“No, I’m not angry with you,” he said.
I nodded. “Okay, then. Good. That’s—that’s good.”
I smiled softly up at him and found that grin sliding across his cheeks once more.
“You can use the bathroom first. Take your time getting ready. Put on that lovely black dress you’ve got. When you’re done with the bathroom, come let me know. I’d like a shower before we head out.”
I squealed. “Wonderful! Yes. Okay. I’ll go now.”
I brushed past him and bounded up the steps. A family dinner. The only task I needed to do to prove to Fiona that I was on her side. After all, I’d always be on the side of love. It was why I was so drawn to books. Any love story I wanted, no matter the cost, was always at my fingertips.
And I had a way of envisioning myself as the woman in every single one of them.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,” I hissed.
I rushed into Gael’s bathroom and started fiddling around with the shower handles. It took me a while to temper the water. But once I got it to the temperature I wanted, I practically ripped my clothes off. Well, Gael’s clothes. I pulled the sweater over my head and it got caught on my glasses. I stumbled around, trying to find my footing as well as make sure my glasses didn’t fall to the floor.
“Come on,” I grumbled.
Then, I tripped over the rug on the floor.
“Shit!” I exclaimed.
I caught myself against the bathroom counter, but not before I knocked over the small bathroom trash can. Its contents spilled everywhere, and I was mortified at the sight. I got down on my hands and knees, scooping it up to try and put it back into the waste can. However, a stack of papers caught my eyes. A small stack. With a staple at the top. Still trapped at the bottom of the trash can, folded up into a square.
Huh.
With the shower running and steam filling quickly, I pulled the papers out from the trash can. I set it off to the side and dusted it off, unraveling it with my fingers. And when I saw that club’s name imprinted on the front, I realized what they were.
“My ownership papers,” I whispered.
I scanned the text. I flipped the pages over. I read about the terms and conditions of my sale. Property, and nothing else. My eyes flooded with tears. It was the sharpest slap in the face I could’ve ever received. Especially once I got to the fine print at the bottom of the last page.
“Purchaser accepts marriage as a byproduct of ownership?”
Holy shit. Gael wasn’t just supposed to buy me.
He was supposed to marry me to fulfill the contract.
I crumpled it up and shoved it back into the trash can. I piled things on top of it in order to conceal it like it had been concealed before. I stood with trembling hands and weak knees as I stepped into the tub, wrapping the curtain all the way around it. And as I stood there, underneath the waterfall showerhead, I let the tears flow.
It’s a good thing you paired yourself with Fiona.
I tried not to look too desolate as I got out of the shower. I took time drying myself off before I slipped into the clothes Gael bought me. Cotton panties, a terrible excuse for a bra, and the black dress he wanted me to wear.
Which prompted me to take off the bra that didn’t fit well in the first place.
“I’m ready whenever you are, Gael!” I exclaimed.
The door quickly whipped open and he strode into the room.
“I’m sorry I took so long,” I said.
He slipped his suit coat off. “Nonsense. Just hope you left me some hot water.”
“Mmm, possibly. It’ll be a nice little surprise for you to figure out.”
“And here I thought I was the one with all the surprises.”
He grinned at me and I forced out a soft giggle. But I sure as hell didn't know what he meant by those words. Gael wasn’t surprising at all. He was scarily stereotypical for the men in this lifestyle.
It made me sick to my stomach to think about.
“That dress looks decadent on you.”
I paused at his words. I looked at him in the reflection of the mirror that hung in his closet. Had I heard him right? Had he spoken those words to me?
Did he just… pay me a compliment?
“Just thought I’d let you know,” he said quickly.
I nodded. “Thank you. It fits well.”
“What about the underwear I brought home the other day?”
I paused. “They’re comfortable.”
“But…?”
I swallowed. “But the bra doesn’t fit well. It’s too small.”
He grinned. “I suppose there are worse problems.”
I blushed. “Until you want me to go out in public with you and I can’t harness my breasts long enough to do so.”
“Hmmm, fair point. Maybe I should just take you shopping, then.”
“Wait, really?”
I turned away from the mirror and faced him.
“Why not? Brody has this ability to eye sizes and get them scarily accurate. I figured it might be something that was inherited. But obviously that’s not the case.”
I giggled. “Not a bad thing, not being able to do that. Some women like keeping their measurements a mystery.”
“Or if you don’t want the hassle of shopping—”
“I’d love to go shopping with you,” I said quickly.
He nodded. “Then, it’s settled. Sometime this week, I’ll take you shopping. But I have the last say in what you wear. At least when it comes to what you wear when you’re with me.”
“Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way.”
His eyes flashed. “I’m sure you wouldn’t.”
I turned back to the mirror and fiddled with my hair, trying to make my soft curls bounce. My hair had never been extremely curly. Not like those girls in the magazines I envied from time to time. But it was thick. Full. And had just enough curl to give it some va-va-voom, as my mother always said.
I decided to leave it down for the evening and leave so Gael could have some privacy to get ready. But his voice stopped me before I left the room.
