Page 90 of Brutal Collateral

He had to tell Ma and Da he was in love with Darcy, who is also our niece. But she’s adopted, and Ewan is Ma’s favorite so they accepted it. Da is long gone mentally, and I have to break my own bit of shocking news to Ma without him here to either approve or talk me out of it.

“What are you here to tell me? I don’t have all day.” Ma’s brashness is strong, I love it.

“There’s no way to ease into this, so here goes.” I drag in a deep breath, releasing it in a cautious sigh. “I have to get married.”

“You bleedin’ knocked up a girl?” Her tone is neither shocked nor disgusted.

“No.” I shake my head, realizing that’s how it sounded. “The truce with the Greeks. It came at a cost. I didn’t tell you months ago because it was complicated. But to keep the peace between the Irish and the Greeks, I have to marry their sister.”

“Oh,” she chirps like it’s no big deal.

“You’re not concerned?”

“About you? No,” she huffs a laugh.

“You’re getting a daughter-in-law you never met.” I don’t tell her it's temporary because if Ma doesn’t look like she’s all-in, no one else will buy that I’m serious about the alliance.

Yeah, there won’t be childrenanda divorce. The two things Irish mothers hate.

Ma comically looks past me. “Then why didn’t you bring the lass?”

“In case you didn’t react well.”

One graying eyebrow raises. “Then you care about this girl?”

“Woman. She’s twenty-seven.”

“A princess being handed over for marriage that old? Was she married before?”

“No, she was in the military for a while, then the CIA.”

“Really?” Ma sounds impressed.

“Her older brother made her join because her father tried to give her away to pay a debt. Then he died and the next brother in line got her discharged.” And now she’ll be mine.

God, I sound like an asshole.

“The lass must be furious,” Ma snarls...

Right there, I know Ma and Ava will get along.

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