Black Wedding by Emma Luna
For several days after the shitshow of an interview, I tried to reach Mia, but she has reverted into her shell. She has sent me the odd text here and there, but it’s not like her to not reply to my messages. My mind whirls with all the possibilities of what could have happened in her past. What things she hid from me, and why. The more I thought, the more I spiralled. Was I really such a shit friend that I didn’t notice my friend going through a hard time? I knew she was unavailable during the summer holidays while we were at school. Still, I thought it was because she was with family. That’s what she always told me.
On top of dealing with my overactive imagination, Kellan’s walking around with a face like a slapped ass. I have no idea why he is moping when Mia is the one who left here in floods of tears. Liam says he is ashamed of what Kellan did, and that’s why he is acting out. I don’t think he knows how to cope with being in the wrong.
In addition to their meltdown and the constant array of worsening threats making their way to our house, we also have to deal with my Gramp’s imminent arrival. He gave me plenty of warning, which was both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because I could prepare, not just myself but Liam too, but bad because the anxiety is killing me. He will be here any minute, and I think I have actually worn down the carpet where I have been pacing up and down the corridor.
His car arrives, and Liam walks over to meet me. He had been sitting on the sofa watching me pace back and forth. If he’s nervous, he definitely doesn’t show it. He kept out of the way because he knew nothing would settle my nerves. I jump when the doorbell rings, even though I knew it was coming, I just couldn’t help it. My nerves were practically shot at this point.
Liam chuckled. “Relax, Bree. He is just your grandad.”
I look over at Liam, giving him the evilest stare I could muster. He deserved to be glared at for underestimating Patrick O’Keenan. He may look like a pleasant old man, but he is far from it.
Taking several deep breaths, I pull open the door to welcome my Gramps. To anyone observing, it looks like an ordinary girl welcoming her grandad. He looks just like you would expect someone who plays golf five days a week to look; dark, smartly pressed trousers, sporting polo shirt, and a flat cap that is hiding the bald patch on the top of his head. The rest of his hair is thinning and grey, his face wrinkled but sunkissed from lots of trips abroad. He pulls me into a hug, and that smell of sandalwood, cigars, and lavender transports me back to the summers I used to spend in Cork. My Gramps is obsessed with lavender, convinced it helps him to relax and sleep. He has it in his bath products and even uses an aromatherapy mister to infuse it into the air while he sleeps.
Releasing the breath I didn’t know I was holding, I squeeze him tightly before inviting him into the house. Kellan has taken Hallie to the local park since we don’t want to expose her to any more potential danger. Not after she tried to pick up the last “gift” sent to me; a voodoo doll made to look like me with several cuts all over its body. The news of our engagement party seems to have confirmed to people that we are seriously getting married and therefore they are upping their threats.
We get settled on the sofa after the introductions, and welcome drinks have all been sorted. I can tell Liam is a bit more on edge than he usually is. He isn’t slouching on the sofa in the way I have come to expect.
“Well, I have to admit, I thought I would want to shoot you, Liam. I guess there was still a part of me that thought maybe you were being kidnapped, or this was all happening under duress. But it isn’t, is it?” Gramps asks with a reluctant sigh as he takes a long swig of the coffee Liam prepared for him.
“No, it isn’t, far from it actually,” I reply with a smile as I take hold of Liam’s hand. It’s not something I’ve done for show. I genuinely like to be touching him. His closeness gives me a strength I didn’t know I had, probably thanks to how much he believes in me.
“You have taken these two months as I advised, and I am guessing you have come to a decision.”
Before I get a chance to answer Gramp’s questions, Liam cuts me off with his own answer. “I want to thank you for encouraging us to take the time to get to know each other, Sir. We made some swift decisions, a lot based on rash emotions. So taking the time to think things through and get to know each other was the best thing we could have done. So, I think we have to thank you for that, Sir,” Liam addresses my Gramps with respect and a smile, his thumb stroking my hand, that small yet intimate gesture he knows I love.
“Please, call me Paddy,” my Gramps adds, and I can’t help the massive grin that lights up my face. My Gramps obviously sees it because he rolls his eyes, trying to downplay the gesture, but we both know it is huge. There are very few people close enough to my grandad to be allowed to call him by that nickname. In fact, his highest level security guard, who has worked with him for around ten years, still only calls him Patrick.
“Paddy, thank you. First, I want to apologise in person for the way this thing with Bree started. I took my frustrations with her father out on her, and that was wrong. It was also wrong to include her hand in marriage in any contract. I can assure you that we have discussed this issue, and I have constantly been trying to make things right with her since day one,” Liam says, looking genuinely upset. I had no idea he still held guilt over what happened between us.
