Page 97 of No Promises, No Lies

Father Lucent clears his throat, pulling my attention away from Aidan as he addresses the gathering. His voice is commanding, with a thick Irish lilt, and he doesn’t waste any time with pomp and circumstance, going straight into the vows. He nods at Aidan to begin.

Aidan turns slightly to his left, receiving a small ring from Koen, who stands beside him, before facing me.

“The Claddagh is a traditional Irish ring,” Aidan says as he slides the tiny circle, heart facing in, down my left ring finger. Holding my trembling hand steady, he continues, “The heart symbolizes love.” I swallow hard, unable to look away from Aidan’s steady gaze, the only thing anchoring me from running for my life. “The hands represent friendship,” he smiles, “and the crown—loyalty.” His smile grows serious. “I, Aidan Patrick O’Rourke, take you, Aurora Adrikova Kostalova, in the spirit’s name of God that lives within us, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart and my spirit, to be my chosen one.”He looks me in the eye, lightly squeezing my hand as he continues, “I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care. I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine. I choose your strengths and weaknesses, and I offer mine to you. I will choose you, above all others, every day for all the days of my life.”

His words elicit a surge of emotion, and a tear escapes my eyes. I want so badly to believe them, but know he’s only putting on a show for our witnesses, for the collection of underbosses Koen pulled together at the eleventh hour. The ones we have to convince to protect us. I can feel Jimmy’s eyes burning into my back. I blink the rest of my tears back, doing my best to maintain my composure as I repeat Aidan’s words back to him, solidifying our vows to each other.

With his ring firmly on my finger, Aidan leans forward, leaving a chaste kiss on my lips. I close my eyes. When I open them a second later, it’s over. Our small little gathering claps—even Koen—as the priest pronounces us man and wife.

Aidan takes my hand, squeezing lightly while lacing his fingers with mine reassuringly. And just like that, my fate is now firmly entangled with his.

57

CLADDAGH

RORY

Married.

I stare at the ring on my finger as miles of endless trees pass by us.I can’t believe I’m married.We left the city immediately following the ceremony, all of us—but in different directions. Aidan and I drive alone—in deafening silence.

It’s possible he’s sensing my mood. It’s not exactly like I’m trying to hide it… Sitting in the front seat of the SUV with my arms crossed, staring sullenly out the window.

After putting on a brave face for the O’Rourkes, their Irish priest, and myself, I don’t have it in me.Emotionally drained, I sit curled up in my seat, spinning the white gold ring on my finger, chewing my bottom lip. I’m not sure what surprised me more, that Aidan could produce a ring with less than two hours’ notice, or how much I’d like it.

A crowned heart, held by two hands.

Married.

The wedding was hours and miles ago. It all happened so fast, it doesn’t even feel real.

Almost immediately following the ceremony, the Irish got word the Italians had attacked one of their warehouses, firingthe first shots of the war that’s been brewing for months. Koen ordered Aidan and me out of the city until things died down. Alexei and Reagan are somewhere in another car.I don’t envy him. Reagan was not too keen on the idea of lockdown.

Until we were clear of the city, and Aidan was certain we weren’t followed, we had one of Aidan’s men tailing us.

Now we’re alone.

Koen pushed us out of the loft so fast I’m still wearing the dress Reagan insisted on giving me. The matching heels had been only a smidge too small. I kick them off onto the SUV’s floor and pull my legs back up and wrap Aidan’s suit jacket tighter around me.

“Cold?”

My head whips in Aidan’s direction at the sound of his voice. Having given me his jacket, he’s loosened his collar and tie. I squirm in my seat. We’ve been in this car alone together for hours, so why do I suddenly feel nervous?

Aidan reaches for the temperature controls, raising the heat inside the vehicle.

“N-no. Just getting comfortable…” I blurt out.

“We’re almost there.” Aidan turns his eyes back to the road.

“And where isthereexactly?” I finally gathered the nerve to ask the question I’ve been milling over since we left Boston.

A small smile appears on Aidan’s face, and I ignore the way it makes my heart flip flop. “The cabin.”

I stare at him, waiting for more of an explanation, but it never comes.

It makes sense a few seconds later when Aidan pulls off the curvy country road and onto a dirt one. After several minutes of rough travel, lights come into view. I feel relief at the sight of them. I don’t think Aidan will hurt me, but I still haven’t entirely ruled out the possibility. Hedidthreaten my life only a few short weeks ago, after all….

My jaw drops slightly at the sight of the wooden cabin sitting in front of an endlessly black expanse. Even in the dark of the night, it’s beautiful. A soft orange glow seeps out from behind the closed curtains.

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