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"Do you think he would?"
I leveled a gaze on him, and he nodded solemnly."Of course, he would.Consider it done."
"I need one more thing, actually."
He cocked his head, and I could see a spark of gentleness in there.It was fleeting, but I had seen it for a moment.
I swallowed and continued."You leave Morgan alone too."
He stiffened and jerked back an inch, and confusion was written all over his face."What do you mean, leave Morgan alone?"
"You don't touch her.You don't talk to her.You don't intimidate her.She deserves to be left alone."
"Is that who you think I am?"
"Well, I heard my father.He indicated that she was the original bargain."
"She wasn't, or at least he didn’t spell that out.And when your father said he wanted to keep the business in the family, I didn't quite see what he meant."
"Okay, but Morgan is the only thing I care about.That and my employees.You were willing to marry her as of yesterday afternoon.If I'm taking her place, pretending for the world, I can't have you sniffing after my sister."
He looked affronted."That would never happen."
I looked at the document he’d sent me on my tablet and stared at it for a long moment.I’d told Lance I could handle this.But if I signed this, that would be it, wouldn’t it?
But if you sign this, you have protection for Morgan.
I grabbed the stylus and scrawled my signature.
When I showed him the tablet, he smirked."Let's get out of here."
I nodded.Somehow during our exchange, our food had already been boxed up, and I was given a discreet bag to take with me.
"What’s this?"
"I noticed you didn't eat.Obviously, you're anxious.I just wanted to make sure you ate something."
"Oh, that's thoughtful.Thank you."
He led me through the restaurant as several guests stood to give him a nod or speak a small greeting.When we reached the sidewalk, there was a car waiting."That's my driver, Gavin.He'll take you anywhere you need to go."
"So that's it?Do we shake or something?"
He laughed, but then he quickly sobered."I do want to make one thing clear."
"What’s that?"I asked warily.
"Morgan was never an option.I'll protect her, like I said.And I'm not interested in her.I like my women to be actual women.She's still a kid."
"Okay."The word came out strained, and some of the tightness in my chest eased."In that case, I guess I'm going to be your wife."
Then he wrapped his arms around me, and I froze."What are you doing?"
"Rule number one,” he whispered in my ear.“This has to look real.I'm going to kiss you now."
Chapter10
Atticus
