CHAPTER TWELVE
conall
Three hours later, I laid the document drafted by my lawyer before her. Roger was good, but it still took longer than I had hoped, a delay I didn’t appreciate. Francesca had spent the intervening hours ensconced by the fire, her phone glued to her hand as she texted with Theo—or so I assumed.
Finally, the swirling chaos in my mind began to settle, and control slipped back into my grasp. I handed her a blanket and a steaming cup of tea, guiding her to the couch while intentionally keeping my hands to myself. It felt better to take action than to stew in uncertainty.
Roger raised his eyebrows when I first explained what I wanted from him. He completed the work, though he shook his head a few times.
“How are you feeling?”
I asked as she sat, her delicate fingers brushing against the edge of the blanket. She looked good here. Right. “How’s your throat? Should we call the doctor?”
“I’m fine. I promise,”
she replied, her voice steady as she reached for the papers. “This is it, I’m assuming?”
“It is,”
I confirmed, gesturing toward the neatly organized documents while resisting the urge to straighten them. “Along with the confirmation of the accounts opened in your name.”
Roger had been less than thrilled about those as well. “Everything should be as you requested. Make sure you read through everything.”
Silence filled the room momentarily as she leafed through the pages. I watched as her keen eyes caught sight of the clause I had been certain would draw her attention.
“If I get pregnant by accident, you want me to have the baby?”
she asked, reading further as her teeth tugged at her lower lip.
It wasn’t an unreasonable request, at least from my perspective. Pregnancy was a possibility, and while I respected her right to choose, I would want the child. Maybe she wasn’t ready to be a parent, but I could be. I’d prefer to do it together, but if I had to do it alone… well, I could. Raising children alone wasn’t new to me. I’d raised my siblings. Still, it wasn’t something I’d ever impose on her. I wasn’t sure why she didn’t want to be a mother, but maybe it had to do with her own upbringing. I watched her as she thought about it. I hadn’t been sure if she’d agree.
“You’ll give me a divorce after the baby is born? No argument?”
she pressed. “You would raise the baby yourself?”
“None,”
I replied evenly. “I’ve raised my siblings. I can raise a child alone if necessary. We’ll take precautions, but if the situation arises, I would want our child.”
“You could get a vasectomy,”
she suggested, her tone casual despite the weight of the topic.
“Is that what you’d prefer?”
I asked, studying her face. I had considered it before the drafting process began, but something held me back. “There are other birth control options. I’ll use condoms.”
She flushed, and I was suddenly reminded of how much younger she was than me.
“No.”
The word was gentle, nearly undetectable, yet I heard it.
“Okay.”
A spark of hope ignited within me.
Children were precious in our dangerous world, yet the risks were always present. They could be used against you. They were supposed to be off-limits, but you never knew when someone would break the rules. I wouldn’t ask Francesca for an explanation or to quantify things —not yet. Maybe when she trusted me more, she’d explain why she didn’t want to be a mother. If she wanted me to get a vasectomy, I would do it in a heartbeat—anything she needed to feel safer.
She redirected her attention to the document, lightly shaking it while offering a small smile. “You’ve been very generous with the funds.”
It may have seemed that way, but she would be a co-signer on all our accounts. What I had allocated separately was modest in comparison, ensuring her comfort should anything happen to me. She would never lack for anything, no matter what. Being involved in organized crime wasn’t the most secure lifestyle, but if you were smart, you could take precautions, especially for your loved ones.
“You’ll find another addendum there,”
I said, pointing to the relevant section. “It pertains to work and personal freedoms.”
Her eyes narrowed as she read. “Protection detail. Francesca O’Kelly will agree to a protection detail at all times, including at her workplace.”
She frowned. “How will that work without compromising my job?”
“Finn will be discreet,”
I assured her. Finn O’Donoghue was one of my most trusted men, and his efficiency in protection was unmatched. I had just assigned him to Cora’s detail, but now that she was married to Maxim, he could serve as Francesca’s guard.
“No.”
