7. Cora
CHAPTER SEVEN
cora
Conall’s heavy footsteps approached, each seeming to echo through the space as I waited in one of the guest rooms, still trying to process the man who had just left. Maxim Volkov. The name alone sounded dangerous, even if I hadn’t felt the weight of his presence like an unspoken threat the moment I’d opened the door.
I’d bet he would be a good end-of-the-world partner. The guy probably wouldn’t blink in the face of a zombie coming at him. These were things to consider. People could laugh if they wanted, but I had standards, and they all began with … could the guy knife a zombie? Yes or no. Maxim Volkov could with a smile on his face. No doubt.
I’d bet that Maxim Volkov would kill anything and dance in its blood. That’d be a picture worth taking.
I remembered him in pieces. He was one of my brother’s friends from years ago, though I never saw much of him. A tall figure in shadows, a hard, unreadable expression. Even when he was younger, he looked angry. But now, that impression paled compared to the man who looked at me as if he were going to eat me alive.
He wasn’t Irish. That much was obvious. Russian, through and through—those hard, unreadable eyes, the way he moved, the accent, and the sense of command he exuded without saying a word. I felt myself shiver, partly from that intense stare and partly from the realization that he must be tied to the same world Conall inhabited. Whatever Maxim Volkov was, he was no ordinary businessman.
He was hot, I had to admit. He was tall, at least six-four, broad, and muscular. He was not quite as stocky as Conall, but he was built like a god with dark brown eyes and hair. Tattoos peeked from his suit and covered even his hands. Maxim was sin and sex.
Probably would know where my clit was. I wondered if he could make me feel like those girls felt in those encounters I’d photographed — the ones with glazed eyes. I wondered what sinking to my knees for him would be like. If he had a big cock. I’ll bet he did. The thought made me all wet and warm.
Conall entered the room, his face set and serious, ruining my musings. He didn’t sit down but watched me from where he stood. During their meeting, I’d set up camp on the king-sized bed with leftover snacks from my backpack and found a streaming channel with The Walking Dead . All that had been missing was pizza, and I could have died happy, but from the look on Conall’s face, that wasn’t going to happen.
Conall’s eye twitched as he looked at the mess on the bed. He hated it when I was little and brought snacks into my bedroom. I could see now that he wanted to say something. His fist clenched at his side, and he breathed in and out. I thought about needling him but decided that wouldn’t be smart.
“What was that about?” I asked, my voice coming out steadier than I felt. “Where is everyone? Brody and Paddy?”
He gave me that familiar, unreadable look before he spoke. “I’ll be giving you the tour tomorrow. They don’t know you’re here yet, or they’d be banging on the door like the gobshites they are. There’s something we need to discuss, Cora. Something I was going to wait on, but circumstances have changed.”
The heaviness in his tone unsettled me. Conall had always been my rock, but now, he seemed hesitant enough to set me on edge. I frowned, but I nodded, waiting.
“Twenty-three years ago, our father made a deal,” he started. “It was between four rivals: the O’Kellys, the Volkovs, the Santellis, and the Anthakos. They decided to unite to help their interests and gain more power but didn’t trust each other.” He chuckled darkly, running a hand through his hair. “Mostly because they were all trafficking scumbags. So they came up with an idea. To prove that they’d be loyal, they signed a blood oath to seal the deal.”
Trafficking. I remembered that part. Still, it made me sick to think that was what my father had been involved in, but I had never been surprised.
“What kind of deal was it?” I asked, but part of me already knew enough to dread the answer.
“To solidify the alliances, keep the bloodlines strong, protect the territories they agreed their sons and daughters would marry into each other’s families.”
The words hit me like a slap. My eyes widened, and I shook my head. “What? No. That’s absurd, Conall. That kind of… agreement is archaic. Nobody does that anymore.” Even as I spoke, I knew it wasn’t true. It was common practice in mafia families. My heart raced. Was he saying what I thought he was saying? That I’d been sold off?
