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“… better offer, don’t you think?” Declan says.
There’s a pause, then Jeremiah responds. “If it’s about money, we can come to an arrangement.”
“I have money, Wood. It’s about what you’re bringing to the table. The Frasers are powerful, and having them onside—”
“And what makes you think I’m not powerful?” The bite in Jeremiah’s voice scares me. I’ve never heard him speak like this during his visits. I can tell he’s angry, but his words are given calmly, something Declan has never mastered.
“I don’t deny your strength. You still don’t have the sway they do. If I’m going to go against Charlotte fucking Fraser, I want assurances. She didn’t beat around the bush. If I don’t marry my daughter to her son, there will be consequences. I’m willing to face those if I have your word you will stand with me against them.”
My heart starts to pound against my ribs. Declan really sees me as a bargaining chip, a thing he can just palm off to suit his needs. I’ve never felt so dehumanised in all my life. I know he hates me because of my mother’s infidelity, but I never realised until this moment how much. He would just sell me to the highest bidder.
Everyone knows about the Frasers. They are another crime family who, like my father, own a slice of London. Their reputation precedes them. I’ve heard of Charlotte and Anthony, the heads of the family, and Kane, the eldest son. But that’s all I know. Is it Kane Charlotte means to marry me to? From what I hear, he is no different from Jeremiah, and I am no more inclined to marry him than I am the man sitting behind the door I’m listening at.
“You have my word. Charlotte Fraser and those cunt sons of hers think they own the city. With my support they will see how wrong they are. Declan, you have the strength to take them down. Once the Frasers fall, there is only the Adams syndicate standing in our way. We’ll crush both of them.”
“Charlotte isn’t going to go away easily,” Declan says. “That bitch doesn’t like hearing the word no. It will mean war.”
“If you don’t give me your fucking daughter, you will have war with the Woods. The Fraser pricks are not the only ones you should fear.”
I hear shuffling and realise he is moving around. I can’t move fast because of my injuries, so I slip into adjacent room, which happens to be a small library. I close the door quietly, pressing my hand against the wood to act as a brace to stop it from squeaking. I leave a small gap, just enough to see the hallway beyond, so when Jeremiah steps out of the room, I see a flash of colour as he storms away.
I hold my breath until I hear my father pass by as well. Then I make my way back to my bedroom with my mind in turmoil. Declan is going to sell me off to the highest bidder, and I will have no choice in the matter.
