Page 67 of Villainous Soul

“Fine.” Aidan actually looked relieved. The deep lines that creased his forehead relaxed.

“Good. You and I can talk later tonight, and you’ll leave first thing tomorrow.”

I took a deep breath. I wasn’t sure just what sort of agreement they made, but at least for now, the disaster was averted.

Cormac came over to the table. “There you are. My father is going to make a toast, so we’re needed.”

I gave Aidan a thin smile and whispered, “Thank you,” as I left the table.

Donovan was waiting for us at the bar. We were each handed a flute of champagne. I felt Keir’s eyes on me.

Haunting me.

Searching me.

Cormac put his arm around me, his hand resting dangerously close to my bottom. I didn’t want him to touch me.

“Friends and family,” Donovan began. “Thank you for coming to share in this grand occasion. Today has been a long time coming. The joining of two powerful families. The Sullivans and the Boyles. It is the making of a dynasty. And with this union, great things will be accomplished. To the new couple Cormac and Evie.”

Cheers erupted in the pub, along with several shouts of congratulations. Cormac leaned over and kissed me squarely on the mouth, only to incite further applause. Patrick stood close to Donovan, looking relieved and somewhat proud.

As the clapping died down, I moved off to the side. Donovan grabbed my hand. “Not so fast,” he said. “This is a moment to be cherished. I’ve worked my whole life on this. Many of us have.”

I felt my stomach roll. “I’m sorry, I need to use the restroom,” I said, breaking free of his grip. I ran to the restroom and hurried in, locking the door. Bile rose up my throat, and I threw up for the second time that day as the stress of the situation got the better of me. The room closed around me, and I felt trapped. This was the story of my life, and the cage surrounding me suddenly felt smaller. If my family wasn’t bad enough, now I was being smothered by Cormac’s. But duty called, and with it, the chains of obligation. This was my lot in life. I could either accept it or let my family be ruined.

I splashed my face with water and took a deep breath. Cormac was waiting for me in the hallway.

“You ran off. Are you okay?” he asked, blocking me from going further.

“I’m fine,” I said, looking past him. I had done my duty for the day, and he was clearly drunk. If I was lucky, I could slip out unnoticed.

His had skimmed my arm, coming to rest on my shoulder. “You left rather abruptly. My father isn’t happy.”

“I wasn’t feeling well. All of this has been rather sudden.”

“Sudden but not unexpected.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, wondering how long he had been in on this plan.

“You know. We were kind of destined to be married.” He ran his thumb over my lower lip.

“I didn’t know that until the other day.”

“Well, we were. I never liked the idea until I saw you,” he said, stepping closer. “I didn’t think you would be so beautiful.”

I pushed his hand away. “And if I wasn’t.”

“Well, there was no other choice. But looking at you now, we could make this work.” He pushed me against the wall. “My father tells me you are a virgin.”

“Get off me,” I yelled.

“No, you owe me. You embarrassed me enough when you turned me down, you bitch. You’ll learn not to tell me no, or your brothers will pay the price.” He grabbed my breast, pinching my nipple. “There’s no reason to wait until the wedding night,” he snarled, pulling me toward the bathroom.

I heard a low growl, like an animal getting ready to attack. “Get your fucking hands off my wife.”

Cormac let go of me and turned suddenly. “What the fuck?”

“You heard me.” Keir stood in the hallway. His eyes glowed red, and the skin on his face took on an eerie bluish tone as if he had been pulled from a watery grave.

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