Page 50 of Reckless Promises

“Please,” I finish for him when he doesn’t say it, but he just smirks as he falls back into his conversation.

The waiter makes a circle around the room before delivering a glass of water to me, and I take a large sip. I’m too nervous to be hungry, but at least the cool ice calms my nerves.

“Odette.” Cillian stops us in front of a shorter man with rounded cheeks and a receding hairline. “This is Joseph Moreno. Joseph, Odette Cross, my wife.”

It doesn’t matter how many times Cillian says that, I can’t get enough of what those two words light inside me. It might be business to him, but every time I hear him call me his wife, it stirs something up.

“Nice to meet you.” I pat Cillian’s arm twice, but I’m pretty sure he already suspected I was familiar with Joseph.

Everyone in our circles knows who he is given he runs the auction most wives in this room were procured at—me included.

“Lovely to meet you.” Joseph’s gaze roves over me, and I don’t miss that Cillian pulls me closer when that happens.

My husband smells like his body wash mixed with his spicy cologne. And it’s overwhelming when I’m trying my best to remember the reasons I shouldn’t fall for him.

“I heard you made a purchase at my most recent gala. Seems you made out well.”

Cillian hums but doesn’t respond.

Every time someone brings up the auction, his jaw tightens. He’s the one who bought me there, but it’s almost as if he hates that fact. And I’m not sure why given it’s how most people in both our families got married.

“Sorry my son wasn’t able to make it tonight.” Joseph once more turns his attention to Cillian, and I’m thankful he’s no longer staring at me with those dark beady eyes. “He sends his congratulations.”

“Appreciated.” Cillian tips his glass up.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, Ronan and I had discussed a few…merger opportunities.” Joseph nods his head, and the way he says it leads me to believe he’s trying todisguise whatever it is he’s really saying. “Before his passing that is.”

“I’m aware.”

Nearly every conversation tonight has started the same. One of Cillian’s father’s old business partners tries to gauge where Cillian stands on the previous deals they made. And just like the rest of them, Cillian acknowledges Joseph without offering much more.

I’m not sure what Cillian intends to do with his family’s empire, but it’s clear I’m not the only one tonight who’s wondering.

“Good.” Joseph grins, not reading Cillian’s disinterest. “I’d still love to entertain the spirit of those mergers someday. Even if only personally.”

Something about how he says that sounds like a lot more than a business transaction, and I’m not sure what Joseph would want from the Cross family personally.

“We both know that business and personal quickly become murky in our line of work, Joseph. So let’s keep them clear from here on out.” Cillian pats my hand—his signal he’s ready to move on.

“Understood, but just keep us in the forefront if you change your mind.”

“Have a good night, Joseph. We’ll talk again soon.” Cillian pulls me away.

I’ve never seen anyone brush off Joseph Moreno, since most of the men in my father’s circle worshiped him for the access he provided at his auctions. But Cillian is clearly not a fan.

“Something wrong?” I ask as we walk away.

The smart thing to do would be to keep my mouth shut, but I can’t help myself.

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

“What did Joseph actually want?”

Cillian glances down at me, irritated. But he promised me honesty, and I expect it.

“His son is interested in Fallon.”

“Joey Moreno?” I cringe for Fallon because we’ve all heard the stories.

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