Page 106 of My Big, Fat, Accidental Billionaire Husband

Jake nods grimly. “It’s a smart play. Your brother has legitimate grievances that make him vulnerable to manipulation.”

Legitimate grievances. That’s one way to put it.

“We need to contain this,” I say, my mind racing through scenarios. “Where’s Nico now?”

“At his apartment in Chelsea. We’ve had passive surveillance on him since the incident at the investor dinner.”

At least that’s something. “Keep watching him. If he makes contact with Weiss again, I want to know immediately.”

“And Mrs. Rossi?” Jake asks carefully.

“Double her security detail, but keep it discreet. I don’t want her feeling like a prisoner.” I check my watch. “Has she arrived at Blackwell Innovations?”

“Yes, sir. Nichols confirmed drop-off twenty minutes ago. Franks is stationed in the lobby.”

I nod, a fraction of my tension easing knowing she’s safely at work. “Good.” I turn to leave, then pause. “Jake... thank you. For protecting her.”

He gives me a rare smile. “Just doing my job, boss.”

When he’s gone, I try to focus on work, but my mind keeps circling back to Nico meeting with Weiss, to Tatiana potentially being targeted, to the six-day countdown ticking relentlessly in my head.

I pull up the GreenFrame contract Tatiana negotiated. As I read through the terms, I can’t help but be impressed all over again. She not only secured the materials we need but actually negotiated better delivery terms than we had with Eco-Source. The twenty-two percent premium is steep, but as she pointed out, we can absorb it by adjusting the landscaping budget.

She’s brilliant. And I nearly lost her to corporate sabotage.

The thought makes my blood run cold all over again.

My phone rings, and I see it’s Elena Valdez from GreenFrame.

“Ms. Valdez,” I answer. “I was just reviewing the agreement my wife negotiated.”

“Mr. Rossi,” she replies. “I’m calling to confirm the final terms. Your security team has been quite... thorough in their assessment of our facility.”

“My apologies for any intrusion,” I say smoothly. “We’ve had some corporate security concerns recently.”

“So I gathered. Your wife is quite the negotiator, by the way. You’re fortunate to have her on your team.”

On my team. The simple phrase strikes me as profoundly right. Tatiana isn’t just my fake wife or a PA with business skills. She’s become my partner in this project, someone whose judgment I trust implicitly.

“Yes,” I agree. “I’m very fortunate.”

After confirming the contract details with Elena, I hang up and sit back in my chair.

Six days.

A whispered admission echoes in my mind before I can stop it.

I don’t want this to end.

I shake my head.

She’s burrowed under my skin, past my defenses, making me question everything I thought I ever knew about myself and what I want.

29

Tatiana

Sunday mornings used to be sacred.

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