Page 15 of Freeing Emily
My bedroom door opens, and my ma slips inside. She wears a stunning floor-length navy-blue gown. The A-line cut highlights her beautiful figure. My ma is absolutely exquisite.
“Wow, ma. You look beautiful.” I walk over to her, and she pulls me into her arms.
“And you,a leanbhlook remarkable.” Her Irish accent is thick due to her continued residency there.
She pushes a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. Her eyes are tender with love.
“Have you spoken to that Liam boy?” she asks softly, and I blush.
“Da and Declan have him running around with different jobs.”
She hums. “I spoke with your father about him.”
My heart skips a beat but then plummets when she gives me an apologetic look.
“I’m sorry, Emily. He refused to listen to me when I mentioned a relationship with him.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Did he say why?”
She shakes her head slowly. My shoulders slump as sadness begins to seep into my veins.
My ma hugs me tightly. “Your love will come, Emily. Let’s head down to the party and focus on the good.”
She wraps her hand around mine and we walk out of my room.
Soft music, the clinking of glasses, and the voices of conversation fill my ears when I step into the ballroom. People from all over the underground have come to celebrate my ma coming to the US. She’s beloved by many, which is heartwarming. My ma has been a part of this world her entire life and she’s no feeble wife. She’s a force all her own.
In Ireland, she helps run a small section of the mafia that was left to her by my father. She commands her circle with such ferocity and passion. It fills me with pride to know I have such strong parents.
I only wish that strength was something I had. No matter what I do, I can’t find it in myself to be violent. I’m a caged bird in a world surrounded by some of the world’s most dangerous men and women.
As I’m scanning the room, I feel the thrum of electricity travel down my spine causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand straight. I know it’s Liam before I turn around. I always feel him everywhere before I see him.
I force myself to avoid looking for him. Not in a room where my secret attraction will be noticed, and assumptions will be made.
My mother and I meander through the throng of powerful people. Some of the men eye me like I’m a slab of meat and it makes me feel queasy.
“Emily, come here. I have someone I want you to meet.” My father holds his hand out. I spare a glance at my ma and while she smiles at me, her eyes are filled with apology. My brows furrow and she shakes her head the slightest bit.
Placing my hand in my father's, I’m pulled to his side. Two men stand in front of us. One is older, about my da’s age with a thick head of peppered black hair. His assessing gray eyes are framed with black eyelashes. He’s tall with a slender but muscular build. I would say he’s attractive, but he makes me uncomfortable with how his eyes travel over me.
The man to his left is a near-carbon copy of him, just closer to my age. He also watches me with interest that I don’t quite like.
“Emily, this is Mr. Monroe and his son Ryan.”
“Hello.” I greet, timidly.
Ryan smiles at me and holds out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, Emily.”
“Officially?” I ask with a glance at my father while shaking Ryan’s hand.
“Why don’t you two go dance?” My father suggests, ignoring my question.
My brow raises but I allow Ryan to pull me toward the dance floor. He places his hand on the small of his back. His frame towers over mine despite the heels I’m wearing.
I can feel the blistering heat of Liam’s eyes on me, but I resist the urge to search for him.
My dad has encouraged me to spend time with Ryan throughout the entire night. It’s very odd considering he’s never encouraged this before.