“So where’s my other shadow?”
“Working out,” he replies dryly.
“I was thinking of trying the gym out tomorrow. Maybe I’ll get buff and be able to take you two,” I taunt.
“Good luck with that.” He bows his head, but I see his smile. “What do you want to drink?” he asks, opening the fridge.
“I thought you weren’t here to wait on me,” I throw back his words from earlier.
“The lines are a little blurry actually.”
“How so?”
“Not wanting to resuscitate you if you start choking on the spicy sausage and simultaneously not wanting you to get any ideas that I’m your servant.”
“Hmm…valid points. But don’t worry. I’m very capable of swallowing down spicy sausage.” I poke a piece of meat with my fork, then shove it into my mouth. My eyes start watering, and I spit it out. “What the hell? Are you trying to kill me?” I pant and stick out my tongue.
Ty’s laughing—actually laughing—and not hiding it. I like the sound of it, too. “You want that drink now?”
“Yes!” I reach out for the water in his hand. “Gimme, dammit!”
Taking the bottle, I suck down half of it before stopping.
“That was fucking cruel.” I scowl. “My eyes are still watering!”
Ty leans against the counter with his arms crossed and shrugs. “Thought you could handle your sausage.”
“Let me eat a box of Red Hot candies and suck you off and see how you feel afterward.” The second my words spew out, Eric stomps into the kitchen, glaring at both of us. I swallow hard as if Ty and I are two kids in school being scolded by the principal. “That’d be the equivalent to it, is what I meant to say.”
“Boss is on the line for you,” Eric tells Ty.
“Let her know I’m eating dinner and will call her once I’m done,” Ty states firmly.
“She says it’s urgent,” Eric argues. “Sounds pissed so you better answer.”
Ty shifts uncomfortably, then nods. “Alright.” He pushes off the counter and takes a step before stopping and facing me. “You have to stir it before eating. All the seasoning sits at the top and that’s why it was so spicy.” Then he winks and walks down the hallway.
Chapter Four
LIAM
It’s been seven days since I arrived in Vegas to play the part of doting husband and father-to-be. It’s been the worst week of my life. Stress and guilt are my new constants along with playing by Victoria’s rules. Considering she’s essentially kidnapped Maddie and has formed this strange new bond with my dad, I’m afraid this is only the beginning of the end. There’s no way she’ll allow me to walk away after our six-month agreement, especially now that she’s carrying twins. I should’ve known better than to make deals with JJ, but when it came to Victoria, I had no choice. She may have saved my life, but now I’m wondering if I was better off dead.
Tonight Johnny is hosting a dinner for Victoria, one of many that’ll be happening until the babies are born. He’s over the moon excited to be a grandfather, and each time it’s brought up, it makes my stomach coil because I know what kind of monster he is.
After I’m dressed, I go into the kitchen and pour a double of bourbon. It’s better for me to be inebriated than to be around everyone sober. Alcohol soothes the anger and pain, even if it’s only temporary. I’ve drunk myself stupid several nights this week, hoping to get some sleep, but fail each time.
Victoria saunters by, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. “Please tell me you’re not wearing that.”
Words form in my mouth, but I swallow them down. I probably shouldn’t tell her to fuck off when I’ve accomplished walking on thin ice all week. I’m hoping my good behavior will allow me to get more intel. Maybe I can beat her at her own game, though I have a feeling she’s already a mile ahead of me. If anything, the O’Learys are strategic as hell. Well except for JJ, he’s the family dumbass.
She clears her throat, grabbing my attention again after I shoot down the alcohol and pour another double. I glance over at her as I take it with a big gulp. “Can I help you?”
“The last thing you need to do is show up to this party drunk. It’s disrespectful to my father.”
“Sweetheart, it’s gonna take a lot more than a few shots, trust me.” I glare at her, put the bottle to my lips, and drink. Placing it on the counter, I walk to my room and fall onto my bed, closing my eyes. I feel nothing. After a moment, Victoria barges inside, fury written on her face.
“Goddammit, Liam.” She crosses her arms and scowls. “You better be on your best behavior tonight.”
“Planned on it,” I snap, annoyed. I’ve been a good boy all fucking week.
“We leave in an hour,” she tells me before slamming the door behind her. I check the time on my phone and end up scrolling through the last text messages I sent Maddie, a shitty reminder of how things were left between us. Tendrils of turmoil suffocate me and I sit up, rubbing my hands over my face, trying to gain what little composure I have left. My sweet, innocent Maddie could be hurt right now, and the only person I can blame is myself. I miss her so fucking much that it hurts. I’d do anything to talk to her, but Victoria would never allow it, so I don’t bother pushing the subject.
Knowing I’ll need to impress the O’Learys tonight, I put on my costume of a suit and tie. It doesn’t take long before Victoria is screaming like the witch she is that it’s time to go. The drive over is a blur and so is the dinner as she talks about all our plans to her family. Her father and grandmother sit around the table, along with a few cousins and her brother. I nod and smile like I’m supposed to, randomly leaning over to give her kisses while keeping my arm placed firmly around her petite body. To anyone looking in, we’re the perfect couple just starting a new life together. The reality is much more dreary than that because I’m nothing more than her prisoner. When she says jump, I’m required to ask how high.
“Two babies are a miracle, Victoria,” her grandmother says. She’s been talking about the pregnancy nonstop, which only vindicates Victoria further.
“Oh, it won’t be the last great-grandchildren you get. I want a big family,” she says, interlocking her fingers with mine. Smiling, I take a sip of wine to wash down the bile creeping up my throat. I glance at Victoria and notice she’s pale.
“You okay?” I whisper.
For a moment, she seems like a normal human being. “I feel sick. I don’t think the food agreed with me.”
“I have a big surprise for everyone,” her father announces, grabbing our attention. “I rented out the pub a few blocks down and sent out invites. I wanted a proper way to announce the pregnancy to our friends.”
Before Victoria can say a word, she begins dry heaving. Quickly, she stands and rushes to the bathroom, and I do as I’m supposed to and follow her. I grab the doorknob, but she locked it, so I press my ear against the door and listen to her emptying her stomach.
“Victoria, you alright?” I ask.