12. Liam
As we near the house, I fall a couple of steps behind Emily. Her eyes fill with sadness for a moment before she pushes the emotion aside. We push through the door and step into the foyer.
Some of the guards eye me as we walk toward the kitchen.
Trying to hide my feelings for Emily is becoming more difficult with each passing day. I’m lucky that Declan is so consumed with his torturing that he hasn’t caught on to us seeing each other.
When Caetlin found me outside the party, she gave me a knowing look before making me follow her to Emily’s room. I wasn’t expecting her to push us toward each other, but she said she knew I was meant for Emily just by looking at me.
I’m not sure what that means but I believe it. Emily is mine.
Entering the kitchen, we’re greeted by Rhys and Declan sitting at the counter while Niall prepares food for them.
Declan eyes me for a second before his gaze flicks to Emily. She averts her eyes and moves toward the refrigerator. Rhys peers over Declan’s shoulder and shakes his head at me in disapproval.
Shite.
“I just came to see if either of you needed anythin’.” I shove my hands into my pockets and maintain a relaxed pose despite the crackling of anxiety coursing through me.
“How thoughtful of you,” Rhys says with a sarcastic tone.
“Fuck off,” Declan says with a flick of his wrist.
I force myself to avoid looking at Emily before leaving the kitchen.
“Feckin’ eejit.” One of the guards says with a shake of his head.
Fucking Emily outside was clearly a bad fecking idea. I shouldn’t have let lust cloud my thoughts. There’s no telling who all knows now.
I stand with my gun raised at the target in the privately owned shooting range. Once the center of the target is in my crosshairs, I unload the magazine.
My position doesn’t falter in any way from the gun’s recoil. I’ve long since mastered the art of firearms.
I never miss.
Moving in quick, trained movements, I reload the gun and unload the magazine into another target and then another and another.
The gun is hot by the time I finish firing. It lands with a thud when I set it on the table in front of me.
Slow clapping to my left pulls my attention from reloading another weapon.
“Excellent form,” Rhys says with a smirk.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“Just seeing if my guess is correct.” He steps toward me, and I raise a brow.
“You’re fucking Emily, aren’t you?”
I glare at him, and he shakes his head, letting out a huff.
“You either got some balls on you, or you’re fecking stupid.”
Shoving the magazine into the new pistol, I ignore Rhys and get into position. My heart pounds in my ears from how fast my blood is coursing through my veins.
Taking a deep breath, I release it slowly and press on the trigger. The bullet goes flying with a loud bang! And hits the target directly in the center.
Like I said. I never miss.
Rhys steps up to my left and takes the gun from me.
I let out an annoyed growl and spin to face him.
“Piss off.”
“You’re treading very dangerous waters, my friend.” He levels me with his deep green eyes.
“I haven’t the slight clue what you’re talkin’ ‘bout.”
“Don’t bullshit me, Liam.”
I swing my arms outward in annoyance. “What do you want from me?”
“Stop whatever you’re doing with Emily before Declan or Conor finds out.”
“No.”
Rhys has me by a good three inches, so I raise my chin slightly to meet his eyes when he steps close enough for our noses to nearly touch.
“You’re going to get yourself killed.”
Anger flows freely through my body and I clench and unclench my fists.
His eyes bounce between mine and I watch as the realization hits him.
“You love her.” He says.
“Aye.” I nod.
He shakes his head, releasing a disappointed sigh, before stepping back.
“You’re fucked. Conor will never accept it. She’s set to marry Ryan Monroe.”
My heart collapses the moment the words leave his mouth. “What did you say?”
His eyes fill with sympathy. “Conor is going to announce her engagement to Ryan Monroe in one month. Why do you think he’s been having her spend so much time with him?”
I knew we were on borrowed time, but I didn’t realize it would come to an end so soon. We’ve only just started.
She’s mine.
My teeth threaten to crack from how hard I clench my jaw. Every muscle in my body is pulled taut.
“This marriage will allow Conor to launder his money through the Monroe Banks without catching the attention of the Feds. It’s happening whether you want it to or not.”
I rake my hand through my hair and then down my face. Turning away from Rhys, I tip my head back and let out a sigh.
I need to pull away now if she’s going to accept the marriage. She’s going to fight and if Conor learns it’s because of me, he’ll kill me, and I can’t have Emily feel responsible for that.
My chin falls to my chest, and I shake my head slowly. Rhys comes up behind me and sets a hand on my shoulder. He gives it a gentle but firm squeeze.
No. She’s mine.
“No,” I say firmly, shrugging him off.
“What do you mean no?” Rhys asks.
Spinning around, I meet his confused face with determination.
“She’s mine. I’m not lettin’ her go.”
He snorts and looks at me like I’m an absolute moron. “Then I guess be ready for Declan to skin you or Conor to shoot you between the eyes.”
I don’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction out of me. Instead, I push past him and head to Conor’s study.
It’s about time I lay my claim on Emily. Consequences be damned.