Page 91 of Arranged Control

I pause then shake my head. “No. Not happily.”

“Reluctantly then. Because you want to stay with my son?”

“Yes. I do.”

“You and he are getting along well?”

“I think so.”

“That’s good.” She smiles slightly. Some of the stress lines around her eyes relax. “I’m happy to hear it. I was worried about him, you know.”

“Worried how?”

“The way all mothers worry about their kids. Or maybe not all, but I do at least. Seamus has always been one of those people who can’t sit still for long. Even as a kid, he was always bouncing from one game to the next. As he got older, that translated into a restlessness. He says it’s just him going with the flow. Never settling down for long. But that’s never seemed like a satisfying life to me. It’s being alive, but it’s not living.”

I think about what she means. I can almost see it in his house, in the way it’s beautifully furnished and decorated, but barely lived in. Like he’s constantly away. Always drifting.

But now he moved in with me.

“I’ll do whatever will help the family, but if I can stay with Seamus and find out if this marriage might actually work… I’d like that.”

“That’s good. Maybe you can help keep him settled for once in his life.” She glances back at the table. The men are still arguing, but the tone is calming down. Padraig seems unhappy, like his side is losing out. “One more thing. This Molchanie is Russian. What can you tell me about her?”

“Not much, honestly. I tried to ask my father, but he seemed strange about the whole situation. My brother didn’t know anything either. I can ask around some more.”

“Don’t put yourself in danger, dear.” Siobhan puts a hand on my arm. “I’ll speak with your father myself and see what I can get out of him.”

“Good luck with that. He’s as stubborn as they come.”

“I don’t doubt it, but I have lots of experience with stubborn men.” She’s smiling again as she slips her hand through my arm and leads me back to the table. “Now, everyone, are we finished bickering? Can we start eating yet?”

“More wine first,” Finn declares. “Andthenwe can eat.”

“Works for us.” I help Siobhan hand out the refilled glasses. She raises a toast. “Here’s to the new couple. Hopefully their marriage is todie for.”

“Oh, God,” Finn groans, covering his face.

“Mom, that’s awful.” Declan’s grinning huge. “Truly horrendous.”

“At least we agree on one thing tonight.” Padraig kisses his wife on the cheek. “I swear, your jokes keep getting worse and worse.”

“Ah, it wasn’t so bad.” She’s grinning though, and the mood changes all over again, and I get the feeling she made that awful pun on purpose.

I don’t feel settled. But at least I’m here with this family. Seamus rests a hand on my knee, and the talk moves on to simple things, and nobody mentions getting a divorce again.

Which is about the best outcome I could’ve hoped for.

Chapter 29

Alina

“You’re telling me that you’re staying with your husband? Even though it’s unsafe?” Kira leans against the shop counter and smothers a yawn.

“That’s about right.”

“Can I be honest?”

“You always are. To my detriment usually.”