Page 110 of Theirs to Possess: The Marriage Claim

Celeste taps the top of the manila folder, and her unmistakable Titans ring catches the light. Of course Isla notices.

Then she slides the dossier across the white tablecloth to me. “In case you’re interested.”

Who wouldn’t be?

What have they uncovered?

Before I can read the contents, the server returns to take our orders.

As soon as I can, I move my coffee aside and draw the dossier closer, flipping it open to reveal stacks of documents, grainy photos, interviews with associates, handwritten notes scrawled in red ink.

My stomach twists as I study the oppo research. Deals I’ve buried, shadows I’ve cast, Vale Imports’ murky edges.

Isla’s gaze flicks to the contents, trying to learn the secrets I’ve kept from her.

I resist the instinct to prop an elbow on the table, shielding what I can, who I am.

No doubts she’s already caught glimpses of the stakes, the lies I’ve told, the man she married.

If I go through with this campaign, a lot of this will become public fodder.

Beneath the table, her hand brushes mine. It’s her first reassuring touch, and my heart catalogues it, erasing some wounds of my past.

Momentarily I grip her hard, holding her as if she’s my anchor.

“You were thorough.” I snap the top closed.

“Spent months on it.” Everett nods.

“And a lot of money.”

“You paid for it.” He shrugs. “We’ll work with what we have. Which isn’t much.”

“Fuck you,” Brennan mutters.

Celeste cuts in, smooth as silk. “Gentlemen, let’s focus. As you may have heard, I’ve found someone to primary the senator.”

She’s funding the primary against the senator? This is news to me. Just how far is she willing to go to get rid of the cocksucker? “Does the challenger stand a chance?”

“She does not.”

Taking one for the team. I pity the woman.

On the other hand, if she does win, Celeste will have no reason to back me.

“But her participation will keep him busy.”

“Who is she?”

“The state’s attorney general.”

I let out a whistle. What the hell had Celeste promised her in return for a move that could be seen as career suicide?

“She’s appealing to voters and willing to work hard. Facing her will force him to spend money and scramble while we begin our work on your campaign.”

“What does she get out of it?” Isla asks.

“Other…opportunities as a thank-you for buying us time.”