Chapter Twenty-Six #2
My head fell back on his shoulder, completely overwhelmed.
For a second Lorcan pressed his face into my hair.
It was strange being this close to him now, to hear his heartbeat, feel his warmth.
Too soon, Lorcan stepped back and pulled his cock out of me.
I winced at the sharp pain. Lorcan loosened the knot, keeping me chained to the ceiling.
The rope fell and suddenly I was free. My legs buckled and I dropped to the floor.
My calves were shaking, not just from my orgasm but also from the cold and the flood of emotions.
Lorcan zipped up his pants while I tried to get my bearings.
When I finally stood, my legs were shaking.
I could feel Lorcan’s release run out of me, and suddenly I felt hollow.
Lorcan took out his wallet and tossed a wad of cash at me.
My eyes grew wide with indignation and shock. Was he really paying me for what had just happened? “We’re married.”
“Buy yourself a one-way ticket back to Dublin. I don’t want to see you in New York again. I’ll send you divorce papers to sign. Consider this fuck and your life my wedding gift to you.”
I couldn’t believe what he was saying. I always thought I would have to flee from New York and hide from Lorcan to escape our marriage. Now he was letting me free, just like that?
The worst thing was, I didn’t want him to drop me like I meant nothing.
I was confused and not sure what I was feeling anymore.
These last few months of searching for Imogen and becoming a part of Lorcan’s brutal world had completely messed with my head.
It was frightening. Our time with Finn had changed things.
I saw a side of Lorcan I hadn’t believed existed.
Few people had ever been so gentle with Finn while treating him like a normal kid.
“You’re sending me away?”
“Would you prefer if I do what I usually do with traitors?”
“I didn’t tell them anything. I just wanted to find Imogen.”
Lorcan stalked closer, eyes blazing with fury. “You better take this offer. You’re damn lucky, Aislinn.” He was furious, for good reason.
I grabbed my dress and quickly put it on but it was ruined. Lorcan moved toward a row of steel lockers I hadn’t noticed before and removed cargo pants and a checkered shirt from it. “These are Nollaigh’s. He’s thin as a stick. They should fit.”
He flung the clothes at me, and I barely caught them. I felt like bawling. I was completely overwhelmed by the situation.
When I was dressed, Lorcan picked up his phone. “Get her now.”
Five minutes later, the longest five minutes in my life because every second in Lorcan’s rage-filled presence made me feel guiltier, Seamus entered the hall.
If he was surprised that I was still in one piece, he didn’t show it.
Maybe Lorcan had shared his plans with him.
I didn’t even care that I wasn’t wearing panties and socks.
The clothes covered everything I wanted covered, and I was still in a state of shock when Seamus led me outside toward his car.
Lorcan had his back turned to me as if he didn’t want to see me.
Was this our goodbye? Lorcan had been such a crucial part of my life these last few months…
I couldn’t believe that only a few months had passed. It felt as if I’d become a new person in that short time.
Seamus didn’t speak as he took me away. The low rumble of the car filled the uncomfortable silence. I soon realized that we weren’t heading toward the apartment. “Where are you taking me?”
“To Gulliver’s. After we searched your belongings for hints about your betrayal, we sent them over to your uncle. You’ll stay with him until your flight leaves tomorrow morning.”
“So soon?” I whispered, shocked.
“You have no business in New York anymore.”
“But—”
“Listen to my advice for once. Return to Dublin and forget everything that happened here. Your sister is living her dream. You should save yourself. You’re lucky Lorcan didn’t kill you.”
Did he think this was about my sister? I pressed my lips together.
For some reason, the idea of leaving New York after how I betrayed Lorcan didn’t sit well with me.
I never wanted our marriage. I despised what he did.
And yet the thought that we would never see each other again…
it tightened my chest. Nothing made sense anymore.
Why did he spare me? He wasn’t a merciful man, but he had shown mercy for me. A new wave of guilt flooded me.
“Will you bring Finn to Gulliver’s too?”
“Yes. Once I drop you off, I’ll head home to Maeve and pick him up.”
“He won’t understand what’s going on.”
“I guess you can explain everything to him.”
How could I explain everything to him? I hardly understood any of it myself.
“Time to get out,” Seamus muttered. I glanced out of the window to find Gulliver on the sidewalk, huddled under a huge umbrella to avoid the heavy rainfall.
“I’ll pick you and Finn up in the morning and take you to the airport. Someone’s going to watch the house. Don’t try to do something.”
When I didn’t get out right away, he leaned over and shoved open the door. Rain and wind slapped against me. “Tell Lorcan I’m sorry for breaking his trust. I thought…” I shook my head.
Gulliver rushed over to me and half dragged me out of the car then toward his front door.
Once inside, he slammed the door shut and locked it twice before pocketing the keys.
He closed the umbrella before turning to me.
He quickly looked away with a disgusted expression as if he couldn’t bear looking at me.
“The moment I saw you on my door step I knew you meant trouble.”
I shook my head. Was he blind to the truth? “Your world is already rife with trouble without my presence. I never wanted any of this to happen, but I at least acted because I wanted to help my sister. What are your reasons for your actions?”
He glowered at me but quickly looked away again. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. Be glad Lorcan didn’t kill you. He isn’t a lenient man. You’re lucky.”
I didn’t feel lucky. I felt adrift and helpless. Rushing past Gulliver, I made my way toward my old room, where my suitcase awaited me. My belongings had been stuffed into the suitcase and were wrinkled. I slipped on a sweater and a skirt before going to find my uncle.
He sat at the kitchen table, hunched over a cup of tea, his expression pinched. I sat down across from him.
“I can’t leave now—”
Gulliver slammed his palm down on the table. Tea spilled over the rim of his cup. He grimaced, got up and quickly cleaned the table with a dish towel.
“That you’re still alive and well is a miracle of major proportions. Don’t you understand? Lorcan doesn’t show mercy, but allowing you to live after your betrayal is mercy, Aislinn. Lorcan honored your marriage. He valued the holy bond, even when you didn’t.”
“It’s a bond I never wanted.”
“But a bond you said yes to.”
“I didn’t mean to betray Lorcan. I wanted to find Imogen and save Mum and Finn. The police promised to help me. Lorcan seemed to do nothing.”
Gulliver shook his head. He raised a finger.
“You know nothing. I’m sure he already told you.
Lorcan found your sister a few weeks ago.
In Florida. She was about to embark on a cruise of the Caribbean with a Russian oligarch she met in Sodom.
She didn’t want to postpone her trip, even when Lorcan told her about you. ”
I swallowed. Hearing it again didn’t make things any easier. This was typical Imogen behavior. I had risked so much for her. Why?
“Why didn’t Lorcan tell me right away? With all his secrets he practically forced me into the arms of the police,” I said miserably.
Gulliver shrugged. “You are his wife. Don’t you have an idea?”
“He wanted to chain me to him, to New York. He knew I’d try to leave once I found Imogen.”
“Lorcan has his ways to keep you where he wants you. Maybe he wanted to protect you.”
I didn’t say anything. I was still reeling from everything that had happened.
Gulliver leaned across the table and gripped my hands.
“You need to accept Imogen’s decision, and what’s even more important, you need to respect Lorcan’s.
He gave you a chance to return to your mother.
Think of Finn. Return to Dublin immediately.
I already talked to your mother and told her that you’ll be back tomorrow.
She’s excited to have you and Finn back. ”
I gave a terse nod.
Gulliver rose to his feet. “Aislinn, you should be aware that you can’t leave the past behind. The name Devaney will forever be part of your history. Everyone who matters in Dublin and Ireland knows about the marriage. You can’t return to the life you knew, even if you try.”