Page 61 of Between Secrets and Obsession

I look at it, eyeing her curiously. “What do I need?”

“Suits, watches, shoes, a decent haircut.” I take the money, then mentally slap myself for the urge to blow this on a poker tournament. “You’re part of the O’Learys now, whether you like it or not. Our enemies are your enemies. Our friends are your friends. After we get hitched, everyone will know who you are, and you’ll not only need to watch your back from my father but also all the other assholes who want a piece of our family’s empire.”

I wince.

“That wasn’t part of the deal, Victoria,” I remind her. “You didn’t tell me any of that. You said we’d be married for six months.”

“We’ll be married as long as it takes to get what I want,” she retorts, shrugging. “I want my freedom and you want to live. It might take longer than that to appease my father.”

For fuck’s sake.

I have zero room to argue, so I keep my mouth shut.

“After you meet my grandmother, you’ll be free for a couple of months. During the summer, Father travels overseas forbusiness. However, you might wanna take me to California for a trip in case his guards check up on us.”

That’s the last fucking thing I want to do, but she’s right. It’ll be obvious as hell if we’re living apart for too long and I don’t introduce her to my friends and family.

“Great. I’ll come meet your grandmother, and then we’ll fly back to Sacramento,” I offer.

“Sounds like a plan,hubby.” The amusement in her smile makes my blood boil.

This is all fun and games to her, but my whole damn life’s on the line. Victoria O’Leary holds all the cards on whether I live or die, and for once, it’s not something I’m willing to gamble.

I wasn’t prepared for nor wanted to participate in the events on ourweddingnight. After we said ourI Do’sat the courthouse and kissed as husband and wife, Johnny took everyone out to celebrate at one of his clubs. I don’t know what all he owns in Las Vegas, but he has a lot of partnerships and does business with a lot of rich and powerful men.

JJ steered far away from me the entire time except when we were forced to take family photos. Victoria reassured me JJ was on board with our plan, but he’s another one I have to watch. If he spills the truth, our whole façade could unravel.

The morning after our nuptials, Victoria surprised me with news that she was sending a brand-new custom-built Mercedesto my house. Before I could argue with her, she mentioned it was already paid for and being delivered as soon as I return home—a wedding gift, she called it.

No doubt my roommates will have a fucking field day. Victoria wants me to drive it exclusively, but I negotiated being able to use my truck when I’m working so it’s believable I bought a second vehicle for pure luxury. Though I have no idea how I’m supposed to explain any of this, considering I don’t plan on telling them about Victoria until the very last possible minute. I’m hoping all these out of town trips will be convincing enough for them to think I’ve been secretly going to visit her. Though, considering I’ve never had a relationship, I don’t know how they’ll react or if they’ll even believe it. A part of me is holding out hope Victoria will want an annulment before I have to bring her here.

The other part knows I won’t be that fucking lucky.

CHAPTER TWELVE

MADDIE

The entire timeLiam is gone, I can’t get rid of the bad feeling in the pit of my stomach over that note I found after my dance recital. Liam warned me, wanting me to stay home and not go anywhere alone, which makes me believe he knows exactly who this came from. I’m scared, but not for me, for him. I’ve never seen him so beat up before. Maybe a few sore muscles and a shitty attitude, but never two black eyes and a bruised face.

When he finally returns home, he’s not himself. The Liam I know left on a plane, and some other person came back wearing his face.

“Hulk, how was the trip?” I ask, and he walks past me as if I didn’t even speak. So I follow him. “Liam?”

“What?” He turns and gives me two seconds of his attention.

“I was talking to you.” I cross my arms, staring at him and how different he looks. “You got a haircut.”

“Yeah. Sorry, there’s a lot on my mind.” He grabs a beer, twists off the top, then chugs half of it. “I need a shower.”

After he leaves the kitchen, I’m left wondering what the fuck just happened. I sit on the couch, replaying every moment before he left—the kiss, the protective way he acted, and howhe spent all day watchingGleewith me. Now, it’s like none of it happened, and I imagined the whole thing.

One day, he’s scorching hot, and the next day, he’s freezing cold, making it impossible for me to keep up with his mood swings.

By the time he comes downstairs, I’m annoyed, and he knows it by the scowl on my face, but he pretends I don’t exist and walks past me.

There’s banging in the kitchen, then the doorbell rings. Rushing through the house, Liam goes to answer it. He cracks open the door, and I hear a man ask for him. Liam walks outside, and he’s taking so long that I go see who he’s speaking with, but my jaw hits the sidewalk when I see a brand-new Mercedes G-Wagon.

“Are you shitting me?” I gasp, and they both turn to look at me. “You bought a new car?”