Page 57 of The Irish Arrangement

“Yes. I’m expected to show up, and as such, you need to show up with me and show everyone that you’re my wife. That we are not going to let the Sullivan name die off anytime soon.”

But it will if I’m your wife. I swallowed and nodded. He had me flustered, but I refused to show it.

“Sure. Yeah.”

“I’m sure we can find a dress on the way to the city.” He glanced at his watch, rotating his wrist and showing me how his muscled arm flexed in the process. “We’ll leave within the hour.”

“Okay.”

It wasn’t okay. I needed time to call my dad and demand an explanation for why he hadn’t paid for Mom’s bills.

But then again…

“Declan?”

He turned back into the room, brows raised.

“What kind of a gala is this?”

“Are you asking who’d be there? Or what bullshit charity it supposedly fundraises for? Because I have no clue.”

“Uh…” I tucked my hair behind my ear. “Who’d be there?”

He shrugged. “Other crime Families, mostly. Some government officials. Politicians.”

I nodded and turned to find a bag and pack. All the while, I planned to discuss this issue about the debts with my father.

He’d be there. My stepsister wouldn’t let anyone fail to invite her to a social thing like this. Keira no doubt wanted to be seen, and my father was connected to the smaller crime Family of the Murray name.

It’d be the first time I’d see him since my wedding.

And I bet he wouldn’t be prepared for how much I’ve already changed and grown into an even stronger woman than before.

21

DECLAN

As soon as I exited Cara’s room, I saw Ian rushing up to me in the hallway.

I groaned. I loved my brother. I really did. And I appreciated everything he did. Without him, I’d be even more stressed out and overworked.

“We just talked.”

He nodded, meeting me as I strode toward my wing. After one glance over his shoulder, perhaps to check that Cara’s doors were closed, he sighed and pulled his phone out. “Yeah, and a lot can happen in a few minutes.”

“Now what?” I asked, letting him follow me into my wing as I planned to pack for the night away.

“I’m tracking Cara’s calls,” he said, “just like you asked.”

I nodded, furrowing my brow as I stood in my closet, considering all my suits and tuxedos. I hated dressing up. Black-tie events were a drag, but I’d be damned if I didn’t look the part.

“I gave it back to her earlier today.”

“Yeah. The first number went to a man named Oscar.”

I stiffened, and he held up his hand to stop me from speaking.

“Who is an employee at the address for Nora Gallagher.”

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