Callous King (The O'Dea Crime Family Book 1)

by Elizabeth Knox

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Sorcha

  “You have something you weren’t saying in front of Jack,” Cian’s voice floats to me through the gloom gravely, and I jerk up to sit stiffly on my bed. My heart leaps into my throat, but I gulp it down as his figure saunters into view. The darkness is deep, but even so, his gaze pierces me. “What is it?”

  “No, I’m just . . . a little less confident about this than I pretended. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll have to blame everything on me,” I reveal, and the silvery contours of Cian’s profile ripple as he wraps his arms around me. My chest aches lightly from the tattoo needle but the rest of me hums with content as he buries his hand in my hair. “And it might be my best plan, but the odds of failing are still high.”

  “Then, we just can’t fail,” Cian murmurs gravely, pressing his forehead to mine, and I hum in acknowledgment. He’s warm, solid, and strong. His muscles writhing under his skin against my front. “Why are you sleeping in here? I thought you’d be with me from now on. You’ve been distant the past couple days since you told me your plan to get rid of Bella and Kaitlyn.”

  “I needed to think, but you make it hard to stay awake. And if I fall asleep, I stay asleep through the night. As much as I love that,” I pause while Cian’s arm around my waist tightens, his nose bumping against mine. My thoughts dull, and I inhale a steadying breath through my nose. “A-as much as I love it, I . . .”

  “You drive me crazy with that beautiful mind,” He murmurs tenderly, and a gasp clogs my throat as Cian tightens his fist in my hair loosely. My clammy palms fly to his biceps, and blood drums in my ears. My pounding heart isn’t enough to drown out his voice, though. “I know it’s selfish, but if you think things will go sideways, I’d rather kill you myself than let anyone else have you.”

  “Did you come here to say that?”

  “Nah, it just seemed like the right thing to say given your doubt,” He says casually with a smirk, and I chuff lightly as a tiny smile tilts my lips. The darkness hides me, but Cian isn’t fooled as he grunts knowingly. “Come back with me.”

  “Okay.” I give in instantly, without hesitation. He unfurls his hands from me to guide me out of the pitch-black abyss. Every moment I spend with Cian can be described with a cheesy metaphor, and I fight a fond smile. He grabs my hand, his fingers warm as they tangle between my own. In this immense darkness, with just him to scare away the monsters that lurk in the corners, I sigh in bliss.

  Low, yellow light floods my room as Cian opens the door, and I follow him out before he pauses mid-step. Peeking around his shoulder, my tingly, nice feelings vanish while Bella comes into view down the hall. She pouts, red-faced and sour, to glare at Cian’s bedroom door, and surprise threatens to choke me. Bella’s butt naked as the day she was born, but even in the light that trickles down, it’s obvious she’d put on makeup and done her hair. Turning on her heel, she starts back down the hall only to stiffen when she catches sight of Cian.

  Bella’s model face instantly morphs into relieved happiness, and I clench my jaw absently as I watch her. She doesn’t notice me, her eyes brightening when she ogles his shirtless chest. Swishing her hips as she walks, she smiles wide as she runs her hands down her body.

  “I was lookin’ for you,” She purrs thickly, and Cian’s muscular back ripples with tension. I see the instant she spots his change in demeanor, and she puffs out her bottom lip with a light humpf. “Why won’t you just give in one time, Cian? I know you haven’t fucked anyone decent since I got chosen. You’re too rigid a man. It’s gonna happen eventually, so you’re gonna have to learn to get hard. You’ll like it eventually. I’m a great lay. I can make all your fantasies come to life.”

  “I doubt it,” He replies with faux flippancy, and Bella stiffens as her face flushes with rage. “Don’t make me brush you aside, Bella. Or are you the kind of person that wants a repeat of last time? Do you have a daddy complex? Do you want me to treat you the way your father treats women?”

