Page 34 of A Ruthless Arrangement
My eyebrows raise. I suspected that O’Neil now preferred me, but this was much bigger than that. Warning me against him? I must’ve made quite the positive impression, while Astero has been whittling away his trust with O’Neil over time. Not that I’m surprised.
“I see. Thank you for the warning. I’ve noticed some things, but it’s good to hear things clearly from an outside perspective.” I whisper, giving him a nod of gratitude.
O’Neil lets out a long breath and nods, glancing at the shipping container that Astero was still inspecting. “Yeah. I admit, I was suspicious of you at first, but I could tell right away that you were different. You actually took this meeting seriously, dressing all up and what not. You’re not cut from the same cloth as him, I can tell. And then how you were talking about your fiancée…it was genuine. Which, you should know, I’ve heard I’ve heard Astero talk shit about his wife and even a bit about your girl, his granddaughter…you might just wanna keep that in mind.” He scoffs, shaking his head. “I hate lady-haters. They resent their own wives. How could someone do that? I’d give my Peggy the stars and the moon if she asked. If it was impossible, I’d still find a way.”
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. “I know exactly what you mean. They deserve all that and more, after all.” O’Neil and I share a look of understanding of two men who love their women. I nod. “I’ve known about Astero’s mistreatment towards my Amy. I’ve put him in his place where I can, but honestly, if it weren’t for Amy, I’d have nothing to do with him.”This is a great time to plant the seed of separation from Astero.
O’Neil nods, a solemn expression on his face. “I understand. He’s changed a lot…if I didn’t need him and already had this agreement with him, I would’ve stopped working with him, too. Maybe, someday in the near future, you and I can have a further conversation about this. Maybe work together more in-depth.”
I can’t help the smile from emerging on my face. I have things right where I want them. “I think that sounds like an excellent idea.” I reach my hand out for him to shake. “I look forward to possibly working with you.”
O’Neil returns my smile and nods.
Astero returns soon after, chatting with O’Neil about his operation. I tune them out and think about what my plans are for the rest of the day. Arranging more food for Amy, perhaps. Maybe some flowers would be good, too. I think she’d like that. And then…for tomorrow. I need to call some places, get reservations, plan it all out and make sure it’s an excellent experience for Amy.
After the week she’s had, she especially deserves it. She always does, but she needs something calm and fun after the hell her grandfather put her through.
I side-eye Astero as he talks with O’Neil. That man is going to pay for what he’s done and the offense he’s dealt to me and mine. Because Amy isminenow, not his.
And she’s overdue for learning what a life with arealmafia man can be like. Not traumatizing and frightening, but protected and wanting for nothing, worshipped and adored.
And I plan on giving that to her.
16
Amy
Curling up in bed has never felt so good after going to dinner with my grandparents and the Irish Demon. I’ve showered, peeled off the layers of makeup, and put on some comfy clothes. I’m exhausted. It feels like I ran a marathon with no sleep.
I try to distract myself with some TV, but my mind keeps drifting back to revisit every interaction with the Alasdair. I admit, calling him that is kind of losing its appeal. I initially didn’t want to call him that at all, but once I met him and realized how dangerous he is, I used it to remind myself what he was.
Except I’m confused at what he is exactly. I know he’s dangerous. I know he’s done terrible things and isn’t someone to look to as a role model, but I don’t think hewantsto be one. The thing is, he doesn’t seem like the terrible monster my grandparents warned me about. He seems…kind. At least he’s nice tome. He honestly doesn’t seem that nice to anyone else, which confuses me and excites me more than it should.
But, at this point, not much about this situationisn’tconfusing. I don’t understand half of what’s going on. And I don’t know what to do with the information that Idounderstand. This weird rivalry that Mr. Alasdair and my grandfather have going on, for example.
Okay, calling him Mr. Alasdair is kind of weird, too. And he seemed to think so too when I called him that. I think he found it funny. After all, someone’s fiancé calling them that would be…odd. But, I don’t know, calling him Kerry doesn’t seem right, yet, either. It’s too close, too personal. Even if it does call to me, beckoning me like the fruit tempted Eve, and the Irish Demon is the serpent…
The calm end to this day almost feels odd. Everything happened so quickly today, one thing after another, and none of it felt particularly pleasant. The only thing that has come closeisKerry.
I look over at my phone that’s on the nightstand. I know I needed to reach out to my parents about what’s going on, my mother especially, but the thought exhausts me. I’m not ready to hear the panicked words that slur together from her tears, and then the eventualI told you so’sabout having anything to do with my grandparents.
As if they wouldn’t have sought me out to do this arrangement even if they never met me. As ifshedidn’t agree to let me have a relationship with them so they’d pay for stuff.
I wish I could just text her about it, but she’d freak out if I did that. She’d call me anyways, and say I was rude for not calling my own mother about such a big thing. And maybe she’s right and that would be awful of me.
I’d have to calm her down and talk her through it, even thoughIwas the one in the middle of this. I just didn’t have the energy to do it. I know I needed to, but…not tonight. Tomorrow, when I’m resting, I’ll do it. I know I need to do it soon if the wedding is actually next week, though. It’ll be nice to at least have my own mother at my wedding.Imagine that, what a concept.
I stare at my phone. That fact that he’s one text away is…alarming. And yet, somehow a relief, too. I know he has my back, which I don’t really feel from my grandparents. How he managed to earn at least that level of trust in only two meetings, I don’t know, but it’s there nonetheless.
I chuckle as I think about how he told me to contact him even at myslightest inconvenience.I wonder what his definition of that would be. It amuses me to think of texting him for any real reason.Oh, hello, Irish Demon? Yes, this is Amy. I ran out of toilet paper, would you fetch me more? Oh, yes, and while you’re at it, make them lower the temperature of the entire hotel. I’m a bit warm in here.
Something whispers in the back of my head that, if I asked him to, he would. And with his money, power, and charisma, the hotel would probably cater to his every whim.
Ishispower my power, too? Will he really offer me the world if I just ask it of him?
And could I ask for other things, too? Ask him to use that power onme?
I dismiss that silly little voice and sigh, pulling the covers up to my chin. The comforter tickles my cheek, reminding me of how his fingers had grazed against the skin there. He had been so soft, so gentle, like he almost always was with me. He only ever used a harsh tone when he was talking about other people, mostly my grandfather. It never seemed aimed at me. In fact, it always kind of felt like it was in mydefense.
