Page 14 of Wicked Oath
“I’m ruining this?” Owen’s eyebrows shoot up. “You’re the one marrying a man you barely know!”
“And isn’t that how it always is?” I nod at Mom and Dad. “Mom didn’t know Dad before their arranged marriage and look at them. They’re happy.” Dad reaches over and pats Mom’s hand, and she gives him a genuine smile in return.
“That’s different,” Owen seethes.
“How? How is it different?”
“Because …” he sputters. “Because it just is.”
I stand up, pushing my chair back so forcefully it scrapes against the hardwood. “Owen, stop trying to control my life. You’re not the head of this family, nor are you my boss. If Dad wishes for this marriage, I’m going to do it. And besides, I like James. I’m excited to marry him.”
“But you don’t even know him!”
I slam my hands onto the table.
“Olivia,” Mom warns.
“Sorry,” I mutter, looking at Owen. “But just stop, ok? I know I don’t know much about James yet, but that will change in time. I’ll make an effort to get to know him before the wedding if that’s all right with Dad.” I glance at him, and he nods. “There, see? Even Dad is cool with me meeting up with James and learning more about him. So, what’s your problem?”
Owen stands up in a huff. “My problem is that he’s going to hurt you. I know he’s a Kelly, and they’ve worked with our family for years, but I don’t trust him. James may look calm and cool on the surface, but I’ve always noticed a fire burning in his eyes. He’s hungry for more.”
“For more what?” Dad asks.
“I’m … not sure,” Owen admits. “Just … He’s ambitious. I don’t trust an ambitious man.”
Mom chuckles. “Honey, every man in the mafia is ambitious, including your father and you. We appreciate your concern for your sister, but this marriage is happening. So I suggest you drop your anger and be happy for your sister. She needs your support now more than ever with all this change happening. Do you really want to sour your relationship? Soon, she’ll be off on her own, and it might make it more difficult for you to fix things.”
Owen’s shoulders slump. “I just can’t help but worry.”
I walk over to him and nudge him with my arm. “I know, but Owen, I can handle myself.”
“How?” he asks softly. “You’ve been so sheltered most of your life. Do you even really know yourself or what you want in life?”
His words pull me up short. Do I truly know myself?
Maybe not yet, but I’m learning, and I have time to do so.
Especially with James at my side.
I ignore Owen’s question and turn to Dad. “So, can I really go see James?”
He nods. “Just take Garret with you.”
I can’t help the squeal that passes my lips.
Owen rolls his eyes. “Do you even know where he is right now?”
This stops me. “Um …”
“I thought so.” Owen walks out of the room. “Good luck getting to know your fiancé when you don’t even know enough about him to know where he is.” His footsteps sound down the hallway, and then he’s leaving through the front door while I stand there, embarrassed.
Dad gives me a pitying smile. “I can give you his number. But I know he owns the Drum and Monkey bar. His dad used to do a lot of business out of there. He might be there, too.” Dad rattles off James’s number, and I plug it into my phone.
“You really trust him to let me be alone with him before we’re married?” I ask.
“I trust you to be smart, and I trust James to be smart. And besides, you’ll have Garret with you, so you won’t really be alone with him.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” I kiss his cheek.
