Page 20 of Beautiful Trauma

Grimacing, I muttered, “Jesus.”

With a chuckle, Dare replied, “Come on, boyo. This is me we’re talking about. I was never going to be faithful to any bride from an arranged marriage.”

“But you will be to Ava,” I challenged.

Dare’s face sobered immediately. “You’re fucking right I will.”

“Even if it’s not Korolova, don’t you think you should tell him you want to break the contract?”

“I’ve got too much going on right now to deal with his bullshit.”

“What do you think he’ll want in retribution?"

With an amused look, he cocked his brows at me. “Since he wants Annika married to a Kavanaugh because that gives him even more power on the Eastern seaboard, you wanna take my place?”

I swallowed hard. Even as the fourth son, I was prepared for an arranged marriage. But in my view, my wife and I would be faithful to each other and try to grow a long-standing love.

At the same time, I would always have allegiance to my family. “If that’s what you need from me, I’ll do it.”

Appreciation flashed in Dare’s eyes before he shook his head. “That’s noble of you, brother, but we’ll find her another Kavanaugh, even if we have to go to Belfast to do it.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why the fuck wouldn’t you use me?”

“Get your head out of your arse, Kellan. It’s not because you have any fucking defects.”

“Then what?”

He clapped his hands to my cheeks. “Because after all the hell you’ve been through, you deserve true love from a woman who only has eyes for you.”

Surprise flooded me at both his statement and the passion behind its delivery. “Thanks, Dare.”

With a wink, he replied, “Anytime.” After shoving me away, he said, “Now get your arse to work.”

“Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will.”

CHAPTER FIVE: MILA

After a quick ride from the airport, we hit downtown Boston. On the drive over, I took out my phone and once again went through the layout forBandia–the Gaelic themed club which each Kavanaugh brother owned a stake in. I especially knew where Kellan’s office was as well as the route he would take when he did his “walk-throughs”. During that time, his bodyguard would hang back, which would enable me easier access to ambush him.

Most of all, I mentally highlighted all the exits, but I especially took note of the ones closest to Kellan’s office. Those would be the ones I would need to use to escape after drugging him.

The closer we got to the club the more I had to fight the anxious twist of my stomach. After passingBandia, we turned into a side alley about a block from the club. Turning around in his seat, Dima asked, “Ready?”

With a roll of my eyes, I replied, “You act like I haven’t done this multiple times.”

“It was different then, Mila. You were always in Philly and within our territory. We’re exposed and vulnerable here.”

“Like Kellan would hurt me.”

He shook his head. “While he wouldn’t lay a hand on you, his men would.’’

When I started to protest, Dima said, “Trust me when I say, this is a different ball game.”

Although fear crept up my spine, I sniped, “If that’s your idea of a pep talk, you fucking suck.”

A growl rumbled through his chest. “No wonder Father loses his patience with you.”