Callum sighs as he rakes his hand through his messy hair. “Seamus didn’t make it. He died in surgery.”
A heavy sense of dread settles in my stomach as I realize what this confirmation means.
The Sullivans are going to want to retaliate, and I need to make sure my brother and I don’t get caught in the crossfire.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” Callum adds, but the words feel automatic rather than sincere.
“I wish I could say I’m not.”
He flinches slightly at my words.
“I never wanted him dead, but he destroyed our father, Callum. He destroyedus. So, forgive me for wanting the Sullivans to feel even a piece of what we felt that day, whatIfelt when I found our da.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but you’re really not going to like what I’m about to say.” He sighs and looks somewhere just beyond me.
I narrow my eyes.
“What?”
“The Sullivans reached out. About a deal.”
“A deal?”
“With us, or specifically…you.” He focuses his gaze on me.
“Me?” I sit forward.
He isn’t usually so uncertain about speaking plainly.
The silence continues for a beat before he clears his throat, and his gaze darts away again. “They’ve proposed a marriage between you and Ronan.”
I look at Callum for a moment before I burst out laughing. I laugh so hard that my stomach hurts and tears start to well in my eyes.
I slap him on the knee. “Oh, man, thank you. I needed that laugh.”
“Ciara, I’m serious.”
I chuckle softly. “Cal, you can drop it. The joke worked.”
He springs off the bed. “It’s not a joke!”
I pause as he starts pacing back and forth before me, and when he finally looks at me and I see no hint of amusement in his eyes, it’s clear he really isn’t joking.
A wave of panic washes over me. “What the hell did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything. All I said is that I’d discuss their offer with you.”
“Well, you can tell them to shove their offer right up their tailored asses.”
“Ciara—”
“No, don’tCiarame.” I throw my hands in the air. “Have you lost your fucking mind? Are you actually telling me you’re considering this?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you shouldn’t. You’re not the one being asked to marry the man apparently will now head the family that ruined ours! Do you evenhearyourself, Callum?” I jump off the bed and storm to the door.
But Callum steps in my way, blocking my exit.
