Page 2 of Wicked Oath
Lucy stands up, her blonde curls bouncing. “Well, I’m going.”
“How do you know Owen will even be there tonight? Dad sent him off on business.”
“One can only hope he’ll be there.”
“Wait,” I say, stopping her before she can leave through my window again. My house doesn’t have any guards surrounding it since my father believes he can handle any intruders himself, making it even more ironic that Lucy sneaks in undetected. Lucy glances back at me, her eyes open wide. “I don’t want you to get hurt, so I’m not going to let you go by yourself. But,” I hold up a finger, “we’re getting my parents’ permission.”
Lucy deflates. “No. Your father won’t allow you to leave.”
“He will if he thinks we’re going out shopping. Whenever my dad hears me mention anything girly, he blanks out and lets me do it. So let’s go downstairs and tell him that’s what we’re doing. But first, you need to come in through the front door to make it look less suspicious.”
“But he’ll send a guard with us.”
I smirk. “You’re not the only one who’s good at out-maneuvering a guard.” I may be a good girl who never gets into trouble, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have my own tricks up my sleeve. There have been times I’ve wanted to do something by myself, and I’ve managed to trick one of our guards into letting me go off and do my thing. I’m always back by an appropriate time to never raise suspicion, and they’ve never tattled on me. “Let’s just hope my dad sends Garret with us.” Garret is the easiest of my dad’s guards to manipulate. He’s young, and I’m pretty positive that he’s infatuated with me. I might not have many life experiences, but I’ve read enough romance novels to understand how to flirt.
Lucy smiles wide. “So, we’re really gonna do this?”
I sigh. “If it means less of a chance of you getting hurt, then yes, I’m going to go with you. That’s what best friends are for. Doing something stupid even though they know better just to protect their friend.”
Lucy runs over and hugs me, her light lemony scent wafting over me. “Thank you, thank you. Olivia, you really are the best friend I could have hoped for.”
“All right.” I pat her back. “Just go to the front door and knock like a normal person. I’ll talk to my parents.”
Lucy bounces over to the window and scales out. Taking in a deep breath, I steady my nerves and find my parents in the living room, where my dad is nursing a glass of something alcoholic and my mom is reading a book. That’s something I’ve always marveled at—that they can be together and yet exist in quiet and not be bothered by it. Their love shines through even when they’re not looking at each other.
“Olivia,” Dad says in his deep voice. Mom glances up from her book.
Patrick and Siobhan Donovan, the power couple of the Irish mob. Many people have spoken about my parents and how they make a great team. I can only hope to find someone like that someday, though more than likely, my dad will arrange a good match for me.
My dad sits tall with his robust frame, dark hair, and eyes that make him seem more sinister than he really is. Deep down, he’s a bit of a softie. And my mom—the radiant redhead who would rather face her fears of spiders, catch one, and let it outside than kill it. How she hasn’t been beaten down in the mafia world, I have no clue. Maybe it helps that she always has a wine glass in her hands. But it’s thanks to both of them I’ve been saved from the horrors of the world we live in. It’s also thanks to them I’m not allowed to leave the house often, all in the name of protecting me.
“Dad. Mom.” I give them each a nod.
When I don’t say more, Dad asks, “Is there something you need?”
“Um, yes. Lucy wanted to come over, and we’re thinking about going out to do some clothes shopping.”
Mom glances at the clock on the wall. “At this hour? I’m sure most stores will be closing soon.”
Crap. I’m starting to sweat. I’m not exactly good at this deception thing, but I need to protect Lucy from doing something stupid. “Um … better to avoid the large crowds.”
Dad shrugs. “That seems true.” My dad really has no idea how clothing stores work. Anything remotely girly is just a mystery to him, even if he pretends otherwise. “You really want to do this, sweetheart?”
And that’s the kicker right there. Even though my dad prefers me to stay home, if I ask sweetly enough, he’ll never say no to me. “Yes, Daddy, I do.” I call him “Daddy” for extra effect. He’s powerless to resist it—I know it reminds him of when I was a little girl. He’d prefer to keep me that way forever.
Mom eyes me with suspicion. She knows I only call Dad “Daddy” when I really want something, but she won’t go against Patrick Donovan. Once he says something’s done, that’s it.
And he does. He nods, taking a sip from his glass. “Just take Garret with you.” He pulls out his phone. “I’ll have him come over right away.”
“Thank you.” I hug him, and he smiles sheepishly.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” He kisses the top of my head. “Now, have a fun time.”
As if on cue, Lucy knocks on the door. “That’s Lucy. I’ll wait with her out front for Garret.”
“You do that.” He doesn’t even question that Lucy’s already here before I have the chance to call her to come over. My dad is very observant when it comes to his business, but when it comes to me, he’s oblivious. As long as I stay his sweet girl, he never questions me.
I hear my mom murmur to him as I walk away, “You can never say no to her.”
