Page 19 of Scandalous Kingpin
“Ivy, I know this comes as a shock?—”
“We’ll find a way out of this,” Caelan said fiercely, surging toward me and wrapping me in his arms. “I promise you.”
But I knew better than to believe it. Agreements like this could only be broken by starting wars, and I didn’t want that for my brothers. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to them.
“Just so we’re clear,” Aiden interrupted. “Whatever it is you’re planning, you must consider what it will mean for your business relationship with the Callahan mafia.”
I sighed, bringing my hand to my forehead as I prayed for strength. There was a movement and all the hairs on the back of my neck lifted. Before I had time to move, I caught a movement in my peripheral vision as Caelan stepped up to Aiden, coming chest to chest. I barely had time to blink when I realized what my brother was about to do. He clenched his fist and pulled his arm back, throwing a punch into Aiden’s face.
“I told you at the fucking club to find a way out,” Caelan said, his chest rising and falling. I knew what would follow. Ijumped to my feet and moved in front of the window just as my brother lunged for him, but Aiden effortlessly restrained him. “You touch even a hair on my sister’s head, I will end you.”
Aiden glared at my brother while Aemon and Bren ripped him from the other man, keeping him at bay. The air crackled loudly while my heart pounded in my ears. “I assure you, you little Irish prick, every woman wants me to touch a lot more than the hair on their head.” Caelan kicked against our brothers, rage clear on his face, a promise of retribution. “And I promise you, women love it. Your sister will too.”
It was the wrong thing to say because now all my brothers lost their shit and lunged for Aiden, tables and chairs tumbling and cracking. My eyes darted to the window, miles of lush green grass and mist stretching for miles as I mentally checked out from the chaos inside this room.
We all knew we were only delaying the inevitable.
Eight hours later, I stared out the window of the private jet, the Statue of Liberty in all her copper glory greeting me back. The only problem was the man in the plush leather seat next to me.
I glanced at Aiden, who hadn’t said a single word since we took off from the Dublin Airport. Neither had I, but you wouldn’t see me cracking first.Iwasn’t the one who arranged this stupid marriage.
“If you have something to say, do so. Don’t just stare.”
My eyes narrowed on my fiancé. “Why would I have something to say?”
He shrugged, never lifting his eyes. “Are you saying you agree with our impending union?”
“What gave me away?” I scoffed, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
He kept clacking away on his sleek laptop, oblivious to my rising blood pressure. “You haven’t stopped glaring at me.”
“And how would you know if you’re staring at your computer screen like your life depends on it,” I mused.
He knew I was baiting him. I’d been bursting to discuss how this would play out. I wanted to know the expectations—while also hoping there were none—so I could mentally prepare. I sure as fuck hoped the man didn’t think I’d fall into bed with him.
He finally lifted his head from his laptop, his gaze finding mine. Asshole tendencies aside, Aiden Callahan was a gorgeous man—if you were into tattoos, dark hair peppered with gray, and icy blue eyes. Unfortunately for everyone involved, they were the wrong shade.
“Tell me, Ivy,” he started, his voice still holding that note of indifference. “What would you like to talk about?” When I huffed and directed my glare back out the window, he chuckled and added, “I’ll give you this. You’re cute when you’re pouting.”
I raised a brow. “What are you? My brother?”
It was what they used to say to me. Of course I’d hoped I’d outgrown it, but apparently not.
He gave me a heavy look. “No, but maybe we can be friends.”
I stifled a laugh. “That would be great, if only we weren’t arranged to be married.”
“Can two people not be friends if they’re to be married?”
“Not if we would rather not get married.” I might be significantly younger than Aiden, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize the signs. The man didn’t want to get married either. “Why did you agree to it? Do you evenwantthis?”
His lip curled in distaste. “The decision was made without my knowledge.”
“Oh.” We remained quiet for a moment, both of us lost in our own thoughts, before I found his gaze again. “And there’s nothing that can be done about it?”
“We have a duty to respect our families’ wishes.”
“It’s primitive,” I muttered begrudgingly. “Especially if neither one of us wants it. My brothers wouldn’t enforce it if you broke it off.”
