Page 82 of Forbidden Romeo

“Of course,chroí,” I say a little bitterly.

Nonetheless, Padraic’s eyes widen at my words, and he turns on his son expectantly. I don’t want to lose the opportunity, so I back away, giving Jack’s lingering hand a squeeze before making my retreat.

As I open the door into the corridor, I find myself gasping for breath, and I have to close my eyes while the rise and fall of my chest slowly begin to slow down. God. It felt like Padraic had sucked all the air out of the room.

It takes me a moment to realize the guards from earlier have disappeared. Odd, Padraic doesn’t strike me as the type to go lax on those who abandon their posts.

Unless they heard about Jack’s engagement and have gone to spread the news. Shit.

But… that must mean they were able to listen in on the conversation.

I turn around to face the door I just came through and lean against it casually. If anyone were to walk by, it wouldn’t seem like I was doing anything suspicious.

However, with my ear closer to the crack, I can clearly make out Padraic’s gruff tones. “... fuck are you playing at? She was our biggest asset against the Maguires. Why the hell are you throwing away our advantage to get your dick wet?”

I can just about make out Jack’s softer voice as he replies, “Didn’t you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“The Nova-Maguire alliance is built on the promise that Connor Maguire will marry his sister off to Arnie Knight.”

What.What?

Every scrap of my casual pose goes out the window as I press my face against the door.

Since when was Arnold Knight in this equation? When wasmarryinghim ever a part of our plan?

“Where did you get that information?”

“Kate.”

What had Kate said that day?“Yikes, this really is a mess.”

Oh my God.

Unaware of my impending breakdown, Jack carries on. “And lovely littleRoisinout there can’t marry Arnie if she’s already married to me, can she?”

No. No. No, no, no, no.

“Connor will lose his ally,” Padraic replies thoughtfully.

“And in the meantime, the Maguires and Novas won’t attack if they think Roisin is here by choice.”

“You can’t know that.”

“I know they wouldn’t want her to get caught in the crossfire. I know that it’s easier to rescue someone who’s willing than kidnap someone who’s not.”

What the fuck.

Something inside of me starts to break. He’s thought about this. This is his real plan.

How could I be so fucking stupid? I even gave him that whole speech about how all the Families ever do is make plays for power, and that’sexactlywhat he was doing to me.

“You think you can keep her sweet long enough for you to walk down the aisle?”

“Of course,” Jack replies without missing a goddamn beat. That arrogant bastard.

“Fine. But listen to me, boy. If you drop something like this on me again without consulting me–”

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