Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
I took a step back, but my uncle gripped my shoulders, keeping me in place. “Watch closely, Aislinn. Maybe now you realize what you’re up against and why you need to say yes to Lorcan Devaney. I’m praying for the lost soul in front of us, like I’ve been doing for you ever since you appeared on my doorstep.”
Bile traveled up my throat as Lorcan smashed the chain down on his victim over and over again. Soon his wifebeater was sprinkled with blood and pieces of flesh, which stuck to the chain and splattered everywhere. Hot tears pooled down my cheeks, and I battled with the worst nausea of my life. I dug my nails into my palms in an attempt to stop myself from vomiting. Was this all because of me? Had he picked a victim so he could give me a show that would terrify me? Even without marrying Lorcan Devaney, there was already blood on my hands.
After what felt like eternity, Lorcan let up from the unmoving man and his gaze settled on us.
I wanted to run, but this monster in front of me wouldn’t allow me to do so. Lorcan wanted me, for whatever ridiculous reason, and this show’s sole purpose was to intimidate me into saying yes.
Lorcan said something to his men before stalking toward us, the steel chain in his hand dragging over the rough stone, leaving a bloody trail behind. The clinking of the metal sent a shiver through me. There wasn’t a spot on my skin that wasn’t already covered in goose bumps. Halfway to us, he dropped the chain unceremoniously but didn’t bother cleaning the signs of his carnage from his body.
I feared he’d claim a kiss, but thankfully he stopped at a distance. He nodded at my uncle and gave me a smile that seemed like a threat. It didn’t hide the predator lurking behind Lorcan’s rough attractiveness.
“I’m glad you could make it,” he drawled. As if this had been a pleasant invitation, as if anything was my choice. “Have you made up your mind about my proposal?”
I swallowed. I didn’t want to make decisions out of fear, but this was about more than my own safety. The Devaneys would have no trouble taking hold of Mum and hurting her. And I wasn’t even sure if Imogen wasn’t in their hands as well. Finn needed Mum, now more than ever with me away in New York, and Imogen possibly gone for good.
Lorcan Devaney was my only ticket to Imogen. Once I found her, I could figure out a way to run away with Mum, Finn, and Imogen, and hide from the Devaneys. There had to be a place where they didn’t have any contacts.
My eyes trailed over the blood splatters all over Lorcan’s wifebeater and arms. There was even blood on his forehead and on his eyelids. He had the Devaney clan tattoo on his right bicep, a five-leaf clover. Every man in this warehouse displayed the same tattoo.
I fought my revulsion. Uncle Gulliver’s gaze was practically X-raying me.
“Aislinn, silence doesn’t suit you,” Lorcan drawled, flashing his white teeth at me. No blood on them, though I wouldn’t have been surprised if Lorcan later feasted on his victim.
“I say yes … to your proposal.” The last word left a bitter taste on my tongue and it felt as if I’d just signed away my life. Marriage hadn’t been part of my plan for the next couple of years, even before Patrick cheated. I’d always known Patrick was too immature for such a bond, and I was never in love enough with him to see myself at his side indefinitely, but this was something I’d only realized after his confession. Lorcan was far from immature, but a marriage to him would challenge me in ways I didn’t even want to consider at this point.
Lorcan’s answering smile was triumphant and possessive, and when his eyes dragged over my body, lingering on my thighs as if he could still see them spread apart like last night, a wave of heat rushed through me.
“That calls for a toast,” Lorcan said, then louder. “We’ve got a reason to celebrate. Aislinn Killeen agreed to become my wife.”
Howls and clapping echoed through the warehouse, sending a new chill through my body. Seamus came over with a bottle of Tealing Irish whiskey, and a stack of shot glasses. He handed one to me then to Lorcan and the men gathering around us. None of them seemed bothered by the fact that we celebrated our engagement not long after Lorcan viciously beat someone to death. This was business as usual for them.
Seamus filled our glasses generously, and even though I wasn’t one for hard liquor, I downed the whiskey in one gulp before Lorcan even raised his glass for a toast. A few men snickered.