“That was more my father’s fault than yours, Liam. He was the one bartering with his daughter’s happiness,” I growl. I had no idea that my father was so ruthless that he would risk me and my future.
“Yes, that was a regrettable turn of events. However, are you telling me that the legal implications of the contract are no longer a factor here?” my grandfather asks, staring straight at Liam whilst maintaining his relaxed posture in the comfy armchair.
“I can promise you that as far as I am concerned, that contract never happened. The more I got to know your amazing granddaughter, the more I realised what a beautiful, special girl she is. We may not have started this thing in the most natural way, but now our relationship is very much real,” Liam states proudly, and I feel my heart grow impossibly larger. How is it that he builds me up even further with every word that comes out of his mouth? It’s like he knows exactly what to say to make me feel better about myself and give me confidence.
“Wait...so you are together for real?” Gramps asks incredulously.
“Gramps, I know this is slightly unexpected given our last call, but this is all thanks to you. You told me to get to know Liam, and I did. What I found was a kind, caring, and amazing guy. He gives me the determination and courage I didn’t even know I needed. I have always known I have what it takes to run this Family, but with Liam by my side, I’m even more certain I can do it,” I explain, and I am shocked to see him genuinely smile.
“I knew as soon as I opened the door and saw you as a couple, it’s like there’s a chemistry in the air between you. You move around each other like magnets that are being drawn together. Now, all I need to know is if you are good enough for my granddaughter, Liam.” His voice sounds almost romantic and whimsical as he talks about us, like soulmates that are made for each other. Maybe we are? I feel as though a part of me is drawn to Liam, a part of me that wasn’t awake before he woke it up. Fuck, I sound like I’m part of a cheesy rom com movie.
“I don’t think anyone will ever be good enough for Bree,” Liam states and receives a responding chuckle from my grandfather. “But I can promise you that I will spend every day making sure she is happy and safe.”
My Gramps scoffs at the last part, and my eyes widen in shock like he questions whether Liam could really keep me safe. Out of everyone I know, he is the one I trust the most with my safety. “Liam, do not be so naive as to think that keeping Bree safe will be an easy process. If she gets her own way and takes over running my company, there will be enemies at every turn. What I want to know is how much of an enemy your father really is?”
With a short giggle that he tries to hide behind his hand, Liam addresses my grandfather. “My father will always be a threat. He wants to rule London; he always has. It has more connections, better shipping lines, and the cops are easier to bend than the Garda. But when we went to Limerick recently, he talked to Bree and agreed to a truce. My father may be many things, but he never breaks his word. So, for now, he is no threat at all, nor are the people that work for him. But don’t be fooled into thinking that the time will not come when he rescinds the truce and attacks. We must be ready at all times, but I do have an inside link to his organisation, so hopefully, we will get some internal feedback before that happens.”
As Liam explains our recent trip to Ireland and his psychopathic father’s newfound love for me, my Gramps listens with an indecipherable mask. I’ve always hated when he gets like this, and I can’t read his emotions. But there is a reason he is the leader of the most prominent crime Family in the world; closing off his feelings is essential. Who knows, maybe one day in the very distant future, I will be the one running the entire empire, but right now, that idea is daunting. With factions worldwide, London may be the largest, even compared to the original Cork branch, but there are still others. The second-largest after Cork is surprisingly in Canada, and I’m not even sure I know them all.
Liam shakes me, causing me to snap out of my daydream, and I realise that my Gramps and Liam must have continued talking while I zoned out. But now they are asking me a question. It’s painfully obvious I missed it, so Liam asks me again. “I was just telling your grandfather that my father is not a threat right now, and he asked if I was a secret member of the family. So I explained how hard I fought to get out, alongside Freya and Ryleigh, and continue to fight for Evan and Finn.”
“He’s telling the truth, Gramps. He is most definitely not working for his father,” I confirm, much to my grandfather’s delight.
“Very well then, I guess we have a date to run. Pick a date within the next two months, and tell me where and when you want it held. Your mother will help you with all the arrangements, Bree. I will ensure you get your chosen venue even with it being so close to the date.” As he speaks, I notice no reaction from Liam, but I am more than a little shocked.
“Why two months? What’s the rush?” I ask.
“Because, Bree, talk of your impending nuptials is already causing unrest. We have guns on the loose that could be used against us, not to mention that we can hardly take care of business if you are distracted by a bloody wedding. Plus, I am getting too old for this shit. I want to retire, and spend some quality time with your grandmother. Also, do you know how much golf I could play if work didn’t get in the way?” I don’t think he meant it as a joke, but I couldn’t help but laugh. His job doesn’t interrupt his life too much for someone who already plays five times a week. He asks why I laughed, and I fill him in on my internal thought. Liam makes a sweet comment about not wanting to wait to marry me anyway.
Fuck, why does my heart feel like it’s going to explode every time he talks?
