A Deal With De Niro

Chapter 2

“Second – we will maintain separate residences. I will not move into your house, and you will not move into mine. We’ll have a ‘marital home’ for appearances, but we only use it when necessary – family events, business functions, things like that. The rest of the time, we live our own lives.”

Blaine thought about this for a moment, tapping his finger on the table. “I can agree to that. I value my privacy, and I assume you do too. But we will need to be seen together in public regularly – investors get nervous when married couples don’t act like a unit.”

“Understood. Third – no romantic expectations. This is a marriage of convenience, nothing more. We are partners in business, not in bed. I know about your… reputation. And I have no interest in being just another fling you get tired of after one night.”

His jaw tightened slightly at that, but he didn’t get angry. Instead, he looked at her with what almost looked like respect.

“Your father told me you were different from the other women I’ve been with,” he said. “He was right. I have no intention of forcing anything on you – romantic or otherwise. The contract already states that we will maintain a platonic relationship unless both parties agree otherwise.”

“Good.” Shannon felt a small weight lift off her shoulders. At least that part was clear. “Fourth – my family’s company will retain its name and identity after the merger. It will be part of the De Niro Group, yes, but it won’t be absorbed completely. My father built this from nothing, and I won’t let it disappear.”

Blaine opened the folder again, flipping through the pages until he found what he was looking for. “Clause 17 – ‘The López Consolidated Holdings brand will remain intact, with full autonomy over marketing, operations, and product development.’ Your father already included that. He loves this company as much as you do.”

Shannon felt her throat tighten a little. She and her father had never been close – he was always more focused on business than on family – but knowing he’d fought to keep their company’s name meant more than she wanted to admit.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, then cleared her throat and got back to business. “Last condition – if either of us wants to end this marriage, we can do so after five years with no penalty. No fighting over assets, no dragging each other through the courts. We go our separate ways, and the companies remain merged but independent.”

This time, Blaine actually smiled – a small, tight curve of his lips that didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re planning for the end before we even start.”

“I’m being realistic,” she shot back. “Nothing lasts forever – not even business deals. I’d rather we have an exit strategy than be stuck in a miserable marriage for the rest of our lives.”

He was quiet for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “I’ll have my lawyers add that clause. Five years – that’s reasonable.”