Page 46 of Dirty Legacy

“I was hoping I could go find my husband. If I can get past⁠—“

He doesn’t move an inch. “I apologize, ma’am, but I can’t let you do that. I’m under strict orders to keep you locked down for the time being.”

“Locked down?” I repeat. “You mean he’s keeping me prisoner?”

“No, ma’am. This is lockdown. It’s for your own protection, ma’am.”

“I’m not leaving the house, I just want to find Connor.”

“I’ll send for him, ma’am. In the meantime, are you hungry? I can have the staff bring you breakfast and coffee.”

I touch my belly, glaring at him. “You can’t bribe me with food.”

“No, of course not, ma’am.”

“I’m not staying in here forever.”

“I hope not, ma’am.”

“And I’ll scream if you try to make me.”

“That’s alright, ma’am. It’s a big house and I don’t mind.”

I grimace. He looks like I’m not the first woman he’s heard screaming in rage. “Yogurt with berries and coffee with cream and sugar, please.”

“I’ll send it right up. If you need anything else, only knock. Please don’t hit me in the brain again.”

Colm slips out and the door clicks shut behind him.

I slump against the wall with a sigh. I press my eyes shut, willing myself to wake up. This has to be some kind of nightmare. There’s no way Connor showed up at my apartment yesterday, forced me into some psychotic marriage, and locked me into a crumbling mansion all by myself. This sort of thing doesn’t happen.

Except when I open my eyes, I’m still here, and it’s very real.

I’m exploring one of the extra rooms when a young woman appears in the hall. “Mrs. Maguire?” she says brightly, wheeling one of those hotel room service carts. “I have breakfast for you. Would you like it in your room?”

“Definitely not in here.” I cough as I step over a musty old pile of rugs. “When was the last time this place was occupied?”

“No clue. I’m as new here as you are.” She beams at me and wheels the cart down the hall. “My name’s Lisa, I’ll take care of you during the day. Colm said you wanted yogurt and coffee for breakfast.”

She sets me up in the bedroom near the couch. Light blonde hair, a pretty smile. I watch her work, quietly sitting, wondering how much she’s getting paid. “If I begged you to let me out of here, would you do it?”

“No, ma’am, sorry about that.” She flashes me a sad smile. “I’m Whelan too. Not in blood, but you know how that goes.”

“I really, really don’t.”

She laughs like I told the funniest joke in the world. “Let Colm know if you need anything else.”

She’s about to leave, but I call out and stop her. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course. I can’t promise I’ll answer though.”

“That woman from yesterday, the one Connor was going to marry…” I trail off, worrying my hands together.

“Sinead,” Lisa says, her eyes flicking to the door.

“What’s her family like? I mean, I heard a little of their conversation… and I saw her brothers…” I’m not sure what I’m looking for here. Honesty, maybe, or ideally for her to tell me that Sinead’s a nice lady and her brothers are great, stand-up guys, and I don’t have anything to worry about.

But Lisa’s expression goes cold. “They’re powerful people, but your husband is doing the best he can. Will that be all?”