Ruthless Arrangement (Underworld Kings)

"Did God ever strike him down?" I find myself asking. I don’t know why I’m so interested, but I am. I’m actually enjoying this conversation more than I could begin to explain—even to myself.

"No. Mikey owns a car dealership, and he and Mirana have two kids together."

"How about for a wedding present I strike O'Hara down?" I ask, studying her face.

Belle squeaks in response, unable to speak.

"Are you two ready?" Father Patrick asks, looking between us.

"Yeah,” I respond with a smile in Belle’s direction. “We are." I grab her hand and pull her toward me.

"Wait!" she yells a bit louder than I can tell she meant to. I look at her expectantly, slightly annoyed at another delay.

"You're not backing out," I grumble, knowing she's stalling.

"No, I mean, that's not it. Are you Catholic?" she asks, looking at me while she feigns interest.

“I was raised as one, but I'm kind of a sucky one, too.”

I smirk, noticing the slight smile my words bring to her face. She nods. Father Patrick starts to clear his throat, but I cut him off.

"Let's get to it." I say, motioning with my hand for him to hurry it along. “Cut to the vows.” Father Patrick scowls for a second before nodding.

"Repeat after me," he says, looking at Belle, "I, Belle Tate, take thee, Killian O'Leary-"

"Wait!" Belle yells out again, looking sheepish when I let out an annoyed breath.

"What?"

“You don’t have a ring.”

“I do. I had E-Z pick one up for you.”

“Oh, that’s nice.”

“I have my moments,” I concede.

“Well, then I need to give my confession.”

“You what?” I ask, exasperated.

“I need to give my confession. I can’t go into a marriage with you without a clean slate, right Pastor Patrick?”

“I’m a priest. You should call me Father,” he corrects her.

“Father Patrick,” she responds with a blush.

“You’re right. You can give me your confession outside the door.”

“Jesus, we need to get this done,” I growl.

“It won’t take long,” she says, obviously not caring that she’s upsetting me.

I watch as she walks out, frowning intently as if that will make her turn around and do what I want. It doesn’t. They go outside, and I’m left standing there, arms crossed at my chest and waiting.

“This might not go the way you have it all planned,” E-Z warns.

“It will. She’ll fall in line. I’m not going to give her a choice,” I gripe.

He doesn’t respond to that. We stand together, staring at the damn door. Each minute that goes by seems like an eternity. I look up at the clock on the wall. Minutes tick by. One turns to five and five turns to ten. After fifteen minutes, my patience is completely gone.

“What the hell do you think they’re talking about out there?” E-Z asks, clearly as confused as I am.

“Fuck if I know,” I grumble.

Finally, after twenty damn minutes, they walk in. Belle Tate wearing a smile on her face makes my chest tighten. She almost looks… happy.

“We’re ready,” she announces as if it’s the best day ever. Perhaps Belle Tate isn’t conniving. Perhaps she’s just simple-minded. Should she really be looking this forward to our marriage? Should she be this happy?

“Finally,” I grouse.

We get in position and as the priest begins again, Belle freaking interrupts again.

“Stop!” she cries this time. I pinch the bridge of my nose and hold my head down.

“For fuck’s sake, what now?”

I ignore her startled gasp, the priest’s sounds of disapproval and E-Z’s laughter. I look straight at Belle and wait.

"I can't marry you unless you promise not to strike down Mikey."

Of all the shit I thought she might say, it definitely wasn’t this. I laugh figuring it doesn’t even deserve an answer. Apparently, that’s not good enough.

"I mean it," she demands. I roll my eyes, but nod in agreement. She looks at Father Patrick, "Continue, please."

"Where was I? Oh yes, repeat after me—I, Belle-"

When she looks over at me, though, she gasps, interrupting him again. "Oh my god! I'm going to marry a man who's wearing shackles at our wedding."

"Does that bother you?" I ask flatly.

"Well, yeah, it doesn't really send out warm fuzzies for the future, but I guess that doesn't matter since we will be getting an annulment." She shrugs, coming to terms with the bothersome fact that I am indeed in shackles.

"You're getting married but planning on an annulment?" Father Patrick asks, looking like he's just about had enough of this mess. E-Z is full out laughing by this point

"Yes,” Belle responds.

“No,” I answer over top of her. “Belle, we will be married forever."

"What?" Belle asks, her voice breaking.

"There will be no annulment," I growl, looking into her eyes before turning to Father Patrick. "Begin again, Father."

Belle turns to face him, not saying anything. I expect her to not go through with the ceremony, but she does. Maybe she's in shock, but I don't care. This is the first thing that has made me feel even slightly human and in control since I woke up in the hospital.