I’m the dramatic one and she’s the calm, silent one. Though if I’m not mistaken a flicker of something shows in her eyes. Maybe I’m being selfish right now with the dramatics but that’s who I am. My family knows this about me.
“Ha, ha, ha, let’s hope this man of yours, that you’re to marry, can handle the dramatic temper you hold. Otherwise, I think he might be wanting to pull his hair out when it comes to your attitude.” Rolling her eyes, Alison slips her shoes on.
The two of us step out of her room and I remember Da had wanted to speak with her. “I just remembered I was supposed to be fetching you. Da wanted a word,” I tell her as we head down the stairs.
“Well, guess we can kill two birds with one stone, right?” Smiling, Alison hooks her arm with mine.
Quietly we head for Da’s office and knock.
“Come in,” he calls out from the other side. How eerie, I’d only walked in here earlier to find my life was gonna change. Now I can’t help but look at my da as a tyrant businessman instead of the loving da he’s been all my life. Well, minus the times I’d pushed him.
“You wanted to speak with me?” Alison asks as she steps ahead of me.
“Yes, come in, both of you, my iníonacha beloved,” he says, making his way around the desk, holding his hand out, pointing toward the couch he has sitting in here off to the side with a set of chairs placed on either end. The very same couch I’d been sitting on not even twenty minutes ago.
“Now, I’m sure your sister has informed you of her wedding being in two weeks. I know this will be hard on you both, and I’ve decided that you, Alison, will be leaving as well; however, you are to go to the nunnery to study.” Gaping at my da I turn my attention to my sister.
“Thank you, Da, I would love to do this,” she murmurs, yet her eyes say something completely different. Sadness seeps into them and I become furious on her behalf.
If only she were old enough, I’d run away with her. It’s what I’d planned once she turned eighteen.
Why couldn’t he hold off a little longer? I mean, what’s a few more months. Six to be exact.
“Good, when you turn eighteen I will allow you to come back. At which time the contract for you will be drawn. I, unfortunately, haven’t been able to come to an agreement with either of the men who I’ve spoken with,” Da says, moving back to his desk he sits down.
“Thank you, Da. Would it be okay for the two of us to go to town? I’d like to celebrate both of our new adventures with Bridget before we are separated.” I could kiss my sister with the politeness she uses on Da. Where I want nothing more than to scream at him for doing this to the both of us, I remain silent. There is no talking Da out of his decision in regards to our lives.
“Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to go to town. Things are going on that I will not discuss with either of you as it is not your place to know. I will, however, allow you to order out and I will see to it being picked up. We could even have a movie night if you like,” Da says.
Alison and I both nod our heads in agreement. “A movie night with you would be nice,” Alison says in agreement, speaking for the both of us. I dare not speak to him right now out of fear of saying something I’ll regret.
Without another word, we both quietly make our way back out of the office.
“Umm, you want to talk about what just happened in there and why you have that look on your face?” I ask the instant we’re far enough away for Da not to overhear us.
“I’d rather not,” she murmurs. Knowing her well enough to know she won’t talk until she’s ready. I nod my head and make my way to my own room leaving her alone for now.
Lying on my bed I finally let the tears fall I’d been holding back. The tears I constantly keep hidden behind the dramatics and sass.
I merely want to live my life the way I want.
I’d planned to leave here in another few months. Taking Alison with me. Now I won’t be able to do that. At least with her leaving for the nunnery I can figure out a plan to keep her from having the same life I’m heading for.
Closing my eyes, I begin to plan. Hoping that maybe I can find a way to escape the man I’m to marry.
All I need to do is come up with a plan to get out of here and bide my time until Alison is away at the nunnery. Then I can snag her from there and we can finally be free.
Free from this life. Free from contracts. Free from a man named Dean.
Who names their son Dean anyway?
Chapter 3
Dean
The phone ringing draws me from the paperwork I’ve been dealing with in preparation of being out of state for a few days. Glancing at the screen my insides go tight at the sight of Jackson’s number glaring at me. Jackson is the owner of SoCo Security Investigations and he and his boys are damn good at their job.
Jackson’s a good man to work with when it’s needed and I’ve called upon his company from time to time. Still, he’s more on the opposite side of the law than myself. Or more or less riding the fine line between both worlds. He and his boys have their own way of doing things same as the Devil’s Riot have theirs and I have mine.
“Jackson, what can I do for you?” I answer in greeting. I’m sure whatever he’s about
