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The Marriage Contract(14)

By:Katee Robert


She hesitated, an expression passing over her face that might have been fear. “I don’t know.”

Was she afraid of him? He shook his head. Of course she was. She was a smart woman, and she’d known him only a grand total of a single night. Smart women weren’t in a hurry to jaunt off with strange men—especially when they came with a reputation that attached itself to anyone in the O’Malley family. “Just dinner, angel. In public. You can meet me there.”

She relaxed a little. “We do need to talk.”

Without everyone and their dog standing here, watching them like predators looking for weakness. It shouldn’t be that way—every single person was either family or associated with the family—but Teague stopped railing at the unfairness of the world a long time ago. “Yes, we do.”

“Call me and we’ll set something up.” She rattled off a number, and then she was gone, sliding into the car and shutting the door firmly behind her.

He watched her drive away, before turning to his older brother. “They need an escort.”

“Already taken care of.” Aiden grinned. “You like her.”

Yeah, he did. But he wasn’t fool enough to admit it now—or ever. Instead, he headed back inside, barely making it three steps before his younger brother waylaid him. Cillian had gone all out tonight, but he’d lost his suit jacket at some point, and the dress shirt was rolled up, revealing the tattoos covering his arms. “You’re a lucky bastard.”

Cillian would see it that way. At twenty-five, he was still dabbling in school and finding himself or some shit. Since he was the third son and fourth child, he had been coddled and spoiled all his life. He wouldn’t escape his responsibilities to the family indefinitely, but he hadn’t yet started to feel the weight of it bearing down on him. Not like Teague had.

Tonight that weight might finally win and crush him on the spot.

“I saw her once last spring, out dancing down at Furies, though she was looking even better tonight.” Cillian sighed. “Those moves? I bet she can ride a d—”

“You’re going to stop talking now.” He didn’t give a fuck how well she moved on the dance floor, and he sure as hell had bigger things to worry about now than how she’d rolled her body against his earlier. But it was more than that. Before tonight, Callista was just another Sheridan. An enemy. Now that he’d seen her—talked to her—he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were the only two people in a foxhole, with enemies all around them.

Cillian’s eyes went wide and he backed up. “Sorry, man. I just meant that if you have to have the old ball and chain, she’s not a bad one to be trapped with.”

“No, she’s not.” He straightened as Seamus approached, flanked by his favorite muscle—Liam and Mark. “Do we have any more information?”

“Not as of yet. But we will.” Seamus nodded at Liam. “Find out who’s responsible.”

It would have been smarter to work with Sheridan on this and combine their forces, but this marriage was more about presenting a unified front to their potential enemies than actually being a unified force. But at least tonight would leave no doubts—an attack on one was like an attack on both. It was enough to make Teague so damn exhausted—or it would if Callista wasn’t in danger.

He never thought the day would come when he’d put himself out for someone who didn’t share his blood, but the thought of her with a target painted on her chest made his hands curl into fists and his eyesight bleed to red. It’s because we’re getting married. To hurt her is to hurt something that’s mine. He almost snorted. Liar.

Seamus focused on him. “Don’t do anything to fuck this up. If it’s the Hallorans, I’ll take care of them.”

Easier said than done. If it were so simple to dispatch them, someone would have done it years ago. “At least tell me that you’re not going to strike back before you confirm that Halloran did this.”

When his father didn’t say anything, Teague rocked back on his heels. Christ, he wasn’t going to listen to reason. He met Aiden’s eyes, but there would be no help on that front. There never was. The only thing he could do was to get his sisters and Devlin home safe so at least they wouldn’t be hurt by whatever bullshit plan Seamus was about to enact. No matter what his father thought, his priorities were on the family.

He turned and headed for the exit, thinking back to Finch. Had the man known it would come to an all-out war? If he did, he could have given a goddamn warning. No one died tonight—so far. Next time, Teague doubted they would be that lucky. It might start with innocent bystanders, but it was only a matter of time before it escalated into pinpointed attacks on the people he cared most about in this world.