Chapter 4
Connor
I led Mia into the study, my heart pounding in my chest. The familiar scent of leather and old books enveloped us as we entered. For a moment, I was transported back to countless hours spent here with Tomas—no, my father. The man I’d thought was merely my employer, but who had turned out to be so much more.
“Drink?”
I asked, moving towards the liquor cabinet. My hands trembled slightly as I reached for the crystal decanter of whisky.
Mia nodded, sinking into one of the high-backed leather chairs by the fire. “Please,”
she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I poured two generous measures of the amber liquid, using the moment to gather my thoughts. How the hell was I supposed to explain all of this? I turned, handing Mia her glass before taking a seat opposite her.
“So,”
I began, clearing my throat. “How was your trip?”
Mia’s eyebrows shot up, and she let out a short, incredulous laugh. “My trip? Connor, I fled my home after witnessing the murder of my landlord, who happened to be the sweetest man that ever lived, and I’m pretty sure I was being followed. And you’re asking about my trip?”
I winced. “Right. Sorry, Wren did say that you were having a problem back home. I ... I didn’t know.”
She put a hand on mine, and I stared at it, as she said, “No, don’t be sorry, how were you supposed to know? I’ve been on edge ever since I ran.”
“As to be expected. I just didn’t know where to start.”
She took a long sip of her whisky, her eyes never leaving mine. “How about you start with why you’re suddenly the clan captain? And what was that proposal joke about?”
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. “It wasn’t a joke,”
I admitted. “But I’m getting ahead of myself. You remember Tomas, right?”
Mia nodded. “Of course. Declan’s father. Your employer.”
I nod, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “Well, it turns out he was my father too.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “What? How is that possible?”
— she rolled her eyes — “I know how it’s possible but… how?”
I shrugged, taking a gulp of my own drink. “Apparently, he had a fling with my mother years ago. He kept it a secret all this time. But in his will, he named me as his son and heir.”
“That’s... wow. That’s a lot to take in,”
she said, leaning back in her chair.
“Tell me about it,”
I muttered. “But that’s not even the half of it. He also named me as the new clan captain.”
Mia’s brow furrowed. “But what about Declan?”
I nodded. “Tomas knew Declan never wanted it when he had the will made up all those years ago, and Declan still doesn’t want it. Neither does Rory or Kat. So, it falls to me.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
she asked, her voice soft with concern.
I let out a humorless laugh. “I don’t really have a choice. If I don’t take it, we forfeit everything. And trust me, that would be a disaster for everyone.”
She sat there in silence, staring at me with her doe eyes, and for a minute, I was lost in them.
I shook my head and took a deep breath, steeling myself. “Right. Well, there’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll just come out with it.”
I paused, meeting her gaze. “I need to get married. Soon. And I was hoping you might consider... being my wife. Fake wife of course, totally platonic.”
Mia’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open in shock. “I... what? You weren’t joking earlier?”
I hurried on, the words tumbling out of my mouth. “It’s not what you think. Well, it sort of is, but not really. You see, my father left me the estate and the position of clan captain, but there’s a catch. I have to be married within six months, or everything goes to our cousin, Donovan. Who is a complete asshole.”
She sat there for a moment, and I thought she was going to pass out. Her face went from a healthy normal skin tone to ashen in less than a second.
“Do I need to have children?”
she wheezed. “Because some inheritances stipulate that the wedding needs to be consummated and an heir produced. I need to know all the facts Connor before I decide.”
I scratched my head, trying to recollect if that was a condition or not. “Uhm… well, no. I don’t think so.”
I wasn’t planning on having sex with the woman. I mean, Mia wasn’t unattractive, but she just wasn’t my type. She reminded me of a mouse.
Her eyes narrowed as she studied my face. “So let me get this straight. You need to get married in six months to keep your inheritance and position as clan captain. And you’re asking me, someone you barely know, to be your wife?”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “Well, when you put it that way, it does sound a bit crazy. But hear me out. It wouldn’t have to be a real marriage. Just on paper. We could get divorced later.”
She took another long sip of whisky, her brow furrowed in thought. “And what’s in it for me, exactly?”
That was a good question. In many aspects, the mob life was horrifying. I had to think quickly. “Protection,”
I said without hesitation. “You came here running from something, didn’t you? As my wife, you’d have the full protection of the clan. No one would dare touch you.”
Mia’s expression softened slightly, but I could see the doubt lingering in her eyes. “I don’t know, Connor. This is all so sudden. And I have my own problems to deal with.”
