Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN BEHIND THE ENGAGEMENT|
Vivienne Sinclair had not grown up expecting to marry a man she loved.
She had grown up expecting to inherit a position.
Her father, Charles Sinclair, controlled a shipping empire that stretched along the eastern coast. His company had legitimate operations, but it also maintained relationships with men who preferred their business conducted after midnight.
The Moretti family had been one of those relationships for decades.
Vivienne understood the alliance as a business arrangement. Rafael would provide political influence and control over several harbor contracts. Her family would provide capital and access to international shipping routes.
The marriage would bind the two empires.
But Rafael had become a problem.
He was more interested in modernizing the legitimate businesses than expanding the family's underground operations. He had quietly removed several of his father's associates and refused to approve a major transfer of harbor property.
Vivienne knew that if he married her without signing the transfer documents, the alliance would be useless.
She met her father in a private restaurant.
"Elena Brooks has the records," Vivienne said.
Charles Sinclair continued cutting his steak.
"Then retrieve them."
"She knows about Daniel."
"That is unfortunate."
"Alessandro is involved."
Charles finally looked up.
"Then Alessandro has become a liability."
Vivienne leaned forward.
"I don't think Rafael knows what his father did."
"Rafael knows whatever I tell him."
"He's asking questions."
Charles placed his knife down.
"Then make him stop."
Vivienne stared at him.
"How?"
Her father reached into his jacket and removed a small envelope.
Inside was a copy of a marriage agreement.
It contained a clause giving Vivienne's family temporary control over the harbor properties if Rafael became medically incapacitated before the wedding anniversary.
Vivienne understood immediately.
"You want him removed."
"I want the company protected."
"From its own boss?"
"From a man who has forgotten what his name means."
Vivienne looked at the document.
For the first time, she realized her father had never intended her to become Rafael's wife in any meaningful sense.
She was a signature.
A beautiful public face attached to a private transfer of power.
"Will Rafael be hurt?" she asked.
Charles's expression did not change.
"That depends on how cooperative he becomes."
Vivienne left the restaurant with the document in her handbag.
Outside, she called Rafael.
"Darling, we need to discuss the wedding."
He answered after three rings.
"Not tonight."
"Why?"
"I'm looking for Elena."
Vivienne's fingers tightened around the phone.
"Still?"
"Yes."
She looked through the restaurant window at her father.
May you like
Then she said quietly:
"Rafael, I think you should be more worried about what Elena knows than where she is."
