Page 40 of Hammer

Atlas watched our interaction, his earlier satisfaction returning.“See?You two are good together.I told you.”

I shot him a glare that would have made most men shrink back, but the kid just grinned wider.In that moment, he reminded me so much of his father it was almost painful -- Wire had always been too smart for his own good too.

“How did you even pull this off?”Amelia asked him, her hand still resting on my arm like it belonged there.

Atlas leaned against the desk, his enthusiasm for explaining his technical prowess overriding any remaining caution.“Mom helped with the state database access.We created the original filing last week -- backdated, of course -- with all the proper digital signatures.Then we inserted it into the county records database with a timestamp and clerk verification.”

“And the witnesses?”I asked, still trying to process that Sam and Aura had been part of this conspiracy.

“Your kids signed digitally,” Atlas confirmed.“Ghost -- I mean Sam -- said, and I quote, ‘About damn time the old man has someone to keep him in line.’”

The betrayal stung anew.My own children had gone behind my back, played a part in this deception.But beneath the sting was something else -- a warmth I didn’t want to acknowledge.They wanted this for me.Wanted me to have someone.

“What about my boys?”Amelia asked, the first hint of concern entering her voice.“How does this affect them legally?”

Atlas shrugged.“They’re minors.Their mother got married.Nothing really changes for them officially.Except now they’re Hammer’s stepsons and not just the kids of his girlfriend.”

Amelia nodded, her expression thoughtful.The practicality of her response struck me again.She wasn’t caught up in the violation of it all -- she was focused on what mattered.Protection.Safety.Her boys.

I considered our options.The certificate was done.The hack was complete.Fighting it might actually create more problems than it solved -- draw attention, leave digital traces that could be followed.And despite my anger at the invasion, I couldn’t deny the effectiveness of what Atlas had accomplished.Amelia Decker had disappeared.Amelia Williams now existed in her place.

“Amelia,” I said, turning to face her fully.“We need to talk about what this means for us.For real.”

She nodded, her hand finally leaving my arm.I felt its absence immediately, like a cool draft where warmth had been.

“It means we need to make this look legitimate,” she said, her voice steady despite the gravity of what she was suggesting.“For the protection to work, we need to appear to be an actual couple.”

“You’d need to live at my place,” I said bluntly.“Not the duplex.And while that was only supposed to be for tonight anyway, it means you definitely have to move in here tomorrow.”

“I know.”Her gaze didn’t waver.“I’ll explain it to the boys.Chase might be difficult at first, but he’ll understand eventually.”

“I’ll help you and the boys pack in the morning,” I told her, the decision solidifying as I spoke the words.

Atlas watched our exchange with undisguised satisfaction, like a kid who’d just gotten away with something major.Which, I supposed, he had.

“I should go,” he said, inching toward the door.“Dad’s probably wondering where I am.”

“Tell your father we’ll be having words,” I growled, but with less heat than before.Part of me -- a part I wasn’t ready to examine too closely -- was almost grateful for the kid’s interference.

Atlas gave a mock salute and slipped out, leaving Amelia and me alone with the glowing screen between us.The marriage certificate seemed to take up more space than it should, its official seals and signatures a weight I could almost physically feel.

I turned back to the computer, staring at the document that had so fundamentally altered our arrangement.My gaze lingered on our names, side by side in official print.

“We can figure this out,” Amelia said quietly, mistaking my silence for regret.“Take it one day at a time.”

I nodded, unable to articulate the confusion of emotions churning inside me.And I had the feeling this forced arrangement might not be the worst thing that had ever happened to me.

“One day at a time,” I agreed, closing the file and shutting down the computer.

Tomorrow, Amelia and her boys would move into my home.Tomorrow, I would officially have a “wife” for the first time.Tomorrow, everything would change.

But tonight, as I gave Amelia a ride back to the duplex where her sons waited, all I could think about was the gentle pressure of her hand on my arm, and how it had anchored me when I needed it most.

Chapter Twelve

Amelia

The dresser drawers felt too empty as I unpacked our meager belongings.I should have bought more things, but life had been so chaotic and uncertain, I hadn’t wanted to risk leaving things behind if we had to suddenly run again.My clothes barely filled a quarter of the space Hammer had cleared for me, hanging limp and lonely in the closet like they knew they didn’t belong.I smoothed my hand over the bed -- our bed now, according to a marriage certificate neither of us had actually signed.The thought sent a flutter of unease through my stomach as I tucked freshly washed sheets around the mattress, determined to at least make myself useful in this strange new arrangement.

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