  “What the hell? No! God, Cian. You’re being difficult, but mark my words, I’ll make sure we make our marriage work, even if you fight me all the way.” Bella balks, her voice cracking harshly as disgust twists her thick, painted lips. “Plus, that’s disgusting. It would never happen to me. I’m not gutter scum. I’m not some used up, washed up plaything like other people in this house. I’m sure you know who I’m talking about and I know what she’s doing Cian. I won’t let some pathetic toy like that come between us. I’d never let anything like that happen to me. If they can’t get themselves out of a bad situation, then they deserve to be in it.” Every word Bella’s saying is like a knife digging into my back, twisting it deeper and deeper, and the only thing I want right now is Cian. He’s the only one who makes me feel like a person, and not an object. But he isn’t even doing anything to defend me. I could speak up, but my throat tightens and the fear Byrne instilled in me creeps up like a zombie coming from the grave.

  Cian trembles with rage, moving too fast for me to even think to stop him. Not that I want to in the face of Bella’s utter disgust. I tense while he advances on her, unable to blink for fear of missing even a fraction of a second. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” He sneers, anger boiling through every word.

  Bella smirks, “I’m your fiancée sweetie, or have you forgotten?” Bella takes a step closer to him and grabs his groin area, “Now, come on, let’s not be like this. It’s time you have what’s yours and give me what’s mine.”

  Cian’s arms shake with fury and he puts his hands on her, forcing her back until her shoulders slam into the wall.

  Yet, it doesn’t stop her. She comes right up to him and screams in his face.

  “Why do you keep doing this to me?! I’m going to be your wife and she’s nobody. She’s nothing compared to me! Sorcha is no better than your average cum dumpster. She’s worthless and she’d be better off dead.” Bella’s words make my stomach roll with both disgust and anger. Why is she so vile?

  Bella doesn’t have time to duck, but I watch in slow motion as Cian rears his arm. He grabs her by the throat and slams her into the wall until she can’t get out a word, better yet, barely even a breath. She kicks her feet trying to get down, but he doesn’t relent. Cian slams his fist into the wall beside her and the drywall cracks. He delivers the next blow to her face and sends her flying off her feet. Slamming into the wall, she crumples with a grunt, a sickening amount of blood gushing from her nose and mouth.

  Cian releases her and her body drops to the floor with a thud. “You have no idea what you’ve done, but it’ll be my pleasure to help you understand.” I know that tone, the way his fury is making every decision, the way he’s standing up for me.

  Fierce satisfaction rips through my chest with shocking force, and I cover my heart with my palm. My fresh tattoo, not even a week old, burns from the fiery emotions that skitter just beneath my skin. Leaping into my throat, my heart ceases to beat as anticipation grips it in a vice. She gags and tries to inhale, reaching her arms out to him, but he slaps them away. She continues trying to paw at Cian so he kneels down and harshly grabs her by her chin.

  His eyes are filled with pure hatred. She’s dazed and in pain, unable to do anything. I tug at the neckline of my t-shirt as goosebumps blanket my legs and back. Now, after so long, there are no memories that bubble to the surface. No flashbacks that blossom behind my eyelids. She deserves it after the shit she’s said.

  “Jack!” Cian’s roar echoes down the hallway. A door slams against a wall behind me, and I whip around with a gasp as Jack swings into the area. Alarm brightens his eyes as he sees Bella sprawled on the floor, gasping for air, tears flowing down her reddened cheeks.

  “Yes, Boss?” Jack replies gravely, seriousness thinning his lips as he steps into the hallway fully. Turning back to Cian, I hold my breath when he crouches down. She winces in her fear and agony, and Cian smirks in the most sinister way I’ve seen from him. He sneers at her, almost like he’s getting high off the
way he’s making her feel.

  “You’ve really done it now, Bella.,” Cian grinds through his teeth, and goosebumps surge down my legs. “That contract won’t protect you from me, you stupid bitch. And my tolerance for your ugly ass face and the shit that you discharge from that disease-riddled mouth of yours has officially expired.”

  He snarls nastily, and I wrap my trembling hands in my hair to squeeze my head between my forearms. The pounding against my eyes ripples down my face and neck, but I can’t make myself blink. I can’t miss anything as Cian straightens, his muscular back writhing wildly with fury.

  “What are you doing!” Siobhan’s shocked cry from just beyond him sends shockwaves slamming into me. Cian’s head whips up, the shadows on his face playing when he clenches his jaw hard. He reaches a long, powerful arm toward his sister. This time, he’s too fast, and I blink back the tears clinging to my eyelashes.

