Page 71 of Killian

“We need to meet.”

He pauses. “When?”

“As soon as possible.”

He hesitates. “I’ll be at Bella Italiano in twenty. I can have it cleared. Or if you would rather wait, I can meet you elsewhere in two hours.”

“Bella Italiano is fine. See you in twenty.”

“I was surprisedto hear from you. Even more so when you decided to meet me here. What is so urgent?”

“I’d like to discuss Greer.”

He raises an eyebrow. “What about my sister?”

“Frankly, I want to marry her.”

His face is blank as he stares at me for the longest time.

Then he speaks. “No.”

“You haven’t even heard my offer.”

“Doesn’t matter. I made Greer a deal and I refuse to go back on it. She wants to make that decision herself, and I plan to respect that. No matter how sweet the offer. Besides, what would the woman you’re in a relationship think?” he asks, nodding toward my Claddagh ring.

Bash is more observant than I gave him credit for. I started wearing the ring after the fundraiser, proclaiming to the world that I’m taken. Greer hasn’t said anything about it yet, but I expect her to eventually.

I wanted to give her something. A commitment. This ring represents the fact that my love is owned already. By her.

“So if I were to give you complete control over the Westies, you would still hold steady.”

He nods. “I’m a man of my word.”

“Very well. If she decides to marry me of her own volition, will you oppose?”

His eyes narrow. “Why would she? You’re eight years older than her and the head of the Westies. She hates this life and would rather run away than be part of it.”

“I’m very well aware of that. I’m not asking you to change her mind. I’m asking you to give her the choice. Let her know that no matter who she chooses, you will honor her decision and give your blessings.”

“What if she chooses someone else? I can’t risk that.”

“She won’t.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“She’s mine.”

“Why do you want my sister so much?”

“That’s between us.”

“No. I won’t allow you to use her as a bargaining chip in the future. She’s not a game, Killian.”

“Of course she’s not, even though she feels as though she is. Not only with me, but with you. It doesn’t matter why I want her because when I get there, and I will, she will no longer be a Catalini. She will, of course, have the freedom to visit and spend time with you, but she will share my last name. She will be my family.”

“What makes you think she’s cut out for this life?”

“Don’t underestimate the temptation of darkness. Your father thrived in it, as do you. What makes you think she wouldn't as well? The same blood that runs through your veins runs through hers.”

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