“You can’t do this. Why are you even here?”
I don’t hear Killian’s response, but I know he’s running out of patience. He gives my dad liberties he doesn’t give others because he sees our family as family, but I believe my dad is running out of his goodwill.
Minutes later, Killian comes back into the kitchen. “Your father won’t be joining us for breakfast. How about we sit and have a chat?” He gestures back to the dining room. He pulls out my chair.
Once seated, he turns to me. “Tell me, Cleo, how do you feel about this?”
“You already know I want to be free to make a choice.”
He nods. “How do you feel about the decisions I have made on your behalf?”
“I appreciate you getting the Russians to send Igor instead of Ivan, though I do feel Igor is still too old for me,” I say, choosing my words carefully.
“And the other two?”
I shrug. “Georgio was nice enough. Haruaki…” I trail off.
He waits for me to collect my thoughts.
What can I say about him?
“He’s complicated.”
He nods in understanding. “Please know I did not make these decisions lightly. I’ll be leaving today, but I meant it. Callum is here for you. He’s loyal to me and will protect you, even from your father, if need be. I want you to go out with each man on supervised dates. Callum will be setting them up for you.”
“I will. What do you want me to do? Choose one?” I ask.
He shakes his head sadly. “No. Unfortunately, you don’t get a choice. Get to know them. Try to figure out what they are about and if they are sincere. We need an excellent ally here.”
“Of course.”
“Your first date is later today. I have to get back to New York, but I’m only a phone call away.”
Getting up, I walk around the table to hug him. He stands, pulling me into his arms.
“I need you to trust me, kiddo. I’ll do what I can,” he says into my hair.
“I know. I do. I trust you,” I murmur into his chest.
“Callum, thank you for joining us,” Killian says, making me look over my shoulder.
Callum walks toward me, hand extended. I slip mine into his while I look at the man I will be spending all my time with.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cliona,” he says, bowing his head.
“Please, call me Cleo.” I smile softly.
“What were you thinking?” my father bellows.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes at him. He is being quite dramatic, so the dramatic eye roll would fit perfectly.
“I was thinking the Irish are getting up in our business and now I’ve put myself in the position to figure out what the fuck that is.”
“The casino is your business, not ours. You think by offering your hand in marriage to that vermin you’ll figure anything out? What is the girl going to be able to tell you? Nothing! They don’t involve their women in business like us. If anything, they accepted your offer to get secrets from you, you idiot,” he spits.
My teeth grind as I breathe in deeply. I hate my father. One of these days, I’ll have the support to take him out, taking his spot.
Today is not the day.
