Page 4 of Fools Rush Flynn

“It’s a legal marriage, but not really a real marriage,” I say. “A marriage of convenience for her to secure her inheritance.”

“How long do you have to pretend? Two years seems long enough for an inheritance to go through probate court and anything else,” Liam says.

“Inheritance hasn’t happened yet. Grandmother is still alive.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “It’s complicated. The whole Thorne family is complicated. In any case, we thought the union itself would be enough but evidently her cousin is questioning the legitimacy of our marriage and causing all kinds of problems.”

“What are you going to do?” Cruz asks.

“She showed up at my cabin right before I came here. Said we need to live together for the time being and make things look real.”

Beau makes a woo-hoo noise. “So your fake wife just strolled back into town and wants to play house? Buddy, this is better than anything on reality television.”

“Thanks for the support, Beau,” I deadpan.

“I still don’t understand why you didn’t tell us,” Evan says. “We’re family. Even if it wasn’t going to be real when you got home. Two damn years, Flynn.”

Evan is the youngest of us and the most sensitive. Comes with being a medic. He’s got a big heart.

“I’m sorry, kid. I wasn’t trying to leave you out. I just didn’t think it was going to impact anything.”

“And instead, it looks like it’s impacting everything,” Liam says. “What do you know about the level of threat from the cousin?”

“I’ve met him. He’s not the kind to get his own hands dirty. He’d definitely pay someone else to do that. Temple said she thought someone had been following her from Houston,” I say.

“And you left her alone in your cabin?” Cruz asks. “Is that wise?”

“Maybe not, but I think anyone following her now is just doing recon. I don’t think her cousin is dangerous, just a greedy motherfucker.”

“How much of an inheritance are we talking about?” Dane asks.

“Honestly, I don’t even know. It’s a lot. They’re one of the oldest prominent families in Houston society. Several zeroes is what I’m guessing.”

“Pretending to be in love with a hot chick shouldn’t be a problem, even for you,” Beau says. “But if you need some pointers, I’m always here.”

I flip him the bird. “Wait, I never said she was hot.”

“I’m just guessing you wouldn’t have married her if you thought she was a troll,” Beau says with a shrug.

“She’s my kid sister’s best friend,” I say, as way of explaining.

“I think what you’re not saying says plenty,” Liam says.

“Exactly,” Cruz says. “You’re obviously attracted to her.”

I do not deny nor confirm.

“A few public kisses and embraces should be enough to prove to her cousin that y’all are the real deal,” Beau says.

I didn’t know if I could survive any more of Temple’s kisses. It would only make me want a lot more than she was willing to give.

Cruz stands. “I’m going to go to your cabin with you to help you do a threat analysis. The sooner we know about what this cousin is up to, the better.”

If anyone was going to do it, Cruz was the best choice. He would also give me the least amount of shit about Temple. At least, I think.

So we leave the hall and make our way—thankfully it’s a short drive—to the row of cabins.

We both scan our surroundings as we walk up to my front door.

“Nondescript sedan parked across the street in front of the elementary school,” Cruz says.