Page 41 of The Library on Plum Island
Sam chimed in, supporting Jennifer’s point. “Not that you need it or should even feel you should have to go to such lengths to protect Emily and yourself,” he added. “But marrying Alex protects you in more ways than one. Especially if this goes to court. The jury will see you as a happily married woman and Doctor Jackson trying to break that up.”
“Yes, jurors don’t like a third party messing with a happy couple,” Jennifer agreed.
Daniella heard their points, and they all made sense. She couldn’t believe she was even entertaining the idea. It was ludicrous, but it may just be crazy enough to work. Like Uncle Sam always said, you have to fight like with like. Daniella would fight crazy with crazy because that’s what this was: a crazy situation that most people only ever read or watch movies about.
“Ethan mentioned the press already thinks Alex has a secret love. This makes your romance a lot easier to sell,” Harley added.
Jennifer nodded, elaborating, “And if it comes out, Alex can say you were afraid to step out into the world as a couple because of what Doctor Creepo did, so you two eloped.”
“After the court ceremony, I’ll get a buddy of mine who works for a newspaper to leak some photos from a source that spotted Alex and a new lady friend at court,” Sam proposed. “That way, Doctor Jackson will think it’s real and that you’re still intimidated by him to the point you had to hide your relationship with someone as high-profile as Alex.”
Jennifer added, “Harley and I will keep Emily, Reef, and Shay in Boston.”
Harley told them, “I’ll add extra security to Shay, Reef, and Emily’s details.”
“I’ll stay in Boston as well,” Sam said. “That way, if Doctor Jackson does have eyes on us, he’ll think that Daniella and Alex are alone here on Plum Island as we’re celebrating Emily’s sixteenth in Boston.”
“While Alex and Daniella have a bit of a honeymoon back on Plum Island,” Jennifer continued the plans. “Which will fit because the filming for The Cobble Cove Mysteries is starting in two weeks.”
As the discussion evolved, Daniella found herself caught in the whirlwind of planning and strategic maneuvering. Her heart wrestled with her mind, the former intrigued by the audacity of the plan and the potential safety it promised, while the latter screamed caution. The seriousness in Alex’s eyes, the spark of hurt at her initial silence, tugged at something deep within her. It was a vulnerability she hadn’t expected to see in him. It was another thing compelling her to consider the crazy plan.
“Okay,” Daniella squeaked. “I’ll do it.” She turned and met Alex’s eyes. “Yes, Alex, I’ll marry you.”
A flash of emotion that took Daniella’s breath away darkened Alex’s blue eyes, and the smile that spread across his lips set her heart hammering once again.
This was definitely one of the most foolish things I’ve ever agreed to.Daniella let out a breath. But it was done, and no sooner had the words left her lips than Jennifer was across the room hugging her in delight.
“Yay!” Jennifer said excitedly. “This is going to be great, even if it’s just a marriage of convenience. We have to sell it to the public to make sure it looks real when the news and pictures are leaked.” She grinned. “I can help with that, and so can Harriet.”
“Shoot!” Alex hissed and rolled his eyes. “I forgot for a few minutes that we’re going to have to let everyone else in on the plan.”
“What?” Jennifer looked at Alex with narrowed eyes. “Are you suggesting we deceive everyone, including our friends and family?”
“Could we?” Daniella and Alex said in unison, then looked at each laughing nervously.
Daniella had already gone through the daunting task of telling her family circle about her life before Plum Island. She wasn’t ready to tell the story all over again and add another layer of complexity by telling them she was getting married to try and poke the bear.
“No!” Jennifer, Harley, and Sam chorused.
“Doctor Ron Jackson has shown us what he’s capable of, Daniella,” Sam reminded her. “If this is going to work, everyone who’s involved, which means everyone close to you, has to be brought in on this.” He looked at Alex. “And you’ll need to brief your family as well, Alex.”
“I’ll get everyone to meet us at Alex’s house,” Harley said and moved off to make the calls.
“I’ll go call my father,” Jennifer told them. “Make sure he can get the license for us and do the ceremony by tomorrow.”
“If he can’t, I guess we could always fly to Vegas!” Alex suggested.
“Ooh, could we?” Jennifer’s eyes widened hopefully as she glanced at Sam.
“No!”Sam said firmly. “Your father, Andrew, will help with this. So please go call him because we need to put this plan into action like yesterday, especially now that Doctor Jackson and his father are in the wind.”
“Okay, okay!” Jennifer pulled a face at Sam, took her phone out, and disappeared into the kitchen to make the call, muttering. “Vegas would’ve at least been exciting.”
“I need a moment.” Daniella smiled at Alex and Uncle Sam.
“Of course,” Alex said. “I’d like to discuss security and how to tell my parents with Sam anyway.”
Daniella nodded, packed her medical bag, and took it with her to her bedroom. As soon as she stepped inside, Daniella closed and locked the door. She dumped the doctor’s bag at the end of her bed and sat down on it, picking up Tom’s photo.
