Finn’s are worse for wear; his right eye bloodshot, and sporting a bruise. Lorcán’s are heavy with lack of sleep.
I clear my throat and keep my back straight. I’m not hiding in a room anymore. If they want me here, then we’re going to need to come to terms.
“I will not be treated as a possession.”
Cillian’s mouth starts to open, and I silence him with a swipe of my hand through the air.
“I’m not something that belongs to you. In fact, I’d appreciate it if that contract with my father is torn up or set on fire.”
Cillian’s brows turn in, and Lorcán’s face is covered in confusion.
“I’m choosing to be here of my own free will, despite everything. I think everyone at this table knows that Cillian and Finn are my scent matches, and that’s not something I can walk away from.”
Lorcán’s face falls, and I look at him.
“I won’t lie and say I’m not still angry. I’m not sure when that feeling will go away. But I’m here. I’m willing to try and make this work because I want to. Lorcán, you’ve spent years taking care of me, and I trust you more than anyone at this table to continue to do so, as long as it’s something you want.”
He gives me a small smile, and I look at Declan.
“With the contract torn up, it’s up to all of you. Do you still want me here? Forget obligations or what you agreed to, is this what you want?”
“Aye, blondie,” Declan agrees.
The others nod, even Finn. Our truce from last night clearly made a difference. I let out a sigh of relief and take my seat.
“Okay, so we’re going to start over. Well, the best that we can. So I guess we should start with the obvious,” I say.
The guys look around at each other, clearly not getting what the ‘obvious’ thing is. I sigh in exasperation and continue talking.
“My heat. It’s coming sooner rather than later. The symptoms have eased with my suppressants, but it’s inevitable. I need to know that I’ll be taken care of and that no bonding will take place.”
“Of course, princess,” Lorcán says quickly.
“You have my word,” Cillian replies.
“Can I bite?” Declan asks with a grin, and I smile back at him.
“I’ll think about it.”
“I don’t think it’s something I can do,” Finn states, and I nod, even though the sting of my scent match rejecting me weighs heavily on my chest. I’ll have a fit about it later but now is not the time.
“Thank you for being honest,” I reply flatly.
God, look at me being magnanimous and gracious when all I want to do is shake him and beg him to find me attractive and appealing.It’s official: I hate having scent matches.
“Then there is the issue of my brother,” I move on, and they nod.
“Finn might look like dog shite, but it wasn’t for nothing. We’re now aligned with the Barbieri’s and the Dezhurov’s. Anthony is scrambling. It won’t be long until most of his men leave him or the money runs dry,” Declan points out.
I nod and take a drink of my juice before speaking again.
“I won’t be trapped in this house. I understand there are rules and that I shouldn’t be alone.” Cillian gives me an arched brow, judging me for my stint last night. “But I don’t want to be kept in an ivory tower. I like doing things, going out. It’s important that you all understand that if this is going to work.”
“Once everything with your brother is settled, things will change. We never intended to keep you locked up,” Cillian admits, glancing at his brother.
“I can work with that. I should have a lot of things being delivered soon, but I’ll need more,” I warn them.
You can take the spoiled Omega out of the Italian mafia, but I can’t change who I am. They knew what they were getting when they signed that contract.
