Page 65 of The DeLuca Crime Family: Vol. 1

“What is it, McKinnon? Spit it out.”

“What do you intend ta do about Sean?”

My eyes narrowed and my voice was deadly when I responded, “What do you think I’m going to do, Tommy? He’s a threat tomyfiancée”—Tommy flinched at the word and I inwardly smiled with glee, even though Carly stiffened beside me—“and anyone who becomes a threat to her will find themselves taking a dirt nap.”

Chapter Twelve

CARLY

“You’re a strong man,” I murmured as soon as Tommy left Brandon and I alone. “Powerful in your own right.”

“I am.”

I was glad he didn’t deny it since there was no point. He’d worked hard to gain the reputation he’d built within the DeLuca family. Earned the fear he instilled in others. He was unapologetic about who and what he was. It was part of what drew me towards him, the edge of danger he exuded while still managing to make me feel safe. It was quite the heady combination. Well, that, and the insane amount of chemistry which sizzled between us, even when we’d first met and he was acting like a complete bastard. But his strength and reputation were also one of the things that concerned me most when I thought about our future together.

“Taking over my da’s role as the head of the O’Reillys is going to be tough as hell. There will be some who will balk at following a woman, even if she’s the only one of them who had the balls to off big, bad Pat O’Reilly.” Sarcasm was thick in my tone since we both knew I wasn’t the one who’d killed my da. Then again, neither of us were in doubt that I would’ve, if given the chance,regardless of the regret it might have caused me in the future. It didn’t matter either way, because as far as my family and the rest of the dark world we inhabited knew, I was a bitch enough to have killed my own father.

“They can balk all they want. It’s not going to change a damn thing. Not with Nic behind you and me at your side,” he grumbled, pulling me onto his lap.

His confidence was astounding. I wished I had some of it. “And how’s that going to work exactly? If we get married right away, while I’m still finding my place, don’t you think it will make me look weak? Like I need to stand behind a man to lead my family?”

His fingers tightened on my hips as he turned me until I straddled his lap, my knees resting on the couch cushions on either side of his thighs. Once he had me exactly where he wanted me, he lowered his head until our noses were almost touching each other. When he spoke, I felt his lips move against mine. “First of all, there’s no need for you to find your place. You’re the boss of the O’Reillys. It’s over and done with, your place is already secured.”

“It’s not that simple,” I argued, my words swallowed by his mouth as he claimed mine in a punishing kiss. By the time he lifted his head, both our chests were heaving.

“I wasn’t done,” he rumbled, not giving me time to chime in before he continued. “Secondly, there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Youaremarrying me. You’ll be saying your ‘I do’s’ this week, just like you agreed to in the back of the limo.”

“You mean what you seduced me into saying while you tortured me by not letting me come,” I mumbled irritably.

“And you enjoyed every damn second of my torture,” he answered smugly.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I wouldn’t say enjoy exactly.”

“You’re right, it’s not a strong enough word to describe the way your pussy squeezed my cock when you climaxed all over me.”

I wanted to stomp my foot in frustration, but since I was perched on his lap it wasn’t exactly an option. I lifted my left hand and pointed at my ring finger. “You seem to have skipped a step, Mr. Smartypants.”

“You’ll do well to never underestimate me, kitten,” he growled, dumping me onto my back on the couch cushions before stalking over to the suit jacket he’d tossed onto the chair. When he pulled a tiny black box from the inside pocket, my jaw dropped open.

“Where the hell did that come from?” I gasped, scrambling onto my feet, only to have Brandon tug me back down to a sitting position as he kneeled at my feet.

“The jewelry store,” he deadpanned. Using his thumb, he flipped open the lid of the box and I was struck silent in awe at the ring nestled inside.

“You got me a Claddagh?”

“I stumbled across them while I was searching for rings online,” he explained. “When I read about the meaning behind them, I knew it was exactly what I wanted.”

“Love,” I whispered, running my fingertip over the huge heart-shaped emerald nestled in the center of the ring. “Friendship,” I continued, staring at the hands on either side of the stone.

“And loyalty,” Brandon finished, referring to the crown. “Because you’ll have mine. Unconditionally, just like my love for you.”

“Oh, Brandon,” I cried, tears streaming down my cheeks at his beautiful declaration. “I wish it were different, but your first loyalty has to be with Nic and the DeLucas. You’re his second.His enforcer. Even with the alliance, there’s bound to be times when you’ll be torn between what I want and what he needs.”

His thumb swept over my face, brushing the tears away. “And that brings me to my third point. You won’t be standing behind the DeLuca enforcer; you’ll be standing beside your husband. But behindyourprotector.Yourenforcer. In order to get to you, everyone will go through me.”

“Mine?” What he was suggesting was unheard of. He wasn’t Irish, wasn’t part of the O’Reilly family, and was part of a family we’d been at war with for years. The alliance changed things, and so would our marriage, but it wasn’t going to alter the way our world worked overnight. “What does Nic have to say about this?”

“He supports it one-hundred-percent. So much so that he’s already selected my replacement.” His answer stunned me. My shock must have been evident because Brandon smiled down at me before he continued. “How could he not understand when he has Anna in his life? He’d make the same decision as me if our roles were reversed, and he’d have my full support. We’re family and he wants me to be happy.”

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