Page 25 of Risky Fight

I plaster on my most fake smile and he frowns, “A little less.”

I smirk and he nods, “Better.”

He escorts me to the front of the house just in time for the dark sedan pulling up. The first guests have arrived. The door is left wide open and we stand there as though we’re show ponies up for inspection. Are we good enough? Does it look like we’ll make pretty babies? I feel like I’m in a spotlight in a school play except I’m being laughed at because I’m being made to do things. Yes, I am on marionette strings dancing like a fool.

His fool, apparently.

I look down briefly at my engagement ring. I can probably pawn it off for cash but not in Ireland. When I’m in England I’ll ditch it for flight money. I know a decent bloke in London that’ll do me a passport. He’s Callum’s shady connection, he likes to come train at the gym a few months a year.

“Roark! Lou! You both look gorgeous.” It’s one of his cousins and I smile at her. We used to party together when we were young lasses. It was our thing, go to the bars and hustle the pool tables. Boys are stupid, especially when you have a plunging neckline and you’re helpless at pool the first two games.

“Thank you for coming, Rosie.” Roark smiles brightly at his cousin. “My fiancé does look very beautiful tonight.” I give him a side-eye and watch as Rosie herds her children inside. Nolan will be excited to have mates here to play with.

The guests start arrivingen masseas we approach the proposed start time. His parents give us kind words and I almost feel bad. Almost. It’s his father’s and my brother’s faults we’re in this mess after all. His stepmother looks stunning as always, she is Roark’s age, so it doesn’t surprise me. My brothers are suspiciously late — not a great sign.

Talk of the fuckers and they’ll show up. I tense as Malcom and Damon walk through the door with their dates. Arrogant fucking pricks, even with shiners they think they’re God’s gift to women. I have news for them, they’ll be lucky if I don’t add a broken nose.

Roark senses me tense and glances at me, “Lou.”

He’s not trying to get my attention, he’s warning me. He really won’t tolerate being embarrassed in front of his father. He needs his validation, some sort of recognition from his father.

“Lou, you look fantastic,” Malcolm says, smiling at me as though butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. I look at him for the longest time but I don’t say anything. He starts to squirm and nods to Roark, “Looking forward to having you as part of the family.”

“I’m sure.” Roark makes them both uncomfortable and they should be. Deceptive little pricks. They have the audacity to face me with smiles, as if they did not do this. I will find them in a dark corner tonight and deal with their bullshit.

They move on and once we’re sure all the guests are in, we move through the crowd, together at first and then Roark allows me to move on my own. At first, I can feel his gaze on me but I try keep a smile on my face as I mingle with familiar faces. We were so close before he left, I knew everyone, even if they thought I was wild. Certainly, the cousins looked me up if they wanted a fun night of adventure.

I see Malcom and Damon standing off in the corner, their dates must have gone off somewhere. I walk towards them and they try to turn to walk away.

“Don’t you dare.” I can growl too. I grab both their hands and drag them into an empty room.

I make sure I’m between them and the door and I glare at them, “You traitorous fucking bastards. You sold me like a cheap fucking whore to pay off your debt, who the fuck do you think you are?”

“Lou, you don’t understand how much trouble…”

“How much was I worth Malcom? Huh? Tell me how much you settled to get me.” I clench my fists. I should bash their damn heads together.

Damon holds his hands up, “We owed them millions.”

“Well, I am glad I don’t measure my worth by your fucking standards because I feel I’m priceless. You aren’t a family’s arse and I disown you. From this moment onwards you are fucking dead to me, you dickheads.” I have tried my best with these two, to be a sister, mother, father — they are not worth it.

I turn to storm out but Damon makes the mistake of reaching for my arm, “Lou…”

I round instantly and hit him square on the nose, sending him flying back and over a nearby armchair. Malcolm looks at me with wide eyes and I step towards him, “Do you want one as well, fucker?”

He hurries to go help Damon and I leave the room. Fuck them. I don’t need anyone. I hurry down the hallway, the sounds of the guests fading. I slip into the little cleaning supply closet and quickly change. I don’t have much time before Roark will notice I’m gone or that my brother’s nose is broken because of me. I get dressed lightning fast and I hurry out towards the kitchen.

I can hear the lads have started to sing, which means they’re drunk as skunks and won’t be looking about for me.

I know this catering company and knew they wore black slacks and white button up shirts. It had been a mission to organize but I had got the clothes. Hopefully no one notices the sneakers. I have taken my earrings out and changed my hair to a high pony.

I hurry to the kitchen and thankfully the caters assume I’m one of them because they don’t bat an eyelid as I make my way to the back door.

A hand closes around my upper arm and I panic. I turn to see a large man dressed like me.

“You need to go with Clarissa and get more silverware, there are way more guests than he told us. We can’t fuck this up.”

I nod, “Of course, I’ll go with her.”

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