The Wedding Pact (The O'Malleys #2)(81)
Taking a fortifying breath, she walked out of her room and down the main staircase. The house was oddly hushed, making the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. She caught sight of Aiden coming out of the library. “I did what you wanted.”
He didn’t look up from the papers in his hands. “It has nothing to do with what I want and everything to do with what’s necessary.”
Necessary. She hated that word. It ranked right up there with loyalty and obedience and family. “Whatever. Dmitri agreed.” She just had to hope that her last desperate night of freedom wasn’t enough to drive him over the edge. She never should have taken that chance, but it was too late to worry about it now. Really, she didn’t want to take back those hours with James, talking with him, losing herself at the feel of what he was doing to her. She just wished she could have fallen asleep listening to the steady sound of his breathing.
Let it go. It will never happen again. You can’t let it.
She wouldn’t. She’d had a moment of weakness, but it was enough to shore her up for the foreseeable future. It had to be. She fell into step with Aiden down the hall, her stomach rumbling. She’d barely let the idea of breakfast cross her mind, when the door to her father’s study slammed open. He marched into the hallway and glared at her. “You.”
Aiden tensed next to her. “Father—”
“Not now. You don’t know what your sister has done.” His gaze flicked over her brother. “Unless you already do know, in which case we’ll be having a discussion about loyalty in the near future.” He pointed at Carrigan. “In my office. Now.”
She followed him because there was no other option, and nearly tripped over her feet when she saw who occupied one of the chairs in front of the desk. Dmitri. “What are you doing here?”
“Protecting my investment.” His face gave nothing away. No anger. No worry. Nothing.
“Sit down.”
She sank into the open seat, her heart in her throat. There was only one thing that could bring Dmitri here and put that look on her father’s face. He knows. “Father—”
“I highly suggest you keep your damn mouth shut before you do more damage.” He straightened already perfectly straight papers. “Did you or did you not spend the night with Halloran?”
They did know. She swallowed hard. “I can explain.”
“I don’t need your explanation. Answer the question.”
She dropped her gaze. “Yes, I did.”
The study was so silent, her father’s sigh sounded like a bellow. “In that case, I would like to formally apologize, Dmitri. I had no idea the trouble she was getting into. I completely understand if you’re no longer interested in the marriage pact on the table, but I’d hope that this won’t color our dealings going forward.” He paused. “Though I do have two more daughters.”
Sloan or Keira married to this shark? Never. Carrigan raised her head. “That’s not necessary.”
“What did I say?” He was so furious that she actually feared he might strike her this time.
“It’s perfectly all right, Seamus,” Dmitri cut in smoothly. “I fully intend to marry Carrigan, and the night’s events haven’t changed those plans.”
She didn’t know whether to be relieved or terrified. Carrigan sat perfectly still, a small, fuzzy animal sensing a predator, knowing an attack was coming but not being able to see what direction it’d be from. She kept silent because what she thought didn’t matter to either man in the room.
Her father raised his eyebrows. “If you’re sure.”
“I am. I find myself quite enamored with your oldest daughter. So much so, I’d like to take her back to New York for the time being until we can finalize wedding arrangements with your wife. I’m sure she’d like the opportunity to plan it at her leisure instead of with a time constraint like the most recent one.”
Panic had black spots dancing across her vision. Leave Boston? Now? She’d thought she’d have more time. “Father, please.”
He ignored her. “That would suit perfectly. Carrigan has proven herself a poor judge of character, and removing her from further temptations is wise.”
Like she was a naughty child being sent to timeout. Or, worse, an invalid incapable of thinking for herself. She opened her mouth but couldn’t make words come out. The feeling of her life spinning out of control around her only got worse as Dmitri stood and shook her father’s hand as if conducting a business deal.
Which is exactly what he was doing.
He turned. “It’s time, Carrigan.”