“Before we were a couple, you and I had, for all intents and purposes, a business relationship. Well, you may recall when I first introduced myself, it was as JAC. Though you have never asked, that stands for Cyber Assassin Julie. One of my jobs is changing identities, like I did for you and your brother.”
Juan nodded but instinctively knew to simply let her take the conversation where she wished. None of this mattered as long as she was his.
Julie continued, “When I say one of my jobs, it refers to how I earn my living. That living is connected to what is simply explained as the family business. Not that the family business is a part of a crime syndicate or involved in bad things, if you were worried. The family business is highly financial oversight and information exchanges with established customers all over the world. There are times when our paths cross with others who are highly unscrupulous. We take steps to remove those types of threats, and, in all honesty, do what is right.
“This then is the high level of the business and brings me to discuss the concerns that were raised with the family discussion earlier. I’d appreciate you not getting angry about this, but some of the details of the business the family is concerned about me sharing with you. That is really a two-fold concern.
“The first being that if you leave the family, it would put each of us and the family at risk. I believe with all my heart that you are with me forever. We worked too hard to find each other, and, well, I love you and I know you love me too.”
Juan smiled at his pretty lady and agreed, “Of course I love you. Honestly, sweetheart, I didn’t think you were simply the girl next door, regardless of your country of birth. We have fought together, you and I, and your determination is, I suspect, from a long line of determined people. I don’t need all the details as long as I can call people, if I am worried at some point if you aren’t where you promised you’d be. You and the rest of them don’t have to tell me any details more than what I know already. I don’t intend to pry into anything.
“You do realize that there are items of my history we haven’t discussed yet. I think that is part of the long term trust we will develop with one another over time, as much as anything. If I learn other details over time, I would not tell anyone, ever.”
Julie leaned against his shoulder and smiled, then continued, “Okay. That was the easy part of the discussion, now comes the proposal.”
Juan laughed. “Babe, we are already married, so no proposal is necessary. But I will go on record again and say I will respect you in the morning, if you are still worried about that.”
Julie slapped at his arm, smiled and explained, “Not that kind, another kind. It is the new business that I want to start, and I want your support and participation, if you are willing.”
His eyes encouraged her, but again he said nothing. He simply listened attentively.
“Juan, my job has taken me all over the world, and I truly enjoy the travel, the things I get to do. I want to spend as much time as I can with the children, especially while they are little. Technically, I could do that and design clothes for Destiny Fashions of Brazil while you fly all those gorgeous models around. It would be easy and fun.
“I have an obligation to support the family business for jobs I trained most of my life to do. I really enjoy these jobs a lot and do them well. I have given it a great deal of thought. I believe the best way to feel I am fulfilling my obligations to the family, and still keeping my fingers in it, would be to form a team to offload different tasks and assignments. So what I envision here is to recruit, train, and build a sub-contractor group that can fulfill the roles that the family needs without the children, me, or you being directly at risk.”
“That is an interesting idea, Julie. I have been considering how to earn a living and stay close to you and the children. I want to spend some time with the children while they are little and not be totally wrapped up in work.
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