“Meghan was the one I should have married. Hannah's just…"
"Just what?" Phoenix challenges. "Young? Beautiful? Actually trying to make this work despite your cold shoulder? She’s alive and here, Ash."
They don't understand. None of them lost what I lost, watched their whole world burn while being powerless to stop it, knowing that it was my fault. She shouldn’t have been alone in my room. She’d mentioned going home, but I insisted that she stay. When she fell asleep, I joined my brothers in the gaming room for some fun and weed. If I’d sent her home, she’d be alive. Her death is on me.
"Don't look at me like that," I snarl. "Like I'm some pathetic asshole who needs to move on. Meghan was my everything. Hannah's just a means to an end."
The silence that follows is heavy with their unspoken judgment. I hate it. Hate how they're all thinking I should give Hannah a chance. Hate how maybe deep down, part of me wants to.
"Keep telling yourself that," Blaise sneers. "But don't be surprised if O'Donnell pulls his support when he sees how miserable you're making his daughter."
"Enough." Phoenix's sharp voice cuts through the tension. "This isn't helping anyone."
I drag a hand down my face, forcing back the anger. He's right. Fighting among ourselves will make us weak. For ten years, we’ve had a plan. A plan that is well on its way to working. I can’t let Hannah or Meghan’s ghost derail that.
"You should be the one to talk to O'Donnell, Ash," Phoenix continues, his tone deliberately casual. "Show him you're committed to this alliance. That you take it seriously."
"Me?" I bark out a harsh laugh. “Aren’t you worried he’ll see through me like you all seem to?”
Phoenix leans forward, fixing me with that penetrating stare that always makes me feel like he's reading my thoughts. "You're her husband now. That means something to men like O'Donnell. Traditional. Old school. He'll respect your coming to him directly about this."
I hate that he's making sense. "Fine." I knock back the rest of my whiskey, welcoming the burn. "I'll talk to him, make sure he understands what breaking this deal would mean."
"Just…" Phoenix hesitates. "Try not to threaten him too much. We need him willing, not scared into compliance."
I grunt in acknowledgment. Threatening O'Donnell isn't my first choice, anyway. Not when it could hurt Hannah more.
Damn it. When did I start factoring her feelings into my decisions?
9
HANNAH
I’ve been a nervous wreck all night. This is the first time I’ve had to play my part as a wife in front of Ash’s family. The way he ignores me, though, I wonder why I’m here. In fact, I wonder many things. Do they know Meghan? Has she been here for “family” dinners? Flint and Blaise married for love, but Ash wasn’t allowed to. Do the wives see me as a poor substitute? Just a business transaction to help take down the Keans while Ash pines for someone else?
But as the evening wears on, I note that Ash’s brothers are intense like him, but friendly. Flint and Blaise’s wives have been welcoming, and now as we leave the dinner table while the men have a meeting in Flint’s office, I’m feeling more at ease.
Lucy leads us to a living area. The sound of a child emanates from a speaker.
“Oh. Sounds like Flynn is up. I’ll be right back.” Lucy leaves me alone with Jenna.
Jenna gives me a bright smile. "Hannah, you should come shopping with us," Jenna suggests. "Lucy and I were planning to hit Newbury Street this weekend."
"Really?" I hadn't expected to be included so quickly.
"Of course. You're family now."
Family. The word settles warm in my chest, easing some of the loneliness that's plagued me since the wedding. Maybe I'm not completely alone in this new family, after all.
Lucy comes sweeping in, a cherubic baby in her arms. “Say hello to Aunt Hannah, Flynn.”
Aunt? It sinks in that I really am part of the family. At least legally, on paper.
“He’s adorable.” I run a finger along the back of his chubby hand. He hides his head in Lucy’s shoulder.
“He’s being shy. Come on, Flynn, let’s have some dinner. I hope you don’t mind if I nurse while we visit.”
“Of course not.” I take a seat in a chair as Lucy sits on the couch, adjusting Flynn so she can nurse him.
