It takes a few minutes but suddenly Kieran is grabbing my hand. "I'm sorry that you had to deal with that. I never want anything to do with the business to touch you."
As touched as I am that he wants to protect me, I want to be part of every aspect of his life—whoa, where did that come from?
My hand tightens around his, I give him a soft smile. "Kieran, I want every part of your life. Growing up, my house was filled with secrets. My sisters. My mother. Everyone. I felt like a fool when it all came crashing down. I don't want that. I've decided to be with you, give it all to me."
"It's dangerous," he mutters, looking like a scolded puppy.
"It will always be dangerous, but wouldn't you rather me be prepared?"
Kieran seems to contemplate what I'm telling him—I can see the wheels turning in his head, as if he’s trying to figure out a puzzle. A tiny bit of hope flares within me but is doused when he replies, "This isn't how it’s done. Women aren't involved. It’s dangerous.”
This time it's my turn to look at Kieran with pleading eyes, I can feel the tears begin to pool. "Let me be your queen. Let me stand by yourside.”
"You are my queen, Mia. No one else,” he whispers.
"Will you treat me as your equal, though? Because I don't want anything less.”
"I'll try. There will be times that I mess up. I've been trained one way my whole life, but I want you."
"Times have changed. I don’t want to just sit back and do nothing. I’m not a doll.”
Kieran squeezes my hand, his face softening, and I can see all of his love swimming in his eyes. “I promise I’ll try my best. But sometimes it might be hard to allow you to put yourself in dangerous situations. It would kill me if something happened to you,” he mutters.
“Don't worry, nothing is going to happen to me,” I mumble, bringing my hand to his cheek before giving him a wink. “Besides, I'll punish you if you step out of line and don’t allow me to be a part of every aspect of your life."
My words gain a grin from him. "Oh, I'll be stepping out of line. I can guarantee that," he says then his eyes soften. "What if we take this to go and eat at home? I think we've had enough excitement for one night. What do you think?"
"I think that's a great idea," I tell him. Once he’s got confirmation from me, he waves down the server.
My mind is whirling over the events that have occurred the past few days. I'm pretty sure I'm still processing everything. From basically being kidnapped, to being married, to meeting his parents, and now being faced with how dangerous his work is, but it still feels like this is where I belong—by his side.
Kieran's hand comes out in front of me, bringing me to the present. I look up at him and smile before placing my hand in his. The moment we connect, a calm falls over me and my feelings from before are once again confirmed.
"Come on, wife, let's go home," he replies, his deep timbered voice washing over me, this time, though, lust fills my veins.
"Yes. Let's go home."
twenty-four
Kieran
I was worried that when Carrino showed up at our table he would ruin everything. Everything I've been working on and establishing with Mia. But the moment she placed her hand in mine, I knew he didn't achieve anything. Pride blooms in my chest.
In the kitchen, Mia pulls out the food we ordered and begins dishing it out for us. This moment of domesticness is something I've never really experienced. My life has been planned since the day my parents found out I was a boy.
When she places the plate down in front of me, I can't help but wonder if this was what it was like for my parents before my Da became the head of the family—justsitting in the kitchen and enjoying each other’s company.
When she takes a seat, I look at how beautiful she is and I want all for her.
“When the idea of me getting married came up the first time, I was not happy about it. Especially when they told me it would be an arranged marriage,” I begin and her soft gaze comes to mine.
“What did you do?” she whispers.
“I was throwing a fit. And that’s when my Ma told me about how she got with my Da.” I pause for a moment before continuing, “My ma is the daughter of another clan from Ireland. When my Da went to visit, it was love at first sight for him, but not Ma. He did everything he could to impress her—flowers or jewelry each time he went to the house. Da asked her to fancy dinners but she said no each and every time.”
Mia scrunches her face before asking, “Why did she keep turning him down?”
“I asked her the same and she said that he was trying to woo her with gifts instead of deeds. Ma is very much about showing up with love, instead of gifting things.”
