Neither of us speak another word as they’re not needed. My mind racing, flashing images of Jordan in the hospital broken into the image of the woman I’m to marry. If I can kill Kean before the date Bridget and I are to say our vows, I might possibly be able to negotiate with Tomás about this marriage and the wedding we’re supposed to have in a matter of days.
“Call the airline and inform them that we will have more than our usual people on this flight,” I tell him as we pull into the parking lot of the clubhouse.
Time to get plans set in motion. One way or another, Kean will die, and I’ll get out of this absurd marriage.
Don’t give a damn how beautiful she is with her mismatched eyes. I don’t want to marry her or anyone else. I like my freedom but if I want to keep my power and my life, I’ll have no choice in the matter.
Chapter 4
Bridget
You know when you want time to go as slowly as possible it speeds by far too fast. I swear it feels as though yesterday I found out I was to marry a man I’ve never met. Now it’s only a few days before my wedding and I’m still waiting for my moment to escape.
Da has made sure to keep one of his soldiers on both Alison and me anytime we stepped out of the house. It’s not like we can leave the property. He refuses to allow us off the property. We’re at least lucky he lets us outside into the fresh air.
What I need is either a diversion or something to get away. As it stands, my only choice will be leaving in the dead of night by climbing out my window with the hopes of not falling down my trellis and that no one will be awake. Though in this house there’s always someone. Security is around the clock, inside and outside of the house. Hopefully, they’ll be lax at the time and not be paying attention.
Sitting in my window, I can’t help but compare the dreary weather to my mood.
I refuse to become someone’s possession as my father wants me to be. I want to embrace who I’m meant to be. I feel I were to be someone in life and yet I’m nothing more than a pawn in a world I only know I’m to smile and look pretty on my husband’s arm. Or better yet, lie on my back while he impregnates me. I’ve always wanted children but never with a man I don’t love.
A knock on my door startles me out of my head. Calling out for them to come in, I wait to see who it is. No reason to move from where I’m sitting in my window.
The door opens and my da steps into my room, closing the door behind him.
“Iníon beloved,” he sighs as he makes his way to where I’m sitting and takes a seat next to me then takes my hand in his. “I know you wish to not marry someone you do not know but I’m doing what I must for you, not just for the Alliance. Dean will take great care of you, Bridget. He’s successful and I know he will protect you and keep you safe.”
Nodding at his words, I refuse to speak knowing I will only anger him. No reason to get anyone’s feathers ruffled when I’ll be leaving before this Dean man gets here. I don’t care if he can keep me safe or not. I refuse to be shackled to anyone.
The two of us sit without a word between us as we watch the rain for a good couple of minutes.
“You know I remember the day you were born. It rained though the sun was doing its best to shine through. Same as you, you have always been a bright light beaming through the clouds. And if I know you as well as I do, you’ll win over the heart of your fiancé the same as you did me the day you were born. You looked up at me with your beautiful eyes and I fell in love with you more than I already was. Now please let’s have a good day, as tomorrow you will finally meet Dean,” he says, patting my leg.
How can my da say something so sweet yet turn it into something opposite at the same time.
With this knowledge I know I must leave, making my escape tonight. Sadness fills me as I give my da a fake smile to placate him.
He patted my leg. “How about we grab your sister and go have another movie night?” he offers. “We won’t be able to do this after you both leave.”
“Sure, Da, maybe we can call down to the pub you like and order some soda bread pudding and barm brack,” I suggest.
Smiling, he draws me from my spot to hug me. “Sounds like a plan. Now come, let’s go find Alison and spend the evening having a good night,” he says. Letting me go, he stands and holds his hand out for me to take. For tonight, I’ll take this little bit of time to enjoy spending it with him since this will be the last time I see him.
“There’s no way this was my favorite movie growing up,” Alison blurts out, causing us to laugh as we watch The Princess Bride.
“Considering I sat with you through each one of them I should know,” Da jokes. Today has been one of the best days in a long while.
“Nope, I don’t believe you. This movie is completely ridiculous,” Alison says, pointing her hand at the screen.
“Deirfiúr beag, hate to break it to you, but Da’s right. I remember you used to say you wanted to be the princess in the movie and find someone to go through all the trial and errors that Westley
