Chapter 20 · Real Filing

"Tell me this is a copy." My voice cracked on the word copy, which pissed me off more than the paper shaking in my hand.

Nico didn't even look up from the stove. Butter hissing in a pan like that was the only thing in the room that mattered. "It's not a copy."

"There's a seal on it, Nico. Gold foil. A file number. This isn't the job paperwork the Cardanos signed off on." I slapped it flat on the counter between us, right next to his cutting board, right where he'd have to see it if he turned his head an inch. "This is a real county marriage record. With my real name on it."

"Your real name's already on the job contract. You made sure of that." He killed the burner, wiped his hands on a towel slow, like I hadn't just thrown a legal document at his chest. "So what's the problem."

"The problem is the job contract has an out clause. Ninety days, either party walks, no fault, no record follows us." I jabbed a finger at the paper. "This doesn't have an out clause. This has a docket number.