Page 33 of Vengeful Vows

“I had an appointment with Niall.” Gray seems calm, but there’s a hint of nerves in how he’s holding himself.

The Wolfhound, otherwise known as Cormac Ryan, Niall Murphy’s childhood friend and his right-hand, doesn’t speak, and it’s no wonder, because from all the rumors, he’s mute.

He turns to lead us into the foyer, and grunts, gesturing for us to sit.

We do, and Gray bounces his leg. I put my hand on his knee to stop him, giving him a hard look. Sean and Finn continue to stand.

I look around. The wolf theme is a big deal to Niall, it seems, because they’re everywhere—there's a blanket covered in a wolf pack draped over the back of the couch, and there are marble carved wolves howling in the corner. I’m surprised there isn’t a taxidermized one sitting in the middle of the room.

I look up to a crystal chandelier not unlike ours above my head. Someone starts stomping down the stairs, and Gray and I both stand in unison, expecting Niall.

Sure enough, it’s him. His dark hair is mottled with silver around the temples and his hairline. He’s around Gray’s height, about six-foot, and he’s got a generous beer belly hanging over his suit slacks. His eyes are a deep green, almost like the green in Bree’s eyes.

Where are all the photos of her? It seems like Niall lived in this big house by himself all his life.

I know that isn’t true, and yet there’s no suggestion that Bree even exists at all.

She’s supposed to be the apple of his eye, isn’t she?

“Where the hell is my daughter?” Niall barks out as he steps too close to me. I don’t back away, looking at him.

“She’s safe in our bedroom.”

Niall’s eyes nearly bug out of his head.

“You better start explaining,” he orders in a near roar.

“Didn’t you hear? We got hitched.” I smile from ear to ear. “She’s very comfortable in her new mansion. Wouldn’t think she’d want to come back here.”

“Bree would never marry you,” he spits. “What did you do to her?”

“Nothing she didn’t want done.” My grin is wicked, and Niall grabs me by the collar, slamming me up against the far wall.

I laugh, and Niall punches me right in the nose. It stings pretty bad, but I’m still laughing because this is exactly what I wanted. He’s taking the bait.

Sean and Finn pull him off me, and he’s so red in the face I’m almost afraid he’s on the verge of a heart attack. Man, he’s so mad.

“Not now, I don’t want to have to kill my father-in-law.” I taste blood on my teeth from my nose. “Or do I?”

“You can’t kill me,” he growls. “My men will shoot you five times before you hit the ground if you try.”

“Maybe you’re right.” I shrug. “But maybe I’ll take that chance.”

I reach into my suit pocket, and the sound of hammers pulling back clicks from upstairs. His men have their guns trained on me.

But instead of a gun, I slowly bring out a copy of the marriage license, handing it to Niall.

“You’ll see that everything’s in order. It was a good Catholic wedding, don’t worry.”

“What have you done to her?” He fights Sean and Finn’s hold to no avail.

He’s a snake of a man instead of the wolf he wants so badly to be, and I know that he’ll find a way to try and hurt me if I stay here long enough.

“What do you want out of this? What possible reason do you have for forcing my daughter to marry you?”

I grin. “Maybe I just wanted to piss you off.”

Niall wrenches away from Sean and Finn and adjusts his suit, taking in a deep breath. His cheeks are flushed red, but he seems calmer.

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