Chapter 10
Casey
Sheila dumps a box down in the empty kitchen and sighs, rubbing her lower back. “One of my great regrets in life is letting you buy so much stuff.”
“Oh, come on, you’re just as bad as me.”
“True, but I don’t ever plan on moving.”
“I didn’t either.” I glance down at the ring on my finger. I’m tired and achy. I don’t know what I would’ve done if Sheila refused to help me get my stuff over here. I could afford movers, but I’m still operating under the delusion that I might buy my own house one day.
If I did, how would that work? I’d stay with Declan half the time? Raise my kids from afar?
What’s my life going to look like ten years from now?
I can barely picture two days, let alone anything past that.
One foot in front of the other.
If I stop and look up, I don’t know what’ll happen.
“Want me to stick around and help you get unpacked?” Sheila leans up against the kitchen counter.
“No, that’s okay. I know you want to get back.”
“Are you sure?”
“Honestly, I should probably get used to this place on my own.”
She frowns and looks around. “It’s really nice.”
“Too nice, honestly.” I run my finger along the top of the refrigerator. It comes back totally clean. “He’s a freak.”
“A neat husband isn’t the worst thing in the world.”
“You didn’t have to work for him.”
She squints and gives me a strange, grimacing smile. “You have no idea.”
“It’s going to take me a while to get used to this.” I drift into the living room and over toward the big windows. The view of the city is incredible. This condo is probably worth millions of dollars, especially in New York. “He was my boss not that long ago, and now I’m supposed to marry him.”
“You’ll figure each other out.”
“I thought I already did, you know? But now I have to learn to live with him as an equal.”
“I’m not sure that man thinks anyone exists on the same level as him.”
“He’d better learn.” I turn and give her the best smile I can. I don’t want Sheila to worry about me too much. “It’s fine, honestly, please don’t stick around. Declan and I have an agreement. We’ll work it out.”
Sheila lingers for a little while longer. She clearly doesn’t want to leave me alone here. And I can’t blame her. I feel like I’m dangling from the edge of a cliff.
But finally, she heads out, and I start carrying boxes up into my room.
Declan left the door open. It’s at the end of the hall, opposite the master. I step in and stare around, feeling a strange chill come over me.
It’s nice. Very nice. Almost professionally nice.
There’s nothing personal in here, nothing warm, nothing inviting.
The walls are white, and the trim is gray.
The sheets are black silk. The rug is black and white.
The furniture is all gray. It’s like something out of a modern minimalist Instagram influencer’s timeline.
What am I doing here?
This isn’t mine at all.
My space back home is all me. I have pictures on the walls. Photographs of friends and places I’ve visited. There are books on the shelves, clothes on the floor, little pieces of my life.
Now most of that is in boxes.
And my room… looks like this.
At least there’s an en-suite bathroom and a very nice closet.
I bring more things upstairs, but I can’t start unpacking. I feel small and cold standing around in all that black and gray. I decide to head back downstairs, and as I reach the bottom of the steps, the locks on the door begin to jiggle and snap open.
I stare in surprise. Declan’s not due home for another few hours. Maybe he decided to take off and help me get moved in. That would’ve been nice of him.
But the door opens, and an older red-haired woman stares in at me, looking almost as surprised as I am.
She’s very pretty. I’d guess mid-sixties. Her hair’s graying, but it lends her more gravity. She’s wearing a chic blouse and slacks and carrying an expensive designer bag.
Her surprise turns into a big, warm smile. “You must be Casey. I’m sorry, I can tell by your reaction that Declan didn’t mention I’d be stopping over.”
“No, I mean, hello, I’m not sure—” I stammer and try to get my bearings.
“My name’s Siobhan. I’m Declan’s mother.”
Her face suddenly clicks into focus. I can see so much of her in him. The same nose, the same cheekbones. He’s much harder and more masculine, but the resemblance is still there.
“It’s so nice to meet you.” I shake her hand. “We’ve spoken a few times over the phone, actually. I’ve heard your name a thousand times over the years.”
