“That sounds like something you should have thought of before you forced me to marry you.”
“If you don’t stay out of my personal and professional life, O’Connor, we’re going to have a problem.”
“I’ll do no such thing… of course, if that’s something you want, I’m willing to?—”
“If you say negotiate, I’ll strangle you with my bare hands.”
“—offer a concession.”
“What do you want?” she says through gritted teeth.
“It’s imperative we present a united front, especially to my boss, Cian, so that we’re invited to Ireland to be presented to the other Clans in our organization. This means you’ll be my wife in public, at events, and especially in front of anyone I work with. The alternative could be dangerous for us both, so it would be toyour benefit to agree, but I’m nothing if not gracious and won’t meddle in any of your classes.”
“Why the hell would youmeddlein the first place?”
Ignoring her, I press, “Do you agree?”
“What sort of events?” she hedges.
“Our reception on Friday. I have a few social obligations, such as a charity gala where Cian will be present, and I can introduce you. Then the dinner with the other Clans in the organization in Ireland.”
She blows out a breath. “Fine.”
“You won’t embarrass me. You’ll act like being Mrs. O’Connor is the only thing you’ve ever wanted, and you won’t leave my side.”
“I said yes. What more do you want?”
“Perfect. You’re doing so well already. See how easy it is to behave?” She fairly snarls in response, but I pretend not to notice. “I’ll introduce you to your bodyguards, and then the reception will be on Friday. Don’t worry about attire. I have a friend who’d slit my throat if I let you wear anything she didn’t choose.”
“Can we be done now? I need to go home and get my?—”
“Absolutely not. You won’t be leaving the estate without your bodyguards.”
“Fine. Then where are they?”
“They start tomorrow. Give me a list of what you need, and I’ll have someone retrieve it for you.”
“I can get my own stuff, O’Connor.”
“If I knew you wouldn’t get yourself into more trouble, maybe I’d believe you.” Putting the cup into the sink, I say over my shoulder, “Get me the list this afternoon, and I’ll have your things brought over. My lawyer will draw up the terms for your approval.”
“You can’t keep me locked in this house. I’ll find a way to get out,” she says to my back, and I stop, then turn and amble to the table. She straightens, wariness clouding her expression.
Leaning down, I brace one hand on the table and the other on the back of her chair. She goes so still, I’m almost positive she’s stopped breathing.
“Remember what I told you before? When you thought you could play games with me? Consider that sentiment even more applicable now, Mrs. O’Connor. There’s nowhere you could run where I won’t find you.”
CHAPTER 12
CATRIONA
“Ithought you meant it when you said you loved me.”
Yasmine takes an ungodly sized bite of her turkey burger, wiping a bit of green goddess dressing from her lips as she chews. She swallows, then says, “I love you very much, but have you seen my schedule? I barely have time to shower, let alone pencil in lunch. Which, thank you for treating, by the way.”
We’re at The Company Burger on the Thursday after the wedding, where I harassed Yasmine to join me for lunch via threats that I’d lose my mind if I didn’t see her at least once before the reception. She’s still in her jade scrubs, slightly faded from too many washes. Her hair is thrown up in a bun at the crown of her head with black spirals escaping to frame her face. The gray fleece jacket she wears to combat the hospital's freezing temperatures is tossed over the back of her chair.
“You can thank Mr. O’Connor because we’re putting it on his tab.” We haven’t had the chance to “add me to his accounts” yet,but I do have a shiny black American Express card burning a hole in my wallet.
