Page 26 of Bartered Innocence

I swallow, coating my dry throat, and glance briefly at the priest who nods at me encouragingly.

“I, Isabelle Romano, take you, Rian O’Callaghan, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” The priest frowns when I skip over repeating the to honor and obey portion.

My hand shakes as I grab the black ring from his palm, then turn it over and slide it down his finger. It lies in the blank space between his tattoos, almost as a point to show it off. Then my eyes meet his, and my heart skips at the feral, possessive heat burning within them.

I miss the priest’s words before Rian cups my face, and his lips crash to mine in the next second. I gasp, and his tongue playfully slips inside as his arms wrap around me and pull me into his chest. My fingers curl into the lapels of his suit jacket, still too stunned to properly respond before we’re breaking apart. He turns us to face the pews, and I startle at the thunderous applause that breaks out. Most of it is from his side, loud whistles and calls ringing out, but I glance at my brother who has a small smile on his face.

And just like that…I’m married to the heir of the Irish Mafia.

Chapter10

Rian

Isabelleand I linger close to each other, and Aodhan doesn’t leave our side as he conveniently blocks anyone who might try to cut in to steal a dance with my bride. The only ones he’s allowed through have been her father and brother, the latter is currently holding her hostage on the floor.

Cillian has disappeared to god knows where, and Cormac is lurking somewhere around the dessert table. Declan declined the invitation with Aoife so heavily pregnant, and I don’t blame him.

“Rian! Who knew you would tie the knot first,” a loud, slurred voice announces before slapping me on the back. I turn and glare at my drunk cousin. Johnny is the type of family you want to know by name only.

“Considering it’s my family who has to make the most sacrifice, does it really surprise you?” My voice comes out low between gritted teeth.

He swallows, laughing nervously as he takes a step back and his beady eyes land on Isabelle. “I mean it’s no hardship on your part, right? Imagine what it will be like to pry that beauty’s legs open.”

I grab his shirt, pulling him to me. “Don’t fucking look at her again. Don’t even think about my wife. You got it? Go sober up, you’re embarrassing.”

Cormac appears the next second, leading Johnny away from me to grab a coffee.

There’s not even a moment of peace before Luca and Gio are in front of me. I grind my teeth, wanting to be left alone, except by the only person avoiding me. I greet them with feigned pleasantries.

“Enjoying the party, gentlemen?”

Luca scowls, glancing at the time on his watch. “Only a few more hours and we don’t have to be in each other’s presence for the foreseeable future.”

“Ahh. And here I thought we would become the best of friends?”

Aodhan snickers, shifting closer to me. I can feel Isabelle’s eyes on us from a few steps away, but we’re speaking low enough that I know she can’t make out any of it. A couple of my female cousins have approached her and are making idle chit chat.

“I think friends would be too strong of a word to describe what we are.” There’s a hint of humor in his tone, and I sigh.

“Sure. Was there anything else you needed? I thought we hammered out all the details at the last meeting.”

Luca’s eyes drift briefly to Isabelle before coming back to me. Emotion stirs in them. “I don’t have any sisters, but Isabelle is as close to one as I’ll get and?—”

“What happens between me and my wife is no longer your business…regardless of your feelings toward her.” I paste the same smile on my face and he glances away, irritated by the barrier I’m putting between us. “And you shouldn’t feel any type of way.”

He sighs and shakes his head. “As civil as always.”

“As ignorant as always. We’ve never been the ones to mistreat women,” Aodhan says with a mocking smirk. A reminder that doesn’t need to be said since we’ve already preached that sermon once.

Gio takes a step toward him, but Luca puts his hand on his chest and glares at us both. “We are not responsible for the sins of our father.”

“You’re right, but if we were, my father treated my mother like a queen. And so shall I with Isabelle. So take your threats and shove them up your fucking ass, if you can unwind it enough,” I say through clenched teeth.

Aodhan coughs into his fist and Cormac appears next to me, clearly sensing the tension between us all. Luca’s expression is thunderous and Gio’s hand flexes at his side, I’m sure on the holster of his gun.

Leaving them there without waiting for another reply, I walk to my bride with a self-assured smile. “Dance with me?”

Her mouth opens, a small twist to it as if she’s about to snap at me before she presses her lips together and slips her hand in mine. My fingers flex on her waist and pull her closer as we fall into step with each other. Her big brown eyes shift around my face, looking for something before she glances back out around the crowd.

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