“Right,” Seamus mutters.
“She said something that got my attention.”
“What’s that?”
“Her husband’s gained access to the Western trade routes.”
Seamus and I look at each other.
“Is that so?” he asks.
Declan’s already pulling up his laptop, showing maps, numbers, routes. “Mmm. That would be a match made in heaven.” Easy for him to say. His head isn’t suddenly on the marriage block.
“Something to think about, then, isn’t it?” Mam says again, sipping her tea.
“Aye,” Seamus echoes. “And we need to move fast.”
“The Kavanaghs have no sons, correct?” Seamus asks.
“Correct,” Mam confirms. “Two daughters. Cavin, you went to school with one of them.”
I nod. I did, and the girl I went to school with was at the cemetery the day of the bombing.
I was the only one who saw her though. If I were to get close to her family, I’d be able to investigate, see if her da had anything to do with the bombing.
Seamus turns to me, his expression flat. “You’re the one who said you’d do anything for the family. Didn’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” I say, nodding.
“You meant it?”
My back goes straight. “Ofcourse.”
Are they suggesting I marry Erin Kavanagh? An image flashes—her body pressed against mine in the graveyard. The way she fit against me like she was made for it. The way I got hard, carrying her to safety.
Awkward Little Miss Perfect. The girl who ratted me out, who looked at me like I was dirt.
The girl whose hand I can still feel in mine.
Christ.
“Good, then. Perhaps you’ll be the one to secure this connection. Hmm?”
Secure the connection.Take vows that last a lifetime, bind myself legally to a woman I despise, and fuck her when duty demands an heir. Wake up to her hatred every goddamn morning.
Aye. That’s how we secure a connection.
I blow out a breath. “Aye. Perhaps I will.”
“Not Cavin,” Declan snaps. “Come on, Seamus. He’s done enough for the family, hasn’t he?”
Done enough.If he only fucking knew.
“Is marrying a beautiful woman really that much of a sacrifice?” Seamus asks.
“How would you know?” Declan cuts in with a snort. “You married forlove.”
Daire sighs. “He’s not wrong.”
