Fear crawls up my spine, but I force it down. I've survived losing my entire family. I've survived multiple attempts on my life. I can survive a meeting with some old men in suits. It’s not like I haven’t met them before… but I think of their presence in my house, commanding me to marry without ever asking my opinion. I think of Brendan and Connor’s comments on the consummation of my marriage, at the wedding. And now I’ll be on their turf.
But I’m well aware that there are no choices here.
"Okay," I say, surprised by how steady my voice sounds. "When?"
Sean draws in a breath. "Now."
Of course. No time to prepare, to gather my courage. Just straight into the fire.
"Let me get my coat."
I change quickly into a simple black sweater dress and tights—something respectful and conservative, that won’t draw attention. Then I find my coat and take a deep breath.
You can do this, Maeve. You're stronger than you think.
Sean's words from our training sessions echo in my mind, and I hold onto them like a lifeline.
When I emerge, Sean is waiting by the door, and the look on his face is almost... protective. Worried.
"They're going to ask you questions," he says as we leave the apartment. "About your family, about the estate. Just answer honestly. Don't elaborate unless they ask."
I nod, tucking my hand into the crook of his arm. He's warm and solid beside me, and having him there makes this slightly less terrifying.
"And Maeve?" He stops walking, turning to face me. Rain is falling lightly, misting the air around us. "No matter what they say, remember I won't let them hurt you. Understand?"
I look up at him, at this man who keeps insisting he doesn't want me, who keeps pushing me away, but who right now looks like he'd fight an army to keep me safe.
"I trust you," I tell him.
Something flashes in his eyes—surprise, maybe, or pain—and his hand tightens on my arm. For a moment, I think he's going to say something, but then he just nods and we keep walking.
The Council headquarters is an old mansion that looks like it's been here for centuries. It's imposing and cold, and as we climb the stairs once the guard waves us up, my heart starts racing.
Sean must feel my trembling, because he stops outside a heavy oak door.
"Stay calm. Stay quiet unless spoken to. And stay close to me."
I nod, and then he's pushing open the door, and we enter a room that feels like stepping back in time.
Connor McBride, Brendan Kearney, Liam Fitzgerald, and two others are sitting at the table. There’s no warmth or recognition in Connor’s eyes. They’re all regarding me with the kind of cold assessment that makes me feel like a specimen under glass.
“Maeve. As you asked,” Sean says, his voice neutral and professional. Different from how he sounds when we're alone.
Connor looks at me, his sharp eyes revealing nothing. "Mrs. Flannery.” His use of my married name feels pointed, a reminder that I’m no longer who I used to be. That I belong to someone else now. “Thank you for joining us. Please, sit."
Sean guides me to a chair and stands behind me, his hand resting on my shoulder. The contact grounds me, reminds meI'm not alone in this. He’s my only lifeline in this, and the irony of it makes me feel faintly sick.
"Sean said you wanted to see me," I manage, keeping my voice surprisingly steady.
“We wanted to assess how this match is going for ourselves,” Connor says flatly. “Are you happy with the arrangement, Mrs. Flannery?”
I know very well that the truth wouldn’t be good for me or for Sean. And truthfully… I don’t think I could honestly sayyes, but at the same time… haven’t some things been better? I’ve been learning to defend myself. Learning that I’m not as incapable as my family always made me feel. Sean doesn’t love me, and he won’t touch me, but he’s given me something all the same. “Yes,” I say finally, and I can feel Sean tense at my shoulder.
Connor’s expression doesn’t change. “And you’ve turned over all your assets to him, without complaint.”
“No one asked me how I felt about it,” I say, a little too pointedly. “But yes, Sean has taken over the estate.”
“But there have been attempts on your life.” Connor pauses. “How much do you know about why your family was killed, and how?”
