Merina stood in the shower, letting the water run over her aching muscles. Now, she was unsure of her next move. They’d thrown a wrench in her plans. How could she accomplish the necessary task amidst such blackmail? She didn’t want to end up in jail. There wasn’t any way she could get her father released from jail, either. She didn’t have the money for bail. It didn’t matter how much his bail was. She was sure she didn’t have any money to spare. Merina had used her money to start her consulting business and hadn’t asked for a cent from her father. In fact, she hadn’t told her father anything about her time abroad. She’d told him nothing about her additional education and training. He showed no interest or curiosity whatsoever. Another reason she'd leave the company and her family emerged. She understood better than anyone that she must right now bail out her father and the family business. No one wanted her there, making everything different and un
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.
That was it. The freedom of releasing into his wife or soon enough. Conner’s father wanted revenge on Andre MacGregor. Well, right now, Conner thought he’d help him out a little and punish Merina for her deception. It would kill Andre to know Merina was pregnant with an O’Keefe baby and Conner could tease the hell out of Merina with sex. He enjoyed hearing a woman scream in pleasure. Some women begged for it, but he suspected Merina didn’t know what she missed out on. He’d educate her on his ability to shape her actions. Yeah, he knew it wasn’t the best way to start off a relationship, but he couldn’t afford her stepping out of line in any form. If it meant he had to keep his fingers between her thighs or humiliate her a little, he would. Jail would inflict even greater suffering upon her. “Now we’re going to pretend that there’s nothing going on between us, Merina, when Gabriela returns. I’m sure she’ll be stupid enough to forget half of what every
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
Merina felt happy they left the hotel without encountering Gabriela or Joseph. They shouldn’t recognize her, anyway. If they’d ever been to the MacGregor estate, they’d most likely never seen a photo or painting of her as Lillian removed them all. Merina stayed out of the media because it didn’t get her anywhere. Merina wanted to thank Lillian for her excellent work. Conner didn’t let go of her arm the entire way from the suite to the car, and she didn’t speak to anyone before they ushered her into a rather nice residence rather than a courthouse or government building. It appeared they’d pulled a lot more than a few strings. “Conner, this looks like everything’s overdone. No need for all of this. She felt guilty at how much effort they’d gone and the inconvenience. “It could have waited.” “You’re not attempting to use logic to weasel your way into jail, are you? Merina, I expected something better from you. The O’Keefe family always get
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
Joseph sat across from his niece, Gabriella. He called her his daughter because he’d paid a weighty sum to take her from his sister after her husband died in a job that went wrong. She struggled to comprehend the job’s success and their continued dedication. He had goals and no one would stand in his way. Joseph determined long ago that he’d take over every company and family that he felt failed people like him. Oh, he wasn’t getting revenge for the little guy. No, he wasn’t a martyr. Joseph saw himself as a better man wronged and he’d use any means necessary to prove it. There wasn’t any idea of providing better services or products. He wasn’t looking to lower prices, and he was sure he wouldn’t be giving anyone else a break in life. The world belonged to the takers. That’s what he did. History taught him that great families rise on the shoulders of others, and he would follow suit. “So, let me get this straight. You were doing what you
Conner watched Merina put her wig on before wrapping her scarf back on. The highlight of their vows was the kiss, but he still felt angry because Merina held things up by resisting repeating her vows. He’d enforce those vows with her because they held the vow of obedience. She’d obey him by the time he finished with her. She brought this on herself, and she knew it. Now he’d run with it. He wouldn’t always punish her, but he wouldn’t let her illegal activities go ignored because she wore his ring. He had ways to deal out punishment that would have her adjusting that attitude. They took the hotel limo back to the hotel. Merina felt Conner rushing her to the car, and she didn’t understand why he did that. No one would bother them between the house and the car. She assumed his desire for efficiency, and he wanted to expedite his return. “You got your wish, Conner. Now we’re married. What do you plan next? We host a party and tell my father