Page 11 of Wicked Oath
Dad blinks. “Oh, good. I figured.” He nods at Mom and Grandma. “James, I’m sure you’ve met my wife and mother before.”
James gives them each a polite nod. “I have. It’s lovely to meet the two Mrs. Donovans again.”
Mom smiles like she’s a schoolgirl. That’s James’s charm. He can make a grown woman of two adult kids feel like a teenage girl again.
Grandma, on the other hand, doesn’t look impressed. She’s seen a lot of things in her life, and the charm of a handsome man does nothing for her. She still shakes his hand anyway.
“And this is my daughter, Olivia,” Dad introduces us.
I stand up fast, catching myself on the edge of the couch to keep from falling over.
“Woah, you ok there?” James asks, eyeing me over.
I grip the edge of the couch tighter. “Yes,” I squeak.
“What’s going on?” Owen demands, crossing his arms and glaring at James, who just acts like Owen isn’t burning holes in the side of his head.
“James and I spoke,” Dad explains, “and we’ve come up with an arrangement that would suit both of our families.” He motions for James to take a seat, and he does. Right next to me. I force my body back down in my seat, feeling the heat radiating off of him. Dad sits next to Mom. And Owen, well, something tells me he won’t be sitting for this conversation.
“What arrangement?” Owen asks.
“Owen, let your father speak,” Mom says.
James catches my eye, but I look away before I can fall under his spell again.
“James proposed an idea, and I agreed with it right away.” He pauses. I lean forward, waiting for my father to speak. “Olivia and James will get married.”
It’s a good thing I’m sitting down because my feet drop out from under me.
But I’m not the one to explode.
Owen lurches forward, his face growing redder by the second. “What?”
“James and Olivia will get married,” Dad repeats like Owen misunderstood the obvious.
“No, I heard you.” Owen flings his hand toward James. “But how could you think this is a good idea?”
Dad shrugs. “Why wouldn’t I? James’s family has always been loyal to ours.” I feel James tense up next to me, and I wonder why. I flit my eyes toward him, only to see his staring at the ground, anger flashing across his face. “Now that James has a lot of his own power, it only makes sense to combine forces. This way, we can go forward with more business and potentially earn a lot more by working together. A marriage alliance is a good way to solidify that.”
Grandma glances at me. “And what do you think, honey?”
All eyes turn toward me. James’s quick frown turns into an easy smile. God, I want to kiss him. Then it fully dawns on me. My own dad wants me to marry James—the man I’ve been dreaming about for the past couple of days. Grandma was onto something when she said her reality is better than escapism fantasy. Is my life about to change for the better?
I’m actually getting the chance to be with my mystery man in marriage.
Even though I’m excited, why do I feel so nervous?
I look around at all the faces waiting for my response. “Um … Is this real?”
Everyone except Owen laughs.
James leans in closer to me. “I can assure you, this isveryreal.” His warm breath washes over my face, and I want to sink closer into him. I’m actually going to get the chance to kiss him once we’re married. I can’t really think straight.
“So, what do you think, Olivia?” Dad asks. “I know this marriage will be great for our families, but I also want it to make you happy. I know this is so sudden, so if you need time to think about it, I’m fine with that.”
“Of course, she’s not going to marry him,” Owen snaps, making everyone look at him.
A sudden flash of anger fills me. Why does Owen think he gets the right to speak for me? “And why not?” I demand.
