14. Emily
I stand facing my father in his study with Declan and Rhys flanking me. Their faces are emotionless but the energy in the room has me on edge.
“We will be announcing your engagement to Ryan in one month.”
Every inch of my body freezes, my heart falls, and the air in my lungs instantly disappears.
No. No!
“What?”
“You’ll be moving to the city penthouse in anticipation of the engagement.”
“Why?”
My father lets out an exasperated sigh as he walks to the wet bar and pours himself a glass of whiskey. Looking into the glass, he swirls the amber liquid slowly without speaking.
Bringing the glass to his lips, he tips the glass back and swallows the whiskey in one swig.
“You knew this was coming, mo stór. This marriage will immensely benefit this organization. Ryan is a good man. He will treat you well.”
My eyes burn and my vision begins to blur.
My father’s face softens when he sees my tear-rimmed eyes. Setting the glass atop his desk, he strides over to me and pulls me into his arms.
His large hand cups the back of my head for a moment as he gives me a tight squeeze.
Pulling back, he cups my shoulders and offers me a small smile.
“Everything will work out as it is supposed to. You will have a good life with Ryan. He comes from a good family.”
I don’t want Ryan. I want Liam.
The words almost spill from my lips, but I swallow them down. I need to see Liam. I need to talk to him about this. We need to find a way to fight for us.
“Go pack your things. You’ll be moving to the penthouse today.”
My blood drains from my face and I step out of his embrace.
“Today?! I don’t want to go anywhere, Da.”
His face steels. My Da is not standing in front of me anymore. This is Conor Moore – Leader of the Irish Mafia.
“This is not up for discussion. Go pack your things.”
He dismisses me by turning his back and walking to the other side of his desk. His face remains stoic when he sits in his seat.
When I don’t make a move toward the door, he raises his brow in challenge, daring me to defy him.
I shake my head in disappointment and my face morphs with pain. When I spin on my heels, Declan’s eyes reflect sympathy. I’m not sure what is worse: the stone face of my father, or the face Declan has aimed at me.
The first tear slips from my eyes and rolls down my cheek. Without another word, I leave the study.
“You need to talk to him, ma! He’s sending me away. I don’t want to go. I don’t want to marry Ryan.” I sob into my phone. My mother listens silently on the other side.
“I’ve tried convincing him, mo stór. He will not budge on this.”
I pace back and forth and run my fingers through my long strands.
“Have you spoken to Liam? Have you told your father about him?”
I sigh into the phone. “No and no.”
“Emily, you need to speak to both of them. Liam will need to decide if he’s going to follow orders or stake his claim. Your father needs to know that your heart belongs to another.”
“I’ve sent Liam a message and told him I needed to speak with him. And Da won’t listen. He simply tells me that Ryan is a good man and will take care of me.”
I swipe at the tears that stream down my face.
“Oh aingeal , stand up to him. Put your foot down and tell him that you will not marry. Demand his attention. Make him listen.”
“I’m not like you, ma. I can’t just walk into a room and command men. I don’t know how to without feeling like I’m going to throw up everywhere.” I swing my free arm out in slight annoyance.
“Unless you stand up to your father about this, he will not yield.” Her voice is stern.
A soft knock interrupts my response.
“I need to call you back.” I hang up before she has a chance to answer.
Quickly, I clear my cheeks of the tears that have stained them and walk to the door.
Liam steps inside my room when I open it. I throw myself into his arms and begin to sob.
“What’s goin’ on?” He asks, his voice full of concern.
“My da is announcing my engagement to Ryan in a month and he’s sending me to live in the penthouse.”
His face doesn’t show any hint of surprise and I pull away from him.
“You knew?” I whisper.
His eyes bounce between mine for a moment and then he nods.
“You knew and you didn’t do anything? You didn’t tell me? Did you even fight for me?”
He steps closer and I step back.
“I just found out, Em. I was on my way to speak to your da when I got your message.”
He takes another step, and this time, I don’t pull away. His arms wrap around me, and my cheek presses against his tee.
“What are you going to do?” I ask.
He pulls back and cups my face. His callused thumbs brush against my skin.
“I’m stakin’ my claim.” He says before his lips capture mine.