Page 51 of Desecrated Reign

Ignoring the bag of fucking nerves beside me, I do a brief scan of all the guests in attendance. Other than our close friends, most of the Ulster Syndicate is here, including Keelan and Saoirse’s new friend Shannon. There are also a few familiar faces from the Connacht Syndicate—Seamus and his son Orion, Avie, my mam and her new boyfriend, who I’ve yet to meet, but I’m sure I’ll be roped into introductions at some point today. A few other faces grace the crowd, most of which are alliances of Lorcan’s.

Speaking of which, where the hell is he? Surely he and Saoirse should be arriving any second, it’s been at least ten minutes since he left to go get her.

My hands are sticky as fuck, so I rub them together, trying to ease some of the nervous energy scalding my palms. Don’t get me wrong, I have zero doubts in my mind about marrying Saoirse, but after two days without seeing her, I’m wondering if she’s feeling the same. Lord knows this wedding wasn’t exactly planned, and even though we were heading this direction, I don’t want her to feel like she’s been forced into it.

I roll my bottom lip between my teeth, then draw in a deep breath, trying to convince myself not to worry. Saoirse loves me, I know that, so I shouldn’t be constantly worrying whether she will show up. After checking my watch another two times, the anxiety in my stomach turns into an orchestra reaching a crescendo, ready to catapult me off the edge after it hits its peak. Finally, the double doors leading into the grand room burst open, but instead of my beautiful bride, all I see is her dishevelled father.

My heart rate spikes, pelting off my chest and threatening to burst through my tux. The world stops fucking spinning and everyone around me fades to a faceless blur.

“Saoirse’s gone.” Those two words flip my fucking world onto its arse. My feet cement to the floor as Lorcan barrels up the makeshift aisle towards me. “I’ve checked every fucking room. She’s not here.”

I can hear him. I see his lips moving. But I can’t fucking move.

“Rohan.”

My ears fill with white noise. Nothing but an ear-piercing buzz reverberates through my skull.

“Rohan.” Lorcan grabs my lapels, snapping me out of my trance. “Now is not the time to zone fucking out. D’ye hear me? My daughter, your soon-to-be wife, is missing.”

Shaking my head, I pull myself from my daze. “I need to find her.” I move as fast as my feet can carry me, ignoring the bustling of the guests as they follow me out of the grand room before splitting up to search the grounds.

A heavy hand lands on my tux jacket, stopping me in my tracks. Craning my head over my shoulder I meet Aodhán’s bloodshot eyes. “Wait. I need to tell you something.”

Is he for real right now? I don’t have time for a fucking story. “Not now, A. I need to find Saoirse.” I tug out of his hold and start down the hallway towards the back of the house.

Once again, Aodhán halts my footfalls, this time his hands clamp down on my shoulders. “I’m sorry, Rí. This is all my fault.” Guilt trickles past his lips, and I instantly swivel and grab hold of his suit jacket.

Within seconds, I have him thrown up against the wall. Rage like I have never felt before rushes through every vein, tainting every vessel. “What’s your fault? What the fuck did you do to Saoirse.”

“I had no choice. I swear.”

Tears prick his eyes, but I don’t care. Not now, and probably not ever. “What the fuck did you do?” His breath catches in his throat as I ram him back against the exposed stone work. “Where the fuck is she?”

“He has her. But I swear to you, Rohan, I never would’ve done anything if I had a choice. He was blackmailing me.”

“Who Aodhán? Who has her?” I know what he’s going to say, but I can’t bring myself to believe it. He’s my best friend. How, how could he betray me like this? Betray her.

“Gabriel. He forced me to give her a note telling her to meet you in the garden by the cherry trees. You have to believe me, I had no other choice.”

“You keep fucking saying that, but you did, Aodhán. You had a choice, and you chose fucking wrong.” I don’t give two fucks about whatever Gabriel has over Aodhán’s head, because right now, he’s my last concern. Releasing his lapels, I rear back and plant my fist into his face. The force of the impact knocks him off his feet, and he lands on his arse, hands cupping his bleeding nose. “We’re done, Brady. And you better hope to fuck he hasn’t hurt her, because if he has, I will skin you alive.”

“Rohan, please.” He tries to push himself into a seated position.

“Fuck you, Aodhán. I don’t have time to listen to your excuses. I need to find my future wife.”

Leaving him and our lifelong friendship on the floor, I rush towards the door. Behind me, I hear the clink of heels, but I don’t stop. I need to get to Saoirse.

“Rohan, over here.” Beibhinn’s voice breaks through the pounding of my heart, infiltrating my eardrums. “I see her.”

I rush towards the window, and spot Gabriel forcing Saoirse into the back of Aodhán’s car.

“Here.” Beibhinn tosses me a set of keys. “Take these in case you need ’em.”

I take off, running as fast as I can, hoping to get to her. Unfortunately, by the time I reach the driveway, all I can see is the cloud of dust Gabriel leaves behind as he tears down the drive.

Fumbling with Bev’s keys in my hand, I search for her Land Rover but don’t see it. It’s only then that I spot Liam’s electric-blue Ford Mustang parked on the far side of the fountain.

Racing towards it, I pray for the first time in a long fucking time. “Liam, fuck, if you are listening, I know we didn’t always see eye to eye, but I need your help, man. Help me save our girl.”

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