Page 38 of Red Retaliation

I also want to know what it’s like to kiss him properly...

There! I’ve admitted it.

I hate myself with a passion. As much as I deny it to myself, and it goes against everything I was raised to believe, I cannot deny that Red Bateman affects me in ways that he shouldn’t.

“I reckon you’re a J.”

I blink, completely off track, and he laughs at my obvious confusion.

“The ring,” Red grins. “I reckon this finger is a size J.” He encircles my finger, then traces along my hand and down my arm. Dipping his head, he leans closer. “Am I correct?”

He’s in my face on purpose to make me uncomfortable.Oh, I can’t do this.

“Surely you remember what ring size you are? It’s not like you haven’t been married before!” he says, a sneer on that goddamn handsome face of his.

I meet his eyes, the stark reminder of my marriage extinguishing the fire burning inside me. “I paid little attention when I got married, being as I didn’t want to do it in the first place!” I also suspect I’ll feel the same the second time I’m forced to go through it.

I push thoughts of Roberto aside, except they’re still there. I’m wearing my thoughts on my sleeve, but I can’t because I don’t want Red knowing anything about me.

His eyebrows raise with a mocking lift as he makes a tutting sound. “Fancy that... The woman loses her husband, yet wears another man’s ring before the week is out...”

I let his dig wash over me, despising him further. I feel like screaming.

What have I done that is so wrong to hand me not one abusive husband, but two? Red Bateman is no better than Roberto. In fact, he’s probably worse, yet my only option is to marry him?

My resolve hardens. How Red affects me is only physical. It’s something I’m not used to, but I’ll control it. Whatever this weird shit is going on inside me, it won’t last, so yes, if it keeps my family safe, I’ll marry Redmond Bateman.

But one thing is certain - Red will never know the real me. I’ll go through the motions and attend whatever poxy events hewishes me to as his “wife”. He can parade me around as he sees fit, providing he honors his promise and a) keeps my family out of his vendetta and b) this whole charade works by shifting the onus of Roberto’s death from me onto someone else.

My guilt over Red taking the blame disappears. There would be no qualms the other way around. His remit is revenge and point scoring. But one thing Iwillgive him in return is to ensure this marriage is hard work.

CHAPTER

26

Red

LIAM FOLLOWS OSCAR into my office. I wait until they’ve sat down before I shut the door. There will never be a good time to announce my impending nuptials as it’s obvious my brothers won’t like or agree with my plan, but at the end of the day, it’s the best way forward.

At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

“Have you decided how we’re dealing with Tom Slater?” Oscar crosses his leg over his other knee. “I take it that’s what this is about?”

Liam glances up from his phone. “Easy! We drag the fucker down the cellar, torture him for a few hours and then kill the cunt!”

“Slater will be dealt with, and once I’ve decided how, I’ll let you know. Until then, we let him believe everything is normal and that he’s got away with it yet again.” I fix my brothers with a look. “In the interim, there’s something else that needs to be dealt with, and that’s why you’re here.”

Oscar and Liam exchange glances, and I can almost taste their frustration over not immediately ripping Slater limb from limb.

I get their frustration - I feel it too, but that prick has to wait.

“I’ve asked Del for suggestions of who can take over Steve’s role. I’m thinking about Cal Bennett. Being as he almost copped for something which can never be revoked, I reckon we owe him a promotion.” I’m determined to cover the other relevant points that need addressing before I drop the major one on my brothers and all hell breaks loose. “I’ve also ensured adequate cover is in place for Steve’s funeral so we can all attend.It will happen the day after tomorrow.”

The waiting payout for Steve’s wife is ready and waiting too. I promised myself I’d honor any man dying in the line of duty by looking after their family, and there’s no question that Steve Farrow didn’t do just that.

“I don’t want Steve replaced!” Oscar grumbles. “He should still be here.”

“Yeah, and he’d still be here if it wasn’t forher,” Liam adds, “especially when, against the majority of what people wish, sheisstill here!”