"That I'll keep you alive while playing the role of your husband until your case is resolved, hopefully, in the next year." 

"An entire year?" Her brows shot up. 

"It doesn't look right to have a marriage to last only six months now, does it?" Mr. Romano asked. 

She let out a huff and rolled her eyes, looking back to the file. 

"During the one year we're married, your safety and residence are my responsibility," I added. 

"I would much rather you move into my apartment," she mumbled.

"Your apartment isn't the safest now, is it, Ms. Romano? Remind me where you've been staying for the past two nights," I retorted, lifting a brow at her. 

She huffed, "Fair enough. How much are you robbing us for this?" 

I looked to her father. 

He lightly shook his head at me. 

"That doesn't concern you." 

"As long as my father is paying you, it does, Mr. Markov," she argued, "how much are you charging us?" 

"Sweetheart, just let me take care of that, okay?" Mr. Romano said to her. 

"One point five million," I told her, ignoring the way her father sighed, shooting me a pointed look. 

"Excuse me?" she scoffed. "One point five million for what exactly?" 

"For all the time, energy and resources I'll be putting towards finding the people after you while prioritizing your safety. Not to mention, for wearing your ring on my finger, Ms. Romano," I replied. 

"And what do I get for wearing your ring on my finger?" she argued. 

"You get to stay alive," I said, lifting my brows at her. "I would say your life is worth more than that, wouldn't you?"

She let out a breath and rolled her eyes, tossing the file on the table and leaning back. 

"Regretting last night's words yet?" I asked. 

"Halfway there," she muttered under her breath. 

"You'll be engaged within a week," Mr. Romano announced. 

"A week?!" She sat upright. "Dad, that is way too soon. This is too rushed. Isn't it too reckless considering how many people's eyes will be on us? Won't people get suspicious? He's barely been back from Romania and we're suddenly getting engaged?" 

"A week is too soon, Mr. Romano," I agreed, "we need more time to make it seem natural. Not knowing who's after her and rushing this is a huge risk." 

"They're right," Nick chimed, "people will have a lot to say, Dad." 

"My concern is not what people will have to say, it's my daughter's safety," he snapped. "The sooner your engagement is announced, the easier it will be for Logan to take care of you without people getting suspicious," he said to Zarah before turning to me. "Make up a story to go along with it, do what it takes, I don't care, Logan. You both have one week to sell your story." 

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