Page 38 of Stolen Hearts

Ares’ mouth thins. He doesn’t say anything. I mean what is there to say? I give him a caged smile.

“It’s okay, Ares. You didn’t fuck up.”

You’re giving me the best birthday gift I could have ever asked for.

Even if it’s fake.

Even if it’s forced.

Even if we’ll spend a year of marriage with him ignoring me.

It’s just a tiny win. But I’ll take it.

“It’s only a year,” I shrug. “And Castle’s not so bad.”

He smirks, shaking his head. “Still. It’s up to you.”

When he and Cillian leave, shutting the door behind them, the library goes silent. Castle exhales slowly, raking his fingers down his jaw before shoving them through his hair.

“Congratulations,” I say quietly.

“Onwhatexactly,” he spits. “Being forced into this fucking charade?”

My smile falters. My eyes lance into him as anger surges within me.

Fuck him. Past events involving me kissing him aside, neither of us asked for this. And I sure as shit don’t appreciate the way he’s looking at me like I’m a fucking burden he has to carry here.

“Yeah, because I actually set this entire thing up myself. Surprise!”

He shoots me a look.

“And for the record, I’m not the one who volunteered joining our hands in holy matrimony,” I mutter.

“Yeah, I’m sure you’ll go to the altar kicking and screaming.”

I glare at him. “Fuck. You. Get over yourself. And I was congratulating you on being the new Irish king, by the way.”

“Thanks,” he mutters darkly, exhaling loudly as his eyes lock with mine. “We have to do this, you know.”

“Thinking about the money?”

His eyes stay on mine. “Of course I am. I’m thinking about my family’s safety net, and considering the prospect of you marrying one of your little friends, and him runningoffwith my family’s safety net. So, yes, Callie. I’m thinking about the money.”

My lips purse. “One of mylittle friends?” I spit. “I’m not fucking ten, asshole.”

“Okay, let’s just stop,” he groans. “Let’s just fuckingstop. Look, we both have to do this. So can we please make the best of it and just get it done.”

“Wow,” I drawl. “Soromantic. I’m shocked it’s been so long since you saw this Loraine chick of yours.”

“Okay, a, keep your nose out of my personal life. And b, you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

I look away. “Fine. My mistake. So sorry to offend your girlfriend.”

“She’s…” He glares at me, then shakes his head. “You know, alternatively, Icouldjust walk away and let you ride off into the sunset with the son of the man we killed. By all accounts, he’s an even more sadistic psychopath than his fucking dad, so, you know, good fucking luck with that.”

I bristle, swallowing as my face pales. Castle notices and realizes he’s crossed a line.

“Sorry,” he mutters. His eyes raise to mine. “Have you told anyone?”

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