Page 76 of Forced Vows

Sex, the great equalizer.

There's no point in repeating my desire not to live in our world either. No one but my grandmother and cousins care.

I make a "go on then" gesture with my hand. He's the one that wants to talk. I'd rather be pretty much anywhere else.

"You have nothing to say?" he asks in an even tone that sends chills through me.

Is that his interrogation tone?

Well, I'm not responding to it. "Not really, no."

His eyes narrow, their dark depths reflecting glacial displeasure. "What the fuck did you think you were doing drugging your security detail that night?"

That's easy. "Taking the only chance I would ever have to enjoy a night of freedom before my life got hijacked by the unholy bargain you and my uncle made."

"Sev made the agreement," he corrects. Like it matters.

Newsflash: it doesn't. "With your full cooperation."

"As your uncle supposedly had yours."

"You know why."

He nods and waves it away. Like it doesn't matter.

Wrong again. "Blackmail is a bad foundation for a relationship, especially marriage. I might not have reached the lofty age of 33, but even I know that."

"You're showing your naivete again."

"No, I'm talking sense."

"Coercion is the basis for several alliances of long standing."

Could he sound any more superior? I don't think so.

"The alliance is one thing. Our marriage is another."

He shakes his head, like I'm oh, so annoying.

"There's nothing unholy about our bargain. Our marriage will be blessed by nothing less than an auxiliary bishop."

Nothing less than? The only position higher in the New York church hierarchy is the Cardinal-slash-Archbishop. And that's so not the point.

"It doesn't matter who blesses the union. It's based on an alliance between two criminal syndicates. That's pretty much the definition of unholy."

Miceli's eyes narrow. "Don't think you're going to sidetrack me with an argument."

"I wasn't trying to argue." But if discussing the sanctity of our upcoming marriage takes precedence over rehashing our recent past, I'm all for it.

And also, I don't like how quickly and easily Miceli sees through my attempts. Uncle Brogan has yet to realize how often the women in our family use his temper and willingness to argue as a diversion.

"Does your uncle fall for that look of innocence?"

What? Is he reading my mind now?

"Are you always such a drama king?" I ask, wide-eyed, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

"You're accusing me of being dramatic? You? The woman who just referred to her upcoming wedding as an unholy bargain, and not for the first time."

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