Page 12 of Throne of Fire

He’s not wrong.

“Maybe it’s just that they’re the same age?”

“Or maybe that she’s dead. And if this mission goes tits up, Hannah will end up dead too.” Fuck. I didn’t mean to say so much.

“Dad made a mistake in trusting Hampton. We won’t do that. We protect what’s ours. You know, it could help if you introduce Hannah to Lucy and Jenna,” he says of my sisters-in-law. “If she spends time with them, she’ll always have an army around her.”

It’s not a bad idea.

“Look, I hate that this is tearing you up inside, but if we’re going to avenge our parents’ and Meghan’s deaths, we need the O’Donnells. They're bringing connections. Intelligence. Access to parts of the city the Keans think they control.”

I drag a hand down my face. He's right. The O'Donnells are key in executing our plan.

“I won’t say that John O’Donnell gives two shits about how well you treat Hannah, but the marriage is important to him so you need to stick with it.”

“I don’t plan to abuse her,” I say, irked that my brother would insinuate that.Then again, I have abused her, haven’t I?

“I’m not saying you are. What I’m saying is that you don’t have to have a real marriage. Put her somewhere safe. Keep her happy enough. When we take back what’s ours, maybe you can get a quiet divorce.”

I rub my chest, trying to get rid of the strange sensations.

"Fine." I grab my glass back and pour another shot of whisky, drinking it in a single gulp. "I'll make it work."

"Make it work?" Phoenix barks out a laugh. "Brother, you've been married less than twenty-four hours and you're already sleeping on the couch. You need to do better than 'make it work'."

"What do you want from me? Two seconds ago, you told me to put her somewhere safe and later, I can divorce her. Now you’re saying I need to fuck her?”

He lets out a sigh. “You can do the minimum, or you can do more than act like she’s a ball and chain. Give her a chance. Give yourself a chance."

The thought of opening myself up again, of letting someone else in, terrifies me. I married her to help bring down the Keans, and now I'm terrified they'll use her to break me, just like they did before.

“I said I’ll stick to the plan.” I head to the door. “You can go now.” I open it and wait for him to leave.

“You’re living in the past, Ash. Maybe it’s time to move on and find happiness.” He pats my shoulder as he heads out of the suite.

I slam the door behind Phoenix, his words about happiness and moving on still ringing in my ears. My fist connects with the wall before I realize I've moved. The pain grounds me, keeps the memories at bay. But I can't stop seeing Hannah's tears this morning, the hurt in her eyes when she thought I didn't want her.

The truth is, I want her too much.

The Keans took everything from me once. They'll do it again if they get the chance. But I won’t give them a chance. I won't let them take her too. Even if it means keeping her at arm's length. Even if it means breaking us both in the process.

5

HANNAH

The café buzzes with energy as I slide into our usual corner booth. Katie, Sophia, and Maria are already here, dressed in their college hoodies and messy buns, looking exactly like the students they are. Now I wish I’d stayed in my jeans as I feel even more out of place.

"Oh, my God, Hannah!" Katie wraps me in a tight hug. "I can’t believe it. You’re a married woman.”

“Do you have pictures?” Maria asks. It’s another reminder of how unusual my life situation is. Overly sheltered, my virginity considered a commodity for my father to sell. Marrying a man I met at the altar. A wedding none of my friends were allowed to attend. A husband who doesn’t want to be married to me.

But I try to play the part of a newly married woman, not just to my husband but to my friends. I pull my phone out and show one of the few pictures I was able to snap of my new husband.

"Girl, your husband is smoking hot. That whole dangerous vibe?" Katie gushes.

"Yeah, well, looks aren't everything." The words come out bitter.

Sophia touches my hand. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

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