Page 42 of Vengeful Vows

“My sisters talk a lot. I’m used to it.”

“Are you going to teach me to play?”

“You don’t know how to play Blackjack?” With where she comes from, I’d assumed she did.

Bree shakes her head. “My dad doesn’t like playing cards.”

Funny, that. Because he probably got caught cheating.

But I don’t want to start a fight. Bree’s been considerably better the last couple of days, maybe excited for the vacation. I haven’t told her that I brought Sean and Finn O’Toole, knowing that she’ll hate the idea of being watched. But she needs someone to protect her while I’m away taking care of business. I have a couple of things to do while we are here, and the first order of business is meeting up with John Renno and his friends.

The things I have to say to John can’t be done over the phone, but I’m surprised Da didn’t want to come himself. Maybe he’s really pushing this marriage thing.

I have to admit, I like being a married man, so far. Even when she’s mad at me, it’s good to have someone to come home to. Good to have someone I can go head-to-head with before sinking myself into her.

It’s not about feelings, though. It can’t be. She’s still Murphy’s daughter, and this is supposed to be just a means to an end.

Besides, it’s not like this is going to last forever. It’s just until her dad is gone because once this war is over, so are me and Bree. We’ll get a divorce and go our separate ways.

It’s not like she wants me anyway, regardless of what these weird growing feelings inside me want to make me think, and I’d never force myself on a woman.

I just want her to be happy, and as long as this marriage lasts, I’ll do my part, but soon she’ll have her freedom back to choose who she wants to be with. And that won’t be me, for sure.

That makes my blood boil, and I can’t understand why.

It’s not like I have feelings for her or anything. I’m just getting used to her, I guess.

I have to admit, though, that I’m enjoying her company.

I watch as she stands up, muttering as she unzips her dress.

I raise an eyebrow, and she snorts out a laugh.

“No funny business. I’m just uncomfortable.”

“Change into your swimsuit. We’ll go down to swim after dinner.”

“Aren’t we supposed to wait?”

“I was a lifeguard in high school—that's just a myth.”

“Ooh la la,” she drawls, going into the bathroom to change.

I frown. I wanted to see her naked body, but I guess there’s plenty of time for that. I’m still mostly satisfied with what happened in the plane, so I don’t push.

The room service comes while she’s changing. She’s ordered some seafood, and I ordered a steak.

My mouth is watering from the smell as the bellhop wheels it in, and I throw him a hefty tip. He’s about to exit when Bree walks out of the bathroom, wearing what appears to be navy blue dental floss.

I gape at her, how her breasts spill out of the top, how her hips nearly hide the strings. It’s a thong bikini, too, so her perfect ass is on display.

I look over at the bellhop, and his eyes are nearly bulging out of his head.

“Get the fuck out,” I say in a low tone, and he all but sprints out of there.

Bree giggles, plopping down on the bed, and the rest of her jiggles as she does so.

“Jesus Christ. You’re not wearing that to the pool.”

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