Page 23 of A Wife's Duty

“Yes.” It technically wasn’t a lie. Boone Grinder did exist, and Boone was technically his real name, his last name had changed, and his history. When he was sure he could trust her completely, he would tell her more of his past. Until then, she would only get what she needed.

“You’re going to kill my father?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“What about Bonaldi?”

“He will end up dead, or he will be handed to the authorities, but most likely, he is going to end up dead.” He didn’t like leaving loose ends.

He had experience handing in high-profile leaders like Bonaldi in the past, and they somehow through a technicality got off from prison time. They either struck a deal or someone in charge was still in their pocket. Boone never made that mistake.

“When it is all over, and there is no threat, what will happen to me?”

He intended for them to be married for quite some time. Boone had never met anyone like Lucia before. After all she had been through, she wasn’t cold or aloof. She looked terrified, almost afraid to be hopeful. Her family had beaten every last shred of love and loyalty she had for them.

“Whatever you like. If you would like to remain married, then we will be so. If you would like freedom and total anonymity, you will have it.” He would make sure she was taken care of.

“Okay,” she said. She looked down at her cell phone. “I don’t want to get involved. I don’t like my father, or my family. I just ... I don’t want to be involved at all. I won’t say anything about what you’re doing.”

He took the cell phone from her, and the moment he touched her fingers, he watched her gasp, just slightly, but she immediately pulled her hand away from his.

“I’m sorry,” Lucia said. “I don’t know if that was the choice you were hoping for.”

“It’s your choice, and that is fine.”

“It is,” she said. “But I am scared.”

“Don’t be.”

“He’s going to know it is you,” she said.

“You let me worry about that.” He closed the distance between them and kissed the top of her head. “Go and get some sleep.”

Lucia nodded and didn’t argue. Instead, she turned on her heel and left him alone.

He looked down at the cell phone, and just to see if he could trust her, he checked to see what her last call was. She hadn’t touched the cell phone. There were no other calls, no texts, not even an Internet search. The phone was left exactly as he had given it to her. His wife was proving to be an interesting person.

Pulling up Ronald’s number, he dialed it.

“Is the cage set up and ready?” he asked.

“Yes, you just need your catch.”

“Good.”

“Do you want to tell me who you have in mind?” Ronald asked.

“No, that will be the surprise.” He hung up and made his way back into his office. Going to the far wall, he slid his fingers along the bookshelf, going to a blank title. Pulling it out, the wall clicked and moved.

Every single apartment had a room he kept hidden. Years of experience had taught him to always have a backup plan. Within this room, there were several weapons, files, and everything he needed at his disposal. One day, he would tell Lucia the combination in the event of an attack. Until he was completely sure he could trust her, he would wait.

Trust was not just given. It was earned, built.

Lucia had been passing multiple tests. Her reaction to Howard and Nancy. Her response to the car explosion, and now, handing him the cell phone and asking for her freedom. She didn’t ask for anything else. But he knew in time, that would likely change.

Also, she willingly had given him the information she knew. Admittedly, it was what he had already obtained, but she was complicit with him. That was enough. He would keep his word.

Lucia would never be hurt again.

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