Page 16 of Freeing Emily
Does this mean Ryan will be who he decides to marry me off to?
Sure, Ryan is handsome and nice, but there is no spark. No desire to be close to him like I have with Liam. But I guess now is the time for me to do my mafia princess duty and help form an alliance with whomever my father wants.
Ryan tells me that he’s twenty-five and is the CEO of his father’s banking empire.He gloats about all of his materialistic possessions which is a major turn-off.
Do women really find that attractive?
They must if he thinks that’s a way to woo me.
I internally eye roll when he goes on and on about all the money he makes and how successful he is.
I get it, dude. If you weren’t, my dad wouldn’t want us to interact.
“Emily.” My ma’s voice chimes, and I internally throw a fist into the air at being rescued.
Turning to her, she gestures for me to follow, and I do.
We walk down the long hallway toward my bedroom, and the entire time, she sends me mischievous smirks over her shoulder.
“What are you up to?” I ask playfully.
“You’ll see.”
She stops in front of my door and shoots me a wink before swinging the door open.
Liam is standing in the center of my bedroom. My eyes quickly shoot to my ma’s, and she nods her head in Liam’s direction.
“Go.” She whispers.
“But what about the party?”
She scoffs, “I’ll handle your father. Gomo stór.”
I step in and the door closes with a soft click.
My heart beats against my chest like it’s trying to burst out of it. My palms are sweaty, and I feel my stomach coil from the anxiety that is coursing through me.
“You look phenomenal,” Liam whispers, his eyes sliding down my body. Every inch of my skin begins to heat.
“Thank you,” I say with a small dip of my chin to hide the redness spreading over my cheeks.
“What are you doing in here?”
He offers me a smile and then chuckles quietly. “Your ma saw me huffin’ and puffin’ in the hallway outside of the ballroom.”
“And why were you doing that?” I ask in a soft voice.
My breath catches when he steps toward me. He stops just inches in front of me and I have to crane my neck to meet his eyes.
“Seeing that snobby banker put his hands on you made me want to rip his arms off and feed them to him.”
I search his stare, trying to spot any evidence of a lie, but there is none. I can’t hold back the shiver that surges through me. My core clenches – searching for something to hold onto – and I swallow tightly to suppress the moan that threatens to escape.
I lick my lips and Liam’s eyes follow the movement.
“Liam…” I whisper.
He groans and closes his eyes, “don’t say my name like that.”