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“You’re in trouble, aren’t you? You’re about to do something stupid.” She sounds delighted. “I’m happy it’s you, you know, fucking this up. Instead of me.”
“Glad I can be of service then.”
“What’s the plan? Making a big scene? Some prepared speech?”
“Something like that. Look, I just called out of courtesy, all right? You’ll hear about it all soon enough, I’m sure. I just didn’t—” I stop myself, gritting my teeth.
“You didn’t want to hurt me,” she says softly. “Well, I guess you’re not a complete piece of shit after all. Maybe you would’ve made a decent husband, but I suppose we’ll never find out. Good luck with whatever you’re doing, Finn. Really, I mean it. Go with my blessing.”
“Thanks, Robin.”
She hangs up. I slump forward, leaning against the railing, staring down at my hands.
What the fuck am I doing right now?
I’m ruining my life, that’s what I’m doing, but I wasn’t lying to Dara. Marrying her is the best way to keep her safe, even if it’s the goddamn nuclear option. At least our child will be a Crowley, whatever that means once this is all done with, assuming my father doesn’t simply murder us both.
I’m reasonably sure he won’t. Mom would be livid.
One more call to make. There’s no turning back, not after speaking with the judge and with Robin. Everything is in motion, chugging along now, whether this is a good idea or not.
Shane answers instantly. “Sir?”
“Where is she?”
“In the park, sir, sitting at a bench. She’s just been walking around aimlessly. Sir.”
I cringe at the wholesirshit, but don’t correct him. Let the kid learn respect the hard way. “Send me your location.”
“Will do, but, uh—oh, shit, I think she spotted me. She’s staring right at me.” His voice drops softer. “She’s getting up. She’s coming over. Oh, no, she looks really mad.”
I grin huge. “Don’t tell me the girl made you, Shane.”
“I’m sorry, sir, I won’t let it happen again, I just—”
“Send me your location. I’ll be there shortly.” I hang up the phone, grinning to myself.
Looks like Dara can handle herself.
I text the family jeweler and make sure he’s ready to see me before heading out.
Chapter17
Dara
“Don’t tell me he sent you to stalk me,” I say, glaring at the young man trying to hide behind a tree.
He comes out, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I’m sorry, miss, but—”
I hold up both my hands. “Oh, my god, please don’t call memiss. I’m Dara. Who are you?”
“Shane,” he says, glancing from side to side like he’s afraid someone might catch us talking. “And he only sent me to make sure you were safe, mi— sorry, uh, Dara.”
“Right, of course he did.” I glare at Shane a moment longer. He’s younger than I am, no older than nineteen or twenty. Pale, tall, thin, with freckles and shaggy brown hair. For a second, I’m tempted to send him away, but I doubt he’d even listen, and besides, this might be an opportunity. “Why don’t you walk with me, Shane?”
His eyes widen. “He, uh, didn’t say anything about, uh—”
“Come on, then, keep up. You think he’d be happy if you didn’t listen to me?” I have no clue, to be totally honest, but Shane considers for only a beat before falling in beside me.
