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- LIAM’S ENGAGEMENT PARTY -

- TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO -

“Remind me again why we’re doing this?” I grumble, looking over at my father as he straightens his tie.

His eyes flick from where I’m standing, down to the chair on the opposite side of his desk, making it clear he wants me to sit down, but I can’t. I’m too fucking antsy. But I never refuse one of his orders, so I reluctantly slouch into the chair, unfastening the jacket of my suit as I do, to make myself a little more comfortable.

I remember when I used to hate wearing suits. My father would wear them all the time, and regularly lectured me and my brothers about the effects wearing a suit can have. It displayspower and status, showing how put together and in control we are.

I used to see them as an uncomfortable annoyance. The collar scratchy against my throat. The tight fabric is much more restricting than my comfortable jeans. And don’t even get me started on how fucking awful the shiny posh shoes are compared to my trainers. But I learned long ago to see the suit for what it really is…a uniform.

When I put this suit on—a replica of the one my father is wearing—I become Evan Doughty, Heir to the Doughty crime family. I’m no longer a young man with no fucking clue what he’s doing. I have a purpose, and I demand respect from people. They need to look at me and see I’m just as capable of a leader as my father, so they know never to cross me.

One of the first things I learnt, when he was teaching me how to become his heir, was how to turn off my emotions. How to pretend that I don’t give a shit about anyone or anything around me. I’ve been doing it for so long now, I’m not even sure I remember how to care.

“We are throwing your brother and his new…fiancée an engagement party. What is it you don’t understand?” he growls, looking down his nose at me with a glare, making it clear he’s not happy I’m questioning him.

The problem is, I’ve been following in my father’s footsteps for so long—learning from him—that I know when his motives are not genuine. I know my father still has a lot of secrets I can’t even begin to unravel, and more fucking skeletons in his closet than I can even imagine, but he still has a few simple tells.

Liam left the family a couple of years ago, and if I’m being honest, I didn’t think we’d ever hear from him again. Same with our sisters… I thought he’d taken them from us for good. So the fact he’s back, and he’s more embroiled in this life than ever before, is a massive shock. I can tell it is for Father, too. ThoughI still haven’t worked out why the hell we’re throwing them a fucking engagement party, like we’re a normal family.

“She’s our enemy, is she not?” I ask tentatively.

Father’s face distorts into a scowl, no doubt remembering who Brianna O’Keenan is related to. Our family has been at war with the O’Keenan family for as long as I can remember. Their patriarch, Paddy, and Father have had a peace truce in place for the last few years, preventing war from breaking out on Irish soil.

But ever since Paddy took over London, Father has been on edge. It’s an expansion he didn’t approve of, and I know he’s been working behind the scenes, so that we can eventually make our move and take their power.

I’m just not sure how that plan will play out now that Liam is involved with Bree. Though I can tell the news that Bree plans to take over as leader of London, from her father, Vernon, excites Father. He sees Bree as weak, but I’m not so sure.

I’ve spent very little time with her, so I can’t pass judgement yet, but I know my brother very well. I don’t think he’d back her if he didn’t believe in her. Besides, with Liam by her side, I imagine they will make quite a team.

“Of course she’s our enemy. But Liam is still my son, so this is a very delicate situation. One we need to manage with the utmost tact,” he explains, and I struggle to hold back my snort. Father isn’t at all known for his tact.

“I’m assuming you have a plan?” I phrase it as a question, but we both know my father wouldn’t have organised something like this without having a plan in place beforehand. He’s always ten moves ahead of everyone else…even me.

“I do. If Brianna wishes to be a leader, then we deserve to see what kind she plans to be. I intend to put her in a situation that will force her to declare the type of ruler she really is.”

I barely manage to stop myself from rolling my eyes. He sounds like a shit Bond villain, minus the cat. But the wicked glint in his eyes tells me he’s very fucking serious, and I’m sure Bree will not enjoy whatever he’s got planned.

A knock at the door silences me before I’m able to respond.

“Come in,” shouts Father.

The door swings open and an older lady enters, keeping her gaze down on her shoes. She looks to be in her late sixties, her curly grey hair short around her ears, just touching her shoulders. Her skin’s lightly wrinkled, making her freckles much more pronounced. She’s wearing a long black skirt and white shirt…the standard uniform for all the party staff.

She keeps her gaze on the floor as she addresses Father. “Everything is prepared, and all the staff are ready for your inspection. I have explained the role to the last minute addition, though I’ve had no time to train her thoroughly, Mr Doughty. So I can only apologise in advance if she’s not up to my usual standard. I will make sure to keep an eye on her throughout the party as best I can,” she mutters, as Father nods like he understands what she’s talking about.

“Good. Good. Bring her to my office. I want to remind her of her place within the household. Other than that, proceed as we normally do. Ask Mrs Doughty to do the staff checks with you. Tell her I’m too busy, if she moans,” he replies, dismissing the older lady with a wave of his hand.

She bows politely and replies quickly as she’s leaving. “I will bring the new addition here straight away. Thank you, Sir.”

Once the door is closed, Father turns his gaze to me. “Go and make sure the men are ready for tonight. I want full security on high alert, though none should be seen. To everyone in attendance, this is a simple engagement party. Nothing more. Understand?”

His change of subject from whatever happened with the woman gives me whiplash, and as always around my father, I’m struggling to keep up. I thought when he had me taking on more responsibilities within the family, training me up as his heir, that I’d be let into the inner circle. That there’d be no more secrets. Fuck, was I wrong. I’m still just as in the dark as I was before.

I shake my head. “Of course. But who was that woman talking about? I don’t know of any new additions to our team.”

Although he keeps me in the dark on a lot of things, I’m very much in the know when it comes to our staff. Running the household, managing the staff, and the hiring and firing aspect of the role was one of the first assignments he handed over to me.