Accidental Love (Fake Marriage Romance 1)

“You know it’s important to me already, but you’ve made it clear on where you stand, which is on Stark’s side.”

“So, you admit this is a sham marriage?”

Crap. That’s not good. Even Trina gasped.

“Who I marry or why I marry them isn’t your concern.”

“Listen, Sinclair, you’ve made your point. I know this issue is important to you. Let’s find another way to deal with it. I’ve been talking to the governor about how this will look when we’re in a state whose major industry is farming. You don’t need to marry some halfwit farmer.”

“Halfwit!” I was ready to barrel through the door to give the mayor a piece of my mind. And maybe my fist.

As I reached out to push the door open, I heard Sinclair say, “Watch yourself, Mo.” It was in a tone I’d never heard before, but if she ever used it on me, I’d take a step back.

20

Sinclair

Of all the things that I thought could go wrong with this fake wedding, having the mayor crash it wasn’t one of them. How did the mayor even know I was here, much less getting married? I hadn’t told him. Maybe Trina let it slip. Whatever the reason, I didn’t need this interference.

He was acting as if he wanted to help me with the Stark prison issue. He seemed to be telling me that he’d find another way to help the farmers, but I didn’t believe him. Not that I thought he was lying. If there was an easy way to save the farmers and not ruffle the feathers of the governor, he’d do it. But even if I gave in, I knew he’d make a few gestures, perhaps a phone call to the governor, but he wasn’t going to be a zealot about it like I knew Wyatt would be. Like we needed.

I also didn’t buy that he was just here to help me save the farmers. I was certain he was unhappy with the notion of me marrying someone else. I felt bad for him, and realized I should have been clearer upfront that I wasn’t interested in him. Not that he wasn’t a good guy. He was handsome and smart, and while I didn’t agree with his strategies around this prison issue, I did feel he wanted to do right by Salvation.

He seemed to think the reason we weren’t an item was that I worked for him and a relationship would be inappropriate. I needed to let him know that wasn’t the case. Wyatt or no Wyatt, I wasn’t interested in Maurice Valentine.

I especially didn’t like him calling Wyatt a halfwit. I didn’t want to rekindle things with Wyatt, but like I did for the mayor, I respected Wyatt. He was smart and hardworking. I was angry and shocked the mayor would diss him like that.

“First of all, the Jones family has been in Salvation practically since the beginning. You’ll do a lot of harm to your image if you go after them. And second, Wyatt is a decorated veteran who’s now putting everything he has toward saving not just his farm, but all the other farms in the area. When was the last time you risked your life for your country or your community for that matter? You’re not even willing to risk an election for them.”

He looked down and I was sure he was silently swearing. Finally, he looked up. “Okay, he’s a great guy, but you don’t have to marry him. We’ll find another way.”

I shook my head. “You forget that I know how you operate. You’re not going to be able to placate or patronize me.”

“That’s not what I’m doing”

Of course, he was. Mo was always the politician.

“No? How are you going to get rid of Stark? Have you really talked to the governor seriously about this, or just in passing?”

“You know it’s not that easy.”

“I do know. I know it’s hard, which is why you’re not doing it.”

His eyes narrowed. “Are you calling me lazy or a liar?”

I wondered if I needed to be worried about my job. If I lost my job, that would make this whole arrangement with Wyatt all for naught. “I’m saying you’re too busy trying to avoid a confrontation.”

“Gee, I’d think that was a strength. Diplomacy and compromise are a part of the job. You should know that if you ever want to be mayor.”

“You’re not compromising. You’re handing centuries-old farmland over to Stark so you can make the governor happy and add a few new jobs.” Before he could respond I added, “And giving lip service isn’t diplomacy. Stark is bullying and threatening farmers, and you’ve done nothing for them. They’ve lost confidence in you, Mr. Mayor. Some even think you’re getting a kickback.”

“Bullying? Kickback? What are you talking about?” He jerked back, genuinely surprised.

I rolled my eyes. “I guess you missed the part of my report in which Stark was sending henchmen out to intimidate the owners-”

“They have a right to make an offer-”

“They’re trespassing and frightening your community. They’ve even gone so far as to try to buy farms from people who have no right to sell them.”