Page 29 of Arranged Obsession
Iworshipher.
What’s love to a goddess? Love is pathetic. Love is a chemical reaction.
My feather has my devotion. She has my goddamn soul.
“Then why do you want this? If you’re giving me the Marino job, there’s nothing else for you. Except for her.”
“It doesn’t matter. Let me marry her. This is your way out.”
He tightens his grip on the glass. “I know it’s fucked, but I have to ask—are you going to hurt this girl?”
I slam my glass down on the countertop. The bottom shatters and the liquor pours out as I lean toward him. Glass cuts my hand. Blood mixes with whiskey. I stare death at my brother, body trembling with sudden rage.
“I’d never fucking hurt her,” I snarl, so angry that he could even suggest it.
Finn flinches back. For a moment, there’s fear in his eyes.
But he quickly gathers himself.
“Alright,” he says, struggling to maintain his composure. “You’re bleeding on my kitchen.”
“Switch with me. Let me fucking marry her.”
He sighs and gets a paper towel. Without answering, he comes over and starts cleaning the glass shards. I hesitate before helping him. I hold the paper towel against the cuts, gently picking a single shard from my skin.
Once the mess is handled, Finn returns to his spot across the island.
“I’ll think about it.”
I drag in a breath through my nose. “There’s no time for that.”
“I’m pretty sure I have a few hours.”
“I need to knownow.”
He shakes his head, staring at me. “Not yet. You’re too worked up right now. Cormac, I’ve never seen you this fucked up before and it’s worrying me.”
I struggle to master myself. I can imagine how this seems from his perspective. “Just please. I’ll give you anything you want.”
“I believe you, and that’s what scares me.” He finishes his drink and puts the glass in the sink. “Go home. Get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”
“Finn,” I snarl through my teeth.
But he holds up a hand. “Tomorrow, okay? If you still want this, ask me then.”
Fuck. Devastation fills me. He’s not saying no, but he’s not saying yes either.
Will I still be strong enough to ask again in the morning? In the cold light, with the alcohol gone from my veins, can I still do it?
Finn heads back upstairs. “Go home,” he calls out as he disappears into his room. “Big day tomorrow.”
I linger in the kitchen. Pain pulses in my hand and deep inside my chest. I showed Finn the darkest, most pathetic part of me, and it still wasn’t enough.
I’m even more wrecked than I was before.
Because tomorrow is the wedding, and I don’t know who will be standing at that altar.
Chapter 10
