I blink. That doesn’t make any sense. “How would getting engaged solve that?” Declan and Aidan exchange pained glances. I am so over this. “If one of you doesn’t tell me what the hell is going on instead of continuing to stall?—”
“Do you remember a few weeks ago? When I mentioned my father had written in his will for my uncle to be second. There’s a timestamp on that clause. The moment I get married is the moment I gain full control of the Irish Mafia, which includes having sole access to our funds and the ability to pick my own second.”
“I’m sorry, what? Your dad wrote in amarriage clause?” I can’t help but let out a laugh. Somehow, the thought of Cillian McAlister, one of the most powerful mob bosses in the world,feeling the need to meddle in his son’s love life beyond the grave is just comical to me.
Declan’s eyes narrow. “He warned me I had put too much emphasis on work and not enough on finding a partner, so I guess this was his final way of ensuring I didn’t dawdle for too long. He knows how much I despise my Uncle Lorkan being in charge of…well, anything.”
“Wow, if anyone's dad was going to write a marriage clause in their will, I’m sure most people would’ve had their bets on it being me. This is oddly refreshing.” And perhaps unsurprising. My father didn’t think any man was worth my time. I can’t say I entirely disagreed with him, given my track record of shitty exes I had in college.
“Yes, I’m glad only one of us has to be bartered off like a prize horse to the highest bidder.” Declan’s tone is laced with sarcasm.
“I’m counting this as reparations for the patriarchy. Your father always was a solid ally,” I tease, which manages to get a very small, blink-and-you-miss-it, smile from Declan.
“So now that we’ve cleared up the whole fiancé situation?—”
As if on cue, Natalie and her father come barreling through the office door, an incredibly distressed security guard trailing behind them. The fact that I don’t recognize him informed me that he must be new.
“We’re in a meeting, Connor. A private meeting,” Declan snaps back into boss mode, and I swear I see a trail of sweat fall from Connor’s forehead.
“I-I understand that, Boss. I tried to tell that to Miss Greylock, but then she informed me that she was your fiancée and that you would be very upset if you found out that I had prevented her from speaking to you so I thought it was best….” Connor gulps, unable to finish his sentence.
“I see.” Declan’s expression turns from irritation to pain as he glances at Natalie and her father. It’s almost at that moment he finally realizes what the rest of his life will look like and he’d rather do anything or be anyone else. Can’t say I could blame the guy. The thought of marrying a complete stranger—one who has made it very clear they only want me for my money—made my stomach turn.
I hated feeling used. It was a feeling that, in our line of work, was unavoidable to an extent. People always assume that bosses are untouchable but years of being trained by my father showed me otherwise. Bosses held all the power, which means someone always wanted something from you and would be willing to do anything or kill anyone to get even the smallest taste of that power. It felt like you were constantly swimming in a pool filled with vipers ready to strike, and Declan was about to gain another viper. Except this would be much worse. Mob wives, by definition, gained a large amount of power and say upon being married into a family. And given Declan has been so hands-off in researching who he was marrying, I’d be willing to bet he hadn’t thought far enough to draw up a prenup. Fucking hell, this was bad.
Entirely too much of the Persian Empire’s assets are tied up with the Irish. The last thing I want or need is another person I have to run my decisions past. Another person I have to get approval from. I need to fix this situation. Fast.
“We appreciate your diligence, Connor, but Miss Greylock has appeared to have misled you. She is not Declan’s fiancé. I am.”
19
ZAHRA
The entire room freezes. If not for the grandfather clock ticking in the background, I would have genuinely believed that the earth had stood still. Azula sucks in a deep breath, and Declan’s jaw falls open. He shuts it just as fast, but the shocked expression on his face remains.
Unsurprisingly, Natalie is the first to protest. “Thatcan’tbe. He was talking to me all night at the gala. We agreed there’s nothing more magical than a spring wedding!”
I raise an eyebrow at Declan while mouthing ‘really?’ and he just shrugs. Guess he’d forgotten that conversation just as fast as he’d forgotten poor Natalie’s name. I gesture for him to say something.
“Natalie, I know this is hard, but Zahra and I…Well, we just make sense.” The words fall so easily off his tongue that I could almost believe he truly means them.
Natalie’s eyes start to water and her bottom lip trembles. “But…but…Daddy, say something!”
Mr. Greylock looks straight at me as I turn my expressionfrom sympathetic to cold and calculated. He takes a long, hard swallow before consoling his daughter. “Sweetheart, there’s nothing I can do. It appears Mr. McAlister is already spoken for?—”
“No! That’s not fair! I wanthim.” Natalie points at Declan while stomping her foot like a toddler.
Wow. I have no intentions to fight over a man. Now or ever. I’m almost tempted to tell her if she wants him this badly, she can have him, but that would jeopardize both my and the Irish’s mafia. So instead I say, “I understand this is really upsetting, Natalie. Trust me, I’d be pissed too if I was led on like you were. I heard the Ukrainian boss is looking for a lady. And he’s not known for his…wandering eyes.” I nod my head toward Declan, who scoffs.
Natalie lets out a final sob before leaning closer to me and whispering, “Really? Do you think he would be okay with my expensive tastes?”
“More than okay. Azula, remind me to send Mr. Ivanov’s contact information to Natalie. Now, if you don’t mind, we need to continue our meeting.” I nod to Declan, Aidan, and Azula.
“Of course! Of course. I appreciate you helping a girl out. These dating apps, even the more elite ones, are such a drag.” Natalie scoffs in disgust. “C’mon, Daddy, I have a Pilates class at two. I'd hate to be late.”
Natalie’s heels clacking in the distance momentarily fills the awkward silence in the office. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I look at Declan. “So, we should have a contract made soon. While I know our two families are allies, I think it’s a good idea to clearly list out what additional power you get as my husband and I as your wife. We can also include personal finances in that contract so we don’t have to file a separateprenup.”
Declan’s eyebrows knit together as he crosses his arms over his chest. Or at least he tries to. The movement is immediately followed by a wince as he rubs the top of his shoulder. The same shoulder that stopped a bullet aimed to kill me. “You’re actually serious about this? I thought you just said that to get rid of Natalie.”
