Chapter 31: One Week Later

My arm has been healing nicely,and it only throbs a little. I've had people ask what happened—including Karen, of course—and all I said was some lunatic attacked me in the bathroom. I mean, that is accurate.

Devlin no longer wants me at the dorm, so I have been living with him. He drives me to school and brings me back, and I'm limited to where I can go. Not that I'm at all surprised. With everything that has happened, I don't want to wander far either.

I step into Professor Montgomery's office, needing to tell her that I want to sign up for another advanced class she's offering next semester. Since I no longer have to hide what I want to do from my dad, I decided to switch my major from business to creative writing.

"Hey, Eriu. How's that assignment going?" Her brown eyes gleam. "I know it was a tough one, but I have no doubt you're going to come up with an amazing short story, like you always do."

"Thank you. It's getting there. I did want to discuss next semester with you."

"Please tell me you're not dropping out of writing." She shuts her laptop. "Because I swear if your father is giving you a hard time again, I will speak to him. Tell him how talented you are. It's a shame to let all that talent go to waste. I'm sure he's not that stubborn."

I scrunch my nose. "You've never met my father. But actually, he approves of me switching majors to writing."

"Wow. Great news! And the engagement? Has he changed his mind about that too?"

My lips spread. "He has."

"Well, look at you making moves. I'm proud of you."

"It wasn't all me. I have good people in my corner."

She nods contemplatively. "Having the right people makes all the difference. As far as my class next semester, I will always have a spot for you."

"Thank you. I don't know what I would do without your support."

We spend the next few minutes discussing my assignment and where I plan to go with it. She listens like she always does and offers fresh perspectives.

When my phone vibrates with a text, I find that it's my sister, wanting me to meet her at a store in the city. My father and Fernanda are having a party tomorrow for Dad's birthday, and it's black tie. But I have no desire to go. A party is the last thing on my mind, especially with those people still after Devlin and me. But I know my sister is not gonna let this go.

So I say goodbye to the professor and head outside toward Devlin, who's standing right at the door of the building.

He stares at me, a twitch of a smirk appearing.

"What?" I ask him, my cheeks heating up from his deep perusal.

"Nothing. Just admiring my future wife."

My body spreads with tingles. Every time he refers to marriage or me being his wife, I can't help getting all giddy at the thought. He hasn't asked me or anything, but it sounds like it's on his mind.

"My sister texted. She wants me to meet her at the Dior store." I roll my eyes. "For Dad's party tomorrow. I'm being forced to buy a new dress."

He laughs and tugs my chin into his face, giving me a quick kiss. "I don't know, love. I like the idea of you in a new dress. Something else I can rip off of you."

My face heats up.

His chuckling rises as he slips his hand into mine and leads me to his SUV. He helps me in, and when he's setting the car to drive, his palm clasps around my upper thigh.

Now, suddenly, buying a new dress doesn't sound all that bad.

We arrive at my father's estate by the next evening. Acres of property have been transformed into a lavish affair. Twinkling lights hang over trees, like a myriad of tiny stars outbound in the endless sky.

A band plays a rock song I don't know, people already dancing with glasses of alcohol in their hands.

There's more food here than anyone ever needs, but it's how I grew up: always having more of everything. I never took any of it for granted, though. I don't know what it was, but even from a young age, I knew not everyone was as lucky as we were—with money, anyway. We're definitely not lucky about many other things.

I run my palms down my ivory mermaid lace dress. I have no idea why I agreed to it, but once Iseult saw me in it, I swear she cried. Or maybe something was in her eye. In either case, she wouldn't let me leave the store without it.

Who needs a dress this fancy for my dad's birthday, and why in the world are we even having his party a month before? But Dad said he won't be here for it then, so Fernanda planned this crazy event.

"Having fun?" Iseult shimmies beside me.

"It looks nice, but since when is Dad into fancy crap for his birthday?"

Iseult throws an arm over my shoulders. "You know Fernanda loves to throw a party. I'm sure she convinced Dad."

"Yeah, probably." I glance around, wondering where Devlin went to.

He was just talking to Tynan and Gio, and now they're all gone.

"Is Devlin still with the guys?"

"Yeah, I think they went inside the house. I'm sure they'll be out soon." She tugs me to her. "Let's go get a drink."

She pulls me toward one of the bars and orders us both watermelon margaritas.

"What are you so worried about? They're here. Nothing's happening to Devlin, I promise." Iseult hands me my drink.

I nod and force myself to take a sip so I can calm down. She's right. Nothing will happen to them at my father's house.

"If you're concerned about Mason, don't be. He'll never bother you again. I promise."

It hits me then, the meaning of her words.

"Oh my God." My hand falls across my mouth. "Is he…"

"I won't lie to you. You know that."

A pulse throbs in my temple. They killed him.

"Don't feel sorry for him." Her face twists. "He hurt you. He betrayed us. Worked with the people coming after you and Devlin. If he wasn't dead, I'd kill him again."

My eyes pop wider. It's all too much.

"This is why Devlin didn't want to tell you," she says, taking my hand in hers. "He wants to protect you. He loves you, Eriu."

"I know he does. I just don't understand how easy murdering someone can be for you."

"I never want you to understand." Her lips thin as she blows a breath. "Come on, let's go dance."

She drags me toward the dance floor, and after a few minutes, I start to move, closing my eyes and trying to forget everything. Song after song, I'm there with my sister until we both find ourselves laughing and having a great time.

