Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
“I was about to ask you the same thing.”
She sighs with relief. “I’m totally fine. Some enormous Irishman’s standing outside of my apartment right now though. He keeps saying it’s for my own protection courtesy of Mr. Crowley, but like, this dude’s terrifying me.”
“Don’t worry, I sent him. I mean, Carson did, but I told him to.”
Bernie groans. “What did you get yourself into?”
I hesitate, not sure how much to tell her. “Look, my family’s been involved with these Crowley people for a long time. That’s sort of why I haven’t talked to them for years. I didn’t want to get dragged into messes like this one. But I guess my brother, he did something awful, and these terrible people are trying to get revenge, and I just—” I stop myself, my heart racing as the words spill out.
This is beyond insane. Saying it out loud only makes it sound like a nightmare.
“Oh, sweetie,” Bernie says softly. “You’re in way over your head, aren’t you?”
“It gets worse.” I look back toward the bed. “I married him, Bern.”
“You… did… what?”
“Married him. That was the deal. He’ll protect everyone, he’ll even help keep Smoke running… but I have to be his wife.”
Bernie’s stunned silence is like a punch to the gut. Shame trickles into my chest. I’m embarrassed that I gave in to Carson like this, mortified that I married a gangster, especially a gangster like him, when my whole life I’ve done nothing but avoid his entire family and anyone associated with him.
Now I’ve gone against my own wishes.
It’s like I’ve thrown away my whole moral code.
“Keely’s going to be so pissed,” Bernie says after a long pause.
I laugh. I can’t help myself. Laughing feels good right now, even if inwardly I’m cringing at myself, unable to recognize the girl I’m turning into. “God, you’re right. She really was fawning over him, wasn’t she?”
“I thought she was going to throw herself at him like a baboon and present her bare ass for a spanking.” Bernie’s laugh is strained. “God, Ash, what have you gotten yourself into?”
“I honestly don’t know,” I admit, closing my eyes against the tears. If it’s not laughing, it’s crying right about now. “It’s not so bad, right? Carson’s rich, and he’s keeping everyone safe. Smoke might even come out of this in better shape than it’s ever been in.”
“All you gotta do is stay married to a guy you barely know.”
“I’ve met him before. I mean, I knew him when I was younger.”
“How long’s it been since you two spoke?”
“Ten years.”
“Were you close back then?”
“We exchanged maybe ten sentences.”
“Exactly.” Bernie sighs, a deep and emotional sound. “I’m worried about you.”
“I’m worried about me too, but I’ll survive. This could be a good thing, right? People make arranged marriages work all the time.”
Even I can hear the desperation in my tone.
“Would you call this an arranged marriage or more like some casual blackmail?” she asks.
“A little of this, a little of that.”
Bernie laughs again, but it’s hollow. “I’m on your side, no matter what you choose to do, but be careful. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Thanks. You know that means a lot.”
“Now, okay, you’re married to a rich guy. When do I get to see the castle?”
“He lives in a townhouse in Beacon Hill.”
She whistles. “Fancy. Although a castle would be cooler.”
“It’s really nice. I’ll have you over soon, but I’ve got to call everyone else first to make sure they’re okay. I’m tempted to get a whole team of therapists on retainer.”
“You can do that now, can’t you?” She sounds thoughtful. “I’m guessing there’s a big raise in my future?”
“An obscene raise. I love you, Bern.”
“All right, all right. I love you too. Text me, okay? Just so I know you’re safe.”
I cover my face with my hands. Safe from my own husband. “Talk to you later.”
I hang up and sit with the silence. It wasn’t easy admitting to her that I married Carson, but it’s like the Band-Aid’s been ripped off.
Of everyone at Smoke, Bernie’s the one I worried about the most. Now it’s done. I can move on.
Keely screams when I tell her. Her high-pitched wail is the sound of a woman’s soul leaving her body. “I wanted him for myself,” she says, truly disappointed. Her devastation is real. Hilarious, but real. I can’t help laughing. “You lucky, lucky bitch,” she complains.
“Thanks, Keels. Just be careful, okay? And listen to the big scary Irish guy that’s following you around.”
“My own personal bodyguard. Unfortunately, he looks like a thumb.”
“It’s better that way.”
“Sigh. I’d rather a big, swoony millionaire like you have, but I guess Mr. Irish Thumb will do.”
Jamila takes the wedding news better. “Gotta say, I’m not really a marriage kind of gal, but this sounds like the best deal you could hope for, right? A guy with lots of money and resources.”