Page 20 of Brutal Vows
When he disappears around the corner, I say flatly, “I don’t approve. The marriage is off.”
Sounding triumphant, Gianni says, “Unfortunately,sorellina,that’s impossible.”
Beside me, Lili stiffens.
My voice turns sharp. “What are you talking about?”
“The contract has already been signed. We did it just now… and set the wedding date as well. Lili and Mr. Quinn will be married next month.”
Lili cries out in horror and slaps her hands over her mouth.
Infuriated, I step toward my brother. “You said I’d have final approval! You promised me I could choose!”
His lips curve upward at the edges. “You’re not the only one in this family who’s a good liar.”
Then he turns on his heel and locks himself in his office, leaving Lili and me alone in the hallway, her anguished wails echoing off the walls.
FOUR
SPIDER
The moment we pull out of Caruso’s driveway, Kieran starts to laugh.
“What are you cackling about, you bloody gombeen?”
He snorts. “Only yerself, wearin’ a face that would drive rats from a barn when ye first met Mr. Goodfellas back there. I thought ye were gonna slap him silly!”
“Aye. Almost did. I’ve never met such a tool in my life.”
Kieran pounds a fist on the steering wheel in glee. “Ah, it was grand! Him almost soilin’ his knickers every time you took a breath, bowin’ and scrapin’ like he had an audience with the bloody queen of England. Nearly had a nervous breakdown, he did. I can’t wait to tell Declan all about it. Pure craic.”
He sighs happily, shaking his head, then suddenly turns serious.
“Ach, but the sister was a fine thing, eh? A trifle scary, what with how much she wanted to outright slaughter ye, but fine nonetheless.” He whistles low. “Wouldn’t want to get on that woman’s bad side, but I’d pay a pretty penny to see her in her kex! Got chubbed up just lookin’ at her.”
You’re not the only one. My dick is still rock-hard.
“Put a sock in it, mate. I’ve got a brutal headache.”
He ignores me.
“I feel awful bad for the weecailin,though. The poor sweet lass. Imagine havin’ the kind of father who’d trot out his own bairn to be sold like a prize pony!”
He makes a sound of disgust. “But I suppose it’s their way, isn’t it? Savages, the whole lot. Well, good riddance to those Italian buggers and that pile of shite they call home. Glad we’re seein’ the last of ’em.”
“We’re not seeing the last of them.”
Startled, Kieran looks over at me. “Whaddya mean?”
“I mean I signed the contract. Liliana and I will be married in thirty days.”
Kieran almost drives off the road. He shouts, “Are ye off your rocker?”
“Watch out for that light pole.”
He veers sharply back to the center of the lane, cursing under his breath, then starts in on me again.
“Ye can’t be serious, Spider! The idea of marryin’ into that family is entirely daft!”
