Family_Ties_by_Lisa_Gray

Chapter 1 Danny Carmody hurried down the hall towards his mother’s study. Pausing in front of the mahogany door, he straightened his tie and took a few deep breaths to calm himself. It wouldn’t do to show he was nervous. Not today. Not when his mother had summoned him with a simple text: “You are needed now—urgent business.” So she finally expected him to take his place in running the family’s shipping interests. He couldn’t complain. At the advanced age of thirty-two, he’d managed to avoid it for far longer than he’d expected. Ten years, in fact. Ten years since his father died. Ten years since Danny promised to help his mother with the business duties she’d abruptly inherited. And ten years since she’d needed him. He straightened his shoulders and knocked firmly on the door. “Come” his mother said from inside. Danny entered the study. The heavy drapes on the French doors were open, but the weak spring sunshine failed to banish the shadows. “Hello, Mother, what was so important that it couldn’t wait until tonight?” With a wave of her hand, Nessa Carmody indicated one of the dark green leather chairs in front of her desk. “Sit down, Danny. A matter of some urgency has come up.” He ruthlessly quashed his impatience while she finished typing, saved her file and turned to him. Finally, she announced, “It has been decided that our family is going to reconcile with the Dwyers.” Danny’s jaw dropped. Even though the two families were remotely related, the Dwyers were, in general, crass copies of the Carmodys. They were firmly mired in the unsavory side of the shipping business, using the last of their crumbling influence to fend off the law. “Seriously? I thought you had distanced us from them for good reason.” His mother frowned. “Yes, that’s true—for many reasons. But recent events have necessitated a rapprochement.” Danny studied his mother’s face carefully. Deep lines of tension furrowed around her eyes and lips. Whatever this was, it wasn’t easy for her. Nessa took a deep breath. “A branch of a Russian crime family is determined to gain a foothold in our city. Their plan is to forge an alliance with an Irish family of influence in the running of the docks. To that end, they have contacted Colin Dwyer.” Danny scowled. “And I suppose that old bastard jumped at the chance.” The look she leveled at him made him squirm. “I don’t care for that man any more than you do, but he is still the head of the Dwyer family and, in deference to his position, deserves a certain level of respect.” Danny nodded an unenthusiastic apology while still trying to puzzle out just what role he might be assigned in this scheme. She shook her head. “Actually, you are mistaken about Colin’s intentions. He’s loath to get involved with the Russian mob. But his finances have deteriorated to the point that he will be forced to unless we provide him with another option. And that would be disastrous for everyone.” Her voice deepened. “It’s not just that our own shipping interests would be threatened. If these people follow the path of violence and intimidation they have done in other cities, there will be bloodshed and murder. I won’t let that happen in my home.” “Fine, Mother, so negotiate an agreement with the Dwyers.” She certainly didn’t need him for this. Her lawyers could easily handle the problem. Now she looked uncomfortable. “I’m afraid a simple business agreement won’t suffice. Colin insists on a more binding union—a blood connection that restores the closeness the Carmodys and the Dwyers previously shared.” She paused a moment, then announced, “We have decided for a union to be unassailable by the Russians, we are going to sponsor a marriage between the two families.” Shocked, Danny burst out, “Marriage! Mother, you’re not serious. You can’t be contemplating marrying that disgusting old man. He’s so far beneath you it’s ludicrous to imagine.” Nessa scoffed. “Hardly. I married once. I have no intention of repeating that folly.” Danny winced at the reminder of how badly his father had failed his mother. And how far short Danny had fallen trying to make up for that failure. Ignoring her son’s reaction, she said, “No, the younger generation will craft this reunion.” Danny’s stomach tightened. Oh, no. He waited, holding his breath, dreading the worst. “Specifically, you.” And there it was. Danny felt her words like a slap. He started babbling. “Me? You’re talking about me? Mother, that’s crazy. You can’t mean it. I can’t just marry…” Nessa held up her hand for silence. He let his objections taper off as he watched emotions flicker across her face. She looked troubled. Even uncertain. For once there were cracks in