Sentenced to Marriage by MadlainQ

Setting a trap A few minutes later, Aren and | were back in the car on our way to meet Jack and a group of military specialists gathered by Aren to help. They were operating from the basement of one of the buildings that belonged to Lan Diamond Corporation. The place wasn’t too far away from the Federal Plaza, but since the whole building was locked due to renovation, no one even got near it. Despite the inconspicuous facade, the inside of the building was filled with high-tech security equipment, including a thermal imaging scanner at the door and a row of cameras in every corridor. Once we got down to the basement and entered the temporary center of command, everyone stood up and bowed before Aren as if he was their gen There were six men, including Jack, in the room. Two of them were listening to the live signal with their headphones on. Two others sat by their computers, trying to clear the sound of the previously recorded fragments. Jack and the fifth man, who seemed to be the group's leader, were leaning their backs against the table and drinking coffee. Aren ledtheir way, and | didn’t fail to notice the way that the man next to Jack observedwith a faint, curious smile. The curiosity was mutual. That dark-blonde man in military pants and a black fitted T-shirt seemed to know Jack w Jack quite well. He was also the only person in the room who gave Aren a quick nod rather than a bow when we entered.

Aren introducedto the dark-blonde man with the coffee cup, “Chris, this is my wife, Cora, “before shifting his gaze to me. “Sunshine, this is Christopher Valentine, an excellent martial artist, and military operations, specialist.” Chris reached out his hand, a smug smirk crossing his lips. “I was dying to meet you, Cora. Hear a lot about you.” | smiled nervously, shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you too... | think.” “What's the situation?” Aren motioned his head at Chris while pulling out a chair forto sit in.

Chris observed Aren’s behavior with unhidden amusement and surprise, and he grinned at me.

“Chris?” Aren’s harsh tone pulled him out of a daze.

“Packton is going to meet someone at one of the warehouses in the Red Hook Terminals. The meeting is planned for 9 PM, Sir,” he answered. “Do we know who he is meeting with?” Aren questioned, standing behind my seat, his hand on my shoulder.

Chris smiled wryly. “Hear it for yourself.” He pointed at one of the computers and gestured at us to ccloser.

As we stepped toward the technicians sitting there, they nodded and played the fragment of Packton’s conversation on the speakers.

“Hello, Mr. C., everything went according to plan.” Packton seemed to be on the phone with someone. “Collins is suspended, and | even got Winton’s real phone back today. We are cutting loose ends like always. The only problem we might have is with Aren Lan and that little wench of his...” Sot nga trap As Packton paused, he could hear the vague, distorted voice coming from Packton’s phone. It was far too faint to distinguish anything aside from the fact that it was a man’s voice, and the person on the other side of the phone was clearly angry.

“No Sir!” Packton called out agitatedly, answering whatever question the mysterious Mr. C. asked. “We would never act before contacting you.” Mr. C. must have given several instructions to Lester Packton, since we could only hear him saying “yes, Sir” for another minute of recording.

“Red Hook, blue container no 9., at 9 PM sharp. I'm glad that | can finally meet you in person, Sir,” Packton said, sounding joyous. “Thank you, Sir.” He was even humming happily right after he ended the call, and that could only mean one thing-he could smell the money. “Doesn't it feel as if we hit the jackpot?” Jack chuckled, commenting on what we had just heard.

Aren stood silently for a minute, obviously crafting a plan in his mind.

“What do you think? Do you know anyone who could be Mr. C.?” Chris asked, teasingly prodding Aren’s elbow.

Aren shook his head. “No idea, but if he’s coming tonight, then we will soon find out, won't we?” Chris leaned against the technician's desk and crossed his arms. “How do you want to proceed? Are we going to watch, get the evidence, and do nothing, or are we going there to capture the bad guys?” Jack’s face turned pale as he listened to Chris's proposal. “Hey! Don’t do that, man! | need it all to be clean and legal! If anyone catches those guys, it has to be the authorities, not ssecret fucking avengers!” he roared.

“I'd also like to point out that | can’t even be there officially because I'm suspended.” Aren smirked. “Fine, let's have it your way then.” Jack sighed. “Thank y,” “I didn’t finish.” Aren sent him a meaningful stare. “We will go there to watch, to listen, and to get all the evidence we can, and when they finish, we will catch them all.” “Aren, you cannot do this!” Jack protested, glancing atas if he sought my help.

“Relax, Jack,” Aren smirked and glanced at Chris. “We will tip the NYPD anonymously, telling them that there will be a big drug transaction at Red Hoor... by container no. 8. It doesn’t matter if they can’t catch those bastards themselves. We can catch them and deliver them to the police. Then we will also send them copies of the evidence of the transaction. Even if there won't be any drugs, Packton will go down for bribery.” “I like your idea.” Chris grinned before turning to Jack.

Jack didn’t seem completely convinced but still nodded. “Fine... Let’s catch them all.” Aren patted his shoulder and looked at Chris. “Gather a group of at least twenty men. We don’t know what to expect, and | don't like surprises.” alap Chris nodded and left us to start making arrangements. | stood silently, observing everyone's increasing agitation, and frowned. “What about me?” | asked, pissed that all of them seemed to ignore me.

Aren stepped towardand placed his hands on my shoulders. “You will stay hand wait until it’s over.” “Over my dead body!” | announced, making most of them stifle a laugh.

Aren glared at me. “May | remind you that you have already been attacked by Packton today, and barely made it out of his office?! Do you want to meet that sociopath again?!” | sighed and shot him a crooked smile. “May | remind you that I'm the only one who can recognize the one who kidnappedby voice? | want to be there and see if it’s him or someone else.” Aren took a deep breath, a deep concern surfacing in his expression. “I cannot send you anywhere near them.” “Then don't,” | said confidently. “I’m sure you'll have sremote operating center since you need to control your surroundings. You can placethere, and | promise not to go anywhere.” | grinned, placing my hand on my chest.

Jack gave Aren a thin smile as he stepped toward us. “Just let her stay in the van. I'm sure she’ll be calmer hearing everything and knowing that you are all right,” he said before shifting his eyes towith a wink.

A sound of frustration escaped Aren’s throat. “Fine! You will sit in the van the entire tand you will not leave that van no matter what! Understood?!” “Yes, Sir,” | exclaimed and blew him a kiss.

Aren sighed, shaking his head. “I'm already regretting my decision...” | grinned and blew him another kiss. | wish | knew at that moment what | was getting myself into...