Page 28 of Theirs to Corrupt
“I’m not marrying you,” I repeat, not sure which one of us I’m trying to convince.
“You’ll see that you don’t have a choice.” He pushes his hands into his pockets. “By tomorrow, you’ll be suggesting it yourself.”
No.
I want to scream, to argue, to tell him he’s wrong.
But as I stand there, staring at the enigmatic man who’s just claimed me, I wonder what’s driving him. He can’t possibly want to be tied to me any more than I want to be married to him.
Before I can fully process everything, Pax takes a step forward, breaking the tension that’s crackling between Link and me.
“This isn’t a decision you have to make right now.” He frowns at Link to keep him silent. Then he glances back at me. His green eyes are softer than I’ve ever seen them. “You’ve been through a lot.”
His suggestion gives me a sliver of hope—an escape, if only for a little while. The man is an oasis of calm in the storm that is Link Merritt.
Pax’s watch beeps loudly, and he swipes the screen. “Torin and Mira,” he says to Link.
Link nods tightly, and Pax taps his watch again.
“Who?” I ask with a frown.
“People we’ve been expecting,” Link replies, as if that explains anything.
“Look,” Pax says. “We’ll take this one step at a time.”
I nod.
Slowly a massive black SUV backs up the driveway and parks in front of Link’s vehicle.
Two people emerge, a tall, broad-shouldered man in jeans and a dark shirt, and a woman with her dark hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail.
Pax disarms the security system and opens the door before either has a chance to knock.
The moment they’re inside, Pax closes the door behind them and resets the alarm.
“Carter.” Pax shakes hands with the man. “You broke away from Nevada.”
“Need to stay sharp. And I enjoy fieldwork.” As he speaks, his gaze flickers to the woman, a look so charged with unspoken intimacy that I wonder if there is more between them than just a professional partnership.
“Araceli.” Pax smiles as he greets the woman.
“Torin Carter, Mira Araceli, meet Link Merritt and Tessa Tremaine. Link, Tessa, these are Torin Carter and Mira Araceli, two of Hawkeye’s best agents.”
“Ma’am.” Torin nods respectfully, his stunning features set in a mask of professionalism.
Mira, on the other hand, offers a warm, reassuring smile, and I like her immediately. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
“You’re in good hands, ma’am,” Mira says. “I promise.”
Good hands?These agents are here because of me?
Then Link speaks to me. “I want you protected when you leave the house.”
So I’m not a prisoner?
“No doubt you’ll want to see your friend. Natalie.”
“My…” This was his idea?