Page 15 of Forced Vows

"You tricked me," I accuse.

She tries to yank her hand from mine.

I don't let go.

"We can talk about that later," she hisses.

"How did my niece trick you?" Shaughnessy demands. "You two have never met to my knowledge."

Something flashes in my soon-to-be fiancée's emerald eyes. Fear? Anger?

"As you well know, I didn't even know his name until this morning," she says in an even tone to her uncle.

Her quick sidestep only increases my distrust of her, but her implication is unacceptable if it is the truth.

I wouldn't lay odds on that though.

"Is that true?" I demand of Shaughnessy in a voice that lets him know I expect an answer and no damn prevaricating like his niece.

"She agreed to the blood alliance," Shaughnessy says without actually answering my question.

"It runs in the family," I say with disgust and squeeze Róise's hand before repeating my question. "Is. That. True?"

Her too young features set in a mutinous frown, but she nods.

"Why wouldn't you tell her who her intended husband is?" my brother, Don of the Genovese, asks.

Shaughnessy hems and haws, but doesn't say anything that explains it.

"If you let go of my hand, I will tell you," Róise bargains.

This woman. "I shouldn't have to make a deal to get honesty out of you."

"That goes both ways."

Not sure what the hell she means by that, but I let go of her without putting distance between us. "Start talking."

"He didn't want to give me any reason to back out of the deal. Though he should have realized that learning who you are would only make me more determined to go through with this unholy bargain."

Unholy bargain? Melodramatic much?

"Why is that?" Severu asks when I don't.

Róise looks at him. "Your brother's reputation precedes him. He is both ruthless and a womanizer."

"And that made you want to marry him?" Severu looks at me like I should know what she's talking about.

I don't have the first clue, unless she's planning to spy on us for her uncle. Despising me will make that easier for her to justify to herself.

"It made me not want my cousin offered up in my place."

"Your cousin is already married." To Shaughnessy's underboss.

"My younger cousin."

The Irish mob boss only has one other daughter. No way is Róise talking about Fiona Shaughnessy.

"She's still in high school for fuck's sake." The look of disgust I give to Shaughnessy is lost on him.

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