Page 7 of Declan

There’s no way in hell I’m marrying a Callaghan. Those three are everything I despise: control, power, and violence. And me? I’m nothing like the type Declan would want.

Doesn’t he prefer women who are polished, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, sweet little things that make him look good? What’s he going to do with someone like me? And even worse—what the hell am I going to do at that mansion in the middle of nowhere?

“Viviana,” my father’s voice is low, almost pleading. “We don’t have a choice. You don’t have a choice. It’s either this or we lose everything.”

And I’m supposed to care about that? He’s never cared about me. I was never the pretty, immaculate daughter he wanted. I’ve always been the black sheep. Instead of learning which fork to use at fancy dinners, I dyed my hair black and flaunted tattoos.

I’m not wife material—I can barely handle my shit, let alone deal with someone like Declan Callaghan.

My father leaves, and my sisters stand staring at me like I’m to blame. It’s their fault, not mine! I was myself as always! And from what I know, men like Declan run in the other direction near women like me.

“Here,” my father comes in again, handing me a bunch of papers. “It’s not only the material things, if that’s what you’re thinking,” he says, his voice softening unnaturally.

Sitting on the edge of my bed, I try to hold it together, but the weight of everything is crushing me. I stare at the contract, the words blurring. If I run, if I refuse, if I say no at the altar, it’ll cost us our lives.

The Callaghans don’t play. Even if my family treats me like shit, I can’t let that happen. No matter how much they’ve hurt me, ignored me, or pushed me aside since Mom died… they’re still my family. And I’d never be able to live with myself if I was the reason they got killed.

Hours pass, my eyes locked on the ceiling, waiting for a black hole to open and swallow me whole. I let out a long, shaky sigh, realizing that will never happen because life isn’t that easy. I start to feel my pulse slowly settle into a more controlled rhythm. I don’t have a choice. The wedding is in a week at the Callaghan estate, and I’ll be ready. I’ll survive this, just like I’ve survived everything else.

It’s morning, and my head feels like a drummer has taken up residence there. I take a deep breath, feeling a little calmer, and pick up my computer. So, I’m getting married, and the logical thing to do is go on Pinterest and search for inspiration… on how to kill without being caught. Wonder if they have stuff like that!

I scroll through a bunch of amazing wedding dresses—beautiful, but they only make me feel worse than I already do.

I was never the type to dream about getting married, but if it ever happened, I had an idea of what I’d wear. I’ve always lovedthe thought of a gorgeous princess ballgown in pearl white. But there’s no way I’m wearing that for this fake wedding.

My phone dings.

A message from my father. He doesn’t even have the guts to face me. I read it and snarl. Great. So the Callaghans are in charge of all the wedding arrangements, and it’s going to take place at their estate.

Amazing.

No need to keep searching Pinterest, but something catches my eye—a dress. Mermaid style, beautiful, sexy as hell. This is it!

I google bridal shops and call several; they all give me the same answer: either they don’t have anything like the dress I want, or they don’t have the time to make alterations. I’m getting stressed and seriously annoyed.

When the next shop answers, I make a split-second decision and tell them I’m the future wife of Declan Callaghan. There’s a pause on the other end before the woman speaks again.

“Are you free tomorrow at nine in the morning?” she asks.

“Of course,” I reply, feeling triumphant. At least their fucking name is good for something.

I’m standing in front of the mirror at the bridal shop, seeing my dress for the first time. It still needs some changes, but it’s exactly what I imagined. My hands shake with excitement, ice cold to the touch. My throat burns every time I try to speak. It feels like my words might shatter into pieces if I push them out too fast.

“He’s going to kill you,” Selma says, her voice low but direct. She’s the only person I trust—my best friend since… forever.

“Which one?” I try to chuckle, but it comes out as a shaky breath. “My future husband or my father?”

“Both, girl!” Selma’s amused tone works its magic, and despite everything, I feel a flicker of calm. “You could do worse, though. Declan Callaghan is hot as sin, and let’s be real, the brothers? All of them are walking danger signs wrapped in sex appeal.” She winks at me, grinning.

If this were any other situation, I’d laugh and agree. She’s not wrong. Declan is a walking powerhouse: tall, muscular, and covered in tattoos, with dark hair and intense brown eyes.

Every move he makes radiates control and raw intensity. That man is the devil in a suit. And that’s the problem—he’s the devil.

The Callaghans are undoubtedly the hottest men I’ve ever laid eyes on, but they’re also the most dangerous. Everyone in this town fears them. People stay out of their way, and here I am, heading straight to the wolf’s lair.

“This is just what I wanted,” I tell the seamstress, my gaze fixed on the mirror. She managed a miracle—not only did she have a dress strikingly similar to what I envisioned, but she was also able to make all the alterations before the wedding.

At least I’ll have this one thing—my dream dress—for what’s sure to be a hellish wedding.

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