Page 4 of Fix You

As I took a step forward, the crypt door flew open, banging against the marble walls and sending stained glass shattering over the floor. My heart shuddered to a stop. Icy fear snaked its way down my spine as I knew there was only one person it could be.

I’d have welcomed the devil himself over the man who stepped into the torchlight.

Kellan shoved me behind him while he and Eamon went for their guns. My father tsked at them. “Drop your weapons, boys.”

“Not bleeding likely!” Eamon snapped.

Da narrowed his eyes. “Always you with the fecking cheek.”

“Just let her go, and no one gets hurt,” Kellan stated.

A cruel smirk curved on my father’s lips. “The only way she’s getting out of this—the only wayanyof you are getting out of this—is if she’s willing to wear Oisin’s ring. Right here, right now.”

My stomach lurched at the thought. Although Kellan and Eamon’s guns remained trained on my father, he continued strolling into the crypt like he didn’t have a care in the world. Like his two sons weren’t threatening him with loaded weapons.Behind him, three of his goons remained stationed at the back, waiting for his instructions.

When he stood before me, fear trembled through me so hard I fought to keep standing. Without a word, he jerked the bag from my arms. His eyes remained on mine as he tore the zipper open.

His gaze dropped to take in the contents. “Looks like someone is trying to cut and run.”

“You left her with no fucking choice after selling her off to that piece of shit,” Eamon countered.

Ignoring him, Da asked, “What do you have to say for yourself, Maeve?”

Even if I’d wanted to reply, I couldn’t have. My voice had become choked off by my emotions. I could only stare helplessly at my father.

“You’re never going to learn, are you?” Da sneered down at me. “No one double crosses me. Especially my own fucking children.”

I shook my head wildly back and forth at the thought of Kellan and Eamon facing punishment because of me. “Don’t hurt them. It was all my idea. I made them help me.”

“If that were the truth, it would be even worse. The very thought of my sons betraying their father based on a woman’s whims.” He shook his head. “No, they’ll pay for their part in this.”

With a sneer, Eamon countered, “You seem to forget we’re armed.”

A sinister chuckle rumbled from my father. “My men would take you out.”

To both my surprise and horror, Kellan replied, “It would be worth it to take your miserable ass out of this world.”

For a moment, Da appeared impressed at Kellan’s resolve. If we thought we had any upper hand, it was short-lived. Da pulled his phone from his suit pocket. After bringing the phone to his ear, he asked, “As I suspected, my children need a little motivation. Are you in position?”

After nodding, Da said, “Two of my men have their guns trained on your mother. If you continue this insolence, I will give them orders to kill her.”

As Kellan sucked in an agonized breath, a growl tore from Eamon’s lips. “You bastard!” he shouted. I couldn’t bear thethought of our sweet and loving mother losing her life because of me. I would endure hell with Oisin to ensure her safety.

Throwing my hands up in surrender, I shakily ordered, “P-Put the g-guns d-down.”

They didn’t have to be asked twice. “I’m so sorry, Mae,” Kellan whispered as he tossed the gun at Da’s feet.

I shook my head. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. We have no choice.”

At the rage shimmering in Eamon’s eyes, he threw his gun at Da’s legs, nailing him in the shin. As my father’s face turned a shade of eggplant, he stalked forward. Grabbing Eamon by the neck, he shoved him up against the crypt wall. “You’ll pay for that one, boyo. Trust me on that one.”

As Eamon gasped for air, I tugged at my father’s arm. “Please, Father. Don’t make me marry Oisin. I swear on my life and on the saints to be obedient if you’ll find me another alliance.”

I searched my mind for what might appease him. “I’ll drop out of university. I’ll play the piano at all your parties. Just please don’t make me marry him.”

Da momentarily released Eamon. His answer to my plea came swiftly in the form of his hand cracking against cheek. At my whimper, Kellan rushed forward while Eamon staggered towards us. To my utter horror, my father jerked his gun out of his jacket and pointed it at them.

“I’ve told you time and time again. We need the O’Toole family’s support here in Belfast. To garner that support, I’m giving Oisin what he desires more than anything in the world.” He jabbed the gun at me. “And that is a marriage with you.”

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