NICK

I'm early for my appointmentat the Wife for Hire Agency. Gail believes she can help me find a wife.

After being single for years, I"ve come to the decision that it"s time for me to settle down and find a wife who can be my partner at social events and learn about my business. Of course, she"ll have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. And I also feel that it"s time to start a family.

The temporary wife shit won't work in my world. I'll need a woman who's willing to commit to a longer time frame. It's probably best if a surrogate carries my children.

All of my friends have already tied the knot and started families. Being thirty-four, it"s about time I do the same. I just need one woman to fulfill all of my needs. But when thoughts of her enter my mind, a pang of pain shoots through my heart. She will always hold a special place in my heart, even though love is dead to me now.

"Hello, Mr. Pitucco," Gail greets me as she enters her office.

I turn around to face her. "Good afternoon, Gail."

"I've compiled a list of potential candidates for you." She sets her laptop down in front of me.

Her kind gray eyes meet mine. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes, please. Just bottled water," I respond.

"No problem." She gestures towards the computer screen.

"Press the arrow at the top to navigate through the files and use the heart icon to add candidates to your pool."

"Got it," I nod.

She heads over to a small fridge, and I immediately start reviewing the files. As I read through the information for the first candidate, Gail returns and places a bottle of water on my desk.

"When you"re ready, just ring the bell," she says, pointing to a black and silver one on her desk.

"I will," I reply, already engrossed in my task.

As she closes the door behind her, I refocus on the files. Five down, only one potential candidate so far. She has shoulder-length brown hair and piercing green eyes. At five foot eight inches tall, she"s not a bad match for my own six-foot-five frame.

After flipping through seven more files, I come across the next one that knocks the wind out of me. "It can"t be her," I whisper.

My fingers trace over her face on the screen as I mutter her name under my breath. "Kinsley."

I read her file four times, then quickly take photos of each page with my phone. Frustrated, I run my fingers through my inky black hair as I pace around the office.

You're supposed to stay away from her. There's no way I can. Not anymore.

I storm towards the door and pull it open.

"Gail," I shout.

A few heads turn in the lobby and a woman from across the hall pops out of her office. "Is everything okay, Mr. Pitucco?"

Putting on a fake smile, I try to reassure her. "Yes, everything is fine. I forgot to ring the bell."

She smiles back at me.

Gail hurries over. "Myra, everything is under control."

She leads me into her office. "Is something wrong, Mr. Pitucco?"

"No, no. I got a little excited. I found a match."

She claps her hands. "That's great."

I return to my seat and turn the laptop to face her as she sinks into her chair.

"We need to redo the terms," I tell her.

She taps away on the keys.

"Also, wait two days before you call her. I have to work a few things out first."

She smiles. "No problem. I'm ready to make the adjustments to the terms."

"Add children. I want her to carry my children."

Gail's eyes slowly meet mine. "This is a short-term contract."

"Not anymore." I smirk.

That evening, I call my team over and put them to work.

Cylinder walks into the garage. We call him that because the guy is solid muscle.

"Hey, boss, where do you want me and the guys to get started?"

Smiling, I pat his shoulder.

His brows bunch together. "You're smiling. You don't do that."

"Things are looking up for me. Come on, we have a lot of work to do."

***P***

As I stroll into the Wife for Hire Agency two days later, I ponder on what Kinsley's reaction will be.

Shock. Anger. Definitely anger.

Gail greets me at her office door. "Today's the big day." She gestures for me to go inside.

"It is."

"Are you nervous?" she asks as she sits behind her desk.

"Anxious," I reply.

"I'll print the paperwork," she says.

There's a knock at the door.

"Come in," Gail calls out.

Gail bounces out of the chair. "Kinsley, I'd like you to meet your future husband."

My heart is in my throat as I stand to meet her with a cool demeanor. I'm fucking sweating under my suit. Shit, this doesn't happen. The last time it had happened was on our first date. I extend my hand.

Gail continues, "Nickulas Pitucco."

I ignore the shock in her chestnut eyes. As I pull the back of her hand to my lips. I flash that cocky smirk she had loved once upon a time.

My lips make contact with her soft skin, and I feel a spark.

The look in her eyes tells me she's ready to bolt.

"The future Mrs. Pitucco," I state with confidence.

She snatches her hand away. "No, I"m not."

Kinsley turns to Gail. "There has to be another suitor."

"None that was willing to give you a large sum of money up front for your research," Gail says.

Kinsley's fists curl at her sides. "Does the agency know what you do for a living?"

Her eyes focus on a spot on the desk.

"Yes, they do," I reply.

"What happened to your wife? Is she dead?" Kinsley spits out.

Gail doesn't bat an eye.

"She is." I pick up a pen from the desk.

"Sign the marriage contract, Kinsley. You'll get two hundred and fifty thousand dollars today. And the first million after we're married."

She gasps as she falls into the other chair.

"This money is strictly for your research," I tell her.

"I'm behind on my mortgage payments, though." She stares at me. Really looks at me for the first time.

"Even though you won't live there, I've paid off your house."

"Nick what? Why?" Her beautiful face hardens.

"You're forcing my hand," she growls.

"I'm merely taking care of my fiancée."

She scoffs as she snatches the pen out of my hand.

"You're a piece of work." She shakes her head as she begins signing the documents.

As she pauses to read the contract again, the pen hovers over the paper. "Children, Nick?"

Her head swivels in my direction. "And I have to stay married to you for five years."

That last part stings a little.

"The goal was to marry a man for two and a half years, tops," she sighs.

"But I'm not just any man, am I, Kinsley?"

"No, you're in the mafia. Everyone knows you get what you want."

Kinsley scribbles her signature on the final document.

"I"ll transfer the agreed-upon amount of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to your bank account," Gail confirms.

"Thanks, Gail. You"ve been a huge help," Kinsley says with a smirk.

She stands and confidently strides out of the office.

"It seems like you and Kinsley have a past," Gail remarks.

I nod in agreement. "Yes, we attended college together. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse between us. But now everything has changed."

Kinsley is the only woman who can get my heart beating again.