"Let's go powder our noses." She takes our drinks, leaving them at the bar, before we head into the guest bathroom, right through the first set of glass doors.

Waiters bustle around with more food, bringing out trays for the one hundred-plus guests in attendance.

I don't see Devlin anywhere as we enter the restroom. I can't help but worry, even when it's kind of irrational.

He's fine here. He can take care of himself. I give myself a quick pep talk.

"I think you need some more lipstick." Iseult removes the deep red tube she had me use when she did my makeup earlier. She inspects me inquisitively, then proceeds to add blush to my cheeks.

She takes a few steps back and narrows her gaze as she looks me up and down, and I'm surprised her five-inch stilettos aren't getting caught in her long emerald-green gown.

"I think we're good now." I snicker. "It's not like this is my wedding."

Her eyes go round.

"What's that face…" My voice trails. "Iseult?"

But she doesn't say anything. Then it hits me…

She did my hair and makeup. She pressured me to buy this dress as opposed to the colorful ones I was trying on.

"Oh my God. No!" My head spins. "Iseult! Tell me this isn't my wedding?"

She shrinks back and winces. "Ugh, damn it! I'm so bad at keeping surprises!"

"Oh my God! How could you not tell me?"

"Don't be mad." She scratches her nose. "I promised him I wouldn't."

"Who? Please tell me Dad didn't back out of his word and set up a secret wedding for me to someone else. Please, Iseult!"

"No! Of course not! You think I would let that happen?"

I release a relieved exhale. "Then what is this?"

"Devlin." She grins. "He wanted to surprise you."

I gasp. "He planned this?"

"Yes." Her eyes glint. "He did. So please, can you pretend to be surprised?"

I grab her purse and retrieve her mascara, nervously adding some to my eyes. I chew on my bottom lip, yet I can't stop smiling.

"Oh my God! I'm getting married!"

Her expression softens, her palms gripping my shoulders from behind as our eyes connect through the mirror. "Yes, you are. I wish Mom was here to see it."

"Me too," I say, tucking her hand in mine. "But I know she's always with us."

Out of nowhere, a gentle breeze sways across my face. And I smile as though she's standing right before us.

DEVLIN

"Jesus Christ, would you stop pacing?" Tynan shakes his head as we wait for Eriu to appear, a priest standing to our right.

While Iseult took her to the bathroom, the staff got to setting up the canopy with a whole lot of lilies on the top.

Iseult is supposed to keep Eriu occupied until she gets a text from Fernanda. And I hope she can manage it.

I keep second-guessing this whole thing. Not the wedding, but the way I did it.

What if she hates it? What if she decides not to marry me?

That's not gonna happen, though. This is for life.

I need to put this ring on her finger so I know that she's mine.

The music starts to play.

Feck. It's happening.

I ignore Tynan's snicker.

"You are gonna give yourself an aneurism." He continues to poke fun at me.

"Shut up, will ya? Maybe some of us actually wanna get married."

"Better you than me."

"Gonna remind you of this when you meet someone who makes you forget you hate weddings."

"Never gonna happen, McHale. Never gonna fall in love. I'll bet you a million dollars."

I grin, extending a hand for his. "I'll take that bet."

He confidently shakes hands with me. "Hope you like losing money."

"I like making it."

Everyone starts to rise, and both of us immediately stop talking.

Before I can respond, she's there, her father beside her, tears in her eyes as she catches my stare.

The room disappears, and all I know is this breathtaking woman—a true piece of my heart, the only way it beats right.

She marches closer, and my feet are already moving, needing to be near her. Through the thick emotions veiled in her gaze, her smile grows, and my heartbeats echo in my ears, never having known a feeling like this. It's big enough to consume me. My love for her. My devotion. There's no end to what I feel for her.

I make it to her before she even reaches the end, and I take her hand in mine. "Hi."

My face splits, and she bites that lip.

My Lord, this woman.

"Hi," she whispers, her eyes glimmering. "We're getting married."

"It looks like it, lass."

Beside us, her father chuckles. "Can you let me give my daughter away properly, son?"

A few of the guests laugh as he takes both of her hands and kisses each one before he kisses her cheek.

"I love you both very much."

He looks at me for a moment, and I incline my chin in gratitude. Because I've finally found people I belong with.

"You take good care of each other, will ya?" He slaps me across my back before he heads to sit in the front row next to Fernanda.

"Let's get married, mostoirín."

Hand in hand, we stand before the priest, who's reciting his part while I grow insanely impatient, needing this to be over.

"Can we get the CliffsNotes version?" I say. "Wanna get to the part where I kiss my wife."

Eriu elbows me, fighting a smile, while a few cheers from the crowd have the priest smiling too. He finishes his part, and it's her turn to say her vows, then it's mine.

Taking both her hands, I lock eyes with her as I recite them.

"I, Donny Devlin McHale, take you, Eriu Charlotte Quinn, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. I promise to love and cherish you for all the days of my life."

Tears well in her eyes, and she fights not to let them free. I can't believe we are finally here. I can't believe she's mine.

We exchange rings, and the priest recites some other shite I'm barely listening to, unable to peel my gaze off of her. It's like I won the damn lottery. Wish my brother was alive to meet her. He would've loved her.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

"Feckin' finally."

Grabbing her face with both hands, I kiss her with every drenching ounce of love I possess, knowing for her, I'd do anything, kill anyone, die a thousand deaths just to keep her safe.