A Life Earthbound (30 page)

“This is ridiculous,”
Michael huffed, looking pompous and resentful as he stood in his black designer slacks and crisp, white dress shirt, feeling more than a little ambushed.

“What’s ridiculous is your attitude, Mikey,” Blythe shot back, standing right in his face without hesitation or fear. “Just what is it that makes you such a douchebag, huh? Did your father shove a stick up your ass when you were born?”

Michael flushed angrily, but his chin tilted with undaunted superiority. “That is my fiancé and you are keeping me from her.”

“Yeah because we’re gonna do all we can to make sure this wedding bullshit doesn’t happen.” She jabbed a finger into his chest, temper flaring.

They stood in the parlor, Blythe and the others acting as a barrier between Michael and Rhiannon, who was sitting with her head in her hands on one of the sofas, Liam and Capri flanking her.

Rian, Brogan and Jax joined with Blythe, blocking Michael from getting any closer to Rhiannon. It was, if anything, a show of their complete and utter dislike for Michael, and their deeply ingrained instinct to protect their own.

Liam had explained to Blythe and the others why Rhiannon felt she had to go through with the marriage. But all they said in response was that they would just have to get Michael to back out, and then the blame would be on him, not Rhiannon. Surely Rohan and Serendipity would not fault Rhiannon for Michael deciding not to go through with the marriage…or so they believed.

Rhiannon knew better, but there was little she could do to control their actions. And watching it, knowing all of this would only make the situation worse, was giving her a massive migraine.

Liam rubbed her back gently in a sign of support, but his eyes were hard as stone and focused directly on Michael.

Capri had her hand on Rhiannon’s knee, more concerned with her friend at that moment than with Michael.

“Are you feeling okay?” she asked quietly, her smoky gray eyes filled with worry.

Rhiannon took a deep breath and pulled her hands away from her face, wincing at the pulsating pain behind her eyes. “It’s just a headache, it will pass.”

“I can get you some aspirin, will that help?” Capri brushed back Rhiannon’s hair, exposing her face so she could see her better.

Shaking her head, Rhiannon tried to smile. “I’ll be fine. It’s just that all of this is wearing on me. I feel helpless, Capri.”

“I know.” Tears brimming in her eyes, Capri reached out and hugged Rhiannon close, her own heart filled with sorrow and uncertainty over her friend’s situation. She understood completely the desire to please a parent…hadn’t she gone through the same worries with her own father? But she had chosen to go against his wishes and be with Rian, despite what her father had felt…Rhiannon, it seemed, wasn’t going to pursue that same path. But Rohan was in a much more dire position than Clynn had been.

The sudden, elevated shouting had them both pulling apart and staring at the others apprehensively.

“This show of support is cute and all, really, but this does not concern any of you,” Michael was saying, looking exasperated and furious. “I don’t really understand what all the fuss is about. Why do you care if she gets married? Jesus, it’s just a business arrangement, a contract, it’s not like I’m taking her away from any of you. She’ll still live here.”

“We don’t feel that this is best for Rhiannon,” Brogan replied, eyeing Michael distrustfully.

“Well, it’s not up to you, is it?” Michael challenged, getting in Brogan’s face, though the Fury was much taller than he was. Rian stepped forward, his hands snaking between Michael and Brogan to push them apart. He would, at all costs, prevent a brawl from taking place.

“It may not be up to us, but it doesn’t mean we don’t care,” Rian put in, staring coldly at Michael as he stepped back, Brogan at his side.

“Burke is a good man, but I think I speak for those of us who have known you for quite some time that you’re pretty much good for nothing,” Jax drawled, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans as he grinned cruelly at Michael. “Or do you disagree with me?”

“You’re one to talk, Murphy.” Michael scowled, his eyes narrowing in challenge. “I heard you let Dante slip right through your fingers. If it had been me, I would have killed the son of a bitch.”

“Doubtful,” Jax snickered, eyebrows raised. “But then again, we have yet to see how you handle a demon one-on-one. Maybe we should go find one and lock you two in a room and see who comes out alive.”

“Ooh, I like that idea.” Blythe nodded, grinning lushly. “I bet he’d be crying for his daddy within two seconds.”

