Page 88 of Brutal Vows
Quinn sets me on my feet outside the door. Then he bursts into the dressing room with me, Declan, and Kieran right behind.
We startle Gianni, who’s leaning against the wall, glowering at Lili and Juan Pablo, who are huddled together on the sofa. She’s wearing his brown leather jacket over my black dress.
Mamma, nodding off in a chair by the window, sits bolt upright with a snort. She sees the four of us and cackles.
“Ha!Nowwe’re having fun!”
“Be quiet, Mamma. Lili, Mr. Quinn wants to talk to you.”
He says, “I understand your father threatened to kill you. Tell me exactly what he said.”
Gianni looks at Declan, Kieran, and Quinn in flat-out horror.“No, no, no,” he starts to protest, but Quinn shoots him a lethal glare that makes the words shrivel up and die in his mouth.
He snaps, “When it’s your turn to talk, I’ll tell you. Now shut your piehole before I shove my fist in it.”
Gianni looks to Declan beseechingly. “Mr. O’Donnell, please let me explain—”
Declan interrupts with a hard “Guess you didn’t hear my lad tell you to shut your piehole, Caruso, but if you don’t hear me, I’ll put a bullet straight through that unibrow of yours.”
Gianni wants so badly to shout something about disrespect, but he wisely keeps it to himself. He sags against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest and seething.
Meanwhile, Juan Pablo is on his feet.
“She doesn’t have to tell nobody nothing!” he shouts, glaring at the three Irishmen. “She doesn’t take orders from you!”
I’m about to start pleading with him to be reasonable, but Quinn steps forward, holding up a hand to silence me.
He tilts his head, looking Juan Pablo up and down. He gestures to Lili, cowering behind him. His voice calm and low, Quinn says, “You’re in love with this girl?”
“Yes! And I don’t fucking care who knows it!”
“Tranquilo,amigo. Cálmate.We’re only talking.”
Clearly confused by Quinn’s gentle tone, Juan Pablo glances at me. I nod encouragingly.
Quinn looks at Lili. “And you’re in love with him?”
Tears streaming down her face because she probably thinks they’re both about to die, she says in a broken voice, “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me, lass,” says Quinn softly. “I’m not angry with you. The heart wants what it wants.”
Declan chuckles. “Isn’t that the bloody truth.”
“So what’s the plan? You want to marry her, or are you just fucking around?”
Juan Pablo pulls his shoulders back and lifts his chin, sending Quinn a look of defiance. “Yes, I want to marry her. She’s my life.”
Quinn nods. “Good answer. Okay, then. Take your girl and go.”
Lili cries out in happy disbelief. Juan Pablo looks around the room as if he has no idea what’s happening.
Aghast, Gianni starts to sputter. “She can’t leave with him!”
“Why not?”
“I forbid it, that’s why!”
“She doesn’t need your approval. The lass is eighteen, which makes her legally an adult. She can do whatever the fuck she likes.”
