“How serious?”
“I’m telling you that you don’t want to know.”
“What? Have you had a tracker implanted on my ass?”
“That’s an excellent idea. I do have your phone tracking on…and…”
“And what?”
“Technically… The reporters weren’t wrong on some of their shouting.” I pause because this can cost me everything. “You’re already my wife.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean. I’m great at technology, and I might have fudged some records, making you legally my wife.”
“Illegally is more like it.” She glares at me, and then her expression changes to complete befuddlement. Her brows scrunch, and her mouth gaps open as if she’s working it all out. It feels like forever, and I feel like the vehicle is coming to a stop. I pray Winston has the doors locked from his spot so she can’t make a run for it. Then she takes a long drawn out breath, straightens her shoulders and shakes her head. “But for some reason, I’m not upset. I should be pissed and scared, but I’m not. I’m… It’s fucking nuts, but all that’s running through my head is…How did you manage it?”
“Well, Mrs. Ryan, I own a security company, and I have the skills to hack into places to see how to protect them. It’s easier than it looks.”
“Wow. You’re fucking crazy. Another crazy man in my life,” she sighs.
“Yes, but I’m not murderously crazy. That’s unless someone hurts you, then no one will stop me from doing what I have to do.
“I can deal with that because I love you, Micah.”
“Finally. I’m madly in love with you, woman.”
“Finally? We’ve only known each other for five days.”
“I’ve been in love, obsessed since I jumped out of the limo.”
“So how long have we actually been married?”
“Four days.”
“Four days? I’m married to a mad man.”
“Damn right. Now, I’m going to take you to Harry Winston’s, and then we’re going to spend the next two days in bed, enjoying each other, making plans for our honeymoon.”
“Oh, my goodness. Your mother is going to flip.”
“Well, hopefully, not for long when you’re pregnant.”
* * *
“Explain this,” my mother hisses. She’s holding her tablet up with the headline from TMZ Tech Mogul, Micah Ryan is Married.
“It’s not wrong.”
“What do you mean you’re married?” my mother screeches over the video chat.
“I couldn’t wait. Now can you open the door, so you can meet your daughter-in-law in person?”
A second later, I hear her feet hitting the floor in a full gallop before stopping, and I’m sure she’s taking a deep breath and straightening her clothes. She opens the door with a wide grin, seeing my lovely Violet shying away.
“Come here. I have a daughter!” She squeals, dragging my wife into her arms. Violet grunts softly.
“Mother, she’s been in an accident recently.”
“Oh my. I forgot.” She pulls away, but holds onto Violet’s hands and admires her beauty. “Micah, you did so well. Violet, you are absolutely radiant.”
“Are you going to let them come in, woman?” I hear Stanton grumble from the hallway.
“Oh my. Where are my manners?” She blushes as if she’s completely embarrassed, but I know my mother and don’t believe that for a moment. We go inside, and I close the door, laughing as she drags Violet into the living room.
“Good job, Micah. Your mother was just about to fly down there. I had to stop her three times today. So how is everything with her brother?”
“He’s not her brother anymore. He’s going away for murder, confessing to at least six for the past six years.” We go into his study, and he pours me a drink.
Handing it to me, he nods. “That’s good. He shouldn’t ever see the light of day again.”
“No, he shouldn’t, but the murders were just the tip of the iceberg.” I toss back the whiskey, letting the burn ease the violent need to end her brother. “Violet was his next target. He’d left the body in her bed, waiting for her to come home. The bastard planned to knock her out, then carry her to her apartment and finish the job. He’d confessed that much. I could have lost her if I hesitated a moment longer.”
The revelation has been sitting heavy on my chest since this morning. I met privately with the detectives who played the tape for me. We thought it best that she never know that he planned to kill her. I don’t need her living with the fear of what could have happened. It’s going to haunt me for the rest of my days.
“She’s safe. Her brother can’t touch her ever again. Now, treat Violet like a queen and make some grandbabies before your mother drives us both crazy.”
“I’m working on it. Trust me, I’m working on it.”
Epilogue
Micah
Almost Nine Months Later
I end the call, feeling on cloud motherfucking nine. Her brother’s sentencing took place today: Death. I’m sure his lawyers will fight the death penalty, but as long as that fucker never sees the light of day, I’m satisfied.