What You Don't Know (Sequel to "Secret Love")(Hunter Hayes/James Marsden)

Ten Day Arrangement

Things are about to get real, guys. Hold on to your belt buckles.

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Trent liked this arrangement. So he had to tell a couple of lies and keep up this sickly sweet routine for a while longer? It mattered not; the perks were immeasurable.

She was even better than he had imagined she would be. He had only planned to take her once; just to put to rest the scar her rejection had put on his pride. He had put in the work to get her to come to him willingly, but he had never anticipated her wanting him the way she had that first night. He definitely had no idea the effect it would have on him. He could barely get enough! Even now, waltzing down the street, hefting his sweaty disguise around, he enjoyed the intimacy of knowing she was his to have whenever he wished.

He did not love her; women were so gullible to believe it. She was nothing but a warm body to him. Yet there was something about this that was different. Perhaps it was the element of revenge. There was certainly something satisfying about the way this plot had unfolded, and he had gotten exactly what he had been after. Maybe it also had to do with the mysterious person who had hired him to kill her. Knowing she would soon die by his hand was enthralling in a totally different way.

Trenton stopped just outside the entrance to his secret office to punch in the code. After Bethany had made a trip in here to retrieve the prop ring, he had switched his codes back to the default settings, which were too simplistic for his liking. However, he knew it would be enough to keep Bethany from re-entering, since she would never be able to guess them. She was silly girl, really. A simpleton in the best of lights. Still, the moment he had a chance, he was going to change the numbers yet again, for his own peace of mind.

Once he had opened all the doors and finally entered his office, Trenton sat in his desk chair and shuffled through the files in his usually locked left drawer.

Negligent though he knew it to be, Trenton had almost entirely forgotten the details of his plot to actually kill Bethany. The intricacies of his plan to get her into bed had been more pressing. Now, however, he was sure his client was getting antsy for results. In fact, the associate Trent had met with before was coming in again to check on his progress.

Just as Trenton's eyes were scanning the last of his notes, Rory's voice announced that his visitor had arrived. Markob Jakobie entered, yet again wearing a surprisingly bright color and a pair of sunglasses that were the darkest pitch.

Markob was not smiling this time, nor was he carrying the briefcase with him that he had been hoisting upon their first meeting. Trenton sat at attention, his phony gut jutting out importantly as a front. Markob meant business. Trenton imagined that, if his eyes were not covered, Markob would be glaring.

Trenton rose out of his seat when it became obvious that Markob had no intention of sitting.

"The boss wants done with this," Jakobie stated plainly, crossing his arms over his expansive chest. "The wait has been long enough."

Trenton nodded. "I agree. The event will take place within the next two weeks. Assure your boss of this."

Markob shook his head. "No. He wants it done. He is giving you ten days."

Trenton scratched his chin. Ten days. He knew he could make that work; he was a pro after all. Was he ready to give her up?

"Perhaps you should remind your boss that I charge extra for imposing a deadline."

Markob nodded. "He said you would bring that up. He told me that the additional money would be added to the closing payment."

"Fine. Consider it done."

Markob left as abruptly as he had come, and Trenton locked his notes back in his drawer. If ten days was all he had left, he had better pay a visit to Bethany now. Who knew how much longer he could take advantage of their arrangement?