Michael flushed again, his hands clenched at his sides as he glared at all of them, furious at once again being taunted by a bunch of freaks. He was better than this, better than them…how dare they condescend to him this way. But, in a few weeks time they’d all be eating their words. He’d show them just how strong and intelligent he was. Then he would have the last laugh.

“You know what I think this is all about?” Michael asked suddenly, looking from face to face until his eyes landed on Rhiannon’s and held. “I think all of you want her, and she’s now going to be mine.” He paused, grinning wickedly as he began to pace, staring at each of the men in turn. “In fact, did she let you into her bed to buy your protection? Certainly four men wouldn’t so devoutly protect a woman they weren’t screwing on a regular basis. Maybe I should tell my father that he’s marrying me to a whore.”

Rhiannon’s eyes widened in shock. How dare he even think of such a vile, disgusting thing…

Before anyone could do more than blink, Liam shot to his feet and lunged at Michael, growling with pure hatred.

“
I’ll kill you!
” he snarled, even as Rian and Jax fought to hold him back.

Michael took a cautionary step in retreat, alarmed by the madness in Liam’s eyes. Clearly there was more to this situation than he had realized.

“Threats will get you nowhere with me, I won’t be frightened off like some weak animal,” Michael managed, trying to put the confidence back in his voice. “You can’t keep her from me forever.”

With that, he swept from the room, hiding his trembling hands in his pockets.

Liam’s teeth were bared and his chest was heaving with hate and frustration. Rian and Jax eyed him uneasily as they loosened their hold on him.

“You alright there, son?” Jax asked, patting Liam on the back.

“That sick, twisted, lying son of a–” Liam began, only to be cut off by Rhiannon’s sharp, strangled cry.

“
Damnit, stop it, all of you!
” she roared, jumping to her feet, her head pounding with brutal, startling pain. Yet the worst of it was pushed aside by the irritation and righteous anger pulsing through her system.

They all gaped at her, stupefied. None of them had ever seen an outburst from her like this. But at that moment, all hell broke loose inside of her and something wild, rabid and free reared up to speak her mind, loud and clear.

“I’m sick of all this fighting and I want it to stop,” she ordered, fighting to be reasonable despite the assault on her system. “While I appreciate your concern for my wellbeing, though certainly most of you are doing this for Liam, not for me, I don’t see how bickering is going to change anything. What’s done is done, I’ve made my decision to go through with this, and nothing any of you can say or do will stop it from happening. So everyone just needs to get over it, and move on. Am I making myself clear?”

She glared around at all of them, noting the shock, and in Brogan’s and Capri’s case, the hurt in their eyes. But what did that matter, when she couldn’t, and wouldn’t, change her mind? Her father’s life came before her friends’ feelings. That was just how it was. And she wouldn’t, not for one flickering moment, be sorry for it.

When she glanced over at Liam, he looked ashamed more than anything and she felt a flash of guilt course through her.

Pressing her hands to her eyes, feeling her headache pulsing like a jackhammer against her skull, she shook her head and stared back up at them again.

“Forgive me,” she muttered before fleeing the room, needing peace more than anything at the moment. They watched her go, still too stunned to do more than stare.

However, as if by chance, she ran into her mother in the corridor, looking pristine and beautiful as always.

“Rhiannon! Come, let’s talk.” She grabbed Rhiannon’s arm without waiting for an answer and led her toward the courtyard. Feeling numb and knowing she didn’t have the energy to argue, Rhiannon followed, praying this would be quick.

Serendipity led the way to a bench shaded by a giant willow tree and took a seat, imperiously crossing her legs and folding her hands in her lap.

Rhiannon sat beside her, clutching her head as it pounded mercilessly.

“Sit up straight, Rhiannon, don’t slouch,” Serendipity chided, eyeing her daughter critically. Rhiannon did as she was told, letting her hands fall into her lap as she turned to face her mother. “Good. Now, Burke and I have discussed hosting the wedding here, of course, in the courtyard, in two months time. We will need to get you fitted for a gown, but other than that I will take care of everything else. I want this to be the biggest event of the year, so I’ll expect you to be on your best behavior. I’m thinking it might be best, given the circumstances, to encourage Lucian and his children to go on a vacation or some such thing on that day, just to keep things civil. God knows how rowdy they can get, and I wouldn’t want Burke’s family and friends to be insulted by their poor judgment and manners.”

