Lillian waved Claude on to speak. Her face was still numb but swollen. The microsurgery appeared successful, and she didn’t require bandages. Though her face similar to a chipmunk’s face, and she hoped the surgeon hadn’t bungled the job. Joseph paid enough for this treatment. “Madam, Mr. James called for you while you were in with the doctor. He claims imprisonment and requests a lawyer who can work. He’s in the main jail in Capo Santo as we speak. Mr. James also needs two-hundred and fifty thousand to secure his release. Then he can secure the release of Mr. Mandela.” “Claude what do you mean Galen is in jail? What did he do to get jailed?” Lillian said to Claude. She’d recovered enough from her face lift procedure to hear him out. She couldn’t believe what Claude said to her. “He hasn’t secured Joseph’s release yet. Claude, handle it. What led him to jail in that city now? Regardless of my baby’s actions, I must rescue him. I must get him out of there
When her father at last left, Conner rounded on her where she stood. He walked over to her. But he said nothing. He heard the outer suite door close behind her father, and she assumed Ian was. “That was petty Merina. You have changed and I don’t like it.” His disapproving stare had Merina turning her eyes away from him. “Well, shit happens Conner. You changed too.” Merina said. Her words were a mere grumble. Conner took her chin in his hand and forced her to look at him. “Oh, no. You understand this isn’t how it works. You aren’t allowed to feel misery. Real or imagined. I say what happens. This ends now. Your father has nothing to do with your life any longer. The man you should concern yourself with is me. Do you understand?” “Tell me how to make you happy.” Conner could see Merina now understood her place. They were standing where he’d last taken her. In front of the mirror. “Kneel. You need to learn a bet
Conner accepted their breakfast delivery and closed the hotel suite’s door when the ringing of his phone interrupted him. Merina appeared at the bathroom door, looking curious. She stood there in a slip with her feet bare. Conner admired his wife’s image, taking in every detail. “Hello?” “Hello, Mr. O’Keefe.” A police officer from last night said. Before, he introduced himself, and continued. “Yes, of course, I remember. What can I do for you Officer?” Conner looked up from where he poured a coffee. Merina now leaned against the door frame and listened to him speak. He couldn’t believe he had her as his wife. He may have to set her straight and train her in what he expected from her. Conner knew she still expected him to screw her over before he tossed her aside. He didn’t plan to do that. Ever. She’s his now. “We have a few questions for your wife. Please bring her to the station for an interview?” Conner heard the ‘could you brin
Merina wasn’t angry about Galen being charged with assault for trying to kiss her. Merina was unhappy about how the charges had happened. They didn’t ask her about her preferences. Or how this would affect her. She felt glad that Conner took her phone. It meant Lillian couldn’t call her and yell at her. Lillian couldn’t stalk her either. One would think blocking a person’s contact information would stop that person in from their mission of being miserable to her. But it didn’t. Lillian didn’t get the hint and stopped bothering Merina. Instead, Lillian would enlist family friends and family to help enforce her point. Then add in, she would put pressure on as many people as necessary to make it beneficial to overlook Galen’s charges. Merina knew of several times his charges disappeared, so Lillian would leave the official alone.While they left Merina to fend for herself if she ended up in trouble. Her father claimed she was mistaken about that. But she went from
Gabriella watched the officers bring Joseph into the room again. She knew that her reaction wasn’t what anyone expected. She didn’t smother Joseph in affection or worried over him. Instead, Gabriella sat there, her hands in her lap as she fidgeted. “Well? Why haven’t I been released? What’s going on Gabriella? How can I accomplish tasks while present?” Joseph asked. He demanded to know what happened and what caused the delay. He had to leave and continue the plan. “I’m sorry. Galen found his own trouble. Before he could give me the money he was arrested.” Gabriella said. She acted as if she’d collapse into a manic bout of crying. Unable to find words, Joseph shook his head at her. He found these events unacceptable. “Arrested what for? Why aren’t our friends helping us out?” He all but dragged the information out of Gabriella. She arrived and insisted on seeing him. Then she didn’t give him the information he needed to discuss what happ
Merina hadn’t noticed as Conner followed her into the lobby. Her goal was for Lillian to throw a tantrum, leading to her removal from the station. That way, Lillian could not gain Galen’s freedom. Then they’d leave without her interference. She saw this wasn’t as easy as it should have been when Conner stepped in, as if he were an avenging angel full of righteous wrath. His voice deepened a fraction, and his eyes flashed in an open display of his anger. Merina noticed he exaggerated his anger with a stormy expression and raised voice while talking to Lillian. It’s what he said to Lillian that had Merina stunned. She didn’t know if she’d ever become used to people defending her. Merina found it odd, wondering if he would correct himself to match her reality. He threatened her with an indirect threat. Nothing he said could cause Conner to receive any charges or being sued. But everyone knew Conner’s words weren’t said on a whim.
Merina watched as the officer’s patience ended. He stopped Lillian from continuing arguing Merina and Conner. She said nothing more. Because the officer’s supervisor took control. They took Lillian to an office, out of sight of the main lobby. She demanded to know why Merina and Conner didn’t follow her. The response surprised Merina when she caught it. “Mrs. O’Keefe is with her husband and she’s not screaming like a madwoman. It’s time to contact someone who has more authority and control.” The door slammed shut before the room heard Lillian’s response. “I don’t envy them.” Conner said. His words were for Merina alone. “My father won’t like that.” “Oh, he knows. As does the officer who took Lillian. They’ll detain her. Later, they’ll tell her your father refuses to help her. She’ll need to find another man to help her with Galen’s issues because they won’t speak with a hysterical woman.” “I’ve never had problems
Merina let Conner take her back to the hotel when he felt confident. They’d purchased everything they needed. When they reached the hotel, the front desk clerk gave Conner a note at the front desk from his father. Gabriella and Lillian were there, and they’d joined forces. When he mentioned it to Merina, she rolled her eyes before she spoke. “Marvellous. I’m glad we’re leaving in the morning. Lillian and Gabriella working together against me. I won’t have any peace.” “You? Why would they go after you Meri?” Conner asked. He now called her Meri again after the confrontation at the police station. She looked at him and avoided swearing aloud. “Conner, my father got his release from jail with a minor fine. Joseph and Galen are still in jail. Unbeknownst to them, I’m the target and the cause of both men’s incarceration. They will see the involvement of my father and me. I will be their first target, not my father. Today Conner acted as her protector an