his mother’s normally impenetrable façade. “Danny, this is not what I wanted for you, but it is necessary. Colin is quite correct that to prevent the Russian contingent from establishing themselves here, we have to face them with a united front.” He took in a breath to offer an objection, but his mother silenced him with a shake of her head. “Danny, these people are ruthless. If the Russians establish a foothold here, there will be a war. People will die. Businesses will be destroyed and families torn apart. This is our city, Danny. The Carmodys helped build it. It’s our responsibility—your responsibility—to protect it.” A pall of helplessness settled over Danny. If what she said would happen was true, could he refuse? “But Mother, an arranged marriage? Is there no other solution?” Nessa rubbed her eyes for a moment. Then, looking up at Danny, her voice softened. “Danny, I wouldn’t ask this of you if you were involved with anyone. But you aren’t. I can’t remember the last time you even had a date, much less a serious relationship.” Danny flushed. He could well remember his one and only love affair. His freshman year in college, he’d fallen hard for a grad student. So hard, he’d risked everything to defy his parents’ strictures and publicly come out about being gay. His lover had applauded his courage, commiserated over the rift with his parents, and, three months later, walked away without a backwards glance. Since then Danny had not let himself have more than casual encounters—nothing that threatened his heart. Or damaged his family. His mother frowned as his silence lengthened. “I understand—this is a lot to ask. But you’ve always known being a Carmody comes with heavy expectations and obligations. I’m sorry, but this is one of those obligations. You will have to accept it.” Danny sagged in his chair. Arguing was pointless. And rejecting his heritage was unthinkable. He’d been raised knowing his life wasn’t fully his own. But marriage? And on that thought, the most obvious question of all those banging around in his brain finally got his attention. “Mother, just who did you have in mind for me to marry?” Nessa suddenly looked very pleased, and Danny’s gut tightened in reaction. If his mother was happy with her choice, Danny likely wouldn’t be. As if discussing seating arrangements at a party, she calmly announced, “Colin has offered his granddaughter, Meggie. She’s lovely, well-educated. I believe you and she will deal nicely.” Reeling from shock, Danny struggled to conjure up a picture of Meggie Dwyer as he’d last seen her years ago. Yes, definitely female. Surely, his mother must have noticed. He gathered his wits and calmly proposed the most obvious objection. “Mother, Meggie is a girl. Have you forgotten that I’m gay?” The frown was back. “No, of course not. But I think if you put your mind to it, you could ignore that for the purposes of this marriage. It is, after all, not expected to be a love match.” Danny couldn’t help laughing even though this trip down fantasy lane was anything but humorous. “No, I can’t just ignore it. And I can’t believe Meggie would ignore it either.” She sighed. “There does seem to be some resistance on her part, but Colin assures me she can be brought around to accept the idea.” “No, Mother. I’m not going to ruin the girl’s life. Put that idea out of your head.” “But Danny, I’m sure…” “No. Mother, the idea is positively mediaeval. I’m not participating in some bogus forced marriage, and that’s final.” “It will not be forced. Both sides will agree. And it will be a real marriage, not just for show. A union with Meggie could provide you with children and me with grandchildren.” Nessa leveled her best glare at her son. Danny folded his arms and stared back at her resolutely. The subject of grandchildren had come and gone dozens of times. But since Danny’s older sister already had produced a brood of five and showed no signs of stopping, the argument evoked only the tiniest twinge of guilt in him. The silent staring contest dragged on. Danny could feel a bead of sweat forming on the back of his neck, but he held himself still. He rarely bothered trying to directly oppose his mother’s wishes—since his father’s death, she had reigned supreme over the family and its business interests. But this—he couldn’t give in on this. He couldn’t destroy a young girl’s chance for a happy life. And finally, thank God, Nessa blinked first. “Very well. I will accept that Meggie is perhaps not suitable.” Danny breathed a silent sigh of relief. Perhaps the direct approach would work after all. At least it seemed so until she smilingly said, “There is another alternative, however.” Danny’s relief fled.