Green Card: The Fake Girlfriend/Marriage of Convenience, #3

By Sierra Rose

This is book 3 in this series. 

Dominic and Chloe have some storms they try to brave through. Are either of them ready for marriage? Or should they just stay friends long enough for Dominic to get his green card? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Shadows Publishing
• Release date: Jun 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533741417

Book preview

Chapter 1

CHLOE HUNG UP WITH the Immigration agent who had threatened to deport Dominic. She scrambled for their immigration lawyer’s number and frantically told him all about the phone call.

If they had something, they would already be there arresting him, the lawyer said.

When Dominic peeked out the window, she saw red and blue flashing lights. Her heart lurched. The man on the phone wasn’t kidding. But she didn’t think it’d happen so fast.

Crap! I think they’re here!

I’m on my way, he said immediately.

Heart racing, she dropped her phone.

Oh, Dominic, she said.

He pulled her close into a tight embrace, then kissed her.

A knock at the door jolted her, and she broke their kiss. Dominic was scared—she could see it in his eyes. She tried to remain calm and collective, but she couldn’t hide it well either.

We can run out the back door, Chloe said, her stomach lurching.

Come on, darling. As fun as that sounds, we can’t run from the law. It might be an excellent plot in one of your romances, but we both know this is reality.

A chill slid down her spine. What if this is the last time we ever see each other? I don’t want to lose you!

He touched her face. You won’t, darling.

More knocking. Chloe didn’t want to open the door. But she knew she had little choice. Dominic was right. This wasn’t a romance novel and they couldn’t run off into the sunset. As she opened the door, a few men in uniform raced inside.

As Dominic was hauled away in handcuffs, she followed after him and swore everything would be all right. She reached for him, and he bent down to kiss her lips. Chloe knew it could possibly be the last time she ever felt his lips on hers. That kiss was seared into her soul.

He locked onto her gaze. Stay, strong, Chloe.

The police yanked his arm and shoved him forward. She watched as they pushed him into a police car. He looked out the window and peered at her like it could be the last time they’d ever see one another. The look in his eyes was killing her. She picked up her phone and called her lawyer again. He told her where to go, and she didn’t waste a minute hopping into her car and driving there.

Dominic was sent to an immigration detention center where he was told he was going to be deported. This was turning into a bureaucratic and legal nightmare. They refused to let her see Dominic.

How can you refuse to let me see my own husband? she asked.

She felt a touch on her arm and looked up to see their immigration lawyer.

Just take a seat and let me handle this.

But I want to see Dominic.

You will. But for now, I need you to be patient. Okay?

Chloe nodded. She was so glad Leo hired an experienced immigration attorney. He wore a two thousand dollar navy blue, pinstriped suit and a red tie. Don’t worry, he assured her. I can straighten this mess out.

You can’t just let them send Dominic back to Italy! she said.

That’s the plan. I won’t let it happen.

What happened anyway? Chloe asked. We did everything by the book.

Your husband didn’t file the papers right.

She shook her head. Seriously? They weren’t filed correctly? They hauled Dominic off in handcuffs because of a clerical mistake.

It’s a little more complicated than that, but yes.

Chloe crossed her arms as anger washed over her. I can’t believe this.

Don’t worry. Just let me do my magic. That’s why Leo hired me, because I’m the best. We’ll get this straightened out.

He patted her hand and disappeared behind closed doors. She trusted in their lawyer, but even still, what if Dominic was sent back?

Never give up hope, she thought. Always have faith. Everything will fall into place like it’s supposed to. Hope changes everything. There is always hope. Always.

Chloe wanted to see Dominic, to kiss and hug him, to be there for moral support. She knew how much he needed her. Hours passed. Leo stopped by but left to see what strings he could pull with some friends in high places. When an immigration agent came out and told her it could be awhile, she said she’d wait.

Go, home Mrs. Cassano, he said. Pacing out here isn’t going to change anything.

She looked at him. The man jumped in front of a bullet that had my name on it. He saved my life. And we have each other’s backs. He’s there for me, and I’m here for him. There is no way I’m going home. And how can I sleep anyway? Her voice started to waver. When you’re threatening to take my husband from me forever? How can I live the rest of my life without him?

