey who shrugged before putting an arm around his wife.
Violet stared at Max, her expression unreadable. It was clear she wasn’t going to make this easy on him. He probably deserved that.
"I love you, Violet," he said.
"Thank you, Lord," Rosey declared, making everyone laugh.
Max took Violet’s hands in his. "Please come to Canada with me."
Violet glanced at Rochelle who held up her hands. "This has nothing to do with the Benson Security office. This is between you two. I'll talk to Lake about Canada as an option, but only you can decide what you're doing with him."
Slowly, she turned her attention back to Max. Dark eyes examined him, seeing past his bruises and bravado. Seeing straight into his soul. He waited, his life in her hands. Knowing that if she said no, he'd carry on, but he'd do it as half a man without her. It was up to her. He'd made his decision.
She was it for him.
"Violet," her mother prompted. "What are you going to do?"
Violet wet her lips and her hands flexed in his.
"I'm going to keep him," she said.