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“He’s my lover, Daddy. JJ just told me what was happening and…” She stepped closer until she was next to me. “I’m sorry for not telling you, but I love him, and we’re planning on getting married.” Her confession sounded so genuine even I believed it.
“Is this right, Liam?” Johnny asked, narrowing his eyes at me as if he wasn’t sure she was telling the truth.
I cleared my throat, sitting taller. “Yes, sir. I’m in love with your daughter.” The words tasted like betrayal, but the fact was, Victoria was giving me an out, and I’d be stupid not to take it.
“You asked for my daughter’s hand in marriage before asking my permission…?” His brows rose in warning.
Before I could answer, Victoria spoke up. “I asked him, Daddy. I planned on telling you this weekend.” She stepped closer to him. “He lives in California, but we’re going to make being together work long distance until he can move here.”
I think the fuck not.
“When is this wedding taking place?” he asked, and I was ready to say in the far, far future, but once again, Victoria spoke before me.
“Very soon,” she said, grinning wide. “We wanted to get married as soon as possible. I know you want me to have a traditional Catholic ceremony, but we just can’t wait that long. We’re in love, Daddy.”
Johnny remained silent as he eyed his bodyguards, and with a slight tip of his chin, they crowded me to untie my wrists and ankles.
I brought my hands in front of me, twisting and rubbing the discomfort away. Victoria was Johnny O’Leary’s only daughter and obviously his princess. He’d do whatever made her happy, even if he was shooting me murderous glares.
“You know that means you’ll be my son-in-law,” he stated, narrowing his eyes at me. “You better learn some respect if you’re going to be a part of this family.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“You marrying my daughter won’t exempt you from your debt…”
“Of course, sir,” I said.
“No, Daddy,” Victoria harshly demanded, her gaze hardening on him.
I watched as they had a silent stare down, and I wanted to tell Victoria to shut the hell up. I’d pay every cent if it meant not getting a bullet to my head.
“Fine. Your debt will be forgiven once you’re married. Until then, you’re still a target,” he declared.
“What about Maddie?” I asked, speaking up. If whatever plan Victoria had up her sleeve didn’t protect Maddie, then I wasn’t agreeing to it. “She’s only my roommate and has no idea about any of this. She’s an innocent bystander.”
I’d always thought of her as more than a friend and roommate, but if I was supposedly marrying the boss’s daughter, I needed to pretend I had no emotional connection to her so they left her the hell alone.
Johnny looked at me, then shifted his gaze to his bodyguards with a hard nod.
“When your nuptials are finalized,” he stated.
Goddammit.
“Daddy,” Victoria scolded again, walking toward me and pushing the bodyguards out of her way.
“She’s not a threat to the family, nor are any of his friends. Let them be so Liam and I can be together without any issues,” she pleaded, and I wanted to hug the shit out of her for defending not only me but also Maddie.
However, the ache in my stomach knew it wasn’t going to come without some kind of deal. Not even Victoria was immune to using her father’s tricks. She saved my ass, and it wouldn’t be without something in return. Our one-night stand weeks ago didn’t mean anything, and I had no doubt she was up to no good.
“Okay, sweetheart,” he said, nodding, though I had my doubts. His words were said to appease her, and they sounded empty to me.
Victoria took my hand and led me out of the room, my heart still racing. Fear mixed with what the fuck just happened drove every thought in my head.
I let her walk us down the hall, and we stayed silent until the elevator opened, and we stepped inside. The moment the doors closed, I grabbed Victoria and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her with all my strength.
“You saved my life,” I whispered as the adrenaline from what had happened slowly wore off. I was seconds away from a mental breakdown. I didn’t show defeat or vulnerability very often, but at that moment, I was.
Victoria hugged me back before slightly pulling away.
“I almost had to kick JJ in the balls so he’d finally tell me what was going on.”
“He set me up,” I said, brushing a hand through my sweat-covered hair. “I want to kick his fuckin’ ass.”
“Well, I wouldn’t. He might be as dumb as a box of rocks, but he’s still Daddy’s special boy,” she mimicked, rolling her eyes dramatically.
“Well, for whatever it’s worth, I owe you big. Why’d you save me, anyway?” I asked before the doors slid open.