He didn’t flinch. “We’re not like other families, Cora. The mob, the mafia, bratva. In our world, these alliances mean stability, loyalty, and power. Promises aren’t taken lightly—especially not blood oaths. Blood oaths are inescapable. The O’Kellys, the Santellis, the Volkovs, and the Anthakos have been allies for generations. The oath was to anchor those alliances.”
I recognized what I was feeling. Panic.
My heart pounded as I tried to make sense of it, a jumbled mess of anger and disbelief clawing its way to the surface. “You can’t be serious. You expect me to marry someone I don’t even know?”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I understand this is hard to accept. But this isn’t just any man, Cora. His bratva and our crew—together, we can create something bigger than we’ve ever had. Maxim is powerful, and he’s willing to honor the oath. He’s a good man and my friend. He will treat you right. He will protect you.”
“He’s willing?” I echoed, incredulous. “What about me, Conall? Don’t I get a choice in this? Did you ask if I’m willing?”
Maxim. I’d be marrying the sexy, hot stranger who had walked in the door.
My brother springing a marriage on me was not on my bingo card this year. Sure, in the back of my mind, I knew that the expectation was to make an advantageous match, but I’d been out of everything to do with my brothers and the mob or whatever they had going on here for over a decade. Living with Uncle Tommy in basic isolation meant I’d not met anyone serious. He may have been an inept guardian, but he wasn’t that careless. Sure, I’d had a few meet-ups at the pub, but they’d been casual and unsatisfying. I’d not even dated. Maybe that was a mistake — I should have taken time to make friends instead of being lost in my camera.
Conall’s expression softened, but only slightly. “I know it feels unfair, but we don’t have the luxury of choice. This isn’t just about you or me—it’s about our people, our family. I will have to do the same thing very soon — marry someone.” He looked down at his shoes and rocked a little, looking uncertain. “Angelo’s sister.”
I shook my head again, feeling the desperation rising. “But I don’t want to marry him. I don’t even know him.”
Conall stepped closer, putting a hand on my shoulder. “You’ll get to know him, and he’ll get to know you. Maxim’s a man of his word, and he respects tradition. He understands what’s at stake as well as I do.”
I pushed his hand away, barely able to contain the frustration bubbling inside me. “But what if I say no? What if I refuse to go along with this?”
He gave me a stern look, all traces of brotherly softness gone. “The O’Kellys honor their word, Cora. That’s how our family became what it is, which means you will marry Maxim Volkov.”
We stared at each other for a long, painful moment, a quiet clash of wills. I wanted to yell, scream, or do something that might change his mind, but I saw the resolve in his face. He wouldn’t back down, and I didn’t know if I could fight him on this or I’d even begin to.
The thought of becoming someone’s bargaining chip, of having my life mapped out without my say, felt like a betrayal I’d never forget or forgive.
“Fine,” I whispered, though I could barely hear myself. “But don’t expect me to be happy about it.”
Conall’s face softened just a little. “In time, you might see the wisdom in it.”
I didn’t respond; instead, I looked away and focused on anything but him. I could run, I guessed, but what would my family do? If what Conall said was true, then there was a signed oath thingy, and the O’Kellys would be in breach of contract. There were no other girls in the family. I was it.
We’d barely been in New York a few hours, and I hadn’t had a moment to think since I got off that plane. Every part of me ached with exhaustion, which had become permanent in my bones. I had hoped that finally being here, in Conall’s fortress of security, would let me relax—give me space to process the whirlwind of the last twenty-four hours. But that feeling of safety I’d expected seemed farther away than ever.
Conall was still watching me, his gaze steady but weary. He looked just as exhausted as I felt, yet somehow, he stood as if he was the only one holding the weight of our family’s fate.
“Cora,” he said quietly, his voice softened now. “I know this is hard to accept, but trust me. I wouldn’t do this if it weren’t necessary. Maxim is … well, he’s the best possible option.”