“How do you like the house?” Gramps asks in general, but I know he is aiming the question more at Liam than me. I used to stay here regularly; he knows I love it here.
“You have a lovely house, and we love it here, thank you,” Liam replies, and my grandfather smiles with a nod of the head.
“That’s good because I am gifting it to you as a wedding present. So you can do what you wish with the place now. This is supposed to be for your wedding day, but I want you to have it now,” he explains, holding out an envelope which he pulls from the document bag that he brought with him.
Taking hold of the envelope, I not so gently tear the page open, and sure enough, written across the top says ‘Transfer of Deed’. My eyes start to mist over, and emotion clogs up my throat as I tell him thank you for such a beautiful gift.
“This is very generous, Paddy, but we can’t accept something so extravagant,” Liam finishes his sentence, and I shoot him my best pissed-off expression.
“Speak for yourself; I love this house,” I snap at Liam, much to my grandfather’s amusement.
“Never mind that, Liam. It’s my gift. Besides, Bree’s grandmother, Clodagh, wants to spend more time at our summer property in the south of France. So we’ll have a lot less need for this house. Bree has always wanted it, and since you will need a firm London base, you can keep it. Now, before I leave you both to continue with your wedding planning, what I want to know is...who are the people putting your life in danger, and what is your plan to stop them?” Gramps addresses me as soon as he finishes instructing Liam about the house.
“We believe the threats are coming from the Marcushios. He has made contact, making it very clear he wants revenge for what happened to Leon. We are gathering information at the moment, doing recon. We won’t move, or should I say, I will not go to war with them until we know everything there is to know about him. But I can assure you, his little acts of rebellion as he tests the waters are being shut down all over the UK. If he tries anything, we will know,” Liam explains, his voice confident and very sure of himself. He doesn’t see the Marcushio’s as an issue, but they are.
“We have reason to believe that Vinnie may have been planning to gain power long before the shit with his father went down. He was the one stealing from you, and that’s why Dad thought it was Leon. All the signs pointed to him, but it was Vinnie all along. So I think until we make an active plan to take him out, he will always be a threat,” I add onto the end of Liam’s statement.
“Liam, you disagree? I caught that little shake of the head,” my grandfather asks, always the perceptive one.
“Honestly, no, I agree. I think Vinnie is emotionally unstable since the death of his father. He holds some guilt that his actions caused his father to get killed. But, from what we have heard, he was planning this out long before Leon’s death. So, of course, his death would have an impact. But I did a lot of research on the family before the hit and have done a lot since, and I do not see these threats as coming from him,” Liam states, and my head flies around to face him quickly.
“Why have you never said this to me?” I ask, my voice becoming a high-pitched squeak.
Liam takes a deep breath before turning his body slightly to face me, making sure I see his face clearly as he talks. “I didn’t want to worry you until I had proof, but I couldn’t lie to your grandfather.”
“So, who do you think is sending the threats?” my grandfather asks the question that’s sitting on the end of my tongue.
“This is just a theory, and it lacks any real proof. I acknowledge that the Marcushios should remain a person of interest, not to mention any new enemies that crop up. Originally, I suspected my father, but I don’t think it is after talking to him. I think there’s more chance of him being obvious about his threats. He wouldn’t try to disguise them,” he explains, and I shake my head in agreement. Then he looks at me with a wince, and I know he is worried about whatever he’s going to say next. I indicate for him to go ahead.
“There is a part of me that is wondering if this is Vernon. A lot of the threats have had a personal connection to Bree, something only someone close to her would know,” he mutters, and my heart starts to race. I never even considered him. He wouldn’t threaten his own daughter. Would he?
“I have to admit that I have been wondering that too. Ever since the first threat with the cross, I have wondered if he is involved somehow. I hope that he is not, but I think it warrants more investigation...which I will do. Of course, you are free to investigate and deal with the Marcushios, wipe them all out as far as I am concerned, but leave Vernon to me. Understand?” I feel as though I am sitting there in a blur, my mind whirling with Gramps and Liam’s words.
The afternoon passes quickly while we finalise all the details of how the business will transfer over to us after we get married. It’s so strange to see my Gramps and Liam actually getting along, which is definitely what starts to happen by the end of the day. They are having a laugh and a joke together, but I can’t get that statement out of my head. My mind is continuously assessing every threat, looking for that connection between it and my father. Liam is right; they are there.
Trying to ignore that suspicion now it is there is difficult, but as we part, we agree that no action will be taken until after we marry. We agree on a date and a venue. After a very handsome bribe from my grandfather, we got the place we wanted. So, in just twenty-five days, I will be walking down the aisle and marrying the man I never saw coming. A man who has become my everything. I can’t wait to be Mrs. Doughty.