IF ARROGANCY HAD A NAME

CHAPTER THREE

SCARLET

I cried myself to sleep… in the expanse of the room I was trapped in, doomed to marry one of the most dangerous man in New York.

The lights trickled into the room I was in and woke me, reminding me of my gloomy life.

I stretched, rising to my feet and reaching to the bathroom to take a bath. I did not know if the clock in the room was working but I could tell it was pretty late in the morning and I was hungry.

I took a bath and donned a dress before checking the vanity mirror. My face still looked puffy from all the tears and I had dark circles under my eyes.

I ran both hands through my hair, packing it in a pile atop my head before stilling my shoulders and heading out of the room.

There was no way I was going to allow them keep me in my room. I soon located the dining room and I walked in, stopping at the door when three set of eyes reached me, pinning me to the spot.

I could only recognize the man from before and he was seated at the head of the table so I assumed he was the first son, Cillian.

I took a seat beside the youngest of them, sliding into the chair and reaching for a plate.

“Good morning” I muttered.

“You do not look like you slept a wink” The one I had sat beside pointed out.

“Kieran” Cillian warned.

That would mean that the man in front of me who was still not looking at me was Declan… the middle child.

“I do not lie, bro… look at her cheeks and her eyes. She looks like she stayed awake waiting for the demons inhabiting our home to come get her” He chuckled at this while Cillian cast him a mean glare.

“The talkative is Kieran and the rude one over there is Declan” He introduced when my eyes met his.

I figured as much although I was still yet to know which of them I was marrying.

Was it weird that I hoped it was him? He was the only one that wasn’t treating me like I was some kind of specimen… well maybe he had but it was different… it was thrilling.

“Tell me, Scarlet… what kind of woman are you?” Kieran asked.

I choked on the food I was eating, my eyes blinking at the question.

Declan raised his head then, pining me a dull stare like he wanted to be anywhere but at the table, looking at me.

I wondered what the fuck I did to him before it hit me.

He was the only one at the table who was permit the word… sulking.

It could only mean one thing.

I gasped and that drew the attention of Cillian who watched Declan and I stare at each other.

“You are getting married to Declan” He finally answered the question I had asked him yesterday when he had walked into my room.

I cast a small smile at Declan who nodded back at his food without speaking.

“The marriage will hold tonight according to our customs” He announced.

“You are not going to do that” Declan cried out this time.

The look on Cillian’s face was enough to freeze the blood in my veins as he stared at his brother.

“I mean… it is too sudden” He corrected, lowering his voice.

It made me realize something… they both respected and feared him even though he did not look much older than them.

“My parents would want… to attend” I stuttered, wishing I could take my words back as soon as I spoke them.

“You mean the same parents that sold you like livestock to the highest bidder… those parents?” Declan taunted.

“Declan Doyle” Cillian’s voice rose.

The room went silent at the sheer command in his tone and then ever so softly he told me

“Your parents do not care about when the wedding holds” He said. “They have given their blessings”

“But…” I sputtered. “I do not want to get married so soon”

“I am sorry if I gave you the impression that your opinion matters in the discussion at this table, Scarlet. You are livestock and you were sold… you will get married tonight and that is fucking final” He growled.

More like command, I interjected but I did not say it aloud.

Kieran snickered at this while Declan smirked at his words

I rose to my feet, my appetite suddenly gone.

“Please excuse me” I muttered

“You will sit down and eat your food!” Cillian commanded, his voice rattling the core of my existence.

“I am not your dog… I do not have to do anything you say. Moreover, you are not my husband and I don’t see him saying anything!” I shot back, suddenly past caring about what he could do to me.

He said nothing, merely stared at me the surprise evident in his eyes.

I bet no one had talked back to him before.

I fled the room before he suddenly had the urge to force me since I did not want to do what he wanted. I heard Kieran laugh and Declan mutter something about me being a very brave and interesting girl but I did not wait to hear the rest.

The room seemed so far away as I ran.

The tears slipped from my eyes and I sighed in relief as I reached, slamming the door behind me and collapsing against it.

I was going to be married tonight and my parents did not even have the decency to attend my wedding after bartering me off like I was sheep.

My lips quivered and I drew my legs against myself, burying my face in my hands.

I am Scarlet Quinn, I do not cry

 I tried to reassure myself but it did not help and so I cried from the depths of my soul until I was too spent to move but I managed to rise, sliding myself into bed.