Conner woke up thinking everything was great. He found Merina, had helped with his investigations. His father wanted him to marry Merina, and after wanting to know how she’d be under him, he got his wish. The caveat: he’d have repeat performances for the rest of his life. It was perfect until he witnessed her expression. How hadn’t he recognized her? Her eyes or face never changed. That’s when he remembered the telltale scheming look. Damn, it hadn’t changed either. He knew when she planned something. Merina didn’t like something, so she figured out how to fix it. It didn’t matter if you liked it or not. She’d have it her way. Instead of engaging in another round of wild sex. They lay there arguing with each other. He had no choice. She’d go wild if he let her with her plans. See her remarkable progress this time. If he didn’t rein her in, then she’d end up in jail. Conner knew his father would only tolerate her stunts and antics for so long before

Later that morning, Conner spoke to his father. Merina was in the shower and still unhappy that she couldn’t leave. “Have you come to your senses, Conner, and seen the logic behind you marrying Merina?” Ian asked Conner as they sat down to share a coffee in the main living area after a late breakfast. Ian had come knocking and interrupted Conner by entertaining himself with Merina again. Both avoided discussing his activities in the suite’s bedroom. “Yes, I have. I see potential. But not for the same reasons. But I’m thinking it would be best that we keep her identity quiet and the marriage, too. If Gabriella or Joseph discover we’re married, one or both will do something crazy against us. I want to catch them red-handed, but I don’t feel like paying a permanent price.” Conner said to his father. With time, it appeared as a superior and more secure plan. They’d not discussed how Merina possessed the training and experience to do the job they needed.

Conner took her shoulders and turned her toward the cream tiles. She had to extend her hands to support herself. She was panting when Conner’s hands found her breasts, his hard form fit against her back. Merina could feel his proud thrusting cock pushing up between her thighs. He must have his knees bent to fit so well against her. Her thighs shook as his hands toyed with her breasts. Teasing her nipples as he massaged her full globes. His hot, slick body teased her core and back. Merina could feel her core ache needing his touch already. She stood there panting as he kissed her throat, nipping at her neck and shoulders. Merina heard and felt his hot breath on her body. No man had held her like this. Or evoke such emotions. “This isn’t fair, Conner. I can’t touch you. I’m sore, and I need some rest.” “Love, all you need to remember is love and war aren’t fair. They’re both hot and dirty, where one must take part for a chance to survive.

Merina stood in the living room in a blue cocktail dress. She felt overdressed. “I’m not sure why you think we’re going to exchange vows today? Doesn’t it take days or weeks to arrange a wedding license issued?” She stood there with her damp hair up in a messy bun. The lightest dusting of makeup, a blue crepe dress, and black heels. She’d avoided any jewelry for now. But she felt numb after she cried, and she prayed no one noticed she cried earlier. “Don’t you worry about that. Just answer the judge and sign when required. Ian said. He stood by the table with a document and a gold pen in hand. “What about my father? How will I bail him out?” Merina asked. Her voice sounded small and petulant even to her. She didn’t know what she expected to hear. But Ian didn’t ignore her question but made it clear to her it wasn’t important. “In due time, I’ll deal with that. But right now, someone in my head office pulled some strings. There’s a judge

Ian stayed behind after Conner and Merina left to return to the hotel. He and the judge worked out a deal that benefited both parties. Andre would owe him a lot after this. Merina was only the beginning. He knew he’d dodged a bullet with Lillian. Back then, she could defeat him. Now Ian watched Andre regret buying into Lillian’s lies. If all that Ian knew was believable. Lillian took over everything when dealing with Andre’s family life. She’d installed herself as the center of his world and no one like Merina was part of it. Merina became a distant memory in Andre’s mind because he struggled with his business and making enough money to keep Lillian in the lifestyle she demanded. Then there was Galen. He wasn’t a boy anymore. Yet he still lived with his mother and relied on Andre’s business for a job and money. Andre needed to get out of jail so he could save his company from, Ian assumed, Joseph Mandela. But Ian would not forgive and forget. Andre