Page 15 of Arranged Obsession
“Cormac, bro, what are you doing here?” Finn asks, trying to keep it light and casual. But I can tell he’s uneasy. “Shit, I haven’t seen you in this place in years.”
“Thought we could talk.” I glance at his friends. Liam Lankshear and Bryan Delap. Both high-ranking Whelan soldiers.
“Good seeing you again, Cormac,” Bryan says as he vacates his seat. He gestures for Liam to follow. “We’ll give you a little privacy.” Both men give me respectful nods as they leave.
I sink down into the booth.
“Shit, you want a drink?” Finn laughs lightly. “I feel like I probably need another one.”
I lift a glass left behind by Liam and take a sip. Cheap whiskey and soda. “How are you feeling about your wedding?”
Finn’s eyebrows shoot up. He looks at me like I’m a dog speaking fluent Chinese. “You’re asking about my feelings?”
I nod sharply. “It’s a big deal.”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s huge.” Another awkward laugh. “I’m not in the shit right now, am I? No offense, Cormac, but I don’t think you’ve ever shown up just to ask how I’m doing before.”
He’s got a point. From his perspective, this probably seems strange. And from mine, it’s fucking insane. I just can’t help myself. The thought of her keeps screaming in my head over and over.
“You’ve never been arranged to marry a stranger before.” I try on a charming smile. At least I hope it’s charming.
Finn grins back. “Guess it’s a new experience and all that.”
“You’re good with it?”
“Not exactly excited, if I’m honest.” He drinks from his glass and shrugs, loosening up a bit. “Seamus says she’s pretty. He showed me a picture and I guess he’s right. Real Italian, you know? Dark hair and dark eyebrows and all that. Not my normal type, but hey, it’s alright.”
I grip the glass. I can see her floating in the booth like an angel. Hair thick as sheep’s wool flowing in shiny cascades around her small shoulders. Full fuckable lips. Wide green eyes filled with kindness and light. Beauty incarnate.
“Good to hear,” I grunt at him.
“Yeah, you know, and look, it’s just a business thing, right? She and I will find a way to get along. We’ll have to at least. I’ll treat her right, don’t worry, Mom already had that talk with me, and I’ve never been that type anyway. I figure Bianca and I will come to an arrangement. Life goes on, you know? I guess I’m good, all things considered.”
“That’s good.”
He nods, tilting his head as he studies me. “How you holding up? You seemed off at dinner.”
“Just a stomach virus.” I stare him down. “I’m fine now.”
“That’s good.” He clears his throat awkwardly. “You know, I’m visiting her next week. Dad and I are going down and staying at their place in the city for a few days. I guess that’s when she and I will have the talk, you know what I mean? About how ourmarriageis going to work out.”
Blood rushes to my skull. An insane idea hits me in the nose and I’m already opening my mouth before I can stop myself. “I should come with you two.”
The words spill out, and fuck, that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever said in my life.
Why the hell would I go with them? And why the hell would theywantme to go?
I’m the creepy murderer, after all, and they’re trying to seal a political deal.
I’ll only be in the way.
Finn leans back, trying to grin through the awkwardness, but I know he’s thinking all that already.
“I don’t know?—”
“In case you need me.” I stare him down, too fucked up to stop myself. “I trust Dad with my life, and I know you can handle yourself. But if something goes wrong with the Marinos, you’ll be happy I’m there.”
He frowns, considering. Seen from that angle, maybe it makes sense to bring the ghost along. Finn’s a practical guy. He isn’t stupid.
