Page 87 of Vengeful Vows

“Well, you’ve practically ignored me ever since you got married to that Murphy chick, so I figure you showing up now means something.”

“I didn’t ask to get married,” I say. “You know that was my father’s doing.”

“Yeah, but you’ve certainly been missing in action ever since.”

“Sorry,” I mumble, starting up a three miles per hour pace, just walking at first to warm up.

Cillian shrugs. “No reason for apologies. I’m just curious. What’s it like being married to a Murphy?”

“It's something," I mutter.

Realizing that I don’t want to talk about it, Cillian hums. “How’s your chest and shoulder?”

“Getting better every day,” I tell him.

“Have you figured out how Murphy knew when the shipment was being checked?” Cillian asks. Even though he’s just a driver, he’s friends with a lot of the Burke clan, so of course he’s heard about it.

“He always knows,” I repeat what I told Gray. “He’s got people everywhere.”

“Maybe,” Cillian agrees.

I sigh. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“Do you, oh psychic?”

I snort out a laugh.

Cillian is usually pretty laid-back, which is one thing I do like about him. There’s a reason he’s my go-to when my best friend is out of town.

“You’re thinking it has something to do with Bree Murphy.”

“Your wife,” Cillian points out.

“My wife.” I start to move the incline up even further, and Cillian sighs, doing the same.

“You’re going to try and kill me today, aren’t you?”

I grin at him. “You’re getting heavy. You can use the exercise.”

Cillian slaps at his flat abdomen. “Heavy where? In my pants, maybe.”

I bark out a surprised laugh. I’ve been so stressed I didn’t even know I could laugh.

I sigh. “Gray thinks that my wife has something to do with it.”

I need to talk about this. I can’t work out as hard as I usually would because of my injury, and I need some kind of outlet.

“Gray thinks the worst of everyone.”

I nod slowly. That much is true. Gray doesn’t trust easily.

“I’m worried he may be right,” I grumble.

“You really think she’d betray you? After all this time?”

“It’s not like she chose this marriage, either. It was Da’s crazy idea. And sure, it’s worked. It’s started a war between us and Murphy, but I’m not so sure that we’re winning.”

“Because she might have gotten ahold of him?”

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