Page 17 of The Irish Arrangement

Just so long as he doesn’t try to weaken me by kissing me ever again.

7

DECLAN

Cara stayed at my side all through the reception.

It seemed like a waste of time and energy to throw a party celebrating my third wedding.

The first one with Erin was the fanciest, with five hundred guests. It ended with two separate brawls and three men killed.

Marrying Caitlin resulted in more drama, even though the guest list was smaller and the evening was short and simple.

This time, only a couple of hundred partiers drank and mingled in the grand reception hall Ian had secured when Shane complained that he wasn’t having luck finding anything in his “budget”.

Celebrating in a crowd wasn’t my preference, and there wasn’t any victory here. I’d put my ring on yet another bride. The real test that I cared about was whether she’d live long enough to bear my child.

Which is all the more reason to fucking go now.

Ian caught my attention at the head table, raising his brows as if he’d heard my thoughts.

I had no interest in pretending to be a newlywed with Cara. The faster I got her alone and fucked her, my true purpose with her would be settled. For tonight, at least. I’d soak her cunt with my cum until it took root and she was pregnant.

That was all I needed from her.

Yet, as I turned and glanced at her again, hearing her sigh once more, I felt stuck with this nagging curiosity to want to know more about her.

She was a stranger, one reluctantly connected to me forever.

And I knew not a single thing about the gorgeous redhead.

Other than the fact that she’s far from happy about being here. I could give credit where it was due. Every time guests came up to congratulate her, she faked a polite smile and pretended to be engaged with small talk. It was all a lie. She was just as sick as I was of sitting around here while this party dragged on.

It proved how little she would care about her marriage with me, and I wondered what she did value. What she cared about.

What made you change your mind?

I respected her bravery. Cara didn’t pout or stomp like a petulant child about marrying me like her stepsister had. No. Cara ran, trying to take charge of her life and do what she wanted. She’d taken a risk in attempting to flee as soon as she saw me. It didn’t bother me that the mere sight of me had frightened her off.

She couldn’t have been scared because of my reputation. While we stood at the altar, I wondered if she’d balked because she’d heard about the misfortunes that found my previous wives. My track record wasn’t stellar, but she hadn’t even known my name.

It hardly mattered what intimidated her about me. She’d stood there, bold and pissed, and said her I do.

But why?

I glanced at Shane across the hall. He sat with Keira as the woman ranted at him.

What a life. I wouldn’t be a husband to be nagged by my wife. I didn’t plan on being near her long enough to hold a conversation with her. Just to fuck her. That was all I needed.

Shane had to have held something over her to get her to comply. Something he’d used as leverage to get his unacknowledged and cast-aside eldest daughter to coerce her to marry me.

I wonder what that text was.

As soon as Cara’s phone pinged, she’d been reminded of why she should go along with this marriage. Her face had paled. She’d looked terrified. Whatever that message was, it convinced her to become the next Mrs. Sullivan.

She sipped her water, meeting my gaze, and I wanted to kiss her fucking smirk off her lips.

Yeah, hate me all you want. I’m not having fun either.

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