Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
CORMACK
The bastard didn’t answer, and he hadn’t bothered to call back like this matter isn’t important.
I want to get this over with because we’re getting married regardless, but I want to talk to her father.
He’s busy according to Gloria who was texting her sister all afternoon.
“Fine. Let’s go to bed, Gloria. I’m too tired to wait up. ”
“It’s cool. I’m not in a rush to break the news to him.” I let it go because she’s afraid of his reaction. It’s been a long stressful day for the both of us. We lay down around eight at night and I crash as soon as my head hits the pillow, holding Gloria tightly to me.
Long raven hair, pretty chocolate brown eyes and just the right curves in all the right places.
I need to find her, and I need to find her now.
How did she disappear so quickly? I walk through the village, forgoing my ride in one of my land rovers because there is a small backup of vehicles.
Being six-three, I have a higher vantage point, but I can’t seem to find my petite beauty.
I shouldn’t have even wasted a minute considering if she was there to play me.
Now she’s in danger. She’s running from someone.
I dash over to her, looking over my shoulder for the bastard frightening her.
I reach her and then she screams. “Stay away from me. I hate you, Cormack. I will never love you. I belong to another. You lost out.”
I shout out, “No,” waking up in a panic, only to find Gloria sleeping sweetly on her belly with a content smile on her face.
As if sensing I’m awake, my phone rings. Groggily I reach over to the nightstand and scoop it up. With blurry eyes, I see it’s her father. Climbing out of bed, I answer with a panting, “Delaney.”
“You piece of shit. What the fuck are you doing with my daughter?” I cut him off by ending the call. At this moment, I don’t need that shit. Entering the kitchen, I pour a glass of cold water, and like I expect he calls back. “Ready to calm the fuck down?”
He huffs, but calmly replies, “Is this some plan to get US connections? I looked you up Delaney. First, polygamy is a crime here.”
“How ironic that a mob boss is lecturing me on crime. And I’ll have you know that I’m not married yet.
The only Delaney married is my brother. Although, I will say this, I’m marrying Gloria and it has shit to do with you or your supposed connections.
I didn’t even know she was related to you.
Not that it would have stopped me, but I didn’t learn about it until yesterday. ”
“Where is my daughter? Her guards said she disappeared running in fear yesterday, threatening to castrate them.”
“Sounds like my Gloria.”
“Your Gloria?” he challenges. I can imagine his face is beet red.
I roll my eyes, knowing that the only reason I don’t hang up again is that he’s Gloria’s father. “That’s what I said. Gloria will be my wife in two days’ time. I’m supposing that you’d like to see it happen so if I was you’d I’d get to Kilkenny soon.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?”
“I’m Cormack Delaney, a dangerous motherfucker madly in love with your daughter and there’s no way in hell will I let you sell her to one of your cronies back there.”
“Sell? I wouldn’t sell my daughters and she turned down any potential guys I suggested.”
“That’s very good because I’d hate to kill a bunch of bastards. Gloria’s mine and I don’t care who has a problem with it. I refuse to live without her by my side and thankfully she feels the same damn way.”
“I’d like to hear that from her mouth.”
“Frankly I don’t care what you’d like. You can when you arrive. My bride is sleeping, and I won’t wake her up.”
“She’s probably tied up and can’t speak.” Man, I want to choke this asshole.
“Listen, your daughter speaks highly of you, and it’s the only reason I even bothered to call you in the first place. I’ve had a hell of a day and I don’t have the patience or the mood to deal with an angry father when Gloria is old enough to marry me.”
“You’re the one who called me.”
I look at the time on the clock. “Not at three in the morning. I called you hours ago.”
Gloria slides up by my side and snatches the phone from my hand.
I take her and carry her to the sofa. She giggles and then says, “Papa, I’m sorry that you and Cormack are getting off on the wrong foot.
He just buried his father today. Yes.” His voice dropped so I can’t hear what he says.
“Yes, Papa. Very much. Okay, Papa. We’ll see you in two days.
I’m sure there will be people to pick you all up.
Goodnight.” She ends the call and hands me back my phone.
I stare at her completely dumbfounded. “He’s putty in your hands, isn’t he?” I ask, knowing that’s the only explanation for the suddenly calm temper.
“A big marshmallow, but he loves us girls. He wants to talk to you tomorrow when you’re both a little more level-headed, and he’s sorry about your father. Now, my handsome future husband, let’s go to bed. I’m tired and I’m tired of waking up alone.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll try to not let it happen again.” I kiss her lips, needing to wipe that pout off her face.
“Just as long as you let me know you’re leaving.”
