Page 71 of Sinful King

My eyes were locked with the man in question.

He was on go, ready for anything and I loved him so much for it.

Loved him for gifting me this confidence, this security and faith in him to protect me at all costs, too.

“You are never more important than business, Blair,” he replied nonchalantly, his old way of thinking just as disgusting as before. “Your life will never be that important to him.”

His words stung more than they should, because he actually believed them to be true. My father didn’t think I could be loved that deeply, but he was wrong and I wanted so badly to prove it—to prove that Sean was everything he wasn’t.

“Why don’t we ask him,” I murmured, sliding away from him and leaving just enough room for Sean to fit. “If you’re so sure of my worth, gamble with it to his face.”

The simple adjustment summoned my husband to the spot I left open for him.

“Now that you two are married we should talk expansion in our business dealings,” my father said the second Sean’s ass hit the pew. “I have time after—”

“Your hands are cold.”

My fingers had only grazed his but now keeping me warm was top priority, not my dad’s attempt to humble me.

“There’s always a draft in the pulpit,” I whispered as he draped an arm over my shoulder and pulled me into him.

“Now that we’re married,” Sean started, curling his fingers around mine. “All business goes through Blair. Set a meeting with her and she’ll let me know if it’s worth the investment. Any agreements you had with my father are null.”

It was something about a man doing exactly what you expected of him and doing it well.

And had Blake not turned the mic in my direction, I might’ve gloated a little harder.

“Do you see what I mean,” I murmured to my father as I stood to give last remarks. “Unachievable. Is trying really worth losing everythingandyour life?”

Every move I’d made up until this point was to be of service to Sean and a detriment to my father. And damn did it feel good to execute.

TWENTY-TWO

sean

DURING FINNEGAN’S WEDDING RECEPTION

“You knowwhat I really fucking hate?” Finnegan asked as he loosened his tie and stood beside me. “Dealing with this shit on my fucking wedding day.”

I ignored him for a moment, gaze on Blair who was talking to a pregnant Gianna and Rían.

Was she okay?I wondered.

Gianna was already showing and Blair was too observant to miss it.

The baby we loss had a place in my mind I liked to visit from time to time. Letting myself go there was a reminder of the family I wanted to have with Blair.

“You ain’t dealing with shit, Finn,” I said, finally addressing him. “I got it handled.”

He turned to the bar and I did the same.

“What’s up with the girls handling Landell? I got a feeling that’s changed. Actually, a lot has changed since you left Philly.”

I nodded but there wasn’t really shit to say to the latter. We had to adjust and he was better off in Philly full-time handling all we’d built there.

Cian didn’t want the responsibility. I wasn’t sure exactly what Rían wanted out of this life other than a good time for right now, but that was okay with me. Being the youngest afforded him a little more wiggle room.

“Yasmine and Delilah aren’t built to handle their father like Niamh…” I cut my eyes at him. “Might need to borrow Violet for something soon.”

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