Page 58 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“Let’s talk inside,” she says, and I follow her back to the limo.

After my bag is placed in the trunk, we take off, and my gut clenches. I don’t have a good feeling about this, but I have no other choice.

Johnny had a gun to my head, and if it wasn’t for Victoria barging in at the very last possible second, my brain would’ve been splattered all over that hotel room. It’s all I can think about, and it’s haunted my every waking moment since. I owe her my life, but that doesn’t mean the trade-off is a hell of a lot better. Itisn’t.

“Wait!”

“Victoria…” Johnny looked up, shocked to see her here. As far as I knew, she didn’t get involved in the dirty work of the “business,” but she wasn’t dense enough not to understand what her father did. “What are you doing here?”

I risked a look over my shoulder and saw her standing there with red-rimmed eyes. Tears fell down her cheeks.

“Daddy, please! Don’t hurt him. I love him!”

I blinked hard, glancing at Johnny and watching his face distort.

What’d she just say?

Johnny lowered his weapon, and I finally released a breath.

“You know him?” I couldn’t tell if he was pissed or if that was just his natural expression.

“He’s my lover, Daddy. JJ just told me what was happening and…” She stepped closer until she was next to me. “I’m sorry for not telling you, but I love him, and we’re getting married.” Her confession sounded so genuine even I believed it.

“Is this right, Liam?” Johnny asked, narrowing his eyes as if he wasn’t sure she was telling the truth.

I cleared my throat, sitting taller. “Yes, sir. I’m in love with your daughter.” The words tasted like betrayal, but the fact was, Victoria was giving me an out, and I’d be stupid not to take it.

“You asked for my daughter’s hand in marriage before asking my permission?” His brows rose in warning.

Before I could answer, Victoria spoke up. “I asked him, Daddy. I planned on telling you this weekend.” She stepped closer to him. “He lives in California, but we’re going to make being together work long distance until he can move here.”

I think the fuck not.

“When is this wedding taking place?” he asked, and I was ready to say in the far, far future, but once again, Victoria spoke before me.

“Very soon,” she said, grinning wide. “We wanted to get married as soon as possible. I know you want me to have a traditional Catholic ceremony, but we just can’t wait that long. We’re in love, Daddy.”

Johnny remained silent as he eyed his bodyguards, and with a slight tip of his chin, they crowded me to untie my wrists and ankles.

I brought my hands in front of me, twisting and rubbing the discomfort away. Victoria was Johnny O’Leary’s only daughter and obviously his princess. He’d do whatever made her happy, even if he was shooting me murderous glares.

“You know that means you’ll be my son-in-law,” he stated, narrowing his eyes at me. “You better learn some respect if you’re going to be a part of this family.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“You marrying my daughter won’t exempt you from your debt…”

“Of course, sir.”

“No, Daddy,” Victoria harshly demanded, her gaze hardening on him.

I watched as they had a silent stare down, and I wanted to tell Victoria to shut the hell up. I’d pay every cent if it meant not getting a bullet to my head.

“Fine. Your debt will be forgiven once you’re married. Until then, you’re still a target,” he declared.

“What about Maddie?” I asked, speaking up. If whatever plan Victoria had up her sleeve didn’t protect Maddie, then I wasn’t agreeing to it. “She’s only my roommate and has no idea about any of this. She’s an innocent bystander.”

I needed to pretend I had no emotional connection to her so they left her the hell alone.