Chapter 3

Gillian

“I told you there were people who have threatened my life on numerous occasions. It’s the reason why I have you on a short leash. I have my people looking into what happened, but it doesn’t seem to be anything more than a backfire of a car. I might be paranoid, but it’s the reason why I have survived for this long.” Grant was pacing back and forth with a toothpick in his mouth to help him think.

‘I know the reason why you acted defensively in the moment. If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m hardwired to be ready for just about anything.’ I could say that, but I wasn’t prepared for Grant to use my words against me.

I was still replaying everything I had seen in my head. The only thing to stand out was the derelict. His gait was bringing me back to a time where I had watched a dead man play athletically with the children in the area. He was my fantasy and my perfect man.

“This place is a fortress and we have security around the property 24 hours a day. I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist on you staying here indefinitely. I’ve taken the liberty of sending for your stuff. I know it’s not ideal for the groom to see his bride a few days before the wedding.” He wanted me to be his trophy wife, but there was no mention of anything physical happening between the two of us.

“I think it goes without saying I’m going to have my own room. I hope you didn’t have any plans of me sleeping with you. I’ve already told you many times I don’t feel that way about you. I never will.” It was a good plan for him to use me in his political aspirations. I was very personable and could sweet talk with the best of them.

“I’ve already told you any feelings for you died on the day you rejected me. This marriage is a means to an end and nothing more. I don’t expect you to be faithful. I’m certainly not going to be. Getting married to me is nothing compared to what you would serve after being convicted. It’s also quite possible this could be a Federal case.” He was all about the power he could wield in the palm of his hand.

“I’ve already agreed to your terms. There’s no reason to constantly bring it up. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear you are enjoying my misery.” He was wearing a customary dark suit with wingtip shoes. Perfectly dressed as usual, nothing was out of place.

I was a bit more casual in a pair of denim jeans and a dark sweater over my natural attributes. The scent of my perfume surrounded me like my own personal halo. He was not immune to my feminine form. I wasn’t exactly blind to the way that he undressed me with his eyes. I was worried one night after indulging a little too much I might find him knocking on my door.

“I feel like you need to be reminded of what is at stake. I saw an opportunity to capitalize on your misguided fame and I took it.” His brown hair was combed all the way back and his cleanly shaven face gave him a baby boy complexion of innocence.

“I don’t see how you can sleep at night knowing you are blackmailing your best friend. I always knew you were different than the other guys vying for my affection. We had one date and realized we were better off as friends.” He had this natural magnetism that gave him the loyalty and respect of his peers.

The estate was massive with ten bedrooms and four bathrooms. The kitchen was a gourmet chef’s delight. I could order anything at any hour of the day and night. It would be delivered to my door. I was never going to take advantage of their hospitality in that way.

“I sleep like a baby in the best Egyptian silk money can buy. I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. The best was never good enough for me. I aspire to greatness and I need the instant family to go along with pressing the palms.” A baby was necessary to give him the wholesome family image he was looking for.

“I have no intention of getting pregnant with your child. I’m pretty sure you already know that and have planned for this eventuality. You never leave anything to chance.” He was an evil genius always thinking three steps ahead of everybody else.

“After we are married, we will acquire the services of a surrogate already pregnant and willing to give away their baby for a price. We wouldn’t have to resort to these measures if you would consider a more practical approach.” I wasn’t sure if he was kidding and I cocked my eyebrow at the very notion of being with him in the Biblical sense.

“You already know my answer. I suppose you will want to pawn the baby off as ours. I’m sure you have a plan to keep me out of the public eye.” This was the first I was hearing about his grand scheme, but I wasn’t the least bit surprised.

“You will be spending nine months in Greece. I will be joining you. I’ve already chosen a young lady down on her luck. I haven’t made my approach, but I believe I will be able to give her an offer she can’t refuse. She has already confirmed her desire to give away the child to respectable parents.” I was stunned by how quickly he was arranging the pieces on the chessboard.

