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“How soon?” I asked, sucking in my breath.
“Three weeks from now in Ireland. I will cover the cost, of course.”
I felt like I had been punched in the gut, and what breath I had left stuck in my throat. “Th-three weeks?” I questioned. “I thought we would be engaged for at least a year.”
“Patrick do you mind giving Evie and me a moment alone,” Donovan suggested.
“No,” Patrick said, heading to the back office. “Evie, let me know when you’re leaving.”
Donovan waited for him to disappear entirely before speaking. “You know I picked you for Cormac.”
I looked into his watery pale eyes. “So I’ve been told.” There was no way I could marry in three weeks. The divorce itself might not happen for six months.
“You really are quite beautiful.” He slid out of the booth and stood up. “You know it’s estimated that over half of marriages worldwide are arranged.”
“The problem is I’m marrying a boy, not a man. We need more time to figure each other out.”
He laughed deep and guttural. “A true assessment.”
“And yet you would have it be so,” I snapped.
He grabbed my upper arm hard. His fingers dug into my muscle. “Yes, I would have it be so. Cormac needs someone stable in his life. And you will have a man in your life. Me.”
I felt the hair rise at the base of my neck and stepped back. His fingers dug in deeper. “I didn’t choose you just for Cormac. I chose you for me.”
“I’m not sure what you mean by that.”
“It’s just as it sounds,” he said, letting go of my arm. “Cormac will be your husband.” He took a step forward and cupped my face in his hand, brushing his thumb over my lips. “But you’ll belong to me.”
“No.” I shook my head.
“Evie. I know you’re a virgin. Your brother assures me of the fact. You’ll need guidance for your first time. Someone to instruct you. Help you through it. I will help you.” A tear slipped down my cheek, and he wiped it away. “Where’s your ring?”
“I-i-t’s too big.”
“Where is it?” he repeated.
“In my purse.”
“Get it. Now.”
I fumbled with the zipper on my purse, my hands shaking. The ring was tucked away in a pouch next to my passport. I pulled it out and gave it to him.
“It seems to fit just fine,” he said, slipping it on my finger. “I picked it out, especially for you. Now you’ll wear it and not take it off. It will help you to remember that you’re not just marrying Cormac. You’re also marrying me and the entire Sullivan empire. We are one of the most powerful families in Northern Ireland-”
A knock on the door interrupted what he was going to say next. “I’ll get it,” Patrick said, coming from the office.
I stepped away from Cormac’s dad as Patrick unlocked the main door.
“Mr. Young,” Keir said, coming inside. “I’m here for Evie.”
Keir’s eyes narrowed as he looked over at me. “We’ll need to leave now, Evie, if we are to make it to the airport on time.”
“About that,” Patrick interjected. “This will be the last time Evie works a trip for you.”
“Patrick,” I snapped.
“He’s right,” Donovan said, putting his hands on my shoulders. “Evie will be married soon, and it will no longer be appropriate for her to work.”
