The Devil I Don't Know (Brooklyn Kings, #1)

by L.K. Shaw

everyone’s gone to bed and raid the fridge, because I’m starving. Then I return to my room and sulk. I try reading the book I started, but I can’t concentrate. All I can do is think about my future. I’m barely twenty-four years old. I’ve never really even had a boyfriend, and now I’m expected to marry this…stranger, because Grand-da has decreed it. Perhaps I’m naive about our world, but if so, I blame my parents. They never told me that I could be married off to someone against my wishes. They’re the ones who’ve sheltered us, Caitlín and me. Who’ve refused to answer my questions on nights my father and brothers would come home covered in blood. My mother’s words come back to me. How am I expected to be a good wife to a man I know nothing about? I’m not entirely ignorant about our family and the crimes they’re involved in. What I don’t understand is how it all works. I’m not sure I want to. My thoughts shift to my future husband. It’s the fear of the unknown that bothers me the most. The knock on my door startles me. With a heavy sigh, I answer it. Caitlín comes bounding in. She whirls on me, her strawberry blonde hair swinging over her shoulder. She’s nothing like I was at fifteen. I almost envy the bold confidence she already displays. With hands on hips and eyes narrowed, she stares. “Here I thought I was the dramatic one in the family. It’s about time you opened the damn door.”