Page 56 of Mine
Mama K stares at me with a look of pure astonishment.Like the rest of us, she’s not easily shocked. But this evening, she’s positively fucking speechless.
‘I always knew you were a mad bastard. The boys are right. You’re a romantic fucking psycho.’ She shakes her head in wonder as it sinks in.
My lips twitch. ‘I’ve been called worse.’
She snatches up the drink I poured for her and continues to stare at me like I’ve grown two heads. ‘When’s the wedding?’
‘End of the month.’
‘Fuck me.’ She stares at me like I’ve grown two heads. ‘It’s booked?’
‘Twenty-fifth of July.’
‘You know Frankie and Kai are in Mexico? They won’t be able to make it.’
‘It’s the only weekend The Shelbourne had available.’ I force a neutral expression, hoping she doesn’t sniff out my lie. Her ability to smell bullshit is sharper than a razor.
‘Isn’t it a bit quick, son?’ Concern taints her tone, and a flash of guilt rips through me.
‘It can’t come quick enough.’ Because I wasn’t lying when I told Aoife I was determined to do right by her.
I won’t have sex with her until after the wedding. Until she’s certain it’s what she really wants. Until she’s certain about me.
‘And do me a favour.’ My eyes snap to Mama K’s. ‘Don’t fucking terrify her, okay?’
‘Ha! That’s rich coming from you, you mad fucker.’ She tuts, but there’s no missing the affection in her tone. ‘I have to ask…’ She leans on the marble counter beside me and twists her head up to meet my gaze again.
‘What?’ I mutter warily.
‘How exactly did you know she was the one?’ There’s nojudgement in her voice. More like concern laced with curiosity.
‘She ran straight into me and, bam, from the second she bounced off my chest, I haven’t been able to get her out of my head. I wanted her. Wanted to know every damn thing about her. Wanted to annihilate whoever she was running from.’
Mama K’s eyebrows shoot skyward. ‘And who exactly was she running from?’
Shit.
I said too much.
Though, there’s no point try to hide it.
Not from her.
She’ll find out soon enough.
Better it comes from me.
‘Rory Kavanagh. Her father arranged their marriage in payment of a debt he owed.’ My molars clank together even thinking about it.
‘Rory Kavanagh?’ Her fingers thrum over her weathered lips. ‘Do you have a death wish, son?’
‘Please.’ I roll my eyes. ‘Do you think that watery fucker is capable of taking me out?’
‘No.’ She folds her arms across her chest. ‘But your Uncle Frankie will if you break the accord.’
‘I’m not breaking any accord. If Kavanagh comes for me, though, that’s a different story.’ I grind my teeth.
‘I see,’ Mama K’s eyes narrow. ‘That’s why you’re marrying her, isn’t it?’ She steps closer, poking her index finger against my torso. ‘You’re trying to start a fucking war.’