“You think so?” I asked, unable to keep the bitterness from creeping into my tone. “You think he’s the best possible option for me ?” I almost asked him how he’d even know since Conall himself was a stranger to me, but I kept the words inside, swallowing them down like acid on my tongue.
Conall’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t rise to the bait. “He’s not just a man, Cora. He’s an alliance. And one who can be trusted. If I have to see you wed to someone, I would rather it be someone like Maxim than a stranger with no ties or respect for our family.”
“A stranger?” I laughed, a hollow sound that didn’t feel like it was coming from me. “He is a stranger, Conall. Just because our fathers made some ancient promise doesn’t make him less of one.”
Conall’s face turned to stone, and it was as if a rod was suddenly inserted into his ass. “You are an O’Kelly. An alliance would have been sought no matter what. That is our duty to each other.” The words were practically spit at me. “I have bled my fingers to the bone for us without complaint, princess . I will continue to do so. You will do your part and quit being a brat.”
I cringed. My brother had hit me where it hurt with that comment, effectively ending all my arguments.
My brother suffered for our tiny family. I wouldn’t disagree that he was the only reason we had a roof over our heads and food on the table. Conall sacrificed. Would this be such a big price to pay?
I was being both of those things: a brat and a princess. My life had been free and easy so far. Nothing had been asked of me before. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t do it.
“Cora, we aren’t a regular family. You realize that, right? Just because you had time to spread your wings a little didn’t mean your place wasn’t always here. We all have a duty to fulfill.”
The anger flared again, hot and stubborn. I wanted to scream at him that I didn’t make this oath and shouldn’t have to pay for something done in the past. But I knew that even if I shouted or cried, Conall would still stand there with that same resolute expression, unmoved by my protests. I reminded myself of his words — don’t be a brat.
I closed my eyes, willing myself to breathe. To think past the rage. I’d only been back a few hours. We were exhausted, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Conall was keeping something else from me. Something darker, something that weighed on him as much as this arrangement.
“Maxim will pick you up tomorrow for dinner.”
“Great,” I said with no enthusiasm whatsoever.
Without another word, he turned and left the room, and I felt a hollow ache settle into my bones.
Morning light spilled through the tall windows, golden and warm, as I wandered into the kitchen, still bleary from sleep. I barely had the energy to change last night, let alone try to make sense of everything Conall dumped on me. My mind still spun with questions, arguments I should have made, and the hollow ache of knowing my life was no longer my own.
“About time, sleepyhead.”
I turned toward the voice and found Paddy grinning at me, leaning against the counter with a coffee mug in hand. Next to him stood Brody, the more serious of the two. Both were dressed in what looked like combat boots, black utility pants, and dark t-shirts. They looked more like soldiers than anything else. They’d both filled out, no longer the lean and lanky brothers I was used to. Seeing them both in person filled me with relief and irritation in equal measure.
I was the only O’Kelly with dark hair. The rest of them were all light-haired, and seeing them together reminded me of how I felt when I was little. I was always the odd one out.
“You’re late,” Paddy added, giving me his signature smirk. “What happened to that early bird energy you used to have?”
“Guess I left it in Dublin,” I muttered, grabbing a mug and pouring some coffee. I was in a foul mood already. “Or I grew up,” I mumbled into my coffee. I had to get over the bitterness that I felt seeing them now. I enjoyed my time in Dublin and the freedom that I had. I needed to remember that, but somehow, I’d just felt abandoned there. That feeling hadn’t ever gone away.
“Come here. We missed you.” Brody was the first to come forward and hug me before passing me over to Paddy.
“Look at you all grown up. Barely recognize you since we last saw you,” Paddy curled his hands around my shoulders, tipping my chin up so my eyes met his.
“Missed you too, Paddy,” I said instead of what I wanted to say. Whose fault was that?
“Conall will be available in a minute.” Brody shoved a phone into his pocket. “He’s going to take you around and meet the guys. He’ll meet us downstairs.
