Page 11 of Married to the Enemy

He straightened slowly, though his warm fingers remained wrapped around hers, anchoring her as they stared at each other. For a few suspended heartbeats, she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, waiting for…something.

Then Joe laughed, Mary clapped, and the spell was broken.

Joe shoved papers into her hands. “You’re going to be late if you don’t run.”

Mary hugged Mia quickly, then pressed another form into her hand. “Sign this while I call Probate Court and tell Judge Winters you’re on your way.”

“Thanks, Mary,” Mia managed, bending over the desk to scribble her name on the marriage license. Her hand shook slightly, but once her signature was on the page, relief washed over her in a dizzying wave. It was done. A small victory—but it was hers.

She turned, thrusting the pen toward Raffe. He didn’t hesitate. Not this time. He leaned forward and signed his name with decisive strokes, as if the whole affair didn’t faze him at all.

Mary whisked the license away and headed for the door, holding the document aloft like a prize. “I’m going to file this for you, but I know you’ll need copies. I’ll be right back.”

Mia stood rooted to the spot, her heart pounding against her ribs. She had done it. Married. To a stranger. Her stomach twisted with nerves, but beneath it all, an undeniable thread of relief ran strong. One impossible step had been taken. Now came the harder part.

None of this could have happened if Joe and Mary hadn’t stepped in to help her. Gratitude filled Mia’s chest, threatening to spill over. She turned to Raffe, unaware of the shimmer in her dark eyes.

“Thank you for helping me today,” she whispered, lowering her head to hide the sudden, embarrassing sting of tears. Digging into her purse, she pulled out the second envelope and offered it to him. “This is the other half of the amount I owe you.”

Joe hissed from across the desk. “Don’t hand over envelopes of cash in my office!” He wasn’t even looking, his phone pressed to his ear as he muttered into the line.

“Thanks, Mike,” Joe finally said, hanging up. “Okay, that buys you a little time.”

Before Mia could breathe in relief, Mary bustled back into the room, waving three pages in her hand. “I made two copies. I’ll file this with the Vital Records Office myself. Martha owes me—babysitting debt. She’ll expedite the process to record the license.”

Mia surged forward, kissing Mary’s cheek gratefully, clutching the papers like they were made of gold. “You’re wonderful!” she said breathlessly, then pressed one copy into Raffe’s big hand. “Thank you again. This…this was great.”

But even as she said it, doubt wormed its way into her chest. Was it really great? Or was she gambling everything on a stranger?

“Go!” Joe barked, pushing her toward the door with a brusque hug. “Mike can only stall so long. The amount of money at stake makes people twitchy.”

“I know, I know!” Mia laughed, but the sound was sharp, brittle. Her nerves buzzed so hard her hands shook as she clutched the papers. “Because of you two, I might have a chance now!”

And then she bolted. Out the door, into the hall, her heels echoing with every frantic step. Her heart raced faster than her feet. The courthouse halls felt too narrow, the air too thin.

She had a chance now, yes. But was it the right chance? Was marrying a stranger really the only way to save her nonna? What if she’d just made things worse?

She shoved the thought aside, forcing her legs to move faster. She didn’t have the luxury of second-guessing. Probate Court wouldn’t wait. The papers in her hands would be enough. They had to be.

Behind her, she didn’t see Raffe still standing in the office, his expression unreadable.

Mary sighed, staring at the empty doorway before turning to him. “Well, Agent Moretti?” she whispered. “Are you really going to leave a damsel in distress? Or are you going to do your hero thing and help her out?”

Raffe’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing, but Mary only nodded her head. “I know,” she murmured knowingly. “Now go. You’re a good man under all that grumpy, hottie exterior.” She flicked her fingers at him, shooing him out the door.

Joe’s laughter followed him out. Mary turned, her smile fading as she looked at her boss. “Do you think it will work?” she asked quietly.

Joe’s mouth twisted thoughtfully as he lowered himself back into his chair. After a long pause, he shrugged. “Not sure. But we’ve done what we could.”

Chapter 6

Raffe picked up speed while yanking his jean jacket back on, shoving the marriage license into one of the many pockets. He pulled out his cell phone, thumbed Diane’s number, and lifted it to his ear.

“What is it?” Diane barked, no hello, no pause. Diane had all the warmth of a cactus when she was on duty.

“Something strange has happened,” he said flatly.

“Strange how?” she demanded, her tone already bracing for disaster.