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Father Michael orders, "Follow me." He moves to the front of the church.
Tynan puts his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the altar. When we get in front of it, my stomach drops.
Father Michael stands before us and directs, "Please take your bride's hand."
Bride.
Jesus, this is fucked-up.
Tynan takes my hands, and zings fly to my core.
Goddammit.
Why do I react to him?
I scold myself for the millionth time, feeling heat crawl up my cheeks, making it worse.
Tynan sees it. Approval fills his eyes. That same lewd look he gave me earlier reappears. He knows exactly what he's doing to me.
I'm not going to sleep with him.
Why am I thinking about that right now?
My heart pounds harder. I wouldn't even know what to do. I'm a virgin. I've barely had a boyfriend. I'm always trying to bail Da out of his debts. I don't have time for anyone else, and when I have tried, it's never led to anything. It's a miracle I've been kissed the few times I got to let loose and have some fun.
Father Michael states, "Repeat after me. I, Tynan O'Connor, take thee Maeve..." He freezes and then looks at me. "What's your last name, lass?"
"Fitzpatrick," I tell him.
"Maeve Fitz—" Father Michael's eyes turn to slits. "Fitzpatrick? As in the Fitzpatricks that are loyal to the O'Learys?"
My pulse skyrockets through the roof. I nod. "Yea, that's me."
His head snaps toward Tynan. "What are ya doing, son? We're not going through with this debacle."
Tynan sneers. "Debacle?"
Father Michael nods. "Aye. You and your brothers with these O'Leary women."
"It's not your business."
"It is if she's forced to be here."
Tynan scowls. "My brothers didn't force their brides to marry them. Why are you accusing me of doing such a thing?"
Father Michael points at him, claiming, "Ya come in here in the middle of the night, dressed in everyday clothes, and demanding I marry ya. It doesn't take a lot to put two and two together. What does he have over ya, lass?" He arches his eyebrows at me.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
"Get on with it, Father, or I'm going elsewhere. Along with my money," Tynan threatens.
Father Michael steps closer to me. "I'm asking ya again, are ya sure you're marrying this man of your own free will?"
Tynan groans. "You're rubbing my nerves the wrong way, old man. Let it go. She's already answered."
"Maeve?" Father Michael sternly asks.
Tell him.
