“Surely someone taught you declining cigars and drinks from your future father-in-law is considered disrespectful.” He pours himself a glass of Bushmills whiskey.
“I’m not here for you to school me on manners.” I don’t care to rub elbows with the fucker. Personally, I’d love to watch him die.
“I’m glad you came. Saved me a trip to New York.” He gestures for me to sit, and I do. “I wanted to make sure you received a copy of the contract I mailed.”
“Yes. I burned it.”
“Don’t you worry.” He chuckles, returning to his chair and settling his drink on the desk. “I have plenty of copies.”
I shift in my chair, not saying a word.
“Do you remember everything in it?”
“Word for word.”
“Clause number two?” He swipes his cigar from the ashtray.
“I will marry your daughter.”
“Clause three?”
“You go fuck yourself.”
“Clause three is you keep your hands to yourself when it comes to other women, at least until after your wedding.” He straightens his back, and ashes fall on his belly. “I won’t have my Riona embarrassed by your infidelity, especially with a woman in our family.”
I smirk. “Don’t worry, Cernach. I won’t fuck your wife, if that’s your concern.”
He points his cigar in my direction. “Remember who helped you when no one else would.”
“You helping us is why I signed your contract.”
“You can’t blame me for using someone’s moment of weakness against them. You would’ve done the same.”
He’s right.
I don’t know a man who wouldn’t have.
“I’m here to discuss something with you.”
He raises a brow.
“You won’t marry Pippa off.”
“Ah, I figured you’d be upset about that. If she told you, you’re already breaking clause three.” He levels his eyes on me. “You can’t have her, do you hear me? You’ll marry Riona and never touch Pippa again.”
I work my jaw.
He moves in closer. “Since I love making deals with you, here’s another.”
I lean back in my chair, crossing my legs, already knowing this deal will piss me the fuck off.
“I won’t draft a marriage contract with Pippa’s name on it until six months after your marriage if you get Riona pregnant. You do that, and I let Pippa off the hook.”
There’s an urge to snub that cigar out on his face.
“Do we have a deal?”
“Yeah, we have a deal,” I snarl before standing and leaving his office without another word.