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“But—How did this happen? I’ve looked over our national records several times, and nothing’s indicated foreclosure.” It doesn’t make any sense. My father had me review the books just last month, making sure we missed nothing for the newest tax quarter. If the other breweries across the country were going under, I would have seen it in the numbers.
“I tried to keep this from you for as long as possible, lass.” He reached out, taking my hand. “You have to focus on your studies—not worry about our business. At least, not until after you graduate.”
“Maybe I could have done some—”
“There’s nothing you could have done. So stop acting like an eejit and do what needs to be done.” His words are so…final.
“Jesus Christ,” I swear, yanking my hand away. Pacing a few steps down the hall, I try to get my thoughts together. Turning back, I study him. “That’s why you want me to do this so badly. Because of their money.”
“And their added protection,” he says. “We can’t afford to have the Russians sniff this out and end it all for good.”
“I can’t believe this.” A short, bitter laugh escapes me. “I can’t believe you hid this from me.”
My father straightens, a hard look flashing across his face. “Are you havin’ a craic? I’m your father. It’s not my job to tell you everything.”
“No, but it would be nice,” I snap back.
“Watch your tone, girl.” He straightens his suit jacket. “Take some time back here to collect yourself. Then meet me back in the hall.” Shooting me a sharp look, he adds, “And try not to run away this time. Or I’ll drag you back here myself.”
This cannot be happening to me. I watch him disappear through the swinging doors, rooted to the spot. If what he says is true, then we really do need to find financial backers to keep the rest of the business safe. But investors can be tricky. They either don’t want anything to do with our more…illegal side of things, or they want to control the whole company. My father won’t put up with either. Marrying Killian is the only way he knows to gain a specific type of loyalty that can never be bought. A tie that is stronger than just legal documents.
The air around me thickens as I realize the position I’m in. There’s no way out. No way to stop this. I recognized the look on my father’s face. This was nothing but another business deal to him, and when he wanted something, he always got it. Leaning back against the wall, I try to catch my breath. The satin fabric feels too tight now, cinching my waist and chest until I can’t breathe.
This is fucking ridiculous.
I cannot allow my life to get so utterly out of control. I won’t allow it. I’ve worked way too hard to let some party-boy drunk ruin it all. My head tilts back as I think, running through my options. Killian already has a terrible reputation, and he’s a bomb just waiting to go off. With someone like that, there’s always something hiding in their past. Some dark secret I can use against him or to help convince my father to find another way to save our family.
That’s it.
All I have to do is dig up some dirt on Killian that’s bad enough to show everyone who he truly is, and he won’t be my problem for much longer. My father might be desperate for money to back our businesses, but he would never jeopardize everything by putting all his eggs in one beat-up, tattered basket that’s hanging by a thread. If I find something good enough to convince my father, then he’ll have to call off this wedding.
But how would I find something that good? It’s not like Killian’s friends would ever open up to me. The Arco brothers would toss me out on my ass before I even got one word out. His family won’t expose him, either. I wrack my brain for another way. And then it hits me.
I wish it hadn’t.
If no one around Killian will give up the goods, then that just means I have to get it myself from the main source. All I have to do is earn his trust and get him to open up…which sounds easier said than done, considering Killian only trusts women enough to get them in his bed and opens up only for sex, but hey, at least it’s not a totally terrible idea.
Smoothing down the skirts of my dress, I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. If I’m going to pull this off, I have to be calm and collected. I cannot let him get under my skin. Once I feel centered enough, I head out through the double doors and back into the fray.
My father spots me right away as soon as I step into the hall. Following him, he leads me towards the front, where a small dais had been placed. Killian’s already there, sans bottle, unfortunately. If only he’d get drunk off his ass and humiliate himself in front of everyone right now.
He leans in as I take my place beside him. “Having fun,tesorina?”
“I’m having a splendid time, thank you,” I say sweetly. It sounds genuine to my ears, but his eyes narrow. Before he can reply, my father and his brother step up in front of us. I turn my attention to them, the perfect image of a happy bride-to-be. I even loop my arm through his, yanking him closer. Killian tenses beneath my hands.
“Thank you all for coming,” my father begins, “to help us celebrate this grand occasion. It's my pleasure to welcome you all here tonight to celebrate the engagement of Cara and Killian. For those of you who don't know me, I'm the proud father of Cara, Callahan Ryan.” He pauses for a smattering of polite applause. “It means so much to all of us that you're here at the occasion marking the beginning of their lifelong commitment. It’s also an opportunity to officially meet Killian's family; his brother Dante, and Dante’s wife, Sienna.” Dante tips his glass to the ceiling as Sienna gives a short wave from the crowd.
“I've had twenty-one years of raising Cara,a chuisle mo chroí. When she was first born, I remember how her minute fingers curled around mine and the feeling that gave me. I swear, I’d never seen a lass more fierce than her. I vowed then that nothing would ever hurt my little girl.” My stomach curdles with his words. Giving me away to a man like Killian was exactly the opposite of what he was saying. My father turns to me, and my smile brightens. “And now she’s all grown up. Ready to head off on her own adventure with a new man to keep her safe.”
Yeah, right. Not even a bottle of bourbon was safe with him.
My father turns back to the crowd, raising his glass. “As my father once said at my own wedding…."May you always have money in your pocket, a woman to love, and a smile on your face." Cheers!”
The others raise their own glasses, cheering to us. My fingers tighten around Killian’s arm as I smile and give short, little waves. Killian’s lips brush against my ear as he leans closer.
“Careful,” he warns, his voice like silk, “With a smile like that, people might think you’re faking it.”
“I’m sure a few already think that,” I reply evenly. “Because no one in their right mind could see us being together.”
