I arch a brow and gesture to the front of my trousers. “I think you’ll find that Ihave,actually. I’d be embarrassed, except I can’t blame myself considering it’syouthat caused it. We can do more later. When I get you to Ireland, I don’t intend to let you leave my bed except to pick out a ring and bring you before a priest to marry you.”
I turn and walk back to the kitchen area of the suite before I can do something stupid, like get hard again.
Amy scrambles up and starts getting dressed. “What are we going to do?”
“We’re going to cut your grandfather out from the docks entirely. And I think your sweet smile is exactly what’s needed to do just that.” I feel my heart rate pick up at the thought of finally being free of her pestering family.
Amy’s voice is quiet, hesitant. “And how exactly do you intend on doing that?”
I head to the master suite to get changed, pausing in the doorway to look back at her, a grin on my face. “Which part, leannán? Taking down your grandfather, or whisking you off your feet and taking you to my home and my bed?”
An adorable flush colors Amy’s face. “Well, I meant my grandfather.”
Itsk.“Ah, a cryin’ shame. I’d far rather talk about the latter.”
Amy clears her throat, still looking charmingly flustered. “Well, another time, perhaps. So…my grandfather?”
I lean against the doorway, watching her fidget under my gaze.“First things first, the docks. Secondly, let the news pop that Asteros don’t pay their debts. Thirdly…get in with Marshall, who used to work for him. I’m already pretty set on that last one, but there’s just a quick conversation I have to have with him, that’s all.”
My sweet leannán crosses her arms, her eyebrows arching, her nervousness shifting into sassy territory.I love it.I’ve givenher a taste of power and now she wants more of it. I’m all too happy to indulge her. “You must trust me if you’re telling me all of this.”
I can’t help but stare at her for a long moment. She needs to know the weight of how serious this matter is to me. “I know how he’s treated you, leannán. I know that you feel you deserve better. And you’re right about that. I also know you’ve feltbetterwith me, I can see how you react to me, love. You’re not fooling anyone, least of all me. You hold no loyalty to your grandparents. You may not want them dead, but…” I lift my shoulders in a shrug that’s probably far too carefree for a man who just declared war on someone else, but this is just my way of life. It’s just like any other day of the week. “I think you feel just as furious about the stunt that he’s pulled today as I do."
Amy walks over to the dining room table to pick up the glass of wine I poured for her earlier, before we gotdistracted,and takes a long sip. “I don’t like this game that he’s playing, no. I don’t like that he’s using me like a pawn.” She lifts her chin, as if she’s trying to exert more confidence than she feels.
I push off of the doorframe, taking a few steps towards her before I can help myself. “Then we’ll work together to show him just how wrong he is to do that. We’ll show him that you’re not a pawn, but the Queen, andyoucan outmaneuverhim.”
“Does that make you the King?” Amy chuckles.
I shrug and grin again, joining her at the table to pick up my whiskey and take a sip. “Maybe. Although I’d like to think I’m not quite as useless as that particular piece in chess is.”
The smile she gives me is one I’d like to see everyday for the rest of my life. “I actually think it’s more likeyou’rethe Queen andI’mthe King, gender roles be damned.”
I lift up my glass to hers in a cheers. “Ah, I like that. You might not be able to make as many moves as me, but that doesn’t change the fact that the whole game is pointless without you.You’re the most important piece there is.” Amy’s eyes widen and dilate, and she takes in a breath like I’ve said something miraculous. It’s only a matter of time before she’s used to it, though. I don’t plan to stop telling her the truth anytime soon. “I’ll cheers to that, lovely leannán.”
Amy lifts up my glass of wine, clinking it against mine more solidly. “Cheers.”
“I think we should go to Ireland as soon as possible. It’s not safe for you here. I’m going to see if O’Neil, the owner of the docks, will be willing to meet tonight. If so, we’ll go attend to that and leave in the morning, okay? I don’t want to linger here more than a day or two more.”
Amy pauses, thinking. I know it’s not like her to wish ill on anyone, and this will definitely harm her family. She doesn’t know it, but this war that her grandfather will likely affect every single member of her family. But it’s clear she’s done with letting them hurt her, and that she wants their power taken away from them now that she’s seen how he uses it. There’s a flicker of anguish in her eyes, like she’s torn between her sense of loyalty and duty, and the desperate need to never feel helpless again.
“Yes. I’ll go with you.”
Amy
The wind has a bitter bite to it as I stand next to Kerry on the docks, watching the workers load and unload crates as we wait for Mr. O’Neil. The man had been kind enough to agree to a last-minute meeting that night.
I look down at my phone, re-reading the text I got from my grandmother that I got on our ride over here for the fifth hundredth time.
Amy, there’s been a change of plans…the Irish Demon no longer wishes to marry you…
“You should put that away. Don’t fret over it, it’s what they want.” Kerry’s demeanor has become cold and calculated since I received it. I can tell his fury towards my grandparents has doubled. He’s ready to get revenge, and I don’t think I feel like stopping him.
I sigh and slide my phone into my pocket. “I just can’t believe them. They could’ve just told me the truth, even if it was watered down. They didn’t need to outrightlieto me like this. It’s just cruelty at this point.”
“It is,” Kerry agrees without hesitation. “But cruelty keeps pawns under their thumb.” He looks down at me, gaze softening as he reaches out and caresses my cheek. “Remember, leannán, you aren’t a pawn, no matter what they think.”
I nod and lean into his touch, making him smile. He only drops his hand when another car pulls up behind ours.
