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“So selling me off is the answer?” I can’t help it. The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
My father pins me with a sharp look. “You will do whatever is necessary to keep this family safe. That is your duty. Just as it was your mother’s, her sisters’, and everyone else who came before you. Arranged marriages are expected of us. That’s how we become stronger and survive.”
I look away. I always knew one day I would have to marry and that it would be more about advantage than love. But I just hadn’t known I’d be married off to our enemy. I shouldn’t have been surprised. I should have expected this.
But I didn’t.
Killian Scarano is a lot of things; irresponsible, wild, dangerous. And a massive playboy. I’d never met the guy, but his reputation exceeded him. My heart sinks at the thought of marrying him. I’d take anyone but him. Especially for my husband.
Sure, I’d had a few flings through high school here and there, but we never went far. I was never allowed to. To have my purity tarnished would be one of the greatest sins I could commit against my family.
And now I’d be potentially losing my virginity to a man I know I could never be with willingly.
Fear slips down my spine. “If you knew his reputation….”
“I know of the boy’s reputation. He’s gom,” my father said sharply. “That’s even more reason to marry him.”
“I’m not following.”
“If the yoke really is as irresponsible and wild as they say, then that just means it’ll be easier for you to control him.”
I scoff. “I didn’t sign up for babysitting.”
“Gobshite,” he growled, eyes narrowing, “you signed up to help protect this family. And that is what you’re going to do.”
5
KILLIAN
Iadjust the tie at my throat; these damn things were always choking me. Tonight was the night I would officially meet my bride-to-be, and Dante had basically ordered me to dress for success. The suit, tie, and everything that goes with it. He’d demanded it—as if I would show up in my beat-up leather jacket and black jeans.
He knows me too well.
All I knew about this girl was that her name was Cara Ryan. Daughter of Callahan Ryan, the Captain of the Irish mafia. She’s currently enrolled in business school, majoring in marketing and international business. Basically, She does almost nothing for fun except balance books and study. At least, that’s what I’d been told. It’s not like I could just look her up online. The woman didn’t have a single social media account. But I know what she looks like from her friends’ accounts.
Imagine my surprise when I realized she was the ice woman from the club. The one my men claimed had been eavesdropping.
If Dante or Sienna knew what I did, they’d probably be a lot more cautious going into this supposed alliance. If the Irish had no bad intentions, then why was Cara at the club listening to our associate’s conversation? Why was she even in our territory at all?
I check myself in the mirror, adjusting the lapel of the jacket. The suit is Giorgio Armani, a gift from Sienna just for tonight. She’d left it with my doorman earlier, and I had to admit it was nice. Made of charcoal gray cloth, it was comfortable yet classic. Not that I was an expert on suits. She’d also sent over black antique-leather loafers—ones I would never wear in a million years.
Except for today.
My phone rings, forcing me to tear myself away from the mirror. Cain’s name pops up on the screen, and I answer it immediately. “What do you have for me?”
“We found out who was behind it. The club recently hired a new bartender under the name Vic Nagy. The guy passed all the background checks, but apparently, he was the one to clear out the kitchen right before the bomb went off.”
“Did you get him?”
“Yeah. An hour ago. He’s already talking. Apparently, his name isn’t Vic Nagy. It’s Victor Minsky.”
I swear. “A fucking Russian?”
“Looks like it. Though he isn’t giving us much,” Cain says dryly. “But that’ll change soon. Archer’s with him now.”
I drag my fingers through my hair before I remember it’s gelled to my scalp. “He probably won’t talk much, even with Archer in there. If the Russians learn he’s given them up, he’ll be dead by tomorrow morning anyway.”
“So, what do you want us to do with him?”
