Page 43 of His Remorseful King
It’s why he was such a good boss until he handed over the reins to Callum. And it’s why I’ve been nervous to tell him the entire truth. I’m just glad that he took the wedding information so easily. That makes this part of the conversation seem less daunting.
“Now. What’s going on with this Camille woman?” Da asks, sitting again. “I imagine there’s a reason we’re rushing a wedding when you’ve never told us you were seeing Michael. So, it’s got to do with her, yes?”
“It does,” I say. “She’s Giovanni Sorrentino’s daughter.”
“He’ll expect a marriage contract,” Callum says. “And I’ve decided in order to avoid that, the wedding needs to happen before he knows Paddy is the father.”
Da hums to himself, in deep thought. He trusts Callum to make decisions, it’s why he decided to step down from his role as the leader. But, he still likes to feel involved. And he should be. Because even though Callum runs the show, Da’s still alive. Which means there’s no retiring for him. He’s still got to answer for Callum’s decisions. “Have you thought this through? I don’t think Sorrentino will accept a day old marriage.”
“He won’t. But it’ll be legal in the eyes of the law, so if he starts a war, he won't have the rest of the families' support,” Sean butts in. Interesting that he already has that thought process when this is the first he’s hearing of my relationship status with Griffin.
I’d also been expecting him to be more vocal and opinionated about not marrying Camille. He’s the one of my siblings that focuses on the business said with rationale, not emotion. Reason says I marry Camille despite my feelings.
Maybe Callum brushed him up so that he was ready for this and wouldn’t throw a fit. Or maybe he knew all along because he’s a nosy little freak.
“I’ll offer him some territory to keep him happy,” Callum says. “His daughter has our protection, will never have to work a day in her life, or marry if she doesn’t want to. And his grandchild secures him a permanent alliance with us. We can spin this so it’s still a satisfying compromise.”
“Do you have a meeting set up?” Da asks.
“Friday morning Paddy and I will fly to New York and bring Camille back with us. We’ve arranged to speak with him while Rian helps Camille pack her belongings. She’ll be with our men so that her father can’t send his in to prevent the move.”
“You’ve really had this planned,” Declan says. “How long have we been kept out of the loop?”
“Less than a day.” Callum rolls his eyes. “I got you all under the same roof in less than twenty-four hours. So less of the attitude, okay?”
“We’re being told on a Tuesday that we need to go to New York and kidnap a mafia princess on Friday,” Declan says, his tone stern.
“It’s not kidnapping if she’s pregnant with Paddy’s baby,” Sean cuts in. “It’s called protecting our future. And she should have put a condom on it if she didn’t want to become Southie property.”
“Sean,” I snap. “Not appropriate. I’m just as responsible.”
Sean walks toward me, his grey eyes darkening. “Are you responsible, Paddy?” he asks, irritation flickering in his expression.
I stare at him like he’s crazy, because I’m pretty sure he is certifiable. He hasn’t even met her, and is already making assumptions of what happened. “I am. I had sex with her.”
Sean shakes his head, then heads for the hallway. “I’m over this conversation.”
“And I’m starving,” Griffin says. He stands, offering me a smile, and I grab his hand to play the part. Only Callum and Haley know the truth behind this faux marriage, and I intend to keep it that way for everyone’s sake. I’m this close to having Griffin for life, and I won’t lose him again.
Chapter Eighteen
Sean:Have you kept your mouth shut?
Michael:Yes, asshole. I’ve been avoiding him since Tuesday.
Sean:Good. Target acquired.
Michael:You went today? The wedding is in two hours.
Sean:Really? You’re worried I’ll miss your Justice of the Peace vows that aren’t even real?
Michael:Yes. Paddy will be suspicious if his brother doesn’t show up.
Sean:I’ll be there. Don’t worry. My plans just changed a little.
I toss my phone onto the bed, glancing around the townhouse that I’ve called home for the past three years. Last night was the last night I’ll sleep here until things blow over with the Italians and I can come home. Until we can go back to normal.
Though, is anything ever going to be normal with the Murphys? Probably not. And I don’t know if I can handle any more of the drama. This entire fiasco has been plaguing my nervous system. And I’m sick of lying to Paddy about what really happened the night Camille forced herself on him.
