Page 2 of Killian (The Doherty Mafia)
He wanted to see everything, and I wanted him to look.
Even though I could sense everyone else’s eyes on me, I stared back at this man. Handsome, sexy, too good to be true.
Was it really possible that my stepfather had chosen him as my husband?
“Connor Doherty, meet your future wife,” Aldo’s voice said again.
I blinked, expecting this handsome man to react but he didn’t. Instead, he clenched his jaws, gave me one last sweeping look, then looked away.
“She’ll do.” A thick voice interrupted my thoughts and I looked in that direction. Older. Heavier. A sagging jawline. Those were the physical features that defined Connor Doherty. That, and the oily smile that was pasted on his face as he drew closer to me.
“Get excited, sweetheart, I’ll give ya a wedding night to remember,” he said with a laugh that made his belly jiggle.
* * *
Bottles of cheap Prosecco were popped open because apparently it was a celebration. They were celebrating the union between the Baron family and the Dohertys. I’d heard of them in passing before. Aldo conducted some big business with them, the details of which I’d never been told.
Even though I was going to be the link that would connect them, I stood in the corner, staring at the men sloshing drinks and lighting each other’s cigars.
My mind raced. This man was going to be the father of my children? This was the man I would have to be loyal and respectful towards all my life? This man?
The front of Connor Doherty’s shirt was wet from spilling Prosecco all over himself. I could see how yellow his teeth looked as he laughed. I hoped it was just the dim lighting in the room, but it wasn’t. It wasn’t the lighting in the room that made him unflattering. He was an old creepy man who didn’t have any interest in looking after himself.
I was sure I was going to be sick. I didn’t know if I could do it. Pretend. Follow Aldo’s command. Live this life.
What was the alternative?
Even death sounded sweeter. Maybe I could just end this now.
My eyes darted frantically around the room until they landed on the handsome stranger in the other corner again. For some reason, he wasn’t participating in the festivities. He silently smoked a cigarette by himself, keeping his eyes on me.
My nostrils flared as I tried to keep my tears under control. It was like I was silently screaming at him from across the room. Screeching to make my voice heard. The cigarette burned between his lips, he squinted his eyes against the smoke that rose up.
I didn’t know what he was trying to say, maybe he wasn’t saying anything. Maybe I was imagining it all. Why would he care? I was already written off to a man who made me sick. Who scared me.
“What are you doing still hanging about here?” Aldo’s snappy voice cut through the others in the room. They all looked in my direction. Connor puckered his lips to blow me a kiss, making my stomach flip.
“Go pack your fuckin’ bags, girl. You’re leaving now.”
For several moments, I couldn’t comprehend what had been said. He wanted me to leave now? Today? To go away with this man and his family to somewhere I’d never been before?
Aldo glared at me with his narrowed eyes.
I had to follow his command. I had no other choice.
Giving one last look at the man in the corner, I ran out of the room as tears trickled down my cheeks.
Who was I even running to? I had nobody to comfort me. If my mother was around…if I had her to stroke my hair and take me into her arms…she would have reminded me that I had no choice in the matter. That if I didn’t follow Aldo’s commands willingly, I’d be physically forced into following them.
Then she would have reminded me of what happened the last time I failed to listen to him.
That was all the reminding I needed. It wasn’t like I’d forgotten.
Two
Reese
I didn’t have many bags because I didn’t own many things. Besides, Aldo didn’t give me enough time to pack, sending men to my bedroom soon after he’d sent me there. They were waiting to escort me out to the driveway where the Dohertys were waiting to take me away.
It was the fear of the unknown that made my stomach flip.
Aldo had been a monster to me and my mother all our lives, but he was a known monster. I didn’t know what the future held for me or where I was being taken. Marriage to Connor Doherty would not be a bed of roses, that much I could predict.
The men carried my bags to the cars outside, while I followed them with weak steps. I wanted to run. I was desperate to run, but I had nowhere to go.
