"W-what do you mean, a way out?"
He dips his chin toward the couch, and this time I do as he asks, collapsing onto the worn leather as my heartbeat starts to pound in my ears.
He could get me out of my marriage?
"I’ve got something in the works." Callum’s voice is low as he moves to take a seat in the armchair closest to me. "It’s not ready yet, but when it is, I wanted you to know that you’ll have options."
My stomach twists. "Options to do what, exactly?"
"To walk away from him. From all of it."
“B-but I thought the only way we could save our family was if I married Ronan? What’s suddenly changed?”
“The deal isn’t working out as I hoped.” His tone is clipped.
A strangled laugh escapes my lips. “Of course, it isn’t. You made a deal with a Sullivan. It was never going to work in our favor, Callum. Everything is on their terms.”
“Not anymore.” He leans back in his chair and takes a sip of his whiskey. “I’m sick of those fuckers calling the shots.”
Not sure I like this. "What are you planning?"
"Trust me, Ciara, I’ve got this handled."
"Callum, this isn’t just about me. Whatever you’re thinking of doing could start a war?—"
"Maybe a war needs to be started."
Does my reckless brother seriously think he can solve our problems with a power play against the Sullivans of all people?
I stare at Callum, unsure whether to scream in his face or simply walk away. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” I shake my head. "I’ve given up everything to keep this family from going under, and you want to go ahead and blow it all up? Are you fuckinginsane?"
He’s on his feet in an instant, looking like he wants to launch his rocks glass at the wall. "We need a new plan?—”
“Have you considered that maybe you’re not the best at deciding what’s right for this family?” I get to my feet too.
His expression turns murderous as he glares at me, but I don’t back down. If I can handle Ronan’s moods, then I can handle anything.
"If you’re planning something, I don’t want to know about it."
Callum’s jaw tightens. "You used to have my back.”
"I married a man I hated because you told me to, so if someone has anyone’s back here, it is me. But I also don’t want to sit around and watch you get yourself killed, because that’s what will happen if you go up against Ronan.”
“Are you sure that’s the reason?”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
He opens his mouth to respond, but he must see something in my face because he quickly snaps it shut and pours himself yet another drink, so I take that as my cue to leave.
It’s clear we can’t have a civilized conversation about this when he’s half a bottle of whiskey deep. Maybe I’ll stop by again in the morning when he’s sobered up and he can actually think rationally.
Once I’m behind the wheel and driving back toward the Sullivan’s estate, my thoughts run wild as I try to make sense of Callum’s plan.
I thought the only way we could save our family’s reputation was by marrying me off to the Sullivans, but now that Ronan isn’t playing by Callum’s rules, he wants to throw in the towel?
“Idiot,” I mutter under my breath.
Callum should have known that Ronan wouldn’t make this easy for him. The Sullivans haven’t gotten to be one of the most powerful families in the country by handing out favors, but Callum is stubborn and impatient, two qualities that could cost him everything if he plays this wrong.
