Page 6 of Haunted Nights & Savage Sins
My eyes drift to the overstuffed chair, the fabric ripping away after years of abuse. The smell of smoke and death still lingers in the cushions. My father always used this chair, especially when he was ready to dole out punishments. I used to hate it, but now I can’t part ways with it.
“Nope, one of the only things that made it out in one piece. It’s a good chair.” I pat the armrest, and a small puff of dust comes wafting out of it.
“Yeah, if you say so.” Killian runs his hands through his hair before he stuffs them into his pockets and stares at me.
“You still haven’t told me what you’re doing here? I’m sure whatever our father wanted, he could’ve told me over the phone.”
“I’m not here specifically for our father. I just wanted to make sure you really knew what was going on. I’ve gotten some information that involves you.”
My eyes jerk up to his; his eyes settle on the scar on the side of my face. I can’t blame him. It’s a sight to see. Something I haven’t seen in more than a decade. I refuse to look at my reflection. I don’t even shave anymore. “What information? I already know about the added security. They’ve been walking around, making noise. Bothering me.” The words come out more like a complaint than a statement.
“Yeah, I’ve seen them too. It’s good that you have someone around here. I always worry that?—”
“That the monster will waste away with no one to hear him scream out for help?” I finish his sentence.
“Goddammit, Cormac. I wish you’d stop calling yourself that. You’re not a fucking monster. You’re a man. Just like me.”
The chuckle bubbles out of my throat, and I can feel the scarred part of my skin stretching with the abnormal movement. “A man? I’ve never been just a man. Father made sure of that. I went straight from boy to this. I’ve accepted it. Maybe you should too.”
“I won’t accept it.” Killian takes a step back, and he looks me over once, slowly, as if he’s reconsidering what he’s about to say. “You know what. When I heard about father’s plans, I was sure that it was a bad idea. No one should be forced to do that, but now that I’m in your presence, I’m starting to think maybe it isn’t such a bad idea after all. Maybe this is exactly what you need to get out of this never-ending pity party.” He pulls his hands out of his pockets and crosses his arms over his chest.
Now I’m intrigued. Forced to do something? What more can my father possibly do to me? He’s already thrown me headfirst into the business. I’m doing as he asked, but now my brother is standing here telling me that there’s more.
“What is he going to force me to do?”
A million possibilities fly through my head. He could force me out of the mansion. Force me to go back to the old country, Ireland. He could have me take the fall for someone else. He could have me kill someone.
“He’s chosen a bride for you. You’re going to be married, Cormac.”
Even the wind is silent as my brother says those words.
Married?
Wife?
What the fuck!
Never in all my life would I ever think that my father would go to this extent. I can’t allow it.
“Married. Get the fuck out of here. I’m not marrying anyone.” I shake my head and push myself out of the chair, getting closer to Killian.
“You don’t really have a choice, as far as I’ve heard. It’s already a done deal.” He shrugs, and that only pisses me off more.
“Done deal, my ass. Who the hell did he get to agree to this? Who would want to marry someone like me?”
“This is the pity party I’m talking about. What do you mean someone like you? You were injured. It was traumatic and life-altering, but it doesn’t change the fact that you are still human. Still a man. What? Do you think a scar on your face has cursed you or something? Has it stopped you from having desires or needs? There’s nothing wrong with you, Cormac.” Killian puts his hand on my shoulder, and it takes everything in me not to shake him off. I know he’s only trying to comfort me, but right now I don’t want to deal with that. I want to know what crazy plans my father has made for me.
“Who is it?” I ask through clenched teeth.
Killian drops his hand to his side and sighs hard before he says, “Brenna Doyle. You’re going to marry the princess of the Doyle crime family. Father says it will strengthen an alliance between the two families that will last generations.”
I shake my head before I turn and look back into the flames licking the inside of the fireplace.
Of course this is for the family. Never for me. Never my wishes. I’m just here on this earth to make sure the O’Sullivan name remains strong.
I only hope my father and this woman know exactly what she’s signing up for. Usually, when my father gives an order, it’s followed without question, but this one must be challenged.
A challenge that I cannot issue over the phone.