“I am horrified by how easily you have made this happen in a short time. You must’ve been planning this for years and then I fell into your lap. I’m glad I was willing to take the bullet and there’s no telling what anybody else would’ve been in for.” Money was the root of all evil. He had proven it by becoming the one person he didn’t want to be… his domineering father.

He came into the room and smugly put his hand on Grant’s shoulder.

“My son is a chip off of the old block. I know this isn’t what you were expecting, but we can make the best out of a bad situation. It’s not like you are a prisoner. Did you really think he wouldn’t tell me of all people what he was planning? I gave him my blessing and my advice free of charge.” His father was a carbon copy. It was like looking at the present and the future.

“My parents have been supportive of my decision to jump into the political arena. My mother was a little worried until I told her of my plans to marry you on paper. There’s no reason to have sympathy for me. It’s not like I didn’t know what I was destined for.” It was becoming obvious plans had already been made from the moment he was born.

“Mr. Hamilton, you can’t stand there and tell me this is what you want for your son. It might seem like a good idea, but he will never be happy. Love is not something you squander. To settle for second best is going to leave you blind to the possibility of real love.” They both began to laugh at my expense like I had said the funniest thing in the world.

I took a step back and swallowed hard at how they were playing with everyone like they were puppets on a string. There was no point in trying to change their minds. They were steadfast in their belief I could give them the best public image going forward. My dedication to the navy and to serving my country was something they were going to use to stuff the ballot box in their favor.

“I never took you for being naïve, Gillian. Love is nothing more than a commodity to be brokered between two people. Tamara and I are a prime example of what a loveless marriage can accomplish. She gets to live in the lap of luxury with more money than she can spend in a lifetime. My legitimate business was nothing compared to what I did to make the real fortune for this family.” I was seeing things through rose-colored glasses and growing up I thought Grant had the world by the tail.

“Love is the only thing worth fighting for. I went into the military to fight for the freedoms of others. People like me make it possible for civilians to live in a democracy. I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but marriage without love is doomed to fail.” I was trying to break through to them, but they were both jaded.

It was a destructive cycle which was most likely going to his heir’s legacy to carry on in the family name.

“I found out early on love is for suckers. I could give women everything they wanted. It was the only reason why they were with me. They wanted to get their hands in my pocket. They were looking for their sugar daddy.” I was watching this house of cards teetering on the edge.

“I knew my son was destined to walk in my footsteps. I have been one of the most influential businessmen to come along in a century. It didn’t take much convincing to get him to have a vasectomy. I was fortunate to find a woman begging for a new life and willing to do anything to get it.” They both had red ties around their neck choking off the supply of oxygen to their brain.

“I didn’t know what kind of influence was in your life. I thought you had dreams of becoming a veterinarian. What happened to make you this person? Why would you mention having sex with me when there isn’t the possibility of having a child?” I didn’t recognize him, but maybe I didn’t know him as well as I thought I did.

“I never said you weren’t attractive enough to fuck. I’m exactly where I want to be. Life is unpredictable and being the architect of my own destiny takes out the guesswork.” The words were coming out of his mouth, but he might as well have his father’s hand on his back making his mouth move for him.

“My son told me everything. It makes it easier to tell you what we have planned knowing you can’t say anything to anyone. The Damocles sword is a simple prop hanging over your head. We are the only ones preventing you from feeling the cold hand of justice. Don’t fight this. It will only make it worse for you. Smile and do what you’re told.” In the military, there was a recognizable chain of command. These two were the tyranny of generals never seeing a day of battle in their lives.

“It doesn’t look like I have many options on the table.” I was trapped and I felt like an animal ready to gnaw off his limb to get away.

“That’s the spirit. You never know this life might appeal to you. My son and I have talked at length and have come up with a strategy. Any thought of you signing up for another tour is out of the question. This is what you have chosen. Let me be the first one to welcome you to the family.” The place was an expensive example of what money could buy, but it was also a prison of my own making.