Her tone was resolute. “I’ll agree to a tracker. I accept that a protection detail can remain in the lobby and accompany me to other locations, but they cannot be on my floor while I work. That must be included in the contract.”
“I agree to that. I’ll be right back.”
I fought to hide my glee.
The tracker suggestion was going straight into the agreement. I should have thought of it myself. Finn would already be stationed in the lobby, with access to the floor’s cameras, so her modification didn’t change much. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
When I returned with the revised document, she carefully reviewed it before signing. The weight of the moment settled over the room as she set the pen down. She was as good as mine.
“Alright,”
she said, leaning back with finality.
“Not quite,”
I replied, my voice tinged with mischief. I exited the room, holding the door open with a flourish. “Come in, gentlemen.”
Paddy strolled in first, his swagger apparent in every step. Brody followed closely behind, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. Trailing them was a middle-aged man in a tailored suit, his expression one of slight discomfort as he adjusted the strap of his leather briefcase.
Francesca furrowed her brow as she glanced between us, her confusion growing. “What’s going on?”
“As requested, brother—one judge,”
Paddy announced grandly, gesturing toward the man. He tipped an imaginary hat to Francesca with a cheeky grin. “Hello, Frankie. You’re looking…well, let’s say intrigued.”
Brody snorted. “Intrigued might be an understatement, Paddy.”
He gave her a sympathetic smile.
In Brody, she could find an ally if she wished. Francesca had met my brothers, but I didn’t think she had truly gotten to know them. They were close in age, but they hadn’t exactly been part of her social circle or the scenes she frequented, so they hadn’t had the opportunity to become friends. Still, I hoped she would come to see them that way.
“This is Judge McTiernan,”
I interjected, interrupting the anticipated back-and-forth. “He’s here to officiate.”
Francesca’s gaze darted from the judge to me, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Officiate what?”
she asked, her voice sharp, though the pink flush on her cheeks betrayed her irritation.
“Our marriage,”
I said matter-of-factly as I stepped closer. Francesca was sharp as a whip, so I knew she was connecting the dots.
Her lips parted in surprise as she blinked rapidly. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m completely serious,”
I replied, my tone firm yet calm. “The paperwork has been handled. All that’s left is to say a few words and make it official. I told you it would be today. I’m a man of my word.”
Paddy leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, a wider grin spreading across his face. “You could at least pretend to be excited, Frankie. My brother went to all this trouble, after all.”
“Trouble?”
she retorted, her eyes ablaze. “Bringing a judge in here unannounced and dropping this on me is hardly romantic. I’m still in my scrubs, for God’s sake.”
Brody chuckled. “Romance isn’t really my brother’s style, is it? He’s more of a ‘get the job done’ type of guy.”
I rolled my eyes at both of them. Should I be offended that they were teasing me for not being a hearts-and-flowers kind of man? They were speaking the truth. I didn’t date or romance women. First, I had never had time for that kind of nonsense. Second, it wasn’t something I understood at all. Did women like that? I turned a critical gaze towards Francesca.
“Can we not turn this into a spectacle?”
I asked, exasperated. Redirecting my attention to Francesca, I softened my tone. She looked exhausted, her hair coming undone, and her clothes wrinkled. I had already pushed this far and knew I needed to get everything legally bound before Angelo got his claws into it. “This is important. The sooner we’re wed, the sooner we can move forward together. This is the right step, Francesca.”
Her jaw tightened as she held my gaze. After a long pause, she exhaled sharply and nodded. “Fine. Let’s just get it over with.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding as she rose from the couch. Brody regarded me with disapproval. He was not fond of this arrangement regarding the blood oath and had expressed his thoughts on it multiple times.
The ceremony was brief and efficient. Judge McTiernan recited the vows in a measured, professional tone. Francesca’s hand was steady in mine as we repeated the words. Her expression was guarded yet resolute. She looked surprised when I slipped the rings onto her finger. The set was something I had bought years ago with her in mind, featuring an eternity diamond band that sparkled and a thick, plain gold band. Stacked together, they were perfect for her.
Paddy leaned toward Brody and whispered, loud enough for me to hear, “Do you think they’ll kiss at the end? Or is that asking too much?”
