One Night - Forbidden Hearts Series Book 1

24. Incognito

"So, where do you want to start?"

I thought about Jackson's question as he finished making breakfast for us. This morning he woke me up early and we ended up getting playful in the shower. I was so happy to have him back here in the states. I missed sleeping next to him. I missed the way he would reach for me and whisper my name while he was sleeping.

After he showed up at my door, I couldn't lie to myself any longer. The way that I felt when he returned, let alone my reaction, made it clear. At least to me. He meant more to me than just friends with benefits or whatever you would call us.

I should have known I couldn't control my feelings. I mean, Ryan and I put these rules in place to avoid this exact situation. Because as of right now, I'm engaged to be married and I didn't see a way out of it.

Under no circumstances was I going to tell Jackson what I was thinking. For one, he wasn't the relationship type. Of course, all of the things his mom told me were never too far from my mind. I know she wanted him to be happy, but I honestly didn't know if I was the one to make him happy.

Before I could even contemplate the possibility of any sort of future with Jackson Reese, I had to try to figure out a way out of this wedding. After our shower play, he offered to make breakfast and help me figure out how to get to the bottom of whatever big secret was behind this wedding. I knew there had to be more. It couldn't just be a simple merging of my parents' business with the Hale's.

Ryan still didn't know that Jackson knew about the arranged marriage. Ryan never told him, and we decided Jackson should spill the beans about it. Ryan might know something about the marriage and Jackson was the best to talk to him about it. Jackson wanted to check on Ryan anyway since I haven't been able to get ahold of him since we returned from London.

"Well, they told us in the beginning that financially this merger was a big deal. Maybe there's a way we can poke around and see?" I asked. I didn't know if that was even possible. When it came to business and finances, I was clueless. I knew they were relying on this to secure their business but to this extent? Something seemed off about that.

Jackson put some eggs and bacon on a plate and put it in front of me. "That's a good place to start. I know someone who may be able to help. Maybe we can figure out exactly what is included in this business deal."

"Who do you know that can do that?" I asked as I took a bite of my bacon. I trusted Jackson completely with this. But I didn't know the person he was going to talk to or if he could be trusted.

"He's an old friend of mine back in London. I can give him a call and see if he can help."

"London? How can he help from there?"

Jackson gave me a smile. "He runs a financial business. I've known him since we were kids. He is pretty good with computers and finding out anything."

So, he's a hacker. This could be interesting. "Are you sure you can trust him?"

"Absolutely," he said as he ate some toast. "Now, I want you to try to see if you can find anything out on your parents' side."

Okay...that was going to be impossible. Didn't he know who my mother was? She was not going to tell me anything that could jeopardize this. My father wasn't a total asshole, but he had just as much riding on this as she did. I knew for a fact they would not confide in me. "Jackson, they won't tell me anything."

"I know. But your father's office is at his house, right? You can go there and take a look around. Preferably, when they aren't home. See if you find any documents regarding the merger. Knowing your parents and my dad, I'm sure they drew up a contract."