Chapter 2 - The Groom With Four Bodyguards
At 8:27 a.m., Nora arrived at City Hall wearing yesterday’s jeans, a clean white blouse, and Gabriel’s diamond.
Gabriel was already waiting.
So were four men in black suits.
Nora stopped.
“You brought bodyguards to our wedding?”
Gabriel glanced toward them.
“They're witnesses.”
“All four?”
“Two are witnesses.”
“And the other two?”
“Bodyguards.”
Nora sighed.
“Of course.”
The ceremony lasted seven minutes.
Nora expected Gabriel to treat it like signing a contract.
He almost did.
Until the clerk told him to take her hand.
His fingers closed around hers.
Warm.
Steady.
Strangely careful.
When the clerk pronounced them husband and wife, Gabriel looked at Nora for several seconds.
Neither moved.
The clerk cleared her throat.
“You can kiss your bride.”
Nora whispered, “Don't.”
Gabriel leaned toward her.
Her pulse jumped.
Then his lips touched her forehead.
Nothing more.
“Congratulations,” he murmured.
For some reason, that frightened Nora more than a kiss would have.
At 9:53, Gabriel walked into Martin Caldwell’s office beside her.
Martin stood behind his desk.
His smile vanished.
“Nora.”
“Morning, Martin.”
Martin stared at Gabriel.
Then the ring.
Then back at Nora.
“What is this?”
“My husband.”
Gabriel placed the marriage certificate on Martin’s desk.
Martin went pale.
Gabriel added the financial guarantee.
“Callahan House is no longer for sale.”
Martin's jaw tightened.
“This is ridiculous.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“No.”
His voice became quiet.
“This is expensive.”
Martin looked terrified.
And Nora realized immediately that this had nothing to do with Callahan House.
These men had history.
Gabriel leaned toward Martin.
“Eleven million dollars.”
Martin swallowed.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You will.”
Nora touched Gabriel’s arm.
He immediately stopped.
Martin noticed.
So did Nora.
The most frightening man she had ever met had responded to one touch from her.
Outside the office, Nora pulled her hand away.
“You promised.”
“I promised not to kill him.”
“Gabriel.”
“He's stealing from you.”
“This marriage doesn't make you my executioner.”
Gabriel studied her.
“No.”
A beat passed.
“It makes me your husband.”
Nora groaned.
“That isn't better.”
May you like
But Gabriel's mouth almost curved.
Almost.
