Page 62 of Destructive Truths

They all did.

Looking back, it’s as clear as day—to secure my place within the syndicate, I’d have to choose because there can only be one king.

Confusion weaves across my brow. How can I do that? How can I choose one over the other when each holds half of my heart?

Rohan’s words splinter through my chest. “Just remember, everything I do is to keep you safe, and whatever happens next, it doesn’t change a thing.”

He won’t make me choose either, not where it matters.

Drawing my gaze to his, the sound trickles in, slowly at first, like the gentle teasing of piano keys leading into soft strokes of the violin. Every facet of our turbulent relationship—if you can even call it that—races to the forefront of my mind. My eyes trail over his features. Starting with the untamed strands of black hair, my gaze falls to the angular cut of his jaw before landing on the perfect curve of his full lips.

His presence settles me, but not in the way Liam’s does. No, Rohan could never be my silence. He’s a vivid melody that soothes my soul, and when his wild green eyes find mine, the orchestra he conducts explodes to a booming crescendo until all I see, hear, and feel are the promises his earthy irises hold. “Please, mo bhanríon,” he mouths, “trust me.”

It’s then I notice his posture, how his shoulders are tight, and his chest rises and falls in rapid succession. He swallows, and then a lone tear slides down his cheek as his jaw trembles. An emotion I never thought I’d see where Rohan is concerned tightens his face. He’s terrified, but why?

His teeth scrape across his lower lip as his eyes dart around us, surveying our surroundings, before landing back on mine, wide-eyed and impatient. With a slight tip of his head, unnoticeable to anyone but me, he motions towards the exit.

Then it hits me. He needs to get me off this stage.

“What do you say, mo bhanríon?” A smile curls his lips, but it’s not the same one I daydream about. It’s forced. “Are you ready to spend the rest of your life with us?”

He draws out the word us, subtlety including Liam, assuring me that this changes nothing.

“Yes.”

In a blur, he’s off his knee, arms wrapping around my waist as he moulds his mouth to mine in an all too fleeting kiss. When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine as he lowers his voice so only I can hear him. “I’ll explain later. Just follow my lead, okay?”

My hand grips his, silently giving him my trust. In the next breath, he pulls me across the stage while Gabriel shouts his protest through the microphone.

“I know you’re eager, son. But you’ve been to enough of these parties to know that now is the time for your first dance as a newly engaged couple.”

My eyes ping-pong between Gabriel and Rohan, and I note the hard set of Rohan’s jaw before he nods. Suddenly he’s leading ‌me onto the dance floor, and a sea of people circles the edge, parting the way as the orchestra opens with a cinematic female cover of “I’ll be.”

Rohan pulls me close, holding me steady with his palm resting where my back bows. Then, bringing his mouth to my ear, he whispers, “As soon as this song ends, we head for the exit, okay?”

I nod into the crook of his neck. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“I will. I promise. But right now, I just need to get you out of here. Promise me, whatever happens, you’ll get to the exit, Saoirse.”

Against my chest, I can feel his heart pounding. “Tell me why.”

He spins me out, twirling me beneath his arm before drawing me back into his chest. His eyes capture mine, and he rests his forehead against mine. To the outside world, we are the picture of the perfect couple enjoying a loving moment, but I can see the storm raging behind Rohan’s eyes, and he is anything but calm. “I overheard a few of the syndicate members talking.” His words brush against my neck. “It’s not safe here, love. Fuck knows what they have planned, but I need you safe.”

Reaching up, I cup his cheek in my palm. “I am,” I assure him. “I’m right here.”

His grip tightens, almost stealing the air from my lungs. “Look towards the exit. Your mam and da are waiting.” He spins me again, and I catch a glimpse of Lorcan, scanning the crowd for any threat.

When we collide again, he adds, “When the final note plays, I need you to take my hand and not let go unless you have no other choice. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“Good girl.”

Together we sway for a few more seconds, and as the song ends and another begins, the other members bleed onto the dance floor, blocking us from view. Rohan takes hold of my hand and weaves us through the crowd, keeping us concealed.

When we reach the doorway, Rohan peers around the room. “Where’s Liam?”

“He went looking for Beibhinn, haven’t seen him since,” Lorcan offers as we push into the reception area and make our way down the hallway towards the entrance.

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