Page 52 of Vengeful Union

16

RORY

When I wakeup with a warm body snuggled up next to me, I’m surprised and disoriented just for a moment. Then it all comes flooding back to me–the wedding, the reception, the wedding night.

I roll over onto my back with a groan, the champagne I’d had yesterday making my head pound. What had I been thinking, sleeping with Lara Burke?

Lara Murphy, by law, my brain reminds me, and I sit up, swallowing hard. I have to remind myself that this is just a temporary thing. I have to remind myself that this isn’t some fling, but a plan to keep her and Bree safe.

I never considered how hard it would be to keep that in mind while Lara and I are in such close proximity.

Lara stretches next to me, and I can’t help but smile as she sits up, her hair all over because she’s slept with it in an up-do.

She rubs a hand over her face. “God, my mouth is dry.”

“I’ll get some water for us.” I reach over into the mini fridge in my room, grabbing us each a bottle.

She downs it quickly, and I follow suit, the hydration helping with my headache.

Lara yawns so loudly that her jaw cracks. “We never discussed a honeymoon.”

I snort. “We can’t exactly have a honeymoon, honey. We can’t be seen out and about just yet.”

She sighs. “So, I’m stuck in this house for the rest of forever?”

“Not forever.” I smile, leaning over to kiss her cheek. “How about today I give you a tour of the grounds? I know you’ve seen the terrace and the garden and pool house, but there’s a lot more you haven’t seen.”

“Oh, yeah? The Murphy estate is bigger than my father’s, even though our mansion is bigger. You have more acres.”

“Do we?” I stand up, nude, walking to the closet.

I pull on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, turning to see Lara standing next to me, already having put on a pair of shorts that I’d bought her.

She’s still topless, and a big part of me wants to cup her small breasts in my hands, push her back down to the bed.

Instead, I look away. I can’t get attached to Lara, even physically.

She’ll be out of my life as soon as this is all over, and that’s what I want, right? I want to go back to my old life.

Things are just getting a little blurry.

We walk out into the hallway and nearly run into my father, who’s leaving his office, presumably going down for breakfast.

“Well, hello, lovebirds. Didn’t expect you to be up so early.”

Lara stiffens beside me, and I put an arm around her waist.

“I’m taking her on a tour of the grounds. In lieu of a honeymoon.”

My father nods slowly. “I’d rather vacation here than anywhere else.”

I want to roll my eyes.

My father has always been proud of his home, proud of all the blood he’d spilled to afford it.

“See you later, Pa.”

He doesn’t respond, and I tug Lara’s hand, leading her down the stairs and out the back terrace, where we had our wedding. Our staff has already cleaned everything up.

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