“I’m afraid I wasn’t asking. If you want to marry my son, you’re going to have to learn that refusing an order from me comes with severe consequences. Starting withher.” Malcolm jammed a thick finger at me.
Ocean had carefully chosen Coby’s bodyguards—men only loyal to him, which meant they could only be dead. I was only still alive because I’d been in the dressing room eating his bride’s pussy.
Coby must have come to the same conclusion because she gave the man a gracious nod that threw me off guard. I’d been so focused on Malcolm that I hadn’t noticed her posture. Her spine was ramrod straight, her shoulders thrown back, and her hands were clasped dutifully in front of her. Coby’s poised but meek pose made my gaze narrow.
Someone had been in her ear, and I had a good guess who.
Effie.
She carried herself the same way.
“In that case,” Coby said, “lead the way, sir.”
Some of the violence rolled off Malcolm as if he was pleased with her sudden submission. Not having received the same lesson in surviving Malcom, I stepped forward to tell her she wasn’t going anywhere with this man when Coby cut me off with a quick, pleading glance.
“Trust me,” she whispered.
Coby started forward before I could argue, leaving me with no choice but to follow her and the Boss of theFolaout the door.
A black and chrome Bentley Mulsanne was waiting at the curb when we stepped out. The sidewalk on the far side ofthe street seemed overcrowded, while the one we occupied was terrifingly deserted. Eight more goons kept a perimeter, their faces grim as they watched for threats. At least half those eyes were locked on me.
I forced myself to appear unthreatening as I waited for Coby to climb into the chauffeured car. Malcolm hadn’t killed me yet when I should have been just as expendable as the others. It meant Ocean’s father knew more than he let on, so I calmly walked around to the other side of the car, but my steps faltered when I spotted a familiar figure lingering in the crowd.
Kellan had a phone plastered to his ear, and I could see the tense lines around his mouth from here as he spoke. Our eyes met, and for once, he didn’t look smug or amused as he blended back into the crowd.
The sheer alarm in his eyes told me that Ocean had no idea his father was back in town. Malcolm had clearly flown back from Ireland and immediately sought out Coby and me.
Exhaling, I climbed into the car and steeled myself.
I could do this. I could get Coby out alive. Nothing else mattered.
The Bentley had rear-facing seating with diamond-quilted leather hand-crafted to make you feel like royalty. I felt like dog poo, and it only made me think of Coco, who was at Glamis waiting for me to come home.
I knew as soon as the car door closed behind me that I never would.
“Coby, what the hell was that?” I whispered. We only had seconds before Malcolm joined us.
“Just trust me,” Coby whispered back. “He’s dangerous.”
“So am I.” I didn’t mean that arrogantly. It was just a fact. I could and would protect her from that man.
Coby’s eyes were wide with horror as she shook her head. “Not like him. You’re not a monster.”
Malcolm was suddenly filling the seat across from me.
The remaining seat across from Coby became occupied as well, and I sized up the grim-faced guard before glancing at Coby, who was doing the same.
The air was alive with Malcolm Kilpatrick’s poison as the limo promptly drove away.
“You must forgive my bad manners,” Malcolm said as he cut the end of a cigar and lit it. “My son has always been defiant, but I believe I underestimated the lengths he’d go to challenge my patience.” With his gaze pinned on Coby, who was shrinking against the seat, he said, “I’m afraid he’s misled you.”
“Misled me?” Coby parroted.
“My son is already engaged to marry someone of my choosing—someoneden fhuil1.So you see… You cannot be allowed to marry my son. He will wed Niamh next week, and I’m afraid you will be used to set an example.”
“Last we checked, your son is a grown man,” I said. “I’m sure he can marry whoever he wants.”
“My son’spetwill not speak unless spoken to,” Malcolm barked.
