Quinn #2
Of course it’s Dáire that has made this huge fucking decision, not giving a fuck about the consequences. I’ve no doubt that everyone will accommodate her, they always do, because Dáire is the kind of person that gets whatever the hell she wants. Regardless of who it hurts.
I think about growing up beside her, of the hatred that she has for me.
I think about every event, every function, every occasion where I stood next to my sister and felt the disgust she has for me.
How she’d lose her damn mind if she deemed the dress I was wearing better than hers, or more expensive, and our mam would do what she always does.
Make me change to ensure that Dáire feels better, never mind how I’m feeling.
I have a sickening feeling that I’ve been called to meet with our da for a specific reason. Not to inform me of what happened with Dáire, but because he wants something from me.
"What happens now?" I settle back into the couch and sigh, readying myself for whatever the hell he’s going to answer my question with.
"The engagement is dissolved," he says. "Dáire will marry Rurik, within the month. It won’t be a big wedding. Hell, there will only be a few in attendance."
I nod, knowing that’s the only solution that makes sense. Dáire has to marry Rurik, there’s no other option. Otherwise, she’d be deemed tainted in our world, and that only has one ending…death.
"And the alliance with the Marianos?"
He doesn't answer immediately, but something shifts in the air of the room. That stifling feeling to the air changes and now it’s more static. Tony’s body goes very still. He hasn’t said a word since I entered the room, hasn’t even moved, but now he’s rigid like a tense bow.
My da's jaw tightens. "The alliance needs to hold," he says simply.
"The Syndicate is watching. After the Harringtons…" He stops, shakes his head, realizing whom he’s talking to and that I don’t need that information.
"We can't afford the appearance of instability, and we can't afford to let this look like the Delaney family is unreliable. "
I hear what he isn't saying. It’s what I’ve learned to do. I've always been good at hearing what isn't said. I know exactly what’s coming and I’m beyond livid. Fucking Dáire.
He looks at me. "Quinn."
That’s all that he says. Just my name, and that says it all.
Fuck.
"You're of marriageable age," he tells me, his gaze holding mine. "Lorenzo Mariano still needs a bride. The alliance still needs sealing."
I think of Lorenzo Mariano and what little I know of him.
I've seen him at Syndicate functions over the years.
He's tall, dark brown hair, dark eyes, and annoyingly good-looking.
The scar through his left eyebrow is what I always notice first. I remember seeing it years ago and wondering how he'd gotten it.
Not that I'd ever asked, or had any reason to.
For the last year, he was engaged to my sister.
Still, it'd be hard not to notice that he's handsome. Strong jaw, broad shoulders, expensive suits that look like they were made specifically for him. The man looks like he walked straight out of one of the mafia romance books I hide under my mattress.
Unfortunately for me, he's very real.
Lorenzo is well known for being violent and unforgiving.
He’s killed more men and women than his father has and he’s only twenty-five.
The man is ruthless and everyone knows that he’s going to be the boss once Cesare relinquishes his title as The Boss of the Italian mafia.
He’s also very active within the social circles, meaning that he’s been with a lot of women who are part of our world, who all seem to love discussing their dalliances with him.
But he was supposed to marry Dáire. He wanted to marry Dáire. Or at least, he accepted it. He stood in a room with the entire Syndicate and agreed to it, and now I am sitting in this chair and my da’s looking at me expectantly.
He didn't choose me, he's being given me, the same way I'm being given him.
"You're sure there's no other option?" My voice comes out even, colder than I thought possible.
"We need the alliance. The Syndicate needs it. What Dáire did…" He stops himself. "This family cannot be the reason the Syndicate fractures further, not after everything."
"Dáire fractured it," I say, the anger lacing my words isn’t unexpected.
But both Da and Tony glare at me. Oops, I forgot that I’m not supposed to question the princess.
"That's not the point," Da snarls.
“Oh yeah?” I hiss, my anger getting the better of me. “Dáire fucks up and yet again, it’s me who has to pay the price. Tell me, Da, what is the point then?”
He takes a step toward me and I brace for impact. It wouldn't be the first time he'd swung at me, and I doubt it'd be the last.
Movement to my left catches my eye. Tony shifts forward; barely, but it's enough.
My da stops in his tracks, his face flushes red before he takes a step back.
I don't understand it, most of the time Tony stays out of whatever happens between me and my parents. Then there are moments like this, where he silently steps in and my da actually listens, and I've stopped trying to figure out why.
“You know your role in this family, Quinn,” he growls. “You do as you’re told and you’ll ask no fucking questions.”
I don’t say anything as I stare at him. Once again, I’m the one that gets the bad end of the stick with the bullshit that Dáire has done. Only this time, I’m giving up my entire life. I’m about to be married to a fucking deadly mafia underboss.
“This alliance is crucial. We are not going to make enemies with the Marianos.”
I scoff. “Think it’s a bit late for that da. I mean Lorenzo Mariano agreed to marry Dáire. She was his fiancée and now she’s pregnant with another man’s baby. I think you being friends is long gone. But don’t worry, I’ll do as I’m told.”
Da takes the two strides it takes to reach me. I don’t have time to brace as the back of his hand slashes across my cheek. I bite back the whimper of pain. There’s no point in crying. It’ll only make things worse, make his anger worse.
“You stupid fucking child,” he hisses. “Do not test me. I’m not in the fucking mood for your games.”
The door flies open and I turn my gaze to it, not surprised to see both Caden and Dáithí entering the room, both of whom take the scene in front of them within seconds. Dáithí whirls on da. “What the fuck?”
“Stay out of it,” Da warns. “She needs to learn her place.”
“By smacking the shit out of her?” Caden asks with a raised brow. “I doubt her fiancé will be pleased to see that bruise.”
“Why the hell did you hit her?” Dáithí questions.
Da doesn’t answer. Instead, he takes two steps back and tries to regain his composure. His face is red and splotchy, his chest heaving. He can’t hide what he’s done, his anger is too palpable. Not to mention judging by how much my cheek is stinging, it’s going to leave a mark.
“I spoke out of turn,” I say simply.
Caden’s lips twitch. “You? Never.”
I try not to smile, but I can’t help the grin that forms on my lips.
“What did you say?” Dáithí demands.
I sigh. “Da says that the alliance is crucial and that we’re not going to make enemies with the Marianos. I simply pointed out that having Dáire get pregnant by another man while betrothed to one of said Marianos has probably already done that.”
Caden nods and Dáithí sighs. “She’s not wrong, this is a fucking clusterfuck, Da.
We all know that the moment word gets out that Lorenzo is marrying Quinn and Dáire is marrying Rurik and is pregnant, everyone’s going to know what’s happened.
Cesare and Lorenzo aren’t forgiving fuckers, they hold grudges. Dáire has fucked us all, and for what?”
“A quick fuck,” Caden mutters making me laugh, I quickly mask it by coughing.
“What is done is done. Nothing can be changed. Dáire is marrying Rurik and Quinn will marry Lorenzo. End of fucking conversation,” Da snarls.
“So Dáire fucks up and I’m being given up like a lamb to slaughter and what repercussions does Dáire get for fucking up? Nothing.” I can’t hold my tongue any longer. I’m beyond angry. The only good thing is that both Dáithí and Caden are here on my side.
My da’s eyes fill with rage and I’m pretty sure there’s a hint of threat in them. “You will do as you're told. You and Lorenzo will be married.”
There’s nothing I can do to change it. I’m going to marry a man I have spoken to perhaps four times in my life.
A man who is cold, controlled, and known throughout the Syndicate for being ruthless.
A man who spent the last year preparing to marry my sister and is now being told the arrangement has been changed.