“You’re not going to let Liam be there?” Rhiannon managed, feeling her heart sink. She hadn’t realized until that moment just how badly she was going to need him on that dreadful day.

“No, and I don’t think that bounty hunter should be there, either. I don’t much care for him, so he will have to go too.” Serendipity pursed her lips with a tiny, impatient sigh. “Now, we will, of course, want to host an engagement party as soon as possible. Burke has assured me he will be bringing along a few good suitors for Sierra. It would be lovely to get an arrangement in place for her as well for the future.”

Rhiannon eyed her mother in disbelief. “You’re doing this to Sierra, as well?”

“Obviously, Rhiannon,” Serendipity replied, eyebrows raised. “Why wouldn’t I? Besides, it irritates me the way Tobias hangs on her. She can do better than that boy.”

“What in God’s name is wrong with you, mother?” Suddenly furious, Rhiannon got to her feet and glared down at her mother, her hands shaking and her head spinning with a mixture of pain and disbelief. “Do you even realize how controlling you are?”

“Sit down, Rhiannon, you’re making a scene.” Serendipity frowned, glancing around to be sure no one was walking by.

“No, I’ll stay standing.” Crossing her arms over her chest, Rhiannon tilted her chin up, preserving whatever ounce of pride she had left. “Why does it matter so much to you who Sierra and I marry? God, she’s only fifteen, give her the chance you never gave me to be young and in love.”

“Love, Rhiannon? Please.” Serendipity smirked, tossing back her luxurious blonde curls dispassionately. “Marriage is a contract and should be taken seriously. If all of us got married on a whim to the first man we thought ourselves in love with, why, we’d hardly get anywhere in life. Look at Brock, Rhiannon, and how much better off I am with your father. Brock is a sorry excuse of a drunk and a gambler, and while I’ll admit he had me under his spell for quite some time, I have wised up and moved past that. I only want my daughters to do the same.”

“You have never once regretted not marrying him? When you yourself claim to have loved him?” Rhiannon asked.

Serendipity sighed. “My father opened my eyes to what Brock was, and I am eternally grateful for it. He pushed me toward Rohan, and honestly, it was a much better match. Your father may be a tad bland at times, Rhiannon, but he is a much more respectable and proper husband than Brock ever could have been.”

“And Michael? You think he will be a respectable and proper husband?” Rhiannon spat, feeling her temper rise heatedly. “Because every time he opens his mouth I want to throttle that scrawny neck of his and shut him up for good.”

“Good Lord,” Serendipity gasped, her eyes bulging as she clasped her hands to her chest in shock. “How dare you say such a terrible thing?”

“Because it’s the truth, mother,” Rhiannon sighed, trying to calm down, reminding herself why she was going through this foolish marriage in the first place. “But because it makes father happy, I will go through with marrying him. But only for that reason. Don’t for one minute delude yourself into believing that I want this for myself.”

“What you want is of no consequence, Rhiannon. It is up to your father and I who you and your sister marry, and you have no say in the matter.”

“Then I feel sorry for her,” Rhiannon said softly, feeling her temper fizzle, replaced by bitter regret. “You should really take a step back and look at what your critical, controlling style of parenting did to me, and wonder if you still have time to spare Sierra the same fate. You’ve made me into you, but maybe that was your goal all along. And what’s worse is that for the longest time I wanted nothing more than to be you…to be beautiful, elegant, well read…but you aren’t just those things, mother, and as a result neither am I. You wondered before when I had become so cold? It started with you, because you’re inherently cold yourself, and distant, and selfish. You never saw just how badly I needed you to hold me, to show me any small amount of affection to prove you loved me. But maybe you didn’t show it because you don’t love me, you only see me as an obligation, an acquiescent doll for you to dress and bend at your will. And here I am, bending one last time, but know that it’s not for you. It’s for my father, who has suffered so much because of you and the only thing that has brought him back from the hole you shoved him in has been this marriage, so I’ll be damned if I take it away from him.”