Page 5 of Reckless Promises

Except, that’s who I am now, the one who draws the attention. And as I stop in the doorway, too many sets of eyes are on me.

“Sold.” A gavel slams against a wooden surface, dragging my attention to the stage in the middle of the room.

A blonde girl stands at the center with her fingers clenched to the front of her lace dress. She’s barely eighteen. And even if she’s forcing a smile, she looks like she’s on the verge of vomiting.

“You said this was a charity event.” My jaw clenches.

I should have known better. The Morenos aren’t known for charity. At least my father limited his trades to drugs and weapons. While the Morenos have no problem getting dirty.

“Don’t be naïve, Cillian.” Mom squeezes my arm. “I told you, it’s a benefit.”

“You mean a marriage auction.”

“Same difference.”

I step further into the room with her at my side. “You’re trying to buy me a wife.”

“I’m merely giving you an option. It’s been six months since your father passed, and you’re still single. It’s not a good look for the family. They need to see stability.”

“I told you when I agreed to stay that it would be on my terms.”

“And that’s what you call your rotating door of women?” She smiles at the Chamberlins as we pass, keeping her voice low so no one can hear our conversation. “You represent the head of the Cross family now. Yet you’re messing around like a teenage boy who can’t get it out of his system. God forbid one of those girls uses you to steal secrets. Or worse, plans an assassination.”

“You give quite a bit of credit to the women I bring to my bed.”

My comment is enough to get me a glare from her, and I’m glad. Just because she cares doesn’t mean she isn’t still insulting my dating life.

Besides, she underestimates me. I know everything I need to about the women I associate with. And I don’t let them stick around long enough to do damage.

“I hear there are a few lovely ladies here tonight.” Mom pats my arm. “Just keep an open mind.”

Their appearance is the least of my concerns when this entire thing is immoral and sickening.

“I’m not getting married, especially like this.” It’s one thing to stay and talk business, it’s another to entertain the idea of buying my way into marrying someonewho can’t even legally purchase alcohol. An opinion not shared by most of the men in the room.

The only reason my mother doesn’t see anything wrong with this is because that’s how she met my father. But it’s a tradition I don’t condone.

Buying a wife is not only disgusting but pathetic. Which, looking around, shouldn’t surprise me given the power-hungry, morally-void men surrounding me right now.

“Just think about it.” Mom steals a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “Who knows, maybe someone will catch your eye.”

Like we’re shopping for art. Or better yet, guns.

The blonde girl on stage is shuffled off, and the lights dim between auctions.

Skimming the room, I decide that if bidding is pointless, at least I can focus on business. There are a few families present tonight I’ve been trying to sit down with since taking the helm of my father’s empire. My father’s unfinished deals and unsettled debts are overflowing, and it’s a mess I need to clean up.

“Cillian.” Brandon Davenport stops in front of me with his wife, Cassidy, at his side. “Surprised to see you here.”

“Things have been busy.”

“I imagine. Sorry to hear about Ronan.”

“Thank you.” I nod, believing it’s actually genuine since he’s the one person in this room I grew up with, even if it’s been years since I’ve seen him.

Brandon has known me since I was a punk teenager hitting on any girl who showed me an ounce of attention.And I’ve known him since he was chasing Cassidy to the ends of the earth, waiting for her to finally say yes.

Years ago, we were real friends, not just allies on the same side of a war. We were still young enough to not yet be affected by our parents’ worlds.

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