“Yes, of course. That’s what you’d said, but if she doesn’t take the bait?”

His voice deepened. “Then her name is off the list. If she’s presented with a clear line to freedom and doesn’t take it. No! When she’s presented with this avenue and doesn’t take it, it’ll prove that Claire Nichols is gone.” He felt his eyes darken as he emphasized his final point, spacing each word. “Claire. Rawlings. Was. Never. On. Our. List.”

Catherine stood. “Yes, of course. Now, how much longer until the cameras turn back on? I’ll get things set in the kitchen.”

Tony glanced at his watch. “You have about ten minutes.”

Walking toward the door, she said, “I’ll have it ready.”

Looking into his empty tumbler, Tony’s mind filled with images of him and his wife. They were memories of private times, times of comfort and companionship. He’d never had a person in his life before. He’d never wanted to be near someone or please someone. He had to know that, no matter what, he could trust this person. Why, oh why had that person been Claire? Of all of the people in the world, why did it have to be one of the people he’d promised to bring down?

Closing his eyes, Tony remembered Claire after her accident. He had brought her down, but in true Claire fashion, she rebounded. That strength and resilience amazed him. If she failed this impending examination, would she rebound?

He didn’t want to think about it; instead, he imagined their future. Claire would pass. She wouldn’t take the bait.

Feeling a bit more confident, Tony walked back to his desk and searched travel sites. Claire enjoyed travel. She didn’t know that she was facing a life-changing test, but when she passed, he wanted to reward her. Maybe England? They’d talked about that. No, it was January. The United Kingdom would be cold. A grin surfaced as he thought about her likes and dislikes—she liked sun. He entered tropical beaches into the search engine. Tony would take her someplace warm. If she asked why, he’d say it was because she was upset about her brother-in-law; however, he’d know the real reason: it was her positive consequence.

When Tony crawled back into his bed, he slid behind Claire’s sleeping body and wrapped her in his arms. She fit perfectly as he was drawn to her radiating warmth. Gently kissing her hair, he tasted her perfume as his hands wandered her curves, caressing her soft skin. Her soft murmurs filled his heart with hope as she settled into his embrace. Smiling, Tony imagined that in a few days he’d have his wife on a sunny beach with nothing more than a bikini—maybe not even that. Those images and more filled his mind as he drifted off to sleep.

When he woke, Tony lingered longer than usual in the warmth of their bed. Being much too early for Claire to wake, he lifted his head, rested it on his elbow, and watched her sleep. Her lightened hair covered her pillow as renegade strands crisscrossed her cheek. Along with her exposed face, one bare shoulder was visible above the mound of luxurious blankets. Tony leaned closer, kissed her forehead, and watched in amusement as her nose wrinkled. Lightly, he kissed her again. This time he was rewarded with the most beautiful moan as she stretched and turned toward him. Although Claire was still sound asleep, she subconsciously responded to his touch. He wanted to wake her, but he feared that if her warm, soft skin touched his and they connected their bodies, as they’d been connected the night before, he wouldn’t be able to carry out his plan.

Brushing the strands of blonde from her face, he whispered, “You don’t need to wake yet.” When she didn’t respond and he was confident of her sleeping, he added, “You have a big day, my dear. You need your rest. Tonight we’ll celebrate.”

Throughout Tony’s morning routine, he avoided thoughts of Claire’s impending examination. To him it was merely a formality—the final signature on their life-long contract. The deal was already complete; she belonged to him. His wife wouldn’t disappoint.

Anthony Rawlings reassured himself. Claire knew better than to disappoint, because if she did, he’d promised consequences, and above everything else, he was a man of his word.

Tony had finished his breakfast when Claire entered the dining room. She’d obviously just gotten out of bed and in his opinion was the most beautiful woman in the world. It was part of her appeal, a piece of the puzzle that helped Tony realize that he had truly fallen in love. She didn’t have to be wearing designer dresses nor have her hair and makeup perfect. Even without the polish, she was stunning. Smiling he said, “Good morning, my dear. You look beautiful this morning.”

Claire made a face. “I think you need an eye exam.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he stared up into the emerald glow of her eyes. Before he could speak, she kissed his cheek and continued, “I just wanted to catch you before you left.”

