Page 209 of The Unwilling Bride
“I’m on it. And Alfie, thanks.”
I hang up. That’s when I notice the missed calls from Henrik.
I dial him back.
“James, are you there?” Henrik’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
I clear my throat. “Send me a link to the video.”
He doesn’t seem surprised that I know of it already.
A few seconds pass, then the phone vibrates in my hand.
“You need to see this.” I wave the phone at her.
I sit down on the bench built into the closet island. She seats herself next to me.
I touch the video link on my phone.
Miller appears on screen.
"We saw that viral video. We saw the way he treats the women in his kitchen. He was days away from losing his investors, so what does the Ice Commander do?
“He finds the one girl who could testify against him and puts a ring on her finger. It’s not a marriage; it’s a non-disclosure agreement in white lace. Check the dates. He neutralized the threat by making her his property. James Hamilton doesn't fall in love; he acquires assets to protect his brand."
My wife gasps. I put my arm around her and pull her close. I try toconvey to her that it’s okay, that she doesn’t need to worry, that I’ll take care of her.
On screen, Miller leers at the camera.
"Don’t believe me? Look at her bank records. She went from almost being evicted to having a six-figure debt cleared by Hamilton, overnight. That, folks, by the way, is not a dowry; that’s a?—"
I click out of the video and raise the phone to my ear. "What the fuck?"
How did Miller get access to her bank records. How dare he threaten my wife in this fashion? Anger is a tsunami that digs its claws into my guts and threatens to tear its way out.
Henrik clears his throat, "I know it’s not the truth. I know you and Harper fell in love and got married. So what if it was sudden? But…"
It doesn’t look good.
My gaze narrows. I tighten my hold around the phone. Especially because there's a fragment of truth to it. Only, how the fuck did he guess? No way, does he know about the agreement between my wife and me. I need to get to the bottom of this.
"I need to call my lawyer."
"Okay." Henrik sounds relieved that I’m taking over. "Let me know what the plan is.”
I hang up and call Tristan.
Next to me, Harper locks her fingers together. Her body language is tense, her features pinched. I hate that she has to go through this. If I hadn’t proposed the fake marriage, she wouldn’t be at the center of the revenge scheme that Miller has thought up. He’s using her to get to me.
Tristan picks up on the first ring. It’s five thirty a.m., but he’s an early riser.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" he drawls.
“Harper’s with me; I’m putting you on speakerphone.”
I do.
“Hi, Harper.” Tristan’s voice is calm.