  Siobhan doesn’t scream as Cian slaps her against the wall like she’s a post-it note, but her soft whimper ripples palpably down the hallway. His palm covers her eyes easily, fingers cresting her temples on either side. My heart races when he leans into his sister’s trembling chin, his arm flexing when he squeezes her skull. She claws at his wrist; her whimpers frantic and pained as spittle flies from between her clenched teeth.

  “I know what you’re fucking doing, Siobhan,” He whispers menacingly, and the hairs on the back of my neck bristle while Siobhan tenses. “I’m done with you, you backstabbing, selfish bitch. Let’s see, after all the childish bullshit you’ve been doing, if Dad will take you back, since you’re incapable of being more than a spoiled fucking baby.”

  “Jack,” Cian rasps, his eyes slits when they snap to Jack. “Lock that pig somewhere fitting. And don’t let her die, at least, not yet.”

  “Yes, Boss.” Stepping around me, Jack shoots me a wink and small smirk that shatters the apprehension holding me captive. I suck a huge breath into my burning lungs, lowering my hands to wipe the rawness from my eyes. He grabs Bella by the arm to throw her over his shoulder roughly, but he doesn’t turn to me and the stairs beyond. Instead, he takes her back into his room to shut the door lightly, and the silence deepens ominously.

  “I’m not giving you any chances, Siobhan. If you’re still here when I wake up, I’m going to fucking shoot you and it’s a promise. Go on and run to Dad . . . and I mean run,” Cian growls nastily, tossing his sister aside like a ragdoll, and she clutches her head as blood begins to dribble from her nose. In the low, yellow light, her panic is crystal clear, but Siobhan knows better than to open her mouth. She jostles violently when Cian turns on her, taking a threatening step forward. “I said run!”

  Scrambling, Siobhan trips over her own toes and crashes to the floor under the power of Cian’s roar. Shoving herself unsteadily to her feet, she breezes past me, blind from the force of her fear. She thunders down the stairs, and surprise rocks me when the sound of the front door slamming surges up in reply. Glancing over my shoulder, I rub my head thoughtfully before a harsh clearing of a throat catches my attention.

  Cian’s eyes flash with genuine anger, but not enough to cause the chaos he’s wreaked over his sister and fiancée. His hand doesn’t tremble when he holds it out to me, but his jaw ticks and he’s tense. With each step I take, he relaxes a little more, and warmth suffuses my chest to calm my frigid, furiously pounding heart.

  “Will that work?” His gruff rasp dries my lips when he tugs me to him, his palm warm but not hot, firm but not hard. My question must’ve been written on my face, and Cian smiles tightly as he caresses my temple with gentle fingers. “I got her out of the house.”

  “Oh,” My brows rise at his proud declaration, like he’s done something great, and I can’t hide my smile. Cian stiffens against me as my cheeks twist in unfamiliar ways, his eyes widening as all traces of his anger dissolve. “Yeah. It will. That was perfect.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Cian

  “She’s hot shit, Boss,” Jack comments darkly, and I lean against the bathroom entryway to cross my arms. Staring down at Bella’s pathetic, swollen neck, not a spark of sympathy ignites in me as her tears and snot stream down her chin. Here she is red, angry, and probably in a good amount of pain. I rub my jaw thoughtfully. “What’d’ya wanna do with her?”

  “I’ve got an idea I think you’ll like, but,” I pause as Bella’s trembling lips move, her dazed eyes training on me. Desperation brightens her orbs, her hope surging to rattle the curtain she’s tied to. “She’s just as much a sick fuck as her father and brother. It’s only fair she doesn’t get off easy, either.”

  “Y-you can’t . . . you can’t d-do th-this to m-me . . .” Bella rasps weakly, her declaration grating my ears, and I clench my jaw. Arching a brow quizzically, I grunt a noncommittal reply as she struggles to continue. “The c-contract . . . you w-wouldn’t dare.”

  “That again,” I roll my eyes, briefly wondering if she’s stupid and delusional. Turning to Jack as he smothers a snicker, I wave a hand dismissively. “Do whatever you want with her. It’s not gonna matter, anyway. I’m sure you can get more creative than me.”

  “Whatever I want?” Jack probes cautiously, and I nod firmly before a grin stretches his lips. “Sweet. I got some pent-up energy I need to get out. Being with Byrne fucks with you, mentally. After all the shit he did, him and Marrin both, it’ll be nice to get a little payback. Does Sorcha know?”

