Page 89 of Illicit Temptation

“I never thought of it like that,” I utter with hot tears building in my throat again.

Kieran holds me. “Fuck, Shea. You’re the purest of us all. I know you didn’t see it that way. What else are you not telling me, lass?”

God, where do I start? Kieran loves me, but he doesn’t know how to not manipulate me. Control me. He’s more secure than ever on his throne. He’s at peace with the Italians. He’s embedded our family with the Bratva. He’s got his queen and his little princes. Every other brother except Cormac is married. He won’t let up on me. He’s just getting started.

Every secret will blow up in my face. Kieran is keeping secrets, too. He knowsexactlywho he wants me to marry, and he’s not telling me. Maybe the deal isn’t secure. Maybe he’s silently auctioning me off to the highest bidder.

“I’d like to leave now,” I say. “I’m sorry I didn’t mention Archer. He was getting a divorce, I was embarrassed, but it’s been over for a long time now.”

Kieran stares at me and nods softly. “And there’s nothing else I should know?”

Bingo...What ‘should’ Kieran know? I have a right to privacy. I’ll play that card to my grave. “No. Nothing.”

“After she says her goodbyes, you take her home,” Kieran calls out to Trace.

“Yes, sir.”

Walking toward Balor and Ella to kiss them goodnight, I pass Trace and he falls in line behind me.

I’m going to secure the Lagerfeld deal,thentell my brother I can’t have children. He’ll feel so sorry for me. He’ll bless how I’m soldiering on and making even more of a name for myself.

And then forget about me.

One can always dream.

TRACE AND I WAIT SILENTLYoutside The Orchid for car service to take us back to East Hampton. A weather system from the north traveling across the Long Island Sound has grounded the helicopter, another thorn in therosy life of living so far away from everyone.

Tonight reinforced why I’ve always wanted my own life and not be a part of my family’s world. How stupid to think my brother would never force a marriage on me. It’s my own fault, though. I was foolish and doe-eyed waiting for Archer, staying single, and making myself vulnerable.

I can’t tell Kieran I’m married, though. He’ll completely tune out anything else I have to say on that matter and go after Trace. What a mess.

One by one, my brothers leave offering us rides, or spare beds for the night. We politely refuse. If there is anyone I would stay with, it’s Balor. But this is his wedding night.

“Car service will be here in ten minutes,” Trace chips away at the wall I put up.

“Okay,” I say and hold my coat closed, even though it’s almost May.

“What did you and Kieran talk about?” he asks with his bodyguard face since someone is always watching.

My stomach knots all over again. I can’t say a word about Kieran wanting me to marry someone else. Trace will murder whoever that is to kill the deal, possibly putting a bounty on his head. “Just some details about a birthday party for the twins,” I lie.

“You’re always there for them.” He uses a tone I can’t place.

Cutting a look at him, I say, “It’s what I do. It’s worth the late nights, trying to accommodate them.”

He leans in and whispers, “Give me some credit, princess. I make sure you go to sleep with a smile on your face.”

I want to kiss him, forget everything. Lose myself in his arms. I’ve never felt more like just me when we make love. Something always felt off with Archer. Realizing he was never fully honest about his marriage, it makes sense that he brought such negative energy to my bed.

I shake that off. Glad to be rid of that man. Water lapping against wooden pilings catches my attention. The Orchid sits on Astoria Harbor. I take in how the moonlight dapples on the glassy surface of the water. But sharpening my gaze, I notice Manhattan’s glorious lighted skyline sparkling in the distance.

Adrenaline rushes through me. Checking that all of my brothers have left the venue, I yank on Trace’s jacket. “We’re going to see Mrs. Lagerfeldtomorrow. I have an appointment with her.”

Trace cages me against the brick wall. “You’re asking me to defy an order against your brother. Not Lachlan, who I trust Griffin can rein in, butKieran. The head of your family.”

He makes a good point. “I’m not a naive teenager wanting to trek around a big city and get into trouble. My brothers know me well enough that if I want something, you’re helpless to tell me no.” I fold my arms.

“Those are too many words to carve on my headstone,” he says stoically.

---