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“When I want to speak with you,” Senior ground out, “I’ll address you. Until then, shut your goddamn trap.”
I stormed forward, but with surprising strength, MC snagged a hold of my hand and dragged me back.
“Digger, you’re making it worse.” I shot her a bewildered look that had her huffing out a breath. “Don’t, Digger. It’s okay. Let me deal with this.” To O’Donnelly, she whispered, “It’s true, Uncle Aidan. Father left me with no choice.”
The older man angled his head to the side. “According to him, you were excited about the match. It’s the only reason I didn’t outright reject the notion. I was going to speak with you at church this week, but you disappeared before I could.”
“So, he did get your sanction on this?” I demanded.
My cell buzzed again.
Pissed at the interruption, I was about to ignore it when another notification set my phone vibrating.
Rex: MaryCat’s father’s AWOL.
Rex: You hear me?
Rex: He’s left the compound. The fucking Prospect on the gates didn’t think to tell me. It was only when Cruz took over that he looped me in. Maverick checked the CCTV and he’s been gone around ninety minutes.
Fuck.
Me: Beat his ass for me?
Rex: I’ll leave him for Sin. You know what he’s like when his blood’s pumping.
“I know my father too well.”
MC’s soft words had me settling a hand on her lower back and shoving my phone into my pocket.
If O’Donnellyhadcalled her father here, I’d have to tear him a fucking new one.
O’Donnelly frowned at MC. “Meaning?”
“If I’d shown him how I really felt, he’d have locked me in my room and would have kept me there until I agreed to anything he wanted just to get out.” She sucked in a breath. “It isn’t the first time he’s done it, sir.
“I appreciate knowing that you would have spoken with me, b-but h-he has me under his thumb.” She exhaled roughly. “I-I’d have been too scared to say no.”
“What twenty-one-year-old wants to marry an old, fat fuck like Bill Murphy anyway? Why would you agree to it in the first place?” I demanded.
“Not everyone marries for love, Digger,” Senior said calmly. “There’s such a thing as hierarchy. I’m sure, even in your anarchic society, you know what that means. Murphy’s served me well over the years—”
“He’s a rapist,” I said flatly.
I saw the anger flash over Senior’s expression before he pinned MC with a look. “He touched you?”
“No,” MC admitted. “I left before I had to meet with him. Digger is Bill’s son, sir. His mother was…”
My jaw clenched. “He took her by force and I was born of that union.”
“I know you,” Senior murmured, clicking his fingers. “Five or so years back, Bill was attacked.”
“My greatest shame is that I didn’t kill him.”
They often said that the eyes were the window to a person’s soul, but until I’d met O’Donnelly Sr., I’d thought that was nothing more than bullshit.
I could see lightning-fast thoughts forming and flickering away as he stared at me, watching me, studying me. Pinning me in place like a cobra just waiting to strike.
I’d served time with some mean motherfuckers, and little scared me anymore, but it was for that exact reason that I knewwhichmen to avoid.