  “She doesn’t care. If the plan goes off without a hitch, it doesn’t matter what you do to Bella. There won’t be an autopsy.” I reply, ignoring Jack’s absolutely gleeful look as I leave the bathroom. Stepping into the hall, I shut the door behind me to lean against the wall and swipe my palm down my face. If there’s one thing I’ll never understand, it’s why Bella has so much fucking faith in our marriage contract.

  I could literally lobotomize her, beat her, terrorize her to insanity, as long as she was able to stand up on the dais and nod one time. Why does she believe so vehemently that the contract would keep her safe? My eyelid twitches as the notion races through my mind. Byrne had to blackmail my dad, so maybe that old bastard had lied and planted expectations to avoid such unfavorable terms? It’s true that, for the most part, marriage contracts are civil at worst, loving at best. My parents were the norm.

  But this whole thing is in such bad faith, it’d never work. I walk down the hallway toward the stairs. Sorcha’s somewhere around here, probably hurting herself doing whatever bullshit Kaitlyn demanded of her, and I flex my hands taut by my sides. I’d rather marry her—Sorcha. Maybe, after all of this, I’ll do just that. It’s not like my dad can object.

  Speak of the devil . . . I pause at the bottom of the stairs, catching sight of my dad and Siobhan in the kitchen. My sister’s pissed, red-faced and scowling, and I inhale a preparatory breath. My dad smiles politely at me, but Siobhan looks about ready to explode while I breeze past her toward the coffee machine. As for my other siblings, well, they’d be smart not to show up. Typically, we rally together as a family, but not in situations like this. After all, you never can be too sure if one is trigger-happy.

  “I didn’t think you’d actually show up, Dad. It’s not like you to get dragged into your children’s bullshit,” I remark over my shoulder just to stroke the flames engulfing my sister. Maybe, if I got lucky, I could anger her enough to blurt out the truth. Reaching into a cabinet, I busy myself with my brew before turning to lean against the counter. Scanning my father intently, I hide my frown behind my mug as I take a sip of the black, bitter drink. “What did she tell you?”

  “That you threw her out last night for stopping you beating Bella Byrne,” My dad says nonchalantly, and I can hear from his tone that he doesn’t believe his own words. “I have a feeling there’s more to the story, though. I’d like to hear your side, Cian.”

  “I didn’t throw her out for trying to stop me,” I deny, wrapping my hands around my mug. My father’s brow twitches in interest while I carefully debate my next word
s. No matter what, I have to make sure Sorcha’s plan goes as intended, even if it means lying to my dad. It’s not like he won’t know I’m lying, but unlike my sister, I have justified reasons and am not just a petulant fucking brat. “I kicked her out, because I’m tired of having her around. This is my home, but I’m uncomfortable here. Siobhan has become an annoyance, overstepping into my fucking business where she has no right and tried to force things to happen her way. This is an autocracy, and she simply overstayed her welcome.”

  “Is that so?” Dad murmurs gravely, his eyes narrowing into slits on me, and the hairs on the back of my neck bristle. “It has nothing to do with that woman and how involved you two have become? You’re not just doing what she wants? You are Byrne’s boss, so in a way, you’re responsible for what happened to her. Does she know you had the opportunity to kill him, but you didn’t?”

  “I am doing what she wants, and I’ll continue to do so,” I declare, and my dad openly ogles me in surprise. “Are you asking me this, because Siobhan wants you to? Surely, she knows so much about the situation, but how? And why? Are you not just doing what she wants, because she wants it, Dad? Did she not manipulate you into coming here, trying to get the upper hand? At least, with Sorcha, I know her intentions and how she wants to achieve it. Just as I’m using her to get to Byrne with as little political backlash as possible, I’m extremely aware that she’s using me as well. What about you? Do you know exactly why Siobhan dragged you here?”

  “I know about it, because I’ve been here this whole time. Don’t t—” Cutting Siobhan off, I hold up a hand and shoot her a nasty glare. Her teeth click with the force she uses to snap her mouth shut, her eyes glimmering with realization that she’d fucked up. She gave me an opening, but I took my time debating whether to use it or not.