Silent Vows

30

Was that challenge in Keir’s aqua gaze? Most likely, considering the displeasure rolling off Conner in waves. “Had I known you wanted an introduction, I would have been happy to help.” Finally, the tiniest break in Keir’s icy demeanor—a smile wrought with wicked amusement. “You know better than to think I need your help with an introduction.” “Speaking of introductions,” my father cut in. “Keir suggested he take Noemi to meet your grandparents tomorrow.” Keir’s head slowly swiveled to stare at my father. For the first time I could ever recall witnessing, my father blanched. “That’s very thoughtful of him,” Conner murmured impassively. “Gentlemen, should we get to business?” “Of course,” Keir agreed. “We can’t have any hostile Albanians causing problems at such an important wedding. Noemi, it’s been a pleasure. I look forward to chatting more in the morning. Say ten?” I nodded, a wave of awkward uncertainty perching high over my head. Keir nodded respectfully, then gestured for Dad to lead the way. The two men and my brother followed my father out of the room, Conner searing me with an angry stare on his way. My bones dissolved like sugar cubes in hot water the second I was alone. I fell back onto the couch and stared at the ceiling, needing a minute to recover before I could throw together a sandwich and drag myself upstairs. It looked like Dad would be working through dinner, and I was more than happy to hide for the rest of the night. Thinking my drama with overbearing Irishmen was over for the evening, I ate my turkey and cheese, then changed into my pajamas. Growing up with a little brother meant it was habit for me to change in the bathroom. Sante rarely entered my room unannounced anymore, so I was surprised when I opened the door and found my room occupied. Only, it wasn’t my brother standing at my bedroom window. “Conner, what are you doing up here?” I whispered, my eyes cutting to the open bedroom door. He slowly turned and leveled me with his unrelenting stare. I’d worried about dealing with my father after their meeting, but I hadn’t mentally prepared for six feet two of blistering anger devouring me. “You need to stay the f**k away from Keir.” The velvet darkness of his voice www.ajpdf.com raised the hairs on the back of my neck. “He’s your cousin,” I hissed quietly, eyes again straying to the doorway. “What exactly do you think is going to happen?” I’d known my father might force me to stay home, but I didn’t have to take this from Conner, too. I refused on principle. He stepped closer until every inch of his menacing frame towered over me. “I’m telling you to stay away, or you won’t like the consequences.” “What are you going to do, cut off his fingers?” I spit back at him, recalling his earlier comment about maiming anyone who touched me. He leaned in even closer, bringing his lips to my ear. “Try me and see.” His words caressed, sensual and excruciating, before his lips tugged at my earlobe with just enough pressure to elicit an avalanche of tingles from my scalp to my fingertips and lower. I gasped, words escaping me. Outrage mixed with crushing desire to form a dizzying cocktail that stole my breath. Satisfied with himself, Conner smirked and waltzed away. www.ajpdf.com JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU KNOW SOMEONE, THEY GO AND SURPRISE YOU. I would have bet money my father would have charged into my room the second Conner and Keir were gone and demanded I fake an illness to prevent me from going the following morning. I debated whether to mention how suspicious it might look if I canceled and if I should remind him how we wouldn’t want to offend the Byrne family. I waited. And waited. My father never appeared, but my mental energies weren’t wasted because I still had a fight in store. www.ajpdf.com Minutes after I turned the light off in my room, a phone began to chime. My eyes shot open, staring into the dark. It wasn’t my phone, or at least not a ring I was familiar with, but it was definitely coming from somewhere in my room. I scrambled from my bed and turned on my bedside lamp before honing in on the sound. A cheap prepaid phone I’d never seen before sat on my dresser, buzzing with an unknown number. Where the hell had it come from? How long had it been sitting there? I shook off my confusion and pressed the answer button. It was the quickest way to silence the damn thing without searching for the volume. Once quiet had returned, I stared at the device, unsure what to do. Without knowing who was on the other end, I couldn’t speak. It was too risky. Gingerly, I lifted the phone to my ear. “Noemi, this is your last warning.” Conner’s voice wrapped around me like a hot breeze before a summer storm. “Do not go with Keir in the morning.” I should have known. He wasn’t the type of man to stay quiet, nor was he the type to allow his private conversations to be overheard. He’d correctly surmised that my phone wasn’t secure and had provided an alternative. Had he simply used it to ensure my safety, the phone would have been a kind gesture. Considering the threatening tone in his voice, his interference felt more like a leash than a lifeline. “What makes you think I’m still going?” I whispered, worried someone might hear me. “Because I know you.” “Know me?” I scoffed. “We only met a week ago.” “Then tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you weren’t planning to go.” His voice caressed and coaxed as though goading me into defiance. Like he wanted me to resist him. Uncertainty silenced me. I was a bird in a cage, desperate to break free. Every demand was another collar around my neck. If it wasn’t my father, then Conner was prodding me in one direction or another, each misstep potentially deadly. I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me, needing to escape my invisible bindings.