Chapter Taryn
TARYN
I’m disgusted with myself. That’s the only word I can use to describe my behavior in the dining hall: disgusted.
I can’t quit thinking about how good it felt to kiss Liam, and I am so angry, disappointed, and, well, disgusted with my actions, it’s almost debilitating.
It’s why I avoided him the rest of the day.
He’s so fucking charming. He asked me questions about my family throughout lunch and I assumed it was to learn more about the business he was marrying into. When I told him I knew nothing about clan work, he smiled this horrible, placating grin.
“Yeah, I’m coming to understand that. Don’t worry, beauty. You’ve got plenty of time to learn. Just ask anything you need to know.”
I don’t know if he was trying to be funny with that comment, but he sounded serious.
He acts like he really will tell me anything about the business if I only ask.
I don’t know what to make of that. Rather than press the issue, I chose not to participate in our conversation.
He wasn’t put off by that at all. Nope. He went on to talk about his younger brothers, and his stories were amusing. Jackass.
I don’t want to like him. Or wonder what he looks like naked.
I despise feeling this way. It’s why I’ve continued to avoid him for these past few days.
He keeps right on sending me sexy texts as if I’m not ignoring him.
How he misses seeing me. How he likes my blush after he’s kissed me.
How he is “just curious” about what I wear to bed.
Then, he goes on about what he’s wearing, sending me thirst traps of his perfect abs in his boxer briefs.
He always includes some funny comment or opinion.
It’s infuriating. It’s bad enough that I’m attracted to him.
It’s not like I can deny that now. Hell, half of the university probably saw us making out.
But, liking him? How can I? I mean, what’s wrong with me? He’s ruining my plans.
I followed a strict, step-by-step process to make sure I had the perfect law school application. I studied. I volunteered. I researched. I planned. I saved. I invested. A lot. How can I watch that all go up in flames to become a sheltered mob wife?
“Well, if it isn’t the future Mrs. McGuiness.”
I look up from my seat at the coffeehouse to see Theo Nicopolis grinning at me. I offer him a glare in return. Sigh. I may need a nap.
“Why, thank you. I think I will have a seat.” The idiot keeps smiling as he responds to no one. He pulls out a chair at my little two-person high top.
“I’m busy,” I hiss. Theo’s always been kind to me, but I’m in no mood for company. I’m too busy having a pity party for one.
“Ah, yes. It’s the first week of school. I can see how you’d be up to your eyeballs in work.” He smirks at me before taking a sip of his coffee.
I ignore him and go back to flipping through my political science notebook.
“You’ve got my friend all outraged on your behalf. Honestly, Taryn, I didn’t even realize you guys were that close,” Theo says, as if we chat about our relationships on a regular basis. Yeah. We don’t.
When I jerk my eyes up to meet his, I can tell he’s serious. He’s not mocking me. He seems genuinely confused about my relationship with Sam.
I shake my head. “We aren’t. I mean, we are friends, but I wouldn’t have called us close. We helped each other?” I sound like I’m asking him this.
Theo laughs. “Yeah. I hear you were very helpful.” He waggles his eyebrows.
“I helped him with a few of his classes, asshole,” I grit out. “He helped me make some investments.”
Theo’s eyes light up. “I see. And, is he still helping you?”
“Sort of,” I mumble. “I guess.” My investment is still in the fund he helped me find, and I’m sure he’d still help me liquidate it if I needed him to.
Theo hums.
“But other people don’t need to know that,” I warn him. “It’s crass to talk about money.”
Theo laughs. “Crass. Right. The money is what’s crass about your relationship with Sam.”
“Sam and I no longer have a relationship.” While I don’t want to be told what to do, I’m not going to keep seeing Sam while I’m still engaged. I agree with Liam on that point, even if I don’t want to.
Theo nods slowly, considering. “I will pass that along. I think your rejection got to him. Not sure a girl has ever told him to kiss off before. At any rate, it seems like he still worries about you.” I’m about to ask what he means by that last sentence when he moves on.
“So, everything good with your engagement?”
“Everything is perfect.”
I feel Liam against my back as his voice comes from over my shoulder. He puts his hands on the arms of my stool, pressing against me from behind. I can’t help but break out in goose bumps as he envelops me in warmth.
Theo’s eyes study Liam for a second before they move back to me. “That so, Taryn?” He takes another leisurely sip of coffee.
“Now, why would I tell you that if it isn’t so, Nicopolis?” Liam’s voice is deeper than I remember. Jesus. He might as well piss a circle around me.
I turn to look him in the eye. “Theo and I were catching up.” My voice sounds breathier than I’d like. He’s too close.
