“We’ve kidnapped two of your women. Why would you volunteer this information?”
“I know Lennox, and I believe in the marriage treaties he’s proposing, but I do it also because I love Westlyn. I dinnae want her tae be mistreated because she’s misunderstood or is doing as she’s been taught.”
“Thank you for coming to us, Issy.”
Issy. That name rolls off my father’s tongue in a very familiar manner.
“I appreciate the risk you took by coming out to speak to us.”
“I love my niece. I would do anything for her.”
I’m not sure what it is I see in my father’s eyes as he watches Isobel Breckenridge get out of the car. I wish I knew what had happened between them. Or maybe I don’t.
“Can we trust her?”
“Aye. I’ve known her since I was sixteen. She would never purposely mislead me. If she says Westlyn is pure then she believes it.”
My father didn’t get to the place he’s in because he’s unwise. “If you tell me I can trust her, then I will. No question.”
I don’t believe that Westlyn is the whore she claims to be. The more I think about her actions and words, the more I am convinced that Isobel Breckenridge is right. I recognize the survival tactics Westlyn was using to protect herself… from me. Because she sees me as the enemy.
And it changes everything.
Come on. Come on. Come on, Mrs. Hendry. Get in here. Get in here now.
My heart is pounding in my chest, pulsating in my face, thumping in my ears. I’ve never experienced a direr time in my life. My life is literally in the hands of this monster’s mother.
Maybe she hates this life as much as I do. Maybe she’ll understand. Maybe she’ll be merciful.
But fuck. His mother is the sister of Torrence Grieves. My family killed him. She’s going to want to see me beaten and bloody if she’s anything like her sadistic brother.
I’m on the verge of seeing oysters and duck confit again when the door opens. No knock. Just a tall, broad body filling the doorway.
It’s over. The hope I had, although small, is gone.
Kieran closes the door and the clicking sound of the lock signifies the start of what is going to be a night of hell. My first inclination is to run, but to where I don’t know. I suppose I could lock myself inside the bathroom, but that would only delay the inevitable for a few minutes. I’d probably only manage to piss him off and make it worse for myself.
He crosses the room to the small bar and pours two whiskies. “Come sit with me.”
I’m motionless as I watch him move from the bar to the sofa.
“It’s okay, Westlyn. I’m not going to hurt you. I promise.”
I’m not convinced; I don’t trust him.
“Come have a whisky with me, and let’s talk.”
I go to the sofa and sit beside him, my tailbone on the edge… just like my nerves. I down the entire glass of amber liquid, hoping it will numb whatever comes next.
“Want another?”
“Yes.” I want the whole bottle.
Kieran takes my glass and refills it. “I mistreated you, and I’m sorry for that.”
He’s mocking me, and that pisses me off. Does he want me to play the weepy victim? Fuck that. “Bullshit. You enjoyed terrorizing me.”
“I lost my temper and acted out of anger. I was wrong for that.”
I look at him, speechless. I think a feather could knock me over at this point.
“It’s not in my nature to apologize. Ever. I hope you’ll see it for the rarity it is.”
“Why are you apologizing to me?”
“Because I want a do-over.”
“Which part? The one where you kidnap me and shoot my brother? Or the one where you tell me you’re going to rape and beat me enough for two women? Or the one where you toss me on the bed and rip my knickers?” I should keep my mouth shut and not antagonize him, but I can’t stop talking.
“I’m aware of my bad behavior, and I’d very much like a chance to show you a different side of me.”
Monsters only have one side. “I don’t know what kind of trick this is, but I’m not falling for it.”
“I’m not trying to trick you or play games.”
I’m not some stupid woman who will melt because this handsome man is saying all of the perfect things. “I don’t believe you.”
“I can see why you wouldn’t.” He takes a big drink of whisky. “I’ve just been to meet with The Fellowship council.”
My thoughts instantly go to Jamie. “My brother was there?”
“Aye. He’s alive and well. A sore shoulder, I’m sure, but he’ll recover fully.”
What a relief. Kieran spoke with the council. That must mean that Thane negotiated for our return, and he’s here to take me home. I know he’d never leave me with these people. “May I have something else to wear?” There’s a chance I won’t be considered tainted if I’m returned only a few hours after being taken, but that won’t be the case if I’m returned wearing this gown.
“You aren’t going home.”
I don’t understand. “You said you met with the council.”
“We did. So we could tell them our conditions for returning Ellison and you.”
“What are your conditions?”
“There are going to be two marriage treaties to bring peace between The Fellowship and The Order. My sister, Shaw, is going to take a Fellowship husband, and I’m going to take a Fellowship wife. I have three choices: Evanna, Ellison, or you.” His eyes lock on mine. “And I want you.”
Marriage treaty? For peace? This is crazy. There’s no way The Fellowship and The Order will ever live in peace. I’d just be sucked into a group of monsters. Monsters who’d probably kill me first chance they got. “I won’t marry you.”
“Believe me, I didn’t want this either. I was mad as hell when my father told me that I was going to marry a Fellowship woman. But then I saw you and heard your smart mouth… and saw your strength and defiance and selflessness. I like it. And I know it’s crazy as hell, but I’ve decided that I want this union.” He places his glass of whisky on the cocktail table and slides closer, making me flinch. “I want you to be my wife.”
This makes zero sense. “You don’t know me. How can you say that you want me to be your wife?”
“Arranged marriages can go wrong very quickly. If the two people don’t despise each other, that’s considered a plus.”
“But I do despise you.”
“You despise the way I treated you. There’s a difference. And that’s why I want a do-over. I want to show you that I’m not the person you believe I am.”
He’s had about an hour to show me who he is. He’s probably much worse than I think. “You didn’t answer my question. How can you say that you want me to be your wife?”
“I have to marry one of you… and I think I may like you.” He reaches out and drags his knuckles down my face. “You’re beautiful… and I’m incredibly attracted to you. I don’t think that’s a bad start for an arranged marriage.”
This guy is unbelievable. “You terrorized me. Made me fear for my safety.”
“You bragged about being with countless men. It angered me to hear my wife-to-be boast about such things, and I lashed out.”
“I’m not your wife-to-be.”
“I want you to be.”
If that angers him so badly, then why choose me? “You want me as your wife even though I’ve been fucked by half the brothers of The Fellowship?”
He chuckles. “You haven’t been fucked by anyone. Isobel confirmed it.”
I don’t believe him. Isobel wouldn’t confide in him. She wouldn’t betray me. “Liar.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Prove it.”
“Isobel and my father are old acquaintances, and she snuck away from Thane and the council to speak to us. She told me that you were nothing like your parents. Instead, you are kind. Loyal. Dutiful. Pure. Beautiful inside and out. Those are