Page 52 of Savage Promises

Now I know why.

“What...what happened after your father found out?” I ask Shane, shaking. “Clearly, I never got engaged to Kieran O’Rourke.”

“Two things. Fergus O’Rourke refused your father and was quite insulted at the timing,” Shane says with a catch in his throat.

“What was the other thing?” I ask.

“Ewan told Kieran he could marry Siobhan, to whichhe agreed.” He lowers his head.

“But she ran off to Los Angeles and changed her name to Sabine.” I lean back in the chair. “Talk about twisted.” I stare out the window, thinking how so much could have been different.

Kieran O’Rourke married the Parisi Italian princess. Sabine Quinlan married a billionaire actor. And now Shane is engaged to my sister. Musical marriage chairs played to the beat andI’mthe one left standing.

“I wasn’t good enough, was I?” I say, finding it hard to breathe.

“It had nothing to do with you.” Shane frowns.

“What about now?”

“On the contrary. What makes you stand out in this world, Lennox, is that you’re strong. I won’t treat you like a piece of glass. I’m calling it like it is. You don’t want to be some shadow wife to someone like me who has to parade around a woman at fundraisers. You’re a lion, you want to be out front. And I fucking love...” He clears his throat. “I respect you for it. So, when you fuck up...”

“I fucked up?”

“You sat on my lap and took off your bra. What do you think?”

I exhale. “Shouldn’t we talk about what it meant?”

His eyes go glassy. “It can’t mean anything. I’m marrying your sister. Do you want this aching need between us? Do you want to live like that? I don’t. Like you pointed out, I’ll already be living an unfulfilled life. I won’t make it worse and drag you down with me. I have a job to do. A responsibility to my family. Last night was a mistake. Itcan’thappen again.”

The reckless and stupid part of me wished something more had happened. Then Shane couldn’t dismiss me so easily. I dump my head in my hands, the weight of Shane’s rejection returning me to the depths of hell.

But the way he looks at me... I can’t help but wonder if he’s lying to himself. He watches me for a moment longer, then turns and walks out of the bedroom, leaving the door ajar. “I’ll get your aspirin.”

In the living room, I hear Shane’s phone ring. His voice is low, the words muffled, but I can still make out bits and pieces.

“Aye, that warehouse wasn’t it either? Thanks, Connor.” Shane walks back into the bedroom, the phone still in his hand. “I have to meet with my brother. And then finalize the wedding proposal details.”

My heart sinks, and the tequila from last night churns uncomfortably in my stomach. His public proposal kills me more than anything. He’s making this grand gesture even though he’s being forced. It signals Shane’s intent to make the marriage with Neve real.

Like he said, why should he live an empty life? What kind of monster would want him to live yearning for something he can never have?

Me, apparently.I’mthat monster.

I nod stiffly, not trusting my voice. What can I even say to that? Congratulations?

“I haven’t decided on a location for it yet,” he continues, almost to himself.

The words escape me before I can stop them. “You can use Club Echelon. The VIP floor. Just tell me the date you need.”

His blue eyes snap to mine, narrowing in surprise. “You’d do that?”

“Why not?” I shrug, trying to sound nonchalant. “She’s my sister. I want her to have everything.” Even if it’s the man I want and I have nothing. “It’s the least I can do after you put me up in this villa.” I swallow hard. “We’re going to keep what happened last night between us, right?”

“Of course.” Shane’s gaze lingers on me for what feels like an eternity before he speaks again. “Thank you, Lennox. Thank you for thinking of your sister.”

It’s like he feels guilty thathecan’t put her first.

He leaves a moment later but comes back with a sleeve of aspirin. He’s filled the ice bucket, too, and pours me a glass of cool refreshing water. “Are you working today?”

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