Page 73 of Tangled Lies

“Smart girl. Your father helped the family out of a few binds over the past few years of his life and was able to help with a few problems. I owed him a favor, but the man was smart. He found something else I wanted, and the only way for me to access it was a marriage. Ronan, the loyal son that he is, agreed. Although,” Barone paused, “I am surprised that he’s initiating the alliance on his own. Maybe you’re finally growing up.”

I watched Ronan, but he was stoic and blank like always.

“Thank you, Father. I would hate for whatever it is that you wanted from the marriage to fall into the wrong hands.” Ronan didn’t move a muscle. He didn’t turn away from his father, just met the man eye to eye.

“Good, good. Well, I suppose then that the wedding has been delayed long enough. Margaux, I hope you’ll understand ifyour wedding is small. It will be held next week, in our family's church, of course. Did Ronan tell you that an heir is expected? Nothing is more trustworthy than blood.”

This wasn’t news to us. If happy marriages were the goal, none of us would be here.

CHAPTER 19

MARGAUX

The napkin on my lap had a single thread I could tug at.

On one hand I’d been groomed for years to think exactly this way. Marriage and children. No love. No career. No life. Just breed and shut up.

On the other hand, I was really tired of being the perfect little princess.

The thing was, they’d mentioned the whole baby thing in the car. Hell, Ronan had even given me a ring and Jett proposed with it. Did Ronan? This was confusing. It was all unromantic, just the way I envisioned my life being.

The difference was, if I married Ronan, he and the rest of the guys seemed to like me as I was.

Ronan turned to me.

“Dear, agree with my father. Tell him you are aware of the expectation.”

I nodded and put on the best innocent little princess act I was accustomed to.

“Of course. I’ll uphold the agreement. Baby and all. But I want to make sure we all agree that if I do my part, they continue to protect me?”

Barone took a sip of what I’d guess was wine.

“Yes, yes. Your father was very specific. The whole reason for the marriage was to protect you and your future. Your father was good to the family, even died with our secrets. We protect those loyal to us. Margaux, welcome to the family.”

Why did that last part seem somewhat like a threat? It didn’t matter. Were they all hiding something? Probably. But then again, I suppose at some point in our lives we all were.

At least my delusions of ever getting away were slowly dying. Where could I go and not be found? From the looks of things, if they wanted to find me, just like my uncle, I wouldn’t get far.

I flinched at the feel of something tickling my hand. I looked down to see Ronan trying to hold it. Slowly I put my hand in his.

He wasn’t looking at me, but his hand was on mine. The only other comfort to this dinner that felt too close to home was that the other three kept stealing glances my way. Like it mattered that I was there and they wanted me to be okay.

Servants brought in plates of food and I realized that Barone was still talking. More stuff about land and bidding on construction projects. There was something about a warehouse that I didn’t quite get, but my boys did. I picked up a fork with my free hand, Ronan still not letting my other hand go.

And that’s when it hit me. My boys? When had anything become mine? I was a possession. I was the one who was owned.

I looked next to me, hating the seating once again, but I noticed each of them glancing at me periodically and Jett smiling when he saw me look at him. This was mine. This was a choice. They were a choice. I really didn’t know much about Knox and Talon and where I was on their priority list, but they took care of me all the same. I didn’t know what the future would really be like, but it did feel a lot like a family. One where there was no question they would probably die for each other.

I wanted that. I wanted a family to die for.

The air was cool as it kissed my cheeks. I took the first deep breath in what seemed like hours.

“We have to stop somewhere on the way home.” Ronan was still holding my hand as he pulled me along to the SUV.

“I’ll take her off your hands Ronnie,” Jett reached for my hands as we got in the car, but Ronan hesitated.

“Fine. You’re staying in the car with her when we get there,” Ronan said.