“What else did you and mother talk about at coffee?”
I paused in the doorway. “She rattled on about the weather for a bit. Asked me how I was doing. Apparently, she’s aware of our arrangement. So, I guess she was just trying to be welcoming.”
“Welcoming. Not a trait I’d necessarily associate with my mother.”
I shrugged. “I didn’t find her too bad. But, first impressions and all.”
“It’s not like you two haven’t met.”
I turned to face him. “Not formally, no. In passing, we’ve seen each other. But I have to admit, it was nice sitting down with her and just… talking.”
“Talking.”
“Mhm. You know, like we are now.”
“And there’s nothing else I should know?”
He knows. Tell him. He knows. “I kind of read between the lines a bit with her. I mean, she didn't outright come out and tell me she was hurting about something. But I could tell there was something on her mind. Something to do with this dinner. She just kept stressing to me how important it was that you and I both be there.”
“I shouldn't be shocked that she used you to get to me. I haven’t been answering her calls as of late.”
Used. Wonderful. “Ah.”
“Anyway. I’ll be down shortly. Give me thirty minutes, then wait for me by the door. I shouldn’t be any longer than that.”
I nodded. “As you wish.”
11
Gael
I got the feeling that Colleen was hiding something from me. And when I said “feeling”, I meant I was sure she was hiding something. Part of me was furious over that. I owned her. She was mine. We had no secrets. But reason kicked in very quickly.
I had plenty of secrets.
I had also been treating her like shit.
In her eyes, I had turned into her father. So, why should she tell me anything?
/> Because you have the capacity to kill her.
I winced at the voice in my head. Specifically, how quickly the thought popped up. I felt uneasy at the option. Uneasy at the idea of any sort of harm coming to Colleen. After all, that was why I walked away from her father’s proposition. Right? I mean, it was the perfect deal. Unload a woman, pick up a property the family needed. Simple as that.
Nothing was ever that simple, though.
Don’t tell me you’re going soft for her. She’s just a pair of legs and some tits.
I growled to myself as I dried off in the bathroom.
I reached over and wiped the steam off the mirror. I took a good, hard look at myself. I wrapped my towel around my waist and drew in a deep breath. Inhaling the steam that was still laced with Colleen’s smell. I couldn’t place it. She had such a distinctive smell. Nothing that could be bottled up in a bottle. Or sold in a storefront. Or purchased in a drug store.
What is that about her?
“You’re going to this dinner, and you’re going to play nice,” I said to myself.
I sure as hell don’t want to see Fiona or Martin, though.
“Your brothers will be there. Colleen can get to know the other women. It’ll be good for you both. Give you time to talk shop.”
The fuck is there to talk about? How you walked away from the best deal of your life?
“It wasn’t the best deal. It was a shit deal. Especially for Colleen.”
Since when did you care what happened to her?
I gnashed my teeth. “I’ve always cared about her.”
The reality slapped me across the face so quickly it took my breath away. The dark side of me that I had allowed to take over hated me. But the part of me that still stretched for the light patted me on the back. I drew in a deep breath and stuffed that voice away. I needed to get dressed. I needed to put on one of my nice black suits, offer Colleen my arm, and treat her to a nice night.
Even if we were spending it with my family.
I stormed out of the bathroom and cast the towel off into the corner. I pulled out my pinstriped black suit and paired it with a crisp black button-down. A nice black tie would send the message, too. Skinny. Unobtrusive. Yet, powerful. Not to be messed with.
Martin needed that kind of a message right now.
As I dressed myself, I hoped my surprise for Colleen came together. I had something big in the works for her. Something that I knew would make her place in my life feel a bit more bearable. I refused to be seen as the monster she saw as her father. I refused to be portrayed that way to a woman I was contractually obligated to spend the rest of my days with.
Is it really a contract, though? I mean, you could walk away.
“A Callaghan never goes back on his word.”
Would you want to go back anyway? Even if it was a choice?
The question gave me pause. In some respects, I already had that answer in front of me. I had a chance to hand Colleen back over, and I didn’t. But what did that mean for me? For us? For her? What did that mean for our lives together as we tried to step in sync?
“Less thinking, more posturing.”
I drew in a deep breath as I slid my hands down my suit.
After slipping a white pocket-square into the breast pocket of my coat, I gathered my things. My phone. My wallet. The gun I figured I’d wear on my hip. Not that I needed it. But it would still be good for Martin to see. Then, I headed downstairs. That musk filled the air. Her musk. I smelled Colleen waiting for me. Anxious to get going. And as I headed down the steps, I found her standing by the door. Just as I asked.
Looking stunning in her black ensemble.
“You look great tonight,” I said.
The shock on her face was evident as I opened the door.
“Ready to go?” I asked.
She stuttered. “I—um—yes, yes. Of course. Whenever you are.”
My hand fell to the small of her back. “Let’s go, then. We shouldn’t keep family waiting.”
