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“Tell her, Dad.”
“Tell me what?” I stopped midway through my stitching. Honestly, in all my training, I never had to do sutures while the patients were fighting amongst themselves.
“We need outside help.” Ronan crossed his arms over his chest. “I mean, everyone can see that.” He gestured toward the bloody scene around us.
Both Kay and I nodded because Ronan was right. If we could get one of the other Irish gangs to pitch in, we could kick the Italians out of the South—for good. No more shootings. No more vandalism. No more break-ins. Our entire community would be safe.
I looked to Dad, but he didn’t turn to me. Instead, he kept his gaze glued to the light fixture on the ceiling.
“Does this have something to do with me?” I asked.
“Yes.” Ronan stared at Dad while he spoke. “Liam Walsh has offered his help. But Dad refuses to accept.”
“Um, what?” Kay stepped in. She had managed to keep quiet and out of the way because she hated blood. Fighting ruthless assholes was more her speed. Liam Walsh being the ruthless asshole in this case. “We can’t get into bed with that creep. Who the hell knows what he’ll ask for?”
“Watch it.” Ronan turned his furious gaze to Kay.
Ronan wasn’t normally the angry type. In fact, I had never seen him act like this before. What the hell did the Italians do to piss him off?
“This is Red Wolves’ business. You don’t get a say.”
“Sorry.” Kay cleared her throat.
When she stepped back, she quickly scanned the room—no doubt looking for her dad, who, as Dad’s lieutenant, would have some say in who we asked for help. Or at least Dad would take his opinion into account. Though judging by the stern look in Dad’s eyes, he had already decided. And he wasn’t proud of it.
“Luce.” Dad reached for my hand and squeezed it tight. “This contract does involve you. Liam has the men and resources to get us out of this hole the Italians dug for us. He can get us back on our feet.”
“What does he want?” I had a pretty good idea. It couldn’t be money because the Italians had made sure to sabotage all our latest dealings. They were starving us out. It also couldn’t be guns or drugs. The New York Irish had their own suppliers.
“A wife.” He winced in pain.
“Not a plaything?” Wasn’t that what he liked? At least, those were the rumors.
“I’m so sorry, Luce. I’ve tried to handle this on my own. But what choice do we have?” He rubbed the creases on his forehead, looking a decade older than he did just this morning when we had breakfast together. “At least this way, you’ll be safe. He wants children. He’s ready for a wife.”
More specifically, avirginwife.
Dad didn’t want to embarrass me with that small detail. It would make this whole transaction too dark and twisted. But just because he wasn’t saying the word didn’t mean that it wasn’t an understood requirement. A big boss running a crew in New York would never settle for less than a virgin with ties to another boss. Dad knew this because twenty-six years ago, he made a similar deal for Mom.
I did appreciate that he’d shown some remorse, and I rather liked the illusion that I had a say in this.
Swallowing my tears, I rose to my feet and headed back into the kitchen to wash my hands. Two more of our men needed my help. One of them had a nasty dog bite that was already turning colors. Really? They were using dogs? I hated the Italians now more than ever. Tears stung my eyes as I rubbed the sticky, dried blood from my hands and forearms. Before I knew it, I was in full-on sobbing mode.
What was it they said? Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it. I wanted to help in a more significant way. Now Dad was telling me I could end this war. And all I had to do was marry a heartless monster.
Liam Walsh was the boss of the Irish Crew in Harlem, New York. He was well-known and feared by everyone, including me.Especially me.By the way Dad hesitated with every word, I’d say he was scared, too. Liam was rich and powerful. He could marry anyone he wanted. What else was he getting out of this deal?
I’d always considered myself a pragmatic woman. Mending people was never my passion, but I was good at it, so I went to nursing school after I finished my undergrad at Barnard College. Same with my virginity. I didn’t save myself over some romantic ideal. I knew one day; I would need it. I never thought I would marry for love. That was for normal people, not people like us.
My parents’ marriage had been an arranged contract between their families. Over the years, they learned to cherish each other. Were they soulmates? No, not really, but they were content and respected each other. In the end, their union made our crew stronger.
Early on, Mom had explained to me how, one day, my virginity would be a highly sought commodity. I didn’t save my virtue because of some religious ideal. I did it because I was a realistic woman. In my world, my virginity had value, as in men were willing to pay money for it. Or in my case, with a small army. My marriage to Liam Walsh could save our lives and ensure our longevity. With the Italians out of the way, we could resume our gun business.
“Fuck me.” Kay stomped into the kitchen. “You’re actually thinking about this? It’s insane. He’sinsane.”
“He wants a wife.” I lifted my gaze to meet hers. “Obviously, he’s thinking about a family. He needs an heir. So who knows? He might be decent to me.”
“He wants you because you’re gorgeous and you check all the boxes. You’re the big boss’s daughter in Beverly. And, well, you’re a virgin. Apparently, he wants one, and those are hard to come by these days.” She braced her hands on the marble counter, taking in a deep breath. “What the hell am I saying? I’m so sorry.”
