Page 78 of Reckless Promises

“You can try, but I guarantee it won’t work.” He pinches my nipple and holds me tight to him when I squirm. “Besides, I paid the bill, so I already know all your secrets.”

I don’t doubt it, and part of me counts on it. “Noted.”

Cillian slips his hand from mine and kneels in the snow-dusted grass to pet Birdie—not caring that his pants will be ruined by the wet grass. For as much as he seemed to dislike her when she was gifted to us, I’m beginning to think that’s changed.

“Did Fallon leave?” he asks, rubbing Birdie’s belly as he looks up at me.

“Yes. She said your mom had something planned for them for dinner, so she took off.”

Cillian shakes his head, grumbling.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”

Squatting down, I place my hand over where he’s petting Birdie. “And here I thought we weren’t keeping secrets from each other.”

Cillian sighs, grabbing my hand and pulling us to stand. “My mom wants Fallon to get married.”

“You know already?”

His eyebrows pinch. “What do you mean,already?”

“Fallon said your mom was going to go to you for your blessing. I wasn’t supposed to say anything. But you know you can’t do that, right? Fallon doesn’t want it.”

“Odette.”

My heart races. “You love your sister, I see it. Please don’t make her do that.”

“Odette.” He says my name firmer this time. “I’m not giving anyone my blessing. Which is what I told Michelle when she came to my office to discuss it a couple of weeks ago.”

“That’s why she was here?” I try not to let my irritation at his mention of her show, but I can’t help it.

Cillian might swear there’s nothing going on between him and her, but I’m still not convinced she feels the same way.

“Your mom sent her secretary to talk to you about that?”

“If you knew my mother, it wouldn’t surprise you.”

I pull back in his arms.

It shouldn’t hurt, but it does. I don’t know his family. I’m an outsider who was given no choice but to assimilate. And something about his reminder stings.

“I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine.” I take a step back, wrapping my sweater tighter, and starting toward the house with Birdie on my heels.

Cillian doesn’t miss a step, following after me. “It’s not a bad thing, Odette.”

“To you.”

“Do you want to know my mother? She’s the one who dragged me to that auction. She isn’t like my sister. She isn’t going to welcome you with open arms. So if you’re looking for family—”

“I don’t need your family, Cillian.” I stop, turning to face him. “I have one, remember? You of all people should know that since you’re the one trying to destroy them.”

My shoulder blades pull tight in anger. Just because we’ve been playing house—getting too comfortable in those roles lately—doesn’t erase the truth. When all is said and done, Cillian will get everything, including closure. And I’ll always be the girl my father sold to him.

Cillian watches me but doesn’t close the distance. He doesn’t so much as flinch at my meltdown.

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