Page 55 of Reckless Promises

“Cocky as always. You assumed I’d say yes.”

“I knew you were smart enough to not say no.” I tap my fingers on the desk. “You want a future for your family, Brandon. That’s what I’m offering you. We all know these backward deals and illegal shipments are how business was done in the past. But it’s not how we build a future.”

“Your new wife have anything to do with this change of heart?”

“It’s not like that.”

He smirks, shaking his head, not believing me any more than I believed myself as I said it.

I didn’t marry Odette for a family. I didn’t marry her for anything more than her knowledge of her father’s business. But having her stand at my side tonight—kissing her at the altar—planted something inside.

“All right, you’ve got a deal. I’ll see you next week. Will the wife be there?”

I nod.

“Good, it will give Cassidy something to focus on besides morning sickness.” Brandon finishes his scotch and sets down the empty glass. “Have a good night, Cill. I look forward to doing business with you.”

Brandon walks out, and even if the weight should be lifting, it’s heavier knowing Cassidy is pregnant. I’ll do everything I can to make sure Brandon isn’t implicated, but collateral damage is unpredictable. And yet, I keep making people promises.

20

Cillian

The room is darkwhen I walk in.

Odette isn’t asleep, even if she’s pretending to be. When she sleeps, her breathing is steady, and she inevitably rolls onto her right side—facing me.

Glancing over at where she’s curled under the blanket, I don’t miss that she’s gripping the sheet tight at her chin, like it’ll protect her.

I walk over to the closet, where her beaded dress is hanging on the closet door, and I already miss the sight of it on her because this woman drives me absolutely insane without even trying.

I never wanted a relationship, much less a wife. But here I am, in this with her. Absorbed by her. The least she can do is understand this isn’t easy on either of us.

It soundedso simple.

Bidding on her pissed off her father and gave me a way to dig into all his secrets. All I had to do was entertain this relationship long enough that people wouldn’t question it. What I didn’t count on was the possession Odette would draw out of me. How her beauty on the outside would only be a fraction of what would attract me to her. How her sassy comebacks would strike a match to my intentions.

And tonight, the fire was struck the moment she said she thought she saw the man who threatened her.

I already have Daniel combing through security footage to determine who she was looking at when her entire body tensed. I’ll find him. And when I do, I’ll get the revenge her father was too weak to take.

He dared to enter my home—to look atmy wife. Odette might not want to be here, but she is, and I won’t let anyone make her feel unsafe under her own roof.

She can hate me for sending her to our room tonight, but it was the safest place for her. And that’s all that matters. Because she’s drawing out a personal side I didn’t expect in a business transaction, and that makes everything about our situation even more dangerous.

I’m not Brandon. I didn’t fall for the daughter of an ally. Odette was the enemy as much as her father, and now, she isn’t.

Lines have been crossed and there’s no going back.

Walking into the bathroom, I slip into my sweatpants and brush my teeth. Each day feels longer, but I can’t seem to make enough progress. At least tonight I finally talked to Brandon about getting on board. My planshinged on him if I wanted to take Gabriel and Sascha down together.

Turning off the light, I make my way over to the bed and climb in. Still, Odette doesn’t move, but her breath hitches. Little tells she probably doesn’t realize I notice. But I can’t seem to help paying attention to every detail when it comes to her. When I told her I plan to learn everything there is to know about her, I wasn’t lying.

Every moment I’m not working I’m reviewing whatever Daniel has dug up about her that day. Who she went to school with, what she did for fun. I’ve researched every business partner her father has ever had and made a list of anyone who might have hurt her. Nothing will stop me from making sure she’s kept safe.

Pulling out my phone, I start thumbing through emails. Bullshit after bullshit. It’s no wonder my dad looked twice his age when he died. There’s never an end to what people need from you.

I’m halfway through emails when, finally, Odette rolls over and looks at me.

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