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)
The woman squinted at the photo then her eyes darted to me. “She’s your sister?”
“How did you know that?”
“Because of the resemblance. But she carries her beauty on a silver platter, and you wear it casually.”
I blinked, not sure if it was a compliment. “So have you seen her?”
“Are you asking around on behalf of Five-Leaf Clover?”
“Will my answer change yours?”
She tilted her head and regarded me for a long time. Then she gave a shrug. “Not really. Just promise I won’t get in trouble.”
“You won’t.” I said it as if my word had any impact on Lorcan or his gang, when it hadn’t and wouldn’t.
“She was in here once, but she told me she wouldn’t be back once she found a modeling job or a rich man who paid for new designer clothes.”
I grimaced. So Imogen was really looking for a sponsor, and Sodom, as I learned firsthand, was the place for that.
“She didn’t come back, so I assume it’s the latter in the case.”
“Why not the former?” I asked sharply, not liking how the woman shoved Imogen in a certain box, even if it was the right one.
She raised her palms. “This is New York. The streets are filled with pretty girls trying to make it. Some are prettier than your sister, some are more ruthless and some have the better contacts.”
I nodded because it’s what I’d told Imogen, but she’d been so full of hope and conviction. I admired her for it, for her absolute belief in herself but not her ruthlessness to get there. I sighed. “Thank you.”
I left without buying anything. Somehow it would have felt strange to keep shopping after our conversation. I went to another boutique, not uber chic, but with newer and definitely pricier items than what I usually bought. Imogen had been here too but as with the first shop, she hadn’t been seen in weeks.
After purchasing two dresses, a skirt and a blouse, I continued through the neighborhood. The area was full of Irish pubs—most of them tourist traps like Temple Bar in Dublin—but some were inviting enough that I would have loved to go in and have a pint, or pop into some shops with Irish names. It reminded me of home but it wasn’t. The scent was different, more city-like, even though Dublin was a big city in its own right. Here, the atmosphere was more erratic, people just passing each other by, while in Dublin people would actually have a chat and a drink together.
I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to find my sister, but once I did, I’d return to Dublin. Nothing would stop me, not even Lorcan and our doomed bond.
I arrived at church with five minutes to spare. My parents had ingrained a respect of the church and its servants into me, and though I didn’t overly like Gulliver, old habits died hard. After a hard day at the docks, I rushed back home to take a quick shower and dress in a suit and jacket, minus the tie.
Aislinn stepped out of her uncle’s apartment and froze when she spotted me waiting in front of the church doors. “You’re here.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “I was asked to come as part of this bond, if I’m not mistaken.”
Flustered, she nodded and smoothed down her dress. It was a soft lavender dress with buttons down the entire front and a wide belt around her slim waist. She wore white pumps with a modest heel. She looked like a good Catholic Irish lass, and a phone call home this morning had revealed that was exactly what she was. One of our men over there had met with Patrick for an intense talk about Aislinn and even though she’d reeked of innocence despite the compromising situation at the Doom Loop, his words confirmed a suspicion I hadn’t dared entertain. This would make our wedding night endeavors all the more entertaining.
I held out my arm. “Let’s go in.”
She hesitated briefly before accepting my arm in a barely there touch.
I stifled a smirk as I led her into church. Gulliver was in the front, preparing everything for the evening service. He turned and folded his hands in front of his stomach as he waited for us to head toward him.
“In less than two weeks, someone else will lead you down this aisle toward me.”
Aislinn’s fingers on my arm flexed. “I don’t know who could do it.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
“Lorcan, Aislinn, I’m glad you could make it. I always insist on such a conversation before I marry a couple. It gives me a chance to see their sincerity.”
He paused.
My desire for Aislinn was sincere, and so was my interest in her. But we all knew he wouldn’t bear witness to our true love today, though the Catholic Church didn’t necessarily require love, only devotion.