Chapter 5 - The Engagement Nobody Asked ForTo survive the Blackridge family, I had to become Nathaniel Mercer's fiancée.
We escaped through a tunnel beneath the cabin.
Nathaniel had apparently prepared it years ago.
I wasn't sure whether that frightened me or impressed me.
Probably both.
By sunrise, we were heading back toward the city.
The ledger was secure.
The cassette was in Nathaniel's possession.
And my entire understanding of my life had collapsed.
At a safe house, Nathaniel finally told me the truth.
“Blackridge will not stop.”
“I know.”
“They'll try to take you.”
“I know.”
“They may use Daniel.”
“I know.”
He looked at me.
“You keep saying you know.”
“Because you're not telling me the rest.”
He leaned back against the desk.
“The truth is simple.”
“What?”
“If they can't find out where your mother hid the original evidence, they'll use you as leverage.”
“Against you?”
“Yes.”
“Why would I matter that much?”
Nathaniel's expression was unreadable.
“Because you are the last surviving person who can legally expose Blackridge.”
I stared.
“Legally?”
“Your mother placed ownership of several companies into a trust.”
“What companies?”
“Companies controlling the majority of Blackridge's legitimate assets.”
I almost laughed.
“My mother owned all that?”
“She was smarter than everyone gave her credit for.”
He opened another file.
My name was on every page.
I was the beneficiary.
I was also the only person capable of controlling the trust.
“But I never knew.”
“Because the documents were sealed.”
“Until now.”
“Yes.”
The door opened.
One of Nathaniel's men stepped inside.
“Mr. Mercer. Grant has contacted every family.”
“What did he say?”
“He claims Emily is being held against her will.”
I stared.
“They're saying you've kidnapped me?”
“Yes.”
Nathaniel looked at me.
“They'll turn the entire organization against us.”
“What do we do?”
His answer came instantly.
“We give them a story they can't challenge.”
I frowned.
“What story?”
He stepped closer.
“We're engaged.”
I nearly choked.
“No.”
“They'll believe you're under my protection willingly.”
“No.”
“It also puts you beyond Grant's immediate reach.”
“No.”
“You keep saying no.”
“Because this is insane.”
Nathaniel's eyes softened slightly.
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because you need protection.”
“I can protect myself.”
His mouth twitched.
“You've been publicly humiliated by a man you loved, shot at, lied to for twenty-four years, and kidnapped through three false identities.”
I glared at him.
“That isn't a compelling argument.”
“It's the only argument I have.”
Silence.
He took my hand.
His fingers were warm.
“Emily.”
I looked up.
“For the next thirty days, nobody touches you without going through me.”
Thirty days.
A fake engagement.
One feared Mafia boss.
One woman who had just learned her entire childhood was a lie.
I laughed nervously.
“What happens when we break it?”
Nathaniel looked directly into my eyes.
“We don't.”
“Because?”
“Because Blackridge will believe you belong to me.”
“And if they don't?”
His voice dropped.
“Then they'll learn what happens when someone tries to take something of mine.”
Before I could reply, the door opened again.
A young guard rushed inside.
“Sir.”
“What?”
“We intercepted a message.”
He handed Nathaniel a phone.
Nathaniel read it.
His expression turned cold.
“What?”
He looked at me.
“The message is from Daniel.”
“What did he say?”
Nathaniel turned the screen around.
I read the text.
I know where the missing evidence is.
May you like
Then another message appeared.
And Emily is the only one who can open it.
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