Page 58 of Mine
But right here, right now, none of that matters. The only thing that does is that we sell this…. us… or everything falls apart. My fingers tighten around the glass as I force a smile.
My pulse kicks hard against my ribs. ‘It’s… fast,’ I admit, ‘But when you know…’ I glance up at Dominic, letting my gaze linger, ‘you know.’ It’s an idea I’ve always clung too, but truthfully, the only thing I know is that I’ve never met anyone like him—and I’m never likely to again, but I will walk away when the year is up. No matter how much it hurts. Because what’ll be even more painful is spending my entire life looking over my shoulder.
Dom might not be responsible for Jason’s death.
He’s not responsible for a lot of things I blamed him for, but I spent the last four years working three jobs as well as studying to drag my way out of a life shrouded in crime. To forge a better life for myself.
And if I give myself to him, all of it will be for nothing.
‘Oh my word.’ Her lips lift in a small smile. ‘You are two peas in a pod.’
His hand drops to my lower back as he guides me towards the stools at the island, and pulls one out for me, then one opposite for his mother, then fetches another glass and the bottle of whiskey. He takes the stool beside me, his thick thigh resting on mine beneath the counter.
‘Sheila said you two were enamoured with each other.’ Mama K’s beady eyes continue to dance between us. ‘But I couldn't believe it until I saw it for myself.’
His hand lands on my bare leg, where the sundress has hitched higher. His fingers skim over my skin in a sweeping motion. Given his mother is sitting across from us, I gather it’s meant to be soothing. Unfortunately, it’s frustratingly sexual.
Still, it’s not enough to convince me to give up my entire life for.
‘So, the wedding,’ Mama K gesticulates wildly. ‘Why the secrecy?’
‘If Kavanagh and his crew get wind of it, it could jeopardise the day—and our wedding day is far too important to us to risk anyone ruining it, right, sweetheart?’ The words roll so convincingly from his tongue, even I’m starting to believe him. ‘After all, you only get married once, right?’ He presses a kiss to my temple.
‘But it’s such a shame Frankie and Kai will miss it. It’s been years since we had a big Kincaid party. And this is the first wedding.’ Mama K pouts.
‘We didn’t want to wait. Especially with everything that’s happening.’ Dominic growls beside me. ‘Kavanagh is tearing the city apart. My fiancée has a target on her back, thanks to her father. I’m going to ensure that target is removed-even if it means transferring it to my back.’
Surprise flickers though me.
He told her about my betrothal.
That was a risk.
He must have been certain we could put on a convincing show.
A flicker of worry flashes through Mama K’s eyes. ‘Don’t do anything rash, Dom. Remember the accord.’
‘I won’t do anything at all,’ Dom says grimly. ‘Until he does.’
‘You know Frankie will take some convincing about your relationship. I can see as clear as day how in love you both are.’ She pauses, and I swallow down my gulp. ‘But you have to admit, it seems like a huge coincidence that you’re marrying the woman Kavanagh marked as his own.’ Mama K eyes us over the rim of her glass. ‘If I hadn’t seen you two for myself, I would’ve found it hard to believe.’
Dom’s hand slides higher on my thigh. ‘Leave Frankie to me.’ His tone is final.
The resounding silence is deafening.
‘Would you like to stay for dinner?’ I ask Mama K, finally making a move to stand.
His hand pins my thigh to the stool so I can’t move. Our eyes meet as a wolfish expression etches onto his face. Like he’s imagining pinning me down for other purposes. A hot bolt of lust strikes between my legs. Saliva floods my tongue. I attempt to push his hand away, but he holds firm.
‘Oh. My.’ Mama K tips her head to the side. ‘Looks like the only thing you two want to eat is each other.’
She’s not wrong.
A slow, knowing smile spreads across her face. ‘Jesus Christ,’ she mutters, shaking her head. ‘I’m going before he takes you right here right now on the table,’ she says to me, then drains her drink and stands.
‘No need to leave on our behalf.’ He practically sings.
‘It was a flying visit anyway. I have poker tonight with the girls. You should come sometime, Aoife, you’d love it.’ She places her glass in the sink.