She laughs lightly and walks into the kitchen. I hurry to keep up. “That’s right, you’ve been his assistant. And now you’re going to be his wife. That must be a strange promotion.”
“I hadn’t really thought about it that way.”
“Good, it’s probably better if you don’t.
” She helps herself to a bottle of sparkling mineral water.
“I’m so happy this is finally official. It’s been so long, and I was starting to wonder if it would ever actually happen, but you know Declan.
When he says he’s doing something, he never gives up, no matter what. ”
I give her an awkward laugh.
What does she mean, it’s been so long?
That’s probably just an expression. Maybe it feels like forever since Declan’s been single for a while.
But this relationship only began recently.
“He’s definitely persistent. That’s my experience, anyway.”
“How was he as a boss?” She leans in conspiratorially. “Did you have a mean nickname for him? The girl before you called him Captain Dickhead behind his back and didn’t think anyone knew.”
I snort and stifle a laugh. “Captain Dickhead? That’s a rough one.”
“I’m betting yours isn’t much better. Come on, what did you call him?”
I hesitate, but she seems so earnest and kind. I find myself opening up despite myself. “Boss Bastard.”
She laughs, clearly delighted. “I love it! Oh, I bet it drives him crazy.”
I flush with embarrassment. “I don’t use it around him!”
“I’m sure he knows. Oh, don’t worry. Declan knows he’s a pain in the ass. He just doesn’t care.” She drinks the water and sighs happily. “I really hope you’re a match for him. Life’s going to get hard soon.”
“Do you mean the Senesi stuff?”
Her smile fades away. “In part, but it’s more than that. Did he mention what’s going on with his father?”
“He did. I’m really sorry to hear about his health struggles, Mrs. Whelan.”
“Please, call me Siobhan. And thank you. I think we’ve all been slightly in denial except for Declan until recently. Now it’s very clear that he’ll be taking over the family business sooner rather than later, and he’s going to need help.”
“We talked about that some.”
“Good. I’m glad he’s setting expectations.” She straightens up and looks at me seriously. “Your job is going to be difficult very soon, but you have to support him no matter what. He won’t admit it, but he’s going to need you.”
“Declan doesn’t seem like the kind of man who needs anyone.”
“That’s exactly the sort of person who needs a good wife the most.” She moves slightly closer, staring at me with those deep green eyes of hers.
I can see so much of her son in that look, except her warmth and charm must’ve passed him over, and he only inherited her cold grumpiness.
“Your job will be to support and protect him.”
I laugh awkwardly, even though she’s clearly not kidding. “He’s the one protecting me.”
“I don’t mean physically. Protect him here.” She touches her chest, right over her heart. “I need to know we can count on you, Casey. There’s a lot at stake for our family.”
I don’t know what to say. I understood marrying Declan might be complicated, but his mother’s acting like I’m going to play an active role in whatever transition is about to happen.
But that’s not how I see it.
I’ll show up to events. I’ll smile and be friendly. But I’m just a name and a face. I’m not actually involved in any of this. I barely understand what his family does, only that they’re powerful and somehow, they’re criminals.
Only I just know Declan as the CEO of a shipping company.
This aspect of him is totally new, and I don’t know how to deal with it yet.
But his mother’s looking at me like she expects something, and I don’t want to let her down.
“I’ll do everything I can to help,” I say, feeling totally lame, since it’s probably not true.
“Thank you.” She seems genuinely relieved though, and I feel guilty.
“My son is a good man, but when he makes up his mind about something, he never changes it. No matter how long he has to wait.” She walks to the door on that enigmatic note.
I go with her, even though I feel like I’m the guest and she’s the host. “I’ll be seeing you again shortly.
Dinner is every Sunday. Declan rarely misses a meal, and I’d like it if you’d come as well.
It’s time to integrate yourself into the family. ”
“Uh, totally, that’d be great.” I force myself to smile, even though the idea of meeting Declan’s entire scary family sounds horrible. “I’ll see you then.”
Siobhan pulls me into a quick hug.
When she’s gone, I feel like a hurricane just ripped into the apartment, tore me to pieces, and left me bleeding on the beach.