In the daylight, it was easy to see that the apartment was spectacular and the opposite of that shitty place we had hidden in when we were little. It was modern and open, with views of the river.
“Let me just grab a little cereal, maybe?” I looked around the kitchen, wondering if I was lucky enough that Lucky Charms would be in the cabinets.
“There’s a kitchen downstairs. We’ll show you where. Conall is like a miser with food up here,” Paddy complained. “Fucking neat freak.”
“So, did Conall drag you into this ridiculous marriage business, too?”
Paddy snorted. “Oh, we know about it.” Paddy had the grace to look guilty.
Brody cut in, his tone measured but firm. “We don’t love it either, Cora. But he’s right—this isn’t negotiable. Conall is going to marry, too.”
The weight of their words sat heavy on my chest, but I pushed it aside. “I heard. You two going to show me around, or what?” The words came out sulky, but they seemed to take it on the chin. Conall probably warned them I wasn’t happy about the arrangement being dumped on me.
Paddy grinned again. “Now that’s the spirit. Come on, little sis.”
The building was impressive—I’d give Conall that. Its polished wood floors and soaring glass windows with sleek modern touches made it feel more like a tech startup than an Irish mob headquarters. Paddy led the way, pointing out different floors, and Brody occasionally chimed in with more practical details.
“That’s where Conall holds his ‘boring meetings,’” Paddy said, nodding toward a large conference room. “Don’t ever let him drag you in there. He’ll bore you to tears.”
“And that floor,” Brody added, ignoring Paddy, “is the weapons storage. Locked down tighter than Fort Knox, so don’t get any ideas. Your print won’t access that.”
“Please.” I rolled my eyes. “Like I’d ever need to break into your precious armory,” I drawled. I was curious, though.
We turned a corner, and I was surprised when Conall appeared, flanked by a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark hair and a cold, sharp gaze. He moved like a shark, controlled and deliberate, and the moment his eyes met mine, I wasn’t sure I would like him.
“Cora,” Conall said, his voice calm but firm. “This is your new guard, Finn O’Donoghue. He’ll be sticking close.”
“Excuse me?” I stared at him, then at Finn. “I don’t need a guard.”
“It’s not optional,” Conall replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Finn’s one of our best, and you’ll be safe with him.”
“Safe from what?” I demanded. “I’ve been here less than a day. What kind of trouble do you think I’m already in?”
Conall’s gaze hardened. “I don’t know, midget. You won’t tell me, but in the end, it’s not about what you’ve done, Cora. It’s about the people around us. The world we’re in. You’re a target, whether you like it or not.” He frowned. “Although you haven’t told me what was so urgent.” Conall shook a finger in my direction. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten.”
“I don’t like it,” I snapped. “And I don’t need a babysitter.”
Finn stepped forward then, his expression unreadable. “I’m not here to babysit. I’m here to make sure no one gets to you. That’s all.”
“Wonderful,” I muttered, crossing my arms. “Just what every girl dreams of—a shadow.”
Paddy snickered from behind me, and I shot him a glare. Conall didn’t flinch, and Finn didn’t so much as blink. I wanted to kick them all. Maybe I would get into that armory so I could shoot them.
“Fine,” I finally said, though it felt like admitting defeat. “But don’t expect me to make this easy.”
Didn’t I just say that yesterday? So now I had a marriage set up and a bodyguard.
Awesome.
Finn’s face set, and he stepped back, but just barely.
On the second floor was a cafeteria that was out of my dreams, with cereal dispensers that even had Lucky Charms. Yeah, I was Irish and liked Lucky Charms. The irony wasn’t lost.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it. Don’t forget that Maxim is picking you up at seven,” Conall said as someone whispered in his ear. “Your print will give you access to the areas you need. The building, the elevator, this floor, and mine. You have your card, right?”
I nodded.
“Good. Finn will take care of you.” His head inclined to Finn.
“I will, boss. With my life.”
“You better.”