Brody smirked. “She might slap him first.”
“Quiet,”
I growled through my teeth.
Brody wasn’t wrong in thinking she might slap me if I tried to kiss her right now, and I wanted our first kiss to be more than just a peck on the lips. I wanted to kiss her into oblivion, and I wasn’t sure I could do that in front of Judge McTiernan, who was already watching us with disapproval. Still, I’d risk it.
“Got to do it right.”
Her eyes widened with defiance as I pulled her hands forward, causing her to lose her balance. I seized the moment and curled my palm around her head, holding her in place as my lips met hers. Francesca’s lips had always appeared rose-petal soft, twin pillows of perfection that I’d longed to touch forever, which she had taunted me with. Now, as I brushed against them with my own, glided my tongue over their seam, and felt her breath mingle with mine, I was glad I had waited. The anticipation made this moment sweeter. That sigh and the softness of her body as she leaned into my arms were worth it.
Judge McTiernan cleared his throat, clearly eager to end the ordeal of being dragged up to my apartment. Francesca had wrapped her arms around my neck, but now she was pulling away. I glared at the judge with annoyance.
“Congratulations! I wish you both a long and healthy marriage,”
he said awkwardly. “I’ll just excuse myself.”
“Sure. I’ll see you out,”
Brody, ever the peacemaker, offered, escorting him to the door past me while I glared at him with murder in my eyes for the interruption.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Paddy clapped his hands together. “Well, that was fun! Who’s hungry? I could eat.”
Francesca turned to me, her voice dry. “Is he always like this?”
I shrugged, a faint smile dancing on my lips. “Pretty much.”
My eyes captured the rings sparkling on her finger, and satisfaction filled me. I had done it. She was my wife. A twinge that might have been my conscience flared, but I suppressed it. What did I care if I had cornered her? I didn’t. I had controlled the situation — as always. I wanted her, and I had finally made it happen.
Paddy grinned. “Don’t worry, Francesca. You’ll get used to me. Everyone does.”
Brody shook his head and draped an arm over Paddy’s shoulders. “Speak for yourself. I’m your brother, and I’m still not used to you.”
Despite the tension lingering in the air, I noticed the faintest twitch at the corner of Francesca’s mouth. Small victories.
“I could eat. I’m starving,”
Francesca said, and Paddy grinned.
“Do you cook?”
Brody asked with hope.
“I do. I’m even pretty good,”
Francesca said, winking at them, and my hands clenched. Her smiles were meant only for me. The jealousy within me felt irrational, but it was hard to suppress the emotion.
The boys gazed at her with hopeful expressions, their hearts reflected in their eyes. Our mother had passed away when they were very young, and neither of them had any memories of home-cooked meals.
“She isn’t cooking today, you insensitive arseholes. She’s been hurt, and it’s her wedding day. A catering company will deliver dinner, which should arrive in about twenty minutes.
“Gasp! You’re bringing food up here?”
Paddy mockingly covered his mouth with a hand, feigning horror.
My brothers knew I had a slight phobia about food in my penthouse, and they constantly teased me about it. My cupboards were nearly empty because I usually ate downstairs. Since most of my soldiers lived in the building, I made sure we accommodated their needs, including shared spaces like the kitchen. This allowed me to eat at home and keep food out of my penthouse.
When I moved my siblings out of my parents’ house, I could only afford one of the worst tenement apartments in Jersey. I hadn’t realized when we moved in that the entire complex was infested with bugs. It was shocking to go from a relatively tidy and well-maintained home to a place where, as a teenager with no prospects, I struggled to feed my siblings daily while trying to combat rodents and cockroaches. I hadn’t known how to clean, but I learned. Having snacks out in the open was something my siblings had never been allowed to do. I quickly discovered that it attracted all kinds of bugs. Since then, I’ve kept food entirely out of my living space.
Now that Francesca had talked about cooking, I realized she might find my pantry restrictions unacceptable. She seemed like the kind of woman who wanted snacks, and I shuddered at the thought of all the crumbs.