Chapter 1

Danny Carmody hurried down the hall towards his mother’s study. Pausing in front of the mahogany door, he straightened his tie and took a few deep breaths to calm himself. It wouldn’t do to show he was nervous. Not today. Not when his mother had summoned him with a simple text: “You are needed now—urgent business.”

So she finally expected him to take his place in running the family’s shipping interests. He couldn’t complain. At the advanced age of thirty-two, he’d managed to avoid it for far longer than he’d expected.

Ten years, in fact.

Ten years since his father died. Ten years since Danny promised to help his mother with the business duties she’d abruptly inherited. And ten years since she’d needed him.

He straightened his shoulders and knocked firmly on the door.

“Come” his mother said from inside.

Danny entered the study. The heavy drapes on the French doors were open, but the weak spring sunshine failed to banish the shadows. “Hello, Mother, what was so important that it couldn’t wait until tonight?”

With a wave of her hand, Nessa Carmody indicated one of the dark green leather chairs in front of her desk. “Sit down, Danny. A matter of some urgency has come up.”

He ruthlessly quashed his impatience while she finished typing, saved her file and turned to him. Finally, she announced, “It has been decided that our family is going to reconcile with the Dwyers.”

Danny’s jaw dropped. Even though the two families were remotely related, the Dwyers were, in general, crass copies of the Carmodys. They were firmly mired in the unsavory side of the shipping business, using the last of their crumbling influence to fend off the law. “Seriously? I thought you had distanced us from them for good reason.”

His mother frowned. “Yes, that’s true—for many reasons. But recent events have necessitated a rapprochement.”

Danny studied his mother’s face carefully. Deep lines of tension furrowed around her eyes and lips. Whatever this was, it wasn’t easy for her.

Nessa took a deep breath. “A branch of a Russian crime family is determined to gain a foothold in our city. Their plan is to forge an alliance with an Irish family of influence in the running of the docks. To that end, they have contacted Colin Dwyer.”

Danny scowled. “And I suppose that old bastard jumped at the chance.”

The look she leveled at him made him squirm. “I don’t care for that man any more than you do, but he is still the head of the Dwyer family and, in deference to his position, deserves a certain level of respect.”

Danny nodded an unenthusiastic apology while still trying to puzzle out just what role he might be assigned in this scheme.

She shook her head. “Actually, you are mistaken about Colin’s intentions. He’s loath to get involved with the Russian mob. But his finances have deteriorated to the point that he will be forced to unless we provide him with another option. And that would be disastrous for everyone.” Her voice deepened. “It’s not just that our own shipping interests would be threatened. If these people follow the path of violence and intimidation they have done in other cities, there will be bloodshed and murder. I won’t let that happen in my home.”

“Fine, Mother, so negotiate an agreement with the Dwyers.” She certainly didn’t need him for this. Her lawyers could easily handle the problem.

Now she looked uncomfortable. “I’m afraid a simple business agreement won’t suffice. Colin insists on a more binding union—a blood connection that restores the closeness the Carmodys and the Dwyers previously shared.” She paused a moment, then announced, “We have decided for a union to be unassailable by the Russians, we are going to sponsor a marriage between the two families.”

Shocked, Danny burst out, “Marriage! Mother, you’re not serious. You can’t be contemplating marrying that disgusting old man. He’s so far beneath you it’s ludicrous to imagine.”

Nessa scoffed. “Hardly. I married once. I have no intention of repeating that folly.”

Danny winced at the reminder of how badly his father had failed his mother. And how far short Danny had fallen trying to make up for that failure.

Ignoring her son’s reaction, she said, “No, the younger generation will craft this reunion.”

Danny’s stomach tightened. Oh, no. He waited, holding his breath, dreading the worst.

“Specifically, you.”

And there it was. Danny felt her words like a slap. He started babbling. “Me? You’re talking about me? Mother, that’s crazy. You can’t mean it. I can’t just marry…”

Nessa held up her hand for silence.

He let his objections taper off as he watched emotions flicker across her face. She looked troubled. Even uncertain. For once there were cracks in his mother’s normally impenetrable fa?ade.