It was then that Tony’s attention went to Catherine. She’d silently entered the dining room, and at Claire’s comment about Tony’s departure, Catherine’s lips pursed into a straight line. As Claire sat and Catherine poured her coffee, Claire continued speaking. “I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated talking to Emily. It’s a difficult time for them, and I wanted to let you know I’ll miss you.”

It wasn’t just her words that reassured Tony: it was her smile. She knew her contact with her family was at his discretion, and she wasn’t fighting, but thanking him for it. He was glad Catherine heard. The crimson that had been threatening faded. Tony proceeded with confidence. “Good news, I’m working from home today.” He settled back against the chair as Catherine slipped wordlessly from the room. “So, you won’t need to miss me.”

“That’s great!” Claire replied. “Do you have a lot of work?”

“A few web conferences and phone calls, but don’t worry, I know your schedule is free. I have some ideas for us, too.” Tony knew that his smile was too big for the circumstances; nevertheless, he couldn’t restrain it. Claire would pass her test, and he had multiple ideas for celebration in mind. He couldn’t wait to tell her about the surprise trip. He’d found it earlier this morning when he was supposed to be preparing for his web conference. It was a small exclusive resort on Seven Mile Beach on the west side of Grand Cayman Island. Currently, the temperatures were in the mid to upper eighties and the forecast was perfect. He imagined her delight as he showed her the website.

Claire replied, “All right, I need to work out and clean up. I came down here in a hurry to see you.”

“When you’re dressed, come to my office,” he said. As he stood to leave, he reached out. Mindlessly, he touched her shoulder and fought the urge to explore below her soft robe. His desire to speed time and move past the examination was almost palpable.

She tilted her head toward his hand and said, “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Kissing her cheek, he allowed his desire to infiltrate his tone. “Or, you could visit before you dress?”

She touched his hand. “If I do that, you may not get your work done.”

Damn, she was right. They would have plenty of time for his plans. “As usual, my dear, you’re right. I’ll see you in my office, soon.” As his lips brushed her cheek, he looked up in time to see gray irises watching from the hall. Reluctantly, he left his wife and walked toward his office.

Before he closed the door, Catherine hurriedly came down the hall. Everything they said at this point would be on video. They both knew what could be at stake. “Mr. Rawlings, you left the dining room before I could check on you. Is there anything you need?”

“No, Catherine, I believe I’m quite satisfied with all that I have.”

She squared her shoulders. “You are planning on working from home?” Her tone made the statement a question. “Or have your plans changed?”

“Nothing has changed. I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

Catherine nodded and turned away.

After a brief visit to the Grand Cayman’s website, Tony forced himself to concentrate on the business at hand. He had a web conference with some other investors about a joint endeavor that hadn’t yielded the desired results. It was a bold initiative to revitalize manufacturing in Michigan. In desperate need of help, the auto companies and the state had been more than willing to make concessions regarding taxes and fees. The problem centered on the expiration of the original terms. It seemed as though the powers that be in the state of Michigan believed that they had Tony and the other investors over the proverbial barrel. As far as he was concerned, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Reviewing the numbers, Tony knew that he’d gladly take the write-off and shut the doors before he agreed to the exorbitant taxes. He’d already shut the doors of an unprofitable stamping plant in Flint, Michigan. He didn’t understand how they could think he was bluffing on this.

It was almost 10:00 AM when Tony heard the faint knock on his office door. Despite his conversation at hand, a grin briefly flew across his lips as he read the time on his screen. His rules regarding Claire spending her days with him in his office no longer existed. She was, after all, his wife; however, it seemed that old habits die hard. When she’d first been told that she needed to spend the days he worked from home, nearby, in the event her services were required, he’d told her to always be present by 10:00 AM. Even though he didn’t say that this morning, nor did he require her services, her obedience continued to strengthen his confidence. He pushed the button under his desk and his door opened. Before he could acknowledge her presence, he needed to respond to one of the other investors. Claire didn’t interrupt; she smiled and sat quietly on the sofa. Later he noticed her reading an article in one of the magazines.