Liam growls low in his throat and I’m torn between being turned on and angry.
Maybe if he thinks I still want to talk with other guys, he won’t want this engagement.
Maybe after everything he told me about the Greeks, if he thinks I don’t care and can still be friends with Theo, I can drive him away.
My gut churns at the thought of remaining friends with someone who condones human trafficking.
It also feels unsettling to think about disappointing Liam after everything he shared with me, and that realization alone makes me steel my spine. I need to let my claws out.
Liam examines my expression with trepidation, and I don’t look away until Theo finally clears his throat.
“Yeah, so, it was great catching up, Taryn. I’ve gotta run, so I’ll let you two get back to your perfect engagement.
” He slides out of his chair. He tips his head at Liam before looking me right in the eye.
“And I’ll pass along that message to Sam for you. ”
Liam sucks in a breath as Theo strolls out of the cafe. In a heartbeat, my fiancé slides around to occupy the vacant seat.
“What message?”
I have a choice to make here. I’m not sure if I make the right one. “That’s none of your business.”
Liam’s eyes flash. “Is he why you’re avoiding me?”
I smile sweetly. “No. That would be all you. I just don’t feel compelled to be in your presence.”
Okay. I’ve successfully flipped the switch into ruthlessness.
It’s hard to believe, but up until I found out about my engagement, I typically kept my cattiness in check.
Sure, I regularly think all sorts of sarcastic things.
In my head. Yet, if I want Liam to find a way to convince Rowan and his father to call off this engagement, I need him to want to get rid of me.
I may have forgotten that for a moment when he was all up in my personal space the other day, but it’s amazing what clarity a little distance will bring.
“Did something happen since Monday?” He is looking at me as if he’s never seen me before.
“I don’t know,” I spit. “Did it? Because as far as I know, I’m still forced to wear this ridiculous engagement ring.” I shove my left hand in his face.
“I agree. It does pale to your beauty.”
“I’d tell you to go fuck yourself,” I snarl, “but you’d probably enjoy that.”
His jaw ticks. His nostrils flare. And, then he does something that shocks the hell out of me. He smiles. Fucking smiles his perfect toothy grin.
“There’s a dinner at Titus tomorrow night. Starts at eight. What time should I pick you up?” he asks happily.
What? That’s it? I’m being a shrieking harpy, and he drops this in my lap? He still wants to go out with me? When I’m acting like this? Nobody is this nice.
“There will be a few of Rowan’s men, a few of my father’s.
It would be helpful if we showed up. If everyone could see that we’re good.
That everything is on track.” He keeps going.
“Ya know, I don’t eat out too much. I’m afraid I eat too frequently to go out all the time.
That shit would get expensive.” He laughs at himself.
He’s laughing! “But, Titus has the best steaks. They even make colcannon.”
Titus is an exclusive club in the city. It’s a safe place where the various corrupt factions can meet.
Different mobs. Different businesses. There’s a strict no violence policy on its premises.
No one would break the rules there and risk getting banned.
It’s a stuffy, old dinner club that is meant for the morally bankrupt, and Liam mostly seems concerned about what type of food they serve. Irish mashed potatoes apparently.
“What is happening right now?” I breathe.
“We have a date tomorrow night.” He smiles in response. “That’s what people who are engaged do. Go on dates. See only each other. Since you’ve been too busy”—he nods at my notebook—“to answer my texts or calls, I thought I’d deliver the news in person, since fate brought us together today.”
My mouth drops open but no words come out.
“Great. I can swing by your place around seven.” Jesus Christ, he’s still smiling.
“No, wait—make it six. I don’t want to wait that long to see you.
We can have a drink before dinner.” I’m still staring at his stupid, handsome face when he continues.
“Have you been to Titus? It’s cocktail attire, so you can wear a dress.
Or not. Totally up to you.” He nods, seemingly satisfied with himself.
“Tomorrow night?” I repeat back to him dumbly.
“Terrific!” He almost shouts the word as he jumps up from his seat.
He moves around to my side of the table to sandwich himself between my legs. His hands caress my hips as he presses his lips to mine softly. He pulls back and I whimper. Christ.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with you, beauty.
Maybe if you get to know me, you won’t want to push me away.
” So, he’s on to me. His mischievous smile pops one of his dimples and he looks fucking adorable.
“Don’t work too hard.” He raps his knuckles against my notebook, kisses my forehead, and then saunters away.
I watch him leave. A few people call out greetings as he goes. As usual, he smiles and waves to his fans. Through all my goal setting, weighing pros and cons, I didn’t plan on Liam. I may be in trouble.