He holds up a hand. “I need you to listen to me. This isn’t about personal feelings. This is about survival.”
I cross my arms over my chest, my heart pounding as I glare at my brother.
The fact that he didn’t just flat out tell the Sullivans no hurts more than I can bear. Is he really willing to throw me under the bus for the sake of saving our family name?
My vision blurs with tears. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”
He looks pained as he runs a hand through his hair.
“Ciara, we’re done. We’re bleeding out. The only reason we’ve lasted this long is because we’re no longer seen as a threat. But that won’t last.”
“Says who?”
When he doesn’t answer, a cold laugh escapes me. “So, now you listen to Ronan over me?”
“He has contacts that we could only dream of having.”
“Well, why don’tyoumarry him then?”
“Marrying Ronan gives us an alliance and by association, power and protection. Even without Seamus, the Sullivans arestill strong, so if we don’t take this offer, we might just live long enough to see the McCarthy name erased from history.” There are dark shadows under his eyes and a lack of color in his cheeks. It seems he had a sleepless night too, but for very different reasons than mine.
“Don’t try to guilt me into being some sort of sacrificial lamb.”
Callum’s jaw tightens as he looks at me. “Don’t do that. Don’t act like this is about me wanting to hurt you.”
“What else am I supposed to think? Because the way I see it, why would Ronan even want to marry me? Power? We have none. So, forgive me for thinking this entire arrangement is complete bullshit!”
“It doesn’t have to make sense to you. And I’m sorry, but we need this, so it’s happening.”
I take a step back as I look at my brother. “What?”
“You’re marrying Ronan, and it’s not up for debate.” His eyes are cold, and in that moment, he feels like nothing more than a stranger to me.
My stomach twists at the thought of being legally tied to the man who destroyed my family for the rest of my life, however long that happens to be.
Knowing Ronan Sullivan, there will be more to this deal than simply signing on the dotted line, and I’m dreading finding out what it is.
“So, that’s it? I’m just handed over to him without any say? Like some disposable piece of furniture you’re selling out to the best offer?”
“You’re doing this for the family.”
“No. If I do this, it’s because you are forcing me. Because you left me no choice.”
He doesn’t argue. Instead, he turns his back on me and opens the door, but before he leaves, he glances over hisshoulder. “I know you hate this, but I hope you can learn to live with it, or maybe even find a way to make peace with it.”
The door closes behind him, and I stand frozen for a few seconds before my knees buckle, and I sink to the floor. A sob lodges itself in my throat, but I won’t give Callum the satisfaction of hearing me cry.
I glance over at the picture of my father on my bedside table, and he stares back at me, strong and untouchable.
Except I know better now.
My father was just another pawn to the Sullivans, and it seems I’m next.
But I’ll be damned if I fold.
Ronan Sullivan may think he can control me and turn me into some pretty little wife who sits quietly in the background. But he’s wrong.
If this marriage is really happening, which it looks like it is, I’m not going to fight it. I’m going toembraceit. Because marrying Ronan puts me exactly where I need to be.
