Page 49 of Reckless Promises

“There never is.” I tip her chin up.

“I know.” She wets her lips, bringing out the bright red of her lipstick.

“So, what’s on your mind then?”

I might not know everything there is to know about her yet, but I’m learning her expressions. And the smallest wrinkle between her eyebrows means she’s worried about something.

“I thought Mom prepared me for every possible outcome because being married off was inevitable.” She lets out a breath. “But she didn’t prepare me for this.”

“Your father accidentally turning you over to his enemy?”

“No.” She shakes her head. “For me not hating you.”

I drop my hand from her chin and take a step back because she needs to hate me. Even if I won’t let anything happen to her, her hate is what will keep her safe.

“You should hate me.”

“I know.” She steps toward me again, and I can’t stand how much I like her nearness. “Because I’m your revenge, right? A way to learn my family’s secrets? A tool to win this battle?”

She’s so close that her chest brushes mine with her inhale.

“I should hate you because you bought me for a million dollars just to inflict your revenge. You didn’t care what you saw up on that stage or that I was a virgin.”

That’s not something I can think about right now. That word has only ever been a turn-off, but as her perky tits brush my suit jacket, I’m tempted to taste just how fucking pure she is.

“Exactly.” No use feeding whatever fantasy she’s telling herself. “You’re a means to an end, Odette. As my wife,you’ll always have my protection. But don’t mistake that for love. The reason we’re together is strictly business.”

“Except…” Tipping up on her toes, she plants her hands on my chest and brings her mouth just below mine. “I don’t think it is.”

18

Odette

I thought I knewwhat I was doing. Holding a grudge against Cillian came easy. But then he strapped that knife to my thigh and mixed everything up.

No one in my life has cared enough about my safety to risk their own. But that’s what he did. He handed me a weapon, even if I could use it against him.

Cillian is the most confusing man I’ve ever met, and every moment I spend with him makes it worse. Which is inconvenient, given tonight he won’t let me leave his side as we make our rounds through the room.

Before we left our bedroom, he went over what he needs from me. Every time he stops to talk to someone, I’m supposed to tap his arm twice if I recognize them from my father’s business meetings or social gatherings.

I’m not sure what exactly he’s trying to figure out, but I gather he thinks there’s more to the night his fatherwas killed than just my father turning on him. And while Ronan had a reputation for being impulsive, Cillian is careful. He wants to learn everything he can before making a move.

We stop at a group of men so Cillian can have another ridiculously boring conversation about imports and stocks. And I tap his arm when he introduces me to two of them before mentally checking out.

At least I’m used to this. I was never allowed to speak when my father had people around. I was bred to be a decoration.

Born to be a compliant mafia wife.

It makes my stomach turn to know I never escaped this after all.

A waiter passes, and I move to pull from Cillian’s grasp, but his grip tightens.

“Do you need something?” He breaks his conversation mid-sentence to turn his attention to me.

“Water.”

He nods, glancing up at the passing waiter. “Bring my wife water.”

---