“What do you think?” I retort. “You and Dad are marrying me off to the Irish! And not just any Irish… mobsters!”
Mom sighs, frowning in sympathy. “It won’t be as bad as you think, Simone. The Callahans have sworn to treat you well. You and Ronan might find common ground. You might even fall for each other in time.”
I roll my eyes so hard it hurts. “Doesn’t that sound backward to you? Marriage first,thenlove?”
She remains silent as if recognizing my point. Her hand moves from my ankle up to stroke my hair like she’s always done since I was a girl.
It soothed me and set me at ease once.
But not now. Not in the face of what’s coming.
In the pause of our conversation, I find another thing to gripe about. Another point in my favor.
“And what about Daddy wanting me to marry within our race?” I continue, the frustration bubbling over. “He gave me a hard time about Heath for the longest, and he’s onlyhalfJewish! Ronan isfull-bloodedIrish! He’s gotredhair andgreeneyes. You see how pale he is. He’s about as White as they come. Suddenly he’s okay with me marrying someone outside our race?”
Mom eyes me with some sympathy but also resignation. “It’s not your father’s first choice, Simone. But he’s making this concession for the bigger picture—protecting LDS against our enemies. The Callahans can help us do that.”
“That’s a lot of trust to put into Irish gangsters. Don’t they have a reputation for being underhanded and ruthless?”
“Your father has given this a lot of thought. They’re the best option of the bunch,” she says. “I’m sure you’ll change your mind about them in time.”
“I’m sure I won’t,” I say stubbornly.
“Your father and I were arranged, you know. When we first married, I wasn’t in love with him either. He was handsome and established and intriguing. So I gave him a chanceand?—”
“Mom, please leave,” I interrupt, turning away from her. “It’s bad enough you’re siding with Dad. I don’t need to be regaled with your fairytale love story.”
She sighs again, rising slowly from the bed. “Alright. But you’ll make a beautiful bride. Get some sleep, baby. Tomorrow is a big day. One you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Good or bad.”
The door closes behind her. I’m alone again, left to stew in solitude.
A part of me feels guilty for snapping at her the way I have. I’ve never been one to mouth off to Mom and Dad. I’ve always done as they’ve asked.
Always the perfect daughter.
Their princess.
But given what they’ve decided to do, I think some attitude is justified.
They’ve decided it’s advantageous to marry off their only daughter to Irish gangsters. All so they can protect LDS in the black market.
All while knowing I don’t have much of a choice.
Even if I did run away like Chantal suggested, where would I go long term? I have no connections outside of our family and its elite circle. I have no experience outside of working for LDS, and my inheritance would be gone.
I’m sure they’d bring me back anyway.
Before I was even born, my Uncle Karter once tried to escape an arranged marriage he had been set up for with a young woman from another wealthy family we did business with.
The story goes that Grandpa hired bounty hunters to track him down and drag him back in time for the wedding.
I’m sure Dad sees nothing wrong with such methods. He willingly entered into an arranged marriage himself.
Running or causing a scene will only make the situation even worse.
It’s the exact opposite advice I’d give a client I was doing public relations damage control for.
I sigh and glance down at the engagement ring Ronan Callahan jammed onto my finger the other night.