“She had something in her, alright,” one of the men mutters.
“That’s enough,” Cian barks, and Catriona barely withholds her reaction. “Aiden here has done what he was told. Besides, we have business to attend to. Tell me, how is my investment faring?”
“As it turns out, very well. You were right about an American expansion. We’re celebrating a record-breaking first year. I knew you’d be pleased.”
Catriona tugs at my arm, and her body vibrates with unease in front of me, but I smooth a hand over her shoulder, and she settles. It makes everything inside me go still, but I force myself to focus on Cian’s response. He chuckles, sharing amused glances with the four others who eye Catriona hungrily.
“Good, that’s good to hear. And what about this charity?” He says the word like he’s talking about the plague. “How much of my money did you decide to donate? I suppose it makes sense to cultivate a good image for the Americans.”
Niall scoffs, his gaze roving over Catriona like he has X-ray vision. “Pointless. I don’t know why you let him get away with this shite. He shouldn’t be doing a damn thing without your say-so.”
Cian makes a silencing gesture. “Let him speak. He more than earned it tonight.” His lips twist as he turns to Catriona for a long moment.
“A million,” I say.
There’s a long silence.
The three other men laugh, like it’s a joke.
The smile falling from Cian’s face tells me he knows it isn’t.
Catriona presses closer to me, but I don’t look away from the men in front of me as I continue. “You were right to send me here. There are boundless opportunities and many, many powerful families with deep pockets and a demonstrable lack of self-control. Consider Senator Gallagher, for example.” Beside me, Catriona jerks like she’s going to pull away. I still her with a gesture. “Tonight’s fundraiser was in honor of Deirdre Gallagher. All the funds raised were to fund scholarships in her name for women at local colleges. How could I resist donating some of our profits to a charity so dear to my wife’s heart? Of course, it not only means lots of press for the Emerald but also for my wife and me. Her mother. Americans do love their charities.”
Cian’s face could be carved from granite with how hard and cold it is by the time I stop speaking. I can feel Catriona looking at me, but I keep my focus on the men in front of me.
The moment stretches until Cian smiles. “Yes, they do. And aren’t I so lucky to have such a good dog to take care of these things for me? I knew it would only take a little discipline to get you back in line. Now that this business is taken care of, we can arrange your visit back to Ireland.”
Niall turns red but doesn’t object. “We’ve called in the families for next week,” he confirms.
“Meeting you is all Mary’s been talking about for weeks.” Cian directs this to Catriona, who, impossibly, stiffens even further from his attention.
“I’m looking forward to meeting her,” she manages.
Cian pushes to his feet and gestures for the other men to precede him out of the room. Niall does so, but not without throwing angry looks back at us before he finally disappears through the door. Crossing the room, Cian stops beside us to study Catriona’s face. He lifts a hand to tuck her hair behind her ear.
“Welcome to the family, Catriona. Or at least, you have my vote. There are still several others you’ll have to convince.” He leans closer, like he’s telling her a secret. “Don’t worry, though, sweetheart. From what I saw on camera, you’ll fit right in.”
He signals to Niall. “Let’s go downstairs to see the spoils of our investment.”
I give Cian a curt nod, lock eyes with Niall, then don’t breathe until the door closes behind them.
When I turn, Catriona is already pushing to her feet. “We should go too. The party is probably already winding down. You should be seen.” She’s got her public face on. The one she uses to paint over any emotion. But this time, I see the strain behind the facade.
I have to get her out of here. I don’t want her close to Cian for a moment longer than she has to be. “You’re right. Let’s go say our goodbyes.”
We find Eamon watching over Mara as she locks eyes with Niall. “I’m going to check with Niall about the meeting logistics. Eamon, you’ll wait with her?” He nods, and I tear myself away from her.
“One of these days, you’re going to give in to me,” Niall is saying when I get close.
“One of these days, you’ll do me a favor and drop dead,” Mara responds.
Niall catches my eye over Mara’s shoulder. “If it isn’t the disgraced prince. Ready for another show?”
“Ready to stop begging for Cian’s scraps?” I retort.
Niall’s eyes widen, then narrow. “You’re pretty ballsy for a man who says how high whenever Cian says jump.”
“Cut the shite, Niall. I’ve come to talk. Do you have a minute?”
