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If Harold intended to make me marry his son, the least I could do was hit his deep pockets.
CHAPTER SIX
MAEVE
The monitors bleeped calmly, just a steady chirping which belied the turmoil that roiled inside my head.
I sat across from my dad, who looked like he was sleeping peacefully. Over the weeks, his face had mostly healed where they’d patched it back together, but his brain remained static, broken. He’d never really looked peaceful before his coma. It was awkward visiting him, but we did it out of obligation. It was expected. I just didn’t really know what to do with myself once I was there. We weren’t very close as I grew up. He was very much the figurehead who directed our lives, a strict headmaster, more than a dad.
Anger still scraped at the back of my mind every time I looked at him. If he hadn’t promised Esther to Harold, none of us would be in the mess we were. He must have believed it to be the best course of action, because why would he make a deal with a man he detested so thoroughly?
I sighed and scooted my chair closer to the bed. The room was plush in the private hospital, and there were always at least two of Dad’s men stationed outside. The hospital had security too. It was exactly the sort of place people with money and a need for protection used.
‘Dad,’ I said, lowering my voice in case Ewen came back from grabbing us coffee, ‘I’m getting married today. This afternoon to Cameron Thompson. Please wake up and stop it. He has Mac and I’m just so scared. Marrying him brings Mac back, but then I’m stuck with them. What should I do?’
The only response was that same rhythmic chirping.
‘I know I need to be strong, and I’m putting a brave face on for Logan and Ewen so they don’t feel too guilty, but it’s so hard.’
I slipped my hand beneath his, needing some sort of human contact for comfort. The warmth of his fingers caught me off guard, not realising how much I needed the tender touch.
‘I’m going to tear them down though, Dad. For Mum, for Malcolm, for Esther, for Mac, and even for you. I’m going to drag their very worst skeletons from their closets and use them to burn the family to the ground.’
A twinge of guilt bit at me. Katie had seemed like a nice person. It could all have been a ploy to fuck with me, though, and I couldn’t afford to be soft. Take no prisoners.
‘I wish Esther was here.’
Dad’s skin wrinkled as I smoothed my thumb over the back of his hand.
‘Me too,’ Ewen said, opening the door with his shoulder as he balanced two paper takeaway cups of coffee. I swiftly removed my hand from Dad’s and sat up straight. ‘Come on, kid, we need to go get you ready for today.’
‘I’m never going to be ready for today.’
‘I know, but Logan says the make-up artist is losing her shit about timings, so we’d better get a move on.’ He passed a cup to me and nodded at our dad. ‘We’ll tell you about it later, Dad. You’ll not be sad to miss it, I’m sure.’
I took one last look at Dad before closing the door. As much as we’d been distant, I’d never imagined him not there to walk me down the aisle. The level of sting which attacked me surprised me as I swallowed down a sob.
Get it together, Maeve. Dad not being there is the least of your worries.
My reflection was utterly misleading.
I gazed at myself in the large mirror in my parent’s bedroom where I’d just been fastened into my dress. Credit where it was due. The seamstress had done an impeccable job of fitting it to me like a glove at such short notice. The designer had exquisitely positioned the embroidery that went from my neck to my feet to be both extremely revealing, but also keeping the important bits covered. It had the effect of making me want to peer around the embroidery to see what hid beneath. Taunting and teasing and utterly perfect. The dress was backless down to near the base of my spine and tightly fitted to my knees where it flared out dramatically. I looked like something from the runway, with the precise glossy waves of brown about my shoulders and the intricate makeup. It had taken the make-up artist a surprising amount of time to paint my face, but I had to admit the look was flawless. I might have to put her on Harold’s payroll to make me look fantastic every day.
A veil finished the look to bridal perfection. I’d tried to argue against it in the shop, but Katie had been right. The sheer length of material added a little more mystery to the back of the dress while still revealing enough to see how low of it dipped. It was never the dress I’d have chosen for my wedding. I preferred light florals and flouncier fabrics, and definitely wouldn’t have braved the sheer spots at the front, but the effect had been exactly what I had been seeking. Powerful. Confident. Defiant. Devastating.
I would go in fighting if I had to do this. I’d go in as I’d go out. All guns blazing.
I’d spent the previous night packing up some clothing, chargers, books, and toiletries. Nothing sentimental would leave my home, as I fully intended to be back as soon as I could. I glanced at the two cases that sat near the door, the only things joining me on my mission in enemy territory.
A light tap on the door pulled me away from the mirror as the hair stylist popped her head in. ‘Are you ready for your brothers to come in?’
‘As ready as I’ll ever be.’
Logan and Ewen walked into the room, and the door shut softly behind them.
‘Fuck Maeve. You look incredible.’ Ewen grinned before dabbing at the corner of his eye with the back of his hand.
‘Christ, it’s revealing.’ Logan’s eyes widened as he took in my dress. ‘It’s like drizzling yourself in gravy before offering yourself up to the wolf.’