Chloe thought long and hard about those words. For a moment, she thought she might actually believe them. How could she live without him? Her heart ached. And she knew she had major feelings for her husband. She wanted to stay and fight and plead his case.

Another hour passed. She couldn’t eat if she wanted to, and she couldn’t sleep either. She was too wound up trying to figure everything out.

Finally, Chloe was allowed to see Dominic. She was led to the room where he was being held. She sat on the other side of the table.

No contact, a man in the corner of the room said. No touching. No hugging. No kissing.

You said our relationship is fake. If that’s true, then what are you worried about? Chloe said to the guard.

He rolled his eyes.

She sat down and let out a trembling breath. Oh, Dominic.

I wished things didn’t have to be this way, he said. But they’re insisting that I be deported.

This is not the end. Our lawyer is on top of this.

Of course this is not the end, he insisted.

More tears rolled down her face. Just hang on, baby, okay?

I know I met you for a reason, Dominic said, gazing into her eyes. And I’m so glad I met you. I just wanted you to know that.

I feel like everything in my life has led me to you, she said with heartfelt emotion.

And I don’t care how we met. I’m just glad we did, Chloe. Ever since the day I saw you, I knew there was something special, something that caught my eye. It’s like you’re the last piece of the puzzle I’ve been searching for all this time.

I’m so glad I found you.

The door opened and their lawyer walked in with a big smile on his face. Okay, lovebirds. Problem solved. Dominic is free to go!

Thank you! they shouted at the same time.

I just want to kiss you! Chloe said to their lawyer.

Just save it for hubby. And uh, maybe sign a book for my wife.

Not a problem.

He smiled.

Excitement flooded through Dominic’s face as he came around and broke all the rules by lifting Chloe up in his arms and kissing her deeply. Their lawyer had saved Dominic from deportation, and her heart danced with relief.

That’s not allowed! the guard said.

Oh, shut up! her lawyer said to the man. Look at these two. They’re in love. And nothing is more beautiful than that.

Chloe was asked to wait outside in the waiting area while Dominic signed some forms. The second Dominic walked through the doors, he smiled at her. His confidence reassured her that everything was going to be okay. Dominic was everything she needed, everything she wanted. Her body crashed into his. His mouth was on hers in a passionate kiss that soon turned hard, fierce, and all-consuming, and she wanted to lose herself in his strong embrace.

After the kiss, they looked straight into each other’s eyes. He held her tight and caressed her back.

I was so scared, she said.

He wiped a tear from her eye. The thought of not ever seeing you again about killed me.

I can’t live my life without you, she said. Please don’t go! Not ever.

I’m not going anywhere, darling. I’m right here. Just like I promised you I’d be.

Chapter 2

CHLOE’S IMMIGRATION lawyer had luckily straightened things out. The way Chloe had looked at him when he walked through those doors... He could tell that she loved him. And that scared him more than anything. He didn’t want to break her heart. And it was never his intention to stay in the marriage permanently. But he was falling for her. Chloe was capturing his heart like no other woman. At this point, he wasn’t even checking out other women. The only woman he thought about was her.

Chloe deserved better than him. She was a beautiful woman and deserved a man who didn’t run from responsibility and commitment. He could never commit, never have a meaningful relationship. Dominic wasn’t ready to get married or make a commitment. But then he was forced to if he wanted to stay in the United States.

He didn’t want to be forced into a relationship, and he needed some time to breathe. Chloe was understanding and told him to take all the time he needed. So he did. He was surprised she didn’t scream, curse, fight, or throw out all his stuff he had over at her house. Amazingly, she was really pretty calm about the whole thing. He stayed in his apartment, went to work, and tried to figure things out.

At work, when a blonde flirted with him, he realized he wasn’t interested because he couldn’t stop thinking about Chloe.

Whoa!

He had absolutely no desire to flirt with her. She was gorgeous, yes. But Chloe was the woman he wanted. And that’s when he realized he was madly in love with her.

The realization scared him to death. No woman had this effect on him.

He wasn’t a man who did commitment.

He thought long and hard. Could he truly commit to a woman he loved?

Never in his life did he ever want to commit to a $2,000 mortgage. He didn’t want to give up his spending habits. Or be lectured on what he could and could not buy. What