It was a very private wedding. Tessy and I were the only witnesses. Marvin had also made the priest swear confidentiality. The marriage certificate was attached to the contract by Tessy.

There was no kissing of the bride as Marvin did not want to hurt my feelings. It was such a nice gesture. Everyone knew their purpose. We all played our scripts very well.

“Thank you for doing this,” said Marvin as he held his newly wedded wife.

“Thank you for the opportunity,’ June said.

Opportunity! Why would she say that? I hope she does not have anything up her sleeve. If not, I would not hesitate to take her out. The background check I did on her indicated a very homely and soft person.

I also hope I was right for our sake and the sake of our unborn child. A thought came over me. It was to tell Marvin here and now and damn the consequences.

But I knew better, the empire I was about to build requires a lot, and keeping this secret was one of them. I have a few months to make this work before my belly starts protruding.

There are a lot of things that need fixing. First, I need to fix this contractor issue and ensure that Marvin is safe. I need a great plan and I need Larry at this time to aid my thought process.

We left there as we came, quietly and secretly. We all moved to the Mansion. I stood by Marvin as Tessy read out the necessary clause to the contract.

“Mrs. June Simpsons!” Marvin said as he exhaled an air of hope.

“No, Marvin, for your sake we have removed that title, she bears her birth name, she can not bear your name,” I said with so much joy in myself.

“What?” said Marvin.

“Why would you do that,” said June.

“It was in the contract, I thought you read it,” said Tessy, as the lawyer in our midst.

“Of course, I did,” said June.

“So we should not have a problem,” I said, not minding who gets hurt over what.

“It’s okay, June, I believe it is for my protection. You do not have to worry over anything,” said Marvin.

I could not hide the disgust on my face. He spoke like a true husband to her. I wondered if I could handle this. Thank my goodness they will not live under the same roof.

Copies of the contract were shared with everyone, including me. Why would Marvin include me in this? I am just his security aide. I looked at the contract and marriage certificate again.

“Do I need to have one of these?” I asked.

“Sure you do, you are a witness,” said Tessy.

“Are you sure you are okay?” asked Marvin.

I asked to be excused and went to the kitchen. I told everyone to leave the kitchen and I took some water, but I could not hold back the tears. I think I was crying because I had become so vulnerable.

I wanted to understand how I had become so weak that what was happening affected me. How did I even allow myself to get pregnant? Can I get over Marvin and June? For goodness sake, it was just a contract, a mere formality.

“Are you okay, Cass?” Marvin asked me. It was the first time in so many days that there was concern in his voice.

“Honestly, I do not know anymore,” I said.

“Remember this was our plan, it was your idea. She would not live with me but you are. Please pull yourself together, because I need you more now in the coming days,” Marvin said.

Whether he meant it or not and whether he knew it or not, it was true. If I was not going to kill him, then what I would face in the coming few months would be hell. I need to get myself back. I need me more than I need him.

“You need to beef up your security and hers and I want to be with you and know where you are at all times. Is that cool with you?” I asked, returning to my old self immediately.

“Wow! Way to go girl, that is why I knew not, this one sulking in the kitchen over her executed plan?”

“I need guns, Marvin,” I said.

“Wait a minute, are we going to war? It was only a wedding I had and a secret one for that matter,” said Marvin, utterly surprised.

“I don’t have all the details, but I am not taking sh*t for granted. I want you to be protected at all times,” I said.

“I am protected, Cass. Getting married did not unprotect me,” Marvin said, but this time he was more concerned than surprised.

“Get June in here please,” I said.

June came in and saw me in my world. She was not comfortable either. She wanted to know why she and her husband were summoned by me. I was not giving anyone a hoot. I was going to protect the father of my child at all costs.

“What is going on?” June asked.

I explained my position to June and told her of her security details and that if she ever finds herself in a situation she should reach my speed dial. I told her she should not contact Marvin if she was in a position where her security was compromised, and that she should reach out to me alone and no one.

She just watched me and nodded in affirmation. She did not say a word. I told her I knew she had skills, but that this is my terrain and I don’t joke about the lives of my assets. I told her to also note that she should never compromise my security structure because she felt she was married to Marvin.

Marvin watched me with so much awe as I spilled out security information and the new structure and details they needed to adhere to. It was imperative that they adhere to all I was saying because I know that their lives are in danger.

“Allow me to protect you to the best of my abilities and we will be fine,” I said in conclusion.

“Thank you so much, Cass. I know you are doing this because you care for Marvin, but I am glad that I am on your side,” she said, smiling at me.

“I am glad we have each other,” I said as I patted her on her back and left Marvin and her at the kitchen. I went straight to my room to alert every security detail of the new structure and change.

I made a call to Larry for a possible meeting at my old apartment. We need to figure this stuff out together. I had made up my mind that Marvin was going to live and nothing was going to take him away from me, not even the Contractor.

Larry was understanding all through. He saw the seriousness in my voice. He knew it was not the emotional Cassie that was on the phone. I want all this done and dusted so that I get little Marvin on the way.

This was going to be the busiest three months of my life and I had to prepare for it. I have to prepare for whatever comes and from whoever.

I called Sancho. I asked if it was possible that I wanted to meet with him and the members of the table. I wanted them to know that whoever is associated with me needs to be prepared. I have called for war, so let the war begin.

Sleep now Cassie, deal with all of them from tomorrow, and build that empire where your kids are safe. I am the mother of all assassins. I thought to myself as I lay my head down to sleep.