“He’s almost fifty.” My nose wrinkles and then I realize how lame it sounds because that’s not the worst of the issues. “Bane doesn’t have any other sons so he would have to offer himself because you killed his son,” I add, to keep the discussion going and also get some direct answers.
“No, it was his plan all along to have you. Leith mentioned how you’re the one his father wanted as a wife so he could kill your father and keep the connection with your family overseas to take possession of the weapon pipelines himself.”
“Fucking asshole,” I seethe.
Tightening my hands in his leather cut, I lean my forehead against his chest to catch my breath. I can feel his fingers leave my throat and grab my shoulder to bring some space between us. Maybe he thinks I’m breaking down again but the truth is; I am pissed.
Shaking him with the grip I have on his leather cut, I growl, “You can’t let him get away with it. You have to tell my father. Fuck. He’s done it before. Logan Bane has attempted to assassinate my father for the same damn reason once in the past. He managed to kill my uncle with that attempt. My father lost half his leg and he knew it was Bane’s men who did it, they had the initiation tattoo of Bane on their forearm. It’s also why he didn’t wanted anything to do with that family.”
“And yet that fucker still accepted a capo of Bane into his home to do the negotiating,” Ramsey states.
“He didn’t know Dara was lying because Rory forced her to,” I snap in my father’s defense. “He was only trying to save his family from a situation he was pulled into.”
His fingers wrap around my throat once more, his nose is touching mine as he snarls, “If you’re my old lady.”
“I wouldn’t have defended my father but would have mentioned how my father still could have picked up the fucking phone any damn time and talked to you. Even if you had all the right to hang up on him, but still. And in my defense? Being your old lady or not? I fought for you guys: fought for what was right, before I ended up here with you so don’t give me any lip about what I should or shouldn’t do if I was your old lady. I value loyalty and respect and honor honesty along with it.”
He snorts and takes a few steps back. “So, if I inform your father about the fact you’re staying with me indefinitely, you would keep your ass inside this clubhouse even if all the doors are unlocked and you could walk right out?”
I keep my eyes locked on his. “I would give you my word my loyalties would lie with you. Fully and without regret. If you give me your word to not harm my family in any way.”
“I won’t retaliate for what he did up till now. But if he comes for you, I will protect what’s mine,” he warns.
The way he gave me that warning should make my heart sink with fear for my father except it skips a beat by the fierce protectiveness he just mentioned by telling me I am his. I am absolutely crazy for letting that thought cross my mind. Because for him I’m merely a possession he wants to protect.
Stockholm syndrome for sure but on the other hand, the man in front of me is fierce, has not held back when it comes to information, listens to me, actually pulls me into a discussion, and values my input.
I give him a tight nod along with a firm, “Understood.”
Ramsey grabs his phone, jabs the screen, and orders me, “Not a single word from you unless I say so.”
I hear my father pick up the phone and bark, “My wife and daughter better still be alive.”
Ramsey’s eyes meet mine and I can tell he can see the sadness in mine due to what he mentioned about my mother.
He gives me a curt shake and tells my father, “I’m letting you know your daughter’s hand in marriage belongs to me. Logan Bane can shove his dream to wed Meribeth himself up his ass for all I care but he’s not getting the tie-in he wants: she belongs to me now.”
My father stays silent for a few breaths until he says, “How do you know he wanted my daughter for himself?”
“Leith might have mentioned some interesting details.” Ramsey holds my gaze and adds, “He confessed to Rory being at the scene when we were meeting for the weapon transfer. He also mentioned Rory was the one who fired the bullet that killed my father.”
My lips part in shock and a hint of relief to hear they have gained a sliver of truth that my father was set up too.
“And what made all hell break loose,” my father mutters and releases a few curses before he adds, “No wonder I couldn’t find out who pulled the trigger, that fucker was out of sight,” more to himself than to Ramsey.
“A line is drawn. You and I, right here, right now,” Ramsey tells him. “If you cross it after today, I’ll put a fucking bullseye on your back again, understood?”
“What about Bane?” my father asks, ignoring what Ramsey just said.
“Not your concern. He will get what’s coming to him,” Ramsey grunts.
“Can I talk to my daughter? Is she there with you?”
Ramsey holds my stare and I keep my lips sealed shut. I feel like this is some sort of test since he ordered me not to say a word.
“Also not your concern anymore: your daughter belongs to me now,” he rumbles and jabs the screen to end the call.
Shoving his phone away he takes a step closer to tower over me. Tipping my head back, I meet his menacing stare.
“Ready to be claimed?”
I wonder what he means by this because normally, with an arranged marriage, there’s an agreement between the fathers. The woman gets a ring on her finger and a date is set so the mother can start to arrange the things for the upcoming wedding.
I can feel my eyes narrow when I notice his pupils dilate and his nostrils flare. “What should I be ready for?”
“I don’t have a clue how those suits in your world claim their women, except for the showing of the bloody sheets after the wedding night, but in my world? The claiming part involves filling your body with my cock while my brothers give me a hand.”
For the first time a sliver of fear fills my veins. Horrified, I start to sputter, “You…you guys share women on your wedding night?”
He barks out a laugh and slowly shake his head but tells me, “We do share women, but not old ladies. And this isn’t a wedding night or some dressed in white, wrapped with flowers, taking place in church shit. Well, it will be happening in church, just a different one.”
His whole demeanor pushes the fear inside me away and replaces it with anger and disgust.
“Then why did you mention how your brothers will give you a hand?” I snap.
“Backing out already?” he taunts, deflecting my question.
My heart is slamming against my ribs. I should be scared, should question my sanity, but in this moment there’s only resistance and the need to show I’m not some scared and delicate girl. I am my father’s daughter.
Ramsey and I made a deal, one I will uphold to make sure my family stays safe and vengeance is dealt with correctly to those who are responsible. Leaning forward, I rise up on my toes and give him a feisty glare.
“Never,” I tell him with determination. “I will uphold my end of our deal like you will uphold yours.”
“This is going to be fun,” he mutters. The corner of his mouth twitches. “Well, come on then. Let’s count the seconds until you’re a virgin no more, shall we?”