The heat of her skin against the palm of my hand seared me to my core. A backless dress was a great compliment to her body. Especially with her auburn red hair cascading down her back in those soft curls. I wanted to fist them. Smell them. Bury my face in them as I fucked her senseless. She was the only pleasure I had in my life right now. And I’d do anything to make sure she stayed that way.
You’d do anything to see her smile.
I shoved the voice away again, pissed off that it wouldn't stay in its corner like I needed it to. The ride to the family brownstone was silent. But with Colleen against my side, no words needed to be spoken. My fingers traced faceless images against her knee. The silk of her dress had nothing on the softness of her skin. I wanted to feel it tonight. I would, no matter what.
But when we pulled up to the brownstone, I regretted my decision to come to this dinner.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go grab a steak? I know this fabulous little—”
She cast me a look. “Gael. It’s not nice to say you’re going to do something, and then not do it.”
I grinned. “You might just make a Callaghan yet.”
And the smile that crossed her face made my heart stop in my chest.
We slipped out of the car and headed inside. Not that I wanted to. But she had a point. A good one, at that. I ushered her into the house before we made our way into the dining room. Gathering together like we did the last time before Mom announced she was turning everyone’s lives over on their heads. The reception was icy, at best. Martin didn’t so much as nod in my general direction, and Mom looked like she wanted to blow through the roof. I scanned the room. Abby clung to Brody pretty tightly and Ciara rubbed Declan’s back.
Damn. Must’ve missed something good.
No one spoke as I led Colleen to our chairs. I pulled hers out and offered her my hand to help her sit. Then, I sat down beside her. I reached for the amber liquid set out for me while Colleen reached for her red wine. And it wasn’t until after I had finished my first sip that Fiona spoke.
“Aren’t you going to say hello?”
I set my drink down. “If I recall, you’re the one who called this dinner. So, you should acknowledge whoever walks through the door to attend.”
Martin growled. “Don’t speak to your mother that way.”
“Declan, did you hear something? I really thought I heard something,” I said.
I looked over at my brother, but he shook his head curtly.
“Right. Okay,” I said.
“Fiona, it’s nice to see you again,” Colleen said.
Mom nodded. “Likewise. Thank you for getting my most stubborn son here on my behalf.”
“I’m not here on anyone’s behalf,” I said.
“Then, why are you here?” Mom asked.
“Because I was asked to attend, and Colleen made some fine points about attending,” I said.
“A woman after my own heart.”
Colleen giggled and it caused me to look at her. Shit. She’d already fallen under my mother’s spell. I knew something more happened at that damn coffee they had together.
I wonder if the accident I got stuck in was planned by her, too.
“So, Gael. How’s the new warehouse acquisition going?”
Martin’s voice pierced through the haze of my mind and I felt myself bristle.
“Declan? Is he to be informed in such matters?” I asked.
Declan nodded. “Brody and I want to know anyway.”
I sighed. “Very well. It’s… going. The property I was originally looking at got bought out at the last minute. So, I’m back on the market.”
Martin nodded. “How do you plan to get operations up and running again once you find a place to purchase?”
“Does anyone feel a draft in here? It’s a bit chilly. Colleen, do you want my coat?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. I’m sure one of the other boys will fill you in once Gael talks to them,” Mom said softly.
Colleen’s hand slipped against my knee and it relaxed me. A bit.
At least you’re not alone in all this.
“So, enough shop talk. I want to know how my boys are doing,” Mom said.
“We’re fine,” Declan said.
“Abby and I are well,” Brody said.
“I’m getting along,” I said.
Mom’s eyes fell to Colleen. “How are you doing since our coffee?”
“She had coffee with Mom?” Declan asked.
“When was that?” Brody asked.
Colleen cleared her throat. “I’m doing well, all things considered. Thank you, Fiona.”
Mom smiled. “Good. Is my son treating you all right?”
I butted in. “I’m treating her just fine.”
She nodded. “With all due respect, I was speaking with her.”
Everyone’s eyes were on us as I looked over at Colleen. I saw a conflict behind her eyes. I saw her fighting with something. She looked up at me and I nodded, signaling for her to answer. But I wanted to know what she was wrestling over. What was causing her so much internal turmoil.
“Things could be better, but it’s not terrible,” Colleen said.
Mom shot me a look. “I’ll try to see to it that you’re more comfortable than you are now.”
“I’ve got it under control,” I said curtly.
“But do you? Really?” Mom asked.
I went to stand out of my seat, but Colleen clamped down against my knee. My head whipped toward her and I glared at her. Prompting her to remove her hand. This evening wasn’t going half as well as I wanted it to. I wanted to dote on Colleen. Show her a bit of care. Compliment her and try to shift this perspective she already had of me.
But Mom made that incredibly difficult.
“With a dinner, there’s usually food. Is the food coming soon?” I asked.
“It should be around any minute,” Mom said.
I turned to Brody. “How long have you guys been here?”
Gael: The Callaghan Mafia Book 3 Page 8