“Okay. I promise, my love. Now it’s bedtime.” I carry her to bed and then we get cozy, snuggling until we fall asleep.
This time when we wake up, I’m still cuddling my woman and she’s resting her head in the crook of my arm. I stare at her, loving the feeling which made it so hard to leave after our first night together.
Gloria stretches and snuggles in, kissing my chest as she finishes a yawn. “Good morning, wife.”
“Not yet,” she breathes against my chest.
“As far as I’m concerned you already are my wife.” I tip her chin and kiss her lips.
“I need to message my sister and parents. I’m sure they’re running around like crazy trying to get ready. I know my sister; she’s going to try to figure out how many sketchbooks she’ll need.”
“Your sister draws?”
“Draws and paints. Aria’s super talented, but we hardly mention it because she’s self-conscious about it. If we mention it, she freezes and stammers. I think she’s so incredible it could sell for major money. She’s going to love the green landscapes here.”
“Then she will love our home in Kilkenny.”
“What about your brother? Will he be there, or does he live here?”
“We have homes in both cities, but he’ll probably be there tomorrow. With my father’s estate passing to him, I believe I’ll be moving out.”
“You can’t share it?” I haven’t broken down how much my brother is a bastard because I don’t want her to run away again.
“I’d prefer not to.”
“Do you and your brother not get along? I love my sister. She can be a pain, but I could live with her unless she starts crushing on you. She’s only fifteen.” We sit up in bed and I hold her close, pressing my lips to the crown of her head.
“Yeah, that would be a problem. I’d kill my brother if he took a special interest in you. He doesn’t have the same morals I do. He loves to step out on his wife.”
A searing look of indignation crosses her face. “Oh my goodness. That’s horrible. Sorry, but I don’t like him already and I’m afraid there’s nothing that will change that.”
She’s a smart woman. “It’s good because I don’t trust him.”
“Will he be at the wedding?”
“Yes, as my best man.” I come clean about it because as soon as she meets him I’m sure he’ll bring it up.
“What? Why?” She crosses her arms under her breasts bringing them closer to my face and drawing my attention to them. “Um…don’t stare at my tits. Answer my question, Mr. Delaney.”
“One because I don’t care as long as I get to marry you. Two is that if he’s not my best man, people will assume there’s a rift in the family, making us vulnerable to others willing to overthrow the Delaney family.”
She drops her hands and then sighs, “Well that makes sense. So I have to play nice?”
“Just a little. Once we’re done with the wedding, I don’t plan to see him for a long time and then we’ll travel to America, so you don’t miss your family too much.”
“Are you serious?”
“Do you not like that idea?”
“I freaking love it. I’m going to miss them. Besides, I told you we have the best food.” She rolls her eyes at me like I’m silly for not remembering.
I climb off the bed and slip on some pants. “Speaking of food, I need to feed you and then we can get ready to leave.”
“Sounds good to me,” she moans, which does nothing to calm my morning wood.
“I have to make sure my son is well fed,” I add, causing her mouth to fall open.
She’s quick with a reply. “Son? I could be having a girl or not be pregnant at all.”
“Either way, I’ll keep trying.” I kiss her lips and walk into the kitchen to start some food. Opening the fridge, I know it’s pointless. “Let’s get dressed and I’ll feed you on the way. Apparently being single and busy means my fridge is empty.”
“Fine. Is there anywhere to get a good burger? I’ve seen a fuck ton of cows on these roads. There’s got to be a spot.”
“Is that a legitimate measurement?” I tease.
“It is, and the longer it takes to eat, I’m liable to gut one and cook it on the radiator of your pretty ride.”
“Let’s get you moving. I’ve heard about women getting ‘hangry.’” I rushed her to our room and into the shower. We’re out in ten minutes, forgoing the fucking I’d love to do because I doubt she’s fucking kidding about the food.
The drive down to my hometown is beautiful and Gloria can’t take her eyes off the scenery. I’m proud of the natural enchantment of Ireland. It’s perfect and I honestly could raise our family here. Maybe we will visit her parents or have them come to enjoy the land.
“This place is perfect. You want to marry me here?” I slow down and look at her to see tears in her eyes.
“Sweetheart, please don’t cry. There’s a lot of shit I can take, but not your tears.”
“It’s just so romantic. Goodness, my sister’s going to adore this place. Maybe we can find her a husband here in a couple of years.”
“When the time comes, I can introduce her to friends if you’d like, but I’m not sure your father would care for that.”
“Probably not.” We break out into a fit of laughter just as we pull down the path to the family estate.