Page 25 of Wreck Me

I pored over the pictures of them together in the papers. They split unexpectedly and the world never found out why. ‘Imagine if I gave him the goods then he didn't want anything to do with me. It would make our arrangement pretty fucking awkward.’

‘Pah,’ my friend gestures over my body. ‘As if.’ Her loyalty knows no bounds.

I do want to lose that pesky V-card. I’m not saving myself for marriage. I’m saving myself for a man that will make it memorable.

And James Beckett would certainly make it utterly memorable. He’s so hot, he’s on fire.

But I, of all people, know what happens when you play with fire.

You get burnt.

‘What if I get hurt?’

‘Don’t overthink this. Take it for what it is and enjoy the ride.’ Avery says encouragingly.

Avery lives for the moment.

Maybe just this once, I should too.

Chapter Fourteen

JAMES

‘Any progress with the Imperial Winery Group acquisition?’ My father perches on my desk like he owns it.

‘I’m working on the full proposal but I’ve made my intentions very clear. Unfortunately, O’Connor’s appear to have the same idea. ’

My father’s face darkens four shades at the mere mention of our rivals.Our families have been locked in a bitter feud for generations. My grandfather, Benjamin Beckett, co-founded the original whiskey distillery with Seamus O'Connor. But while Benjamin was the epitome of perseverance and integrity, Seamus was driven by greed, seeking to exploit the distillery as a facade for more illicit ventures.

They parted ways and the O’Connors fell into bed with Ireland’s biggest crime syndicate. Rumour is, they use their legitimate businesses as a front for drug trafficking and God only knows what else.

Needless to say, we avoid them wherever possible, but Dublin isn't a big city.

‘It’s far from ideal, but I’ll deal with it.’

‘Why would they be interested in the Imperial WineryGroup? They’re a bunch of glorified thugs.’ My father’s hand smooths over the distinctive scar on his left cheek, a reminder of the brutality of the family, and Seamus O’Connor’s son, Jack, in particular. Its deep purple shade has faded over time but the memory of the attack remains with me as vividly as if it were yesterday.

‘Perhaps for the same reason as us. It could help their reputation. Plus, it could be a great front for whatever illegal shit they’ve got going on across Europe.’ I clear my throat.

‘Be careful of those mad bastards, son. They’re liable to stoop to anything,’ my father warns in a grave tone.

Don’t I know it. Jack O’Connor is currently serving time for manslaughter. He’s so deranged he set fire to his own distillery – with his second wife in it. Now his sons run his empire for him. Declan O’Connor, his eldest, is rumoured to be more vicious than his father.

‘I’m dealing with it, Dad.’ And so is Killian. Only he’s dealing with it in his own unique way.

My father’s shoulders relax a fraction. ‘And any progress on the otherproposal? I heard you had lunch with Jessica De Burgh. How did that go?’

‘As expected, of course. It was boring as fuck.’ I battle an eye roll.

My father sighs. ‘You’ll find your match yet. I have every faith in you. At least while you’re dating these high society women, you aren't being photographed with half-naked employees.’

Heat ignites my blood. I hesitate for a split second, before saying, ‘There is one woman with potential.’

‘Oh, who is the lucky lady?’ His voice hitches with interest.

‘You don’t know her. She’s not on the usual social circuit.’

‘Is she from a suitable family?’

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