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Jacob looks relieved. “Let’s go, then.”
Saoirse ends up in a separate cab from me, with her father, and I’m almost grateful for it, once I see that Niall is in another one too. I need a moment to collect my thoughts, to remind myself that tonight is about business and nothing more. That jealousy and other emotions like it have no place in tonight’s celebrations.
But when I see Niall walking towards the pub, the same anger I felt the night I saw him outside Saoirse’s room boils up again, fierce and hot. Saoirse is walking from the other direction, her satin skirt bunched in her hand, and she pauses uncertainly when she sees the two of us.
“Where’s Graham?” I ask her sharply, and she shrugs.
“He begged off, said he was tired. That it was our celebration, anyway, and we have an early flight. I thought he’d insist on chaperoning us, but I suppose with not long until the wedding—” Saoirse lifts one shoulder in another casual shrug, and I wonder if she truly feels as nonchalant about the idea of my bedding her as she lets on.
I wonder if the cold kiss in the church really was enough to temper her desire for me. Saoirse is nothing if not a woman who refuses to give more than she gets. If I pretend not to want her, she’ll do the same. Which, in the end, would be best for both of us.
Her gaze holds mine for a second, and I feel myself shifting towards her in spite of it—until I see Niall starting to head into the pub out of the corner of my eye.
“No, you don’t.” I turn sharply towards him. “You’re not welcome here tonight.”
“Am I not?” Niall raises an eyebrow. “I witnessed your betrothal, Connor.”
“And that will be the last of it tonight,” I tell him firmly. “You’re my brother’s man. We’ve established that already. I want no more of you here tonight. Liam and what waits for us back in Boston has no place here.”
Niall grins. “Celebrating your future marriage, aye? Saoirse told me the arrangement the two of you have. Such romance between the two of you. But in the end, who knows? Perhaps she’ll find solace in the arms of a better man.”
In that instant, I see nothing but red. “I don’t know what you’re referring to,” I growl. “But I’m not having this conversation with you here, tonight.”
“Oh?” Niall raises an eyebrow. “She said that you and her had agreed to an open marriage, after an heir is produced, and all of that. Or do you simply intend to fuck around, like most men of your ilk, and force your wife to stay faithful?”
“I assure you,” I snarl, “whatever arrangement Saoirse and I have is our business and none of yours.”
Something heats in Niall’s gaze, which stokes my anger to a near unmanageable level. I know I need to get myself under control, that this is exactly what I’d cautioned myself against, but I can’t seem to.
“So it is true,” he says quietly.
“Fuck. Off.” I bite out the words, lurching forward to grab at his shirt, and I hear Saoirse make a small cry as Niall swings at me, ducking out of my grasp.
“Get yourself together, man,” he snaps, and Saoirse is at my elbow as he does, tugging me back.
“Connor, stop!”
“What were you doing, tellinghimabout our arrangement?” I snap, rounding on her. “Planning your lovers before we’re already wed?”
“No, Connor, I—”
“Connor, enough,” Niall barks. “Don’t blame her. We talked, nothing more. I asked her if she loved you, out of concern for her well-being. I asked about her happiness. That’s all.”
If she loved me.I don’t want to know the answer to that.If she does, it will be all the worse for her. And if she doesn’t—
I should be glad if she doesn’t. But I’m not sure how I feel, and that angers me even more.
I never felt so off-balance until Saoirse O’Sullivan reentered my life.
“When I return to Boston,” I snarl, advancing on Niall, “I will be at the head of the Kings once more. If you want a place—”
Niall snorts. “As if I would take a place by your side. My loyalty is with your brother, Connor. I only have a place at that table so long as he does.” He glances at Saoirse, his face unreadable, and then back at me. “Enjoy yourcelebration.” He spits on the ground, his eyes narrowed, and turns to stride away. He pauses two steps in and turns back.
“Just remember, Connor,” he says coldly, his dark blue eyes fixed on mine. “I’m the only man who wants her for who she is. Not for the power she could give me or anything else—except for herself.”
I open my mouth, but there’s nothing I can say to that—and he’s gone before I can, striding quickly down the damp sidewalk.
“Connor—”