I leaned forward, my voice sincere. “Tell me about them. Maybe I can help. We have resources, connections. Whatever you’re running from, we can face it together, whether we get married or not.”
She sighed, setting down her glass. “It’s complicated. And dangerous. I don’t want to drag you into it.”
“I’m already neck-deep in complicated and dangerous,”
I replied with a wry grin. “What’s a little more?”
She studied me for a long moment, then came to a decision. “Alright. I’ll tell you everything. But you have to promise me that whatever I say stays between us. At least for now.”
I nodded. “You have my word.”
She took a deep breath and began her story. As she spoke of the murder, mysterious USB drives, and shady people, I felt a mix of concern and, I had to admit, excitement. This was exactly the kind of intrigue I’d always imagined came with being clan captain.
When she finished, we sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of her situation settling over us.
“Well,”
I said finally, “I think it’s clear what we need to do.”
Mia raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that?”
I grinned, feeling more confident than I had in days. “We’re going to get married, solve your mystery, and save the estate from Donovan. All in six months.”
She laughed; a genuine sound that made my heart skip a beat. “You make it sound so simple.”
“Oh, it won’t be,”
I assured her. “But I have a feeling we will make a pretty good team.”
Her smile faded slightly as she considered my words. “This is crazy, you know that, right? We barely know each other.”
I shrugged. “Sometimes the craziest plans are the ones that work out best. Besides, after the wedding, we will get to know each other. How bad can it be?”
From beneath my shirt, I pulled a chain from around my neck and undid the clasp, slipping the antique ring in the palm of my hand. I held the engagement ring between my fingers and looked at the tiny twinkling solitaire diamond that was set in white gold.
“I know this isn’t as extravagant as the ring Declan gave to Wren, but it was my grandmother’s, and she wanted me to have it for when I was to get married.”
“That’s touching. Connor, it’s exquisite,”
she breathed, looking at it. “But shouldn’t you wait to give that to your one true love?”
I shook my head. At 35 years old, I didn’t believe in love. I extended my hand, hoping she couldn’t see how it trembled slightly. She stared at it for a long moment, her expression unreadable. “Mia, will you marry me?”
Just as I was about to pull back, thinking her silence was her way of rejecting me, she reached out and clasped my hand firmly.
“Yes,”
she whispered, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “But I have conditions.”
I nodded, relief washing over me as I slipped the ring on her finger. “Name them.”
“Let’s just keep the arrangement between us for now. I don’t think Declan likes me all that much.”
“Agreed,”
I said quickly. “But it was Wren’s idea. What else?”
“Oh, okay then. Well, second, I want access to all clan resources to help me figure out what’s on that USB drive and who’s after me.”
I hesitated for a moment.
Could I really allow that?
Fuck it, I was clan captain, I could allow anything. I nodded. “Done. Anything else?”
Mia’s eyes locked with mine, her gaze intense. “Last condition. If at any point this becomes too dangerous or complicated, we call it off. No hard feelings, no questions asked.”
I considered her words carefully. She had to know what the family did for a living. What could be so dangerous or complicated on that USB drive to make her say that? It was a fair request, but something in me rebelled against the idea of giving up so easily. Still, I knew I had to agree if I wanted her on board.
“Alright,”
I said finally. “But only if we both agree it’s necessary.”
She nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Then I guess we have a deal, future husband.”
The word sent a strange thrill through me, despite the circumstances. I raised my glass. “To an unorthodox wedding.”
She clinked her glass against mine, a wry smile on her face. “May we survive it.”
As we drank, I couldn’t help but wonder what I’d gotten myself into. But looking at Mia, her eyes bright with a mix of relief and fear, I knew I’d made the right choice. If nothing else, the estate would stay within this family.
The comfortable silence was broken by a sharp knock on the study door. Before either of us could respond, it swung open, revealing Declan. His expression was grim, his clothes splattered with mud from the stables.
“Sorry to interrupt,”
he said, his eyes darting between her and me. “But we’ve got a problem. There’s a car at the gates. Black sedan, tinted windows. The driver’s asking for you.” He was looking directly at Mia.
I felt her stiffen beside me, her face draining of color. I stood up, placing myself between her and the door. “Did you let them in?”
Declan shook his head. “Of course not. But they’re not leaving. What do you want to do, Captain?”
“I’m not Captain yet Declan, you still are!”
“No time like the present to learn, little brother,”
he grinned.