Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“Extreme? The boy’s lucky I’m not killing him on the spot,” he says, making a disgusted face.
“I agree that Finley’s decision here is lacking in judgment, but this situation can be salvaged. What did Robin say when she spoke to you earlier?”
Dad’s jaw works. “She said her father is still amenable to a deal. Assuming Finley is willing to make things right.”
Something in me thaws as I start to understand the dynamic at play.
Robin didn’t call to rat me out—she called to smooth things over.
Only she didn’t realize I hadn’t spoken to my father yet.
She must’ve broken the news on her own, spun it in such a way that it didn’t cause her father to go completely berserk, and even reached out to make sure I didn’t end up with a bullet in my head.
That lovely girl. I remind myself to send her a gift someday when this is over.
Mom says, “Instead of kicking our son out of the family, why don’t we give him and his new wife a chance?” Mom tilts her head and steps forward. “Finley, most of what your father said is more or less correct. You never should have married this girl without our consent, much less broken off an important match we spent months brokering. However, what’s done is done, and if you’re set on being that girl’s husband then I won’t try to pry you away. Lord knows you’re as stubborn as your father.”
“Don’t compare me to the traitor, dear,” Dad murmurs.
Mother smiles, rubbing his back. “What do you say, Finley? Are you willing to do what’s necessary to make this right?”
I glance back at Dara. She’s looking at me through a mask of anxiety.
What would happen if I said no?
If I broke ties with them completely and started over?
I have money saved—substantial money, enough to last us for a very long time if we lived modestly.
We could find other jobs. I could become a normal man, a normal husband. Hell, we might even be able to make each other happy.
But that life isn’t for me.
I won’t turn my back on Genna or on my crew. Too many people rely on me, too many lives are at stake here.
I look back to my mother. “What can I do?”
“Go speak to Robin and her father in the next few days. Apologize, grovel if you have to, and hear what they have to say. Set aside your pride, Finley. I suspect you’ll have more than a few errands to run.”
“And then?” I ask, gesturing back at Dara. “I don’t plan on ending this marriage.”
“If you do all that then we’ll talk,” Dad says firmly. “Assuming our vote goes the way we want it to.”
Mother jabs him with her finger. “If he does all that, we’ll be willing to forgive him, and welcome his wife into the family.”
I take a breath. This is our chance. My mother’s giving me one shot to fix my mistakes. If I can make it happen, I’ll save my career, save Genna’s career, and make sure my wife and my soldiers are all safe.
Or I could throw it all away, take my new, beautiful wife, and disappear to some pretty tropical island.
“I’ll speak to Robin and her father,” I say quietly. “I’ll set things right.”
“I knew you’d make the right choice.” Mom comes around the desk and squeezes my arms. I stare at her as she kisses both of my cheeks, and a strange realization bubbles up from my depths.
It’s always been her.
Dad’s the face of the family. He might even make most of the decisions.
But the big moves? The deep, clever moves?
They’re always my mother.
And she’s going to twist this situation to her benefit somehow.
Only I have to make sure I’m not left out when that happens.
Mother turns from me and looks at Dara for the first time. Her smile is bright, her head tilted to the side.
“And as for you, dear, I know you must be terrified right now, but really, we’re not so bad. Finley must’ve warned you.”
“He did,” Dara says, sounding like a balloon deflating.
“Then you’ll be okay. Listen to my son.” She turns and walks back to the desk. “Now, both of you, let’s call it a night, shall we? I’m worried that if you stay for dinner, my husband will try to stab you with a bread knife.”
“I’d go straight for the gun, dear,” Dad says, grinning like a wolf.
I steer Dara away from them, heading to the door. Before we can leave, Mom calls out, “Make it right, Finley.”
I nod once as I exit the study.
In the hall, Dara takes several deep breaths. “How screwed are we?” she asks. “And how close did we just come to getting murdered?”
“Very. To both questions.” I pull her along behind me. “But at least now we have a shot.”