“Excuse me, will you get Shane, please? Tell him we’re having breakfast in the dining room,” Killian says to a guard as we pass by.
“Yes, sir,” the guard says before sprinting off.
Killian and I enter the dining room. He pulls out the chair at his side for me.
“Thank you,” I say as I sit, biting my lip.
“You’re welcome,” he says as he takes a seat at the head of the table.
My father hates eating in the dining room almost as much as he hates being told to do something. Killian doesn’t care though.
Dad comes in, taking a seat across from me, on Killian’s other side.
“Last night after the gala, I thought long and hard about what Cliona’s nuptials would mean to the organization. Frankly, it’s detrimental and brings us new allies. I have reviewed all the offers made for her hand last night, had in-depth background checks pulled and decided to move forward with three.”
“Wait, what?” my dad says.
I can’t say anything. My mouth has gone dry. Is he saying what I think he is saying? Did he step in and take the decision from my father’s hand?
“I’d appreciate no interruptions,” he chastises Dad. “As I was saying. We have chosen three. You will spend time with them with a guard I assign to you as chaperone. Your father will monitor the situation as well, but the final decision will be mine.”
You could hear a pin drop with the silence in the room. I glance over at my father. His face is so red it’s almost purple. If he were a cartoon, I’m sure you could see steam billowing from his ears.
“Who have you chosen?” my father grits out, trying to keep his temper in check.
Killian looks at him a moment before turning back to me. “The Russians have agreed that Ivan is not the right fit, however, Igor, his son may be. He is closer to Cleo’s age and doesn’t have such a sordid history. The second option is Georgio, the Italian.”
I frown as he lists them off, trying to remember who was who.
“The third option is Haruaki, presented by the Yakuza.”
“What?” I gasp at the same time as Dad yells out, “Absolutely not.”
“It’s not your choice, Shane,” Killian says coolly. “His offer was generous and would bridge the gap between our organizations. With the threat of war from them diminished, we would be able to focus on expanding our operations. Maybe even using some of their businesses as a pipeline.”
Haruaki actually did it. He asked for my hand.
I can feel my skin flushing as my heart beats erratically.
Not only did he ask, but Killian is considering it.
Killian’s questions last night make more sense now.
Did he ask me because he wanted to know if he would be my choice?
Honestly, between the three, Haruaki is the only one I would choose. He might be the enemy, but he’s closest to my age. Besides that, he lives here in the city, so I wouldn’t have to move far. Maybe he would even allow me to see my family.
“You can’t be serious. You’re going to trust him with her safety?” Dad is outraged.
“Callum will stay with her from here on out as her personal guard. She will be safe.”
“No. She has a guard. He will stay with her,” Dad spits out.
Killian’s eyes narrow. “Cleo, please give us a moment.”
“Of course.” I stand, leaving the dining room, heading into the kitchen.
Miss Kelly gives me a sympathetic look. After a few moments, their voices raise, startling me.
