Mikalo's Fate (The Mikalo Chronicles) Read Free

myself sick or doubt what we have. He couldn't be better."
    "Oh, I have no doubt Mikalo is as perfect as ever."
    "Well, I wouldn't say perfect --"
    "I'm more worried about how everyone else is dealing with this," he interrupted. "Have you even talked with his family? His friends? Getting married, for someone of his stature and with his family's wealth, it's usually a much longer process. He really pulled the trigger with this one."
    "You're right," I said. "He pulled the trigger. I had nothing to do with what he decided and when.
    "To be honest with you," I continued, "I was shocked. But the answer couldn't have been anything but yes."
    He sat back, gently chewing the inside of his cheek while he thought.
    "What?" I asked.
    "They're doing opposition research on you now as we speak."
    "Opposition research? Who?"
    "His family. Other families. Those angry that you snagged him and they, or their daughters, didn't. Checking you out, digging through your past, your secrets, your finances. Figuring out who you are and what you're after."
    "They won't find much."
    "Good," he then said. "I didn't think so. Let's just hope they won't be able to spin what they do find into something that it isn't."
    "I doubt they'd do that."
    "Who?" he asked. "Mikalo's family?"
    "Yeah. His decision is his and even if his family turns their backs on him -- which they won't, by the way --, we'd still marry."
    "What about all those other families with eligible daughters who have been angling for years to marry the oh so famous, stinking rich, drop dead gorgeous Mikalo? You don't think they're getting their hands dirty trying to find a way to discredit you?"
    I actually hadn't thought of that.
    And other than Mara Byzan, I can't think of anyone who'd care enough to bother.
    "You didn't think of that, did you?" he asked with a smile.
    "I can't believe anyone would bother."
    He laughed again.
    "Billionaire heir to a famously wealthy family. Handsome, charming, doesn't drink or do drugs. Solid, upstanding. He's a great catch.
    "And you?" he continued. "In their world you're a nobody. A woman who had to go to school to get a decent job and has to work to pay the bills. Despite doing very well financially, you're like an alien from outer space to these people.
    "In their eyes, you don't belong, won't ever belong, and don't deserve Mikalo.
    "So, yes, there are those out there who will try to dig up dirt and, failing that, make whatever did happen look as horrible as possible. Anything to instill doubt in Mikalo."
    He paused before speaking again.
    "Is there anything they could find?"
    I shook my head.
    "Nothing out of the ordinary," I finally said.
    "Good to know. Still ... "
    I nodded, silently agreeing that Mikalo should get a heads-up. Know about everything that's ever happened that could be skewed in a negative light.
    Sitting back, I watched Bill watching me, my mind racing.
    What in the world could they find that would jeopardize what Mikalo and I shared?
     
     
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    She stood next to me, her expression stern, her jet black hair gathered into a painfully tight bun, her make-up as kabuki-like as ever.
    And this elevator was taking forever.
    Still, my shoes looked nice, my eyes firmly on the supple leather and delicate strap of my Jimmy Choos as I tried to avoid Abby.
    Impossible.
    I glanced again.
    She caught my eye.
    I caught hers.
    Bizarrely, I offered a small smile.
    Shockingly, her red lips curled into a grin.
    "Hello, Abby," I said, my voice sounding weak.
    I cleared my throat.
    Another small grin from the dragon with the red lips.
    "Ronan," she replied, the vowels long, the word stretched, each syllable hit like a gong, my name in her mouth dripping with condescension. The kind of weary patience one showed an irritable toddler.
    "You're well?" I asked.
    Her eyes on mine, she offered an almost imperceptible nod, a perfectly drawn eyebrow rising gently.
    "Good, good," I then said, falling silent.
    She stood watching me.
    It had been