Page 3 of Dust to Dust

“Jaysus. Who would’ve thought?”

Glaring at Oisnn, Callum grumbled, “Not me.”

“What’s he wanting with Da?”

He winced. “He’s been pressuring him for an alliance with our family.”

“Guess that means your cock is on the block for marriage.” With a smirk, I added, “If I remember correctly, he’s got three very unattractive sisters.”

“Fuck you,” Callum muttered around the rim of his glass.

“Come on, boyo. You’re almost thirty, and you’ve already dodged two marriage contracts. The noose is tightening.”

“It’s not the marriage I’m opposed to. It’s the choices.”

Growing up, we feared the impending shadowy chains of arranged marriages. It was just the way things were done in our world. After all, we were the products of an arranged marriage. My mam’s family, the Byrne’s, ran Drogheda as well as parts of Dublin, so their union had united a large chunk of Ireland.

At that moment Dare and our cousin, Rian, ambled over to us. As the only child of my Uncle Seamus, Rian was raised just like my brother. “What are you two cunts gossiping on about?” Dare questioned with a grin.

“Oisnn O’Toole.”

Disgust filled his face. “I hadn’t thought of that fucker in years.”

“You better get used to him since he’s going to be Callum’s brother-in-law,” I mused.

“Bite your fucking tongue,” Callum snarled.

Rian shook his head. “I heard Da say that Uncle Hugh told him Oisnn wants Maeve.”

While I growled, Callum spat, “Not on his fucking life.”

“But Maeve’s barely seventeen,” Dare remarked.

Disgust shadowed Rian’s face. “He said he’s willing to wait until she’s of age for the marriage.”

“She’s still just a kid,” I protested.

With a nod, Rian said, “That’s what my da said. He couldn’t believe Uncle Hugh was even entertaining the idea.”

“Over my dead body will I ever allow Maeve to be given to that bastard,” Callum said.

“Aye. And mine as well,” I added.

As Dare and Rian nodded in agreement, Callum stiffened beside me. “What the fuck is she doing here?” he questioned.

Expecting to see one of my father’s many mistresses, my gaze followed Callum’s across the crowded room. At the sight of the tall brunette, I sucked in a harsh breath. “Fuck me,” I muttered.

This woman didn’t belong to my father. At one time, she had been mine.

Or at least I thought she had.

Maura had been the love of my life. Even though her father was only a soldier in our clan, I’d asked my father if he would broker a marriage for us. To my surprise, he gave his permission.

Then when I proposed, Maura cut me deeper than any man ever had.

At the sight of me on my knees with a glittering diamond, she’d recoiled in horror. She explained the months we’d spent together was just a fling–a very lucrative one for her considering the trips I’d taken her on and presents I’d bestowed. Moreover, she loathed this world and never wanted to be tied down to a man from the clan.

Tonight it appeared her aversion to clan men had wavered since she was on the arm of one of my father’s wealthier soldiers. When her gaze found mine, her lip curled in disgust before she ushered her new man far away from us.

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