Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 90919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“Where are you going to go?”
“Anywhere,” she threw her arm out and winced, pulling it back in close to her chest.
“Let’s talk about it in the morning.”
“I don’t—”
“You think anyone’s gettin’ past Cian tonight?” Will asked. Aisling’s gaze shot to him. “You think anyone’s gettin’ past me?”
Aisling looked him up and down. “No.”
“Right,” Will said. “Who cares if that fucker’s outside? He’s not gettin’ in here, sweetheart.”
“Come on, honey,” Aunt Ashley said. She’d been standing quietly in the corner of the kitchen, but moved forward to gently wrap her arm around Aisling’s back. “I’ll lay with you for a while.”
“I don’t need you to lay with me like a child,” Aisling argued, but she let Aunt Ashley lead her forward.
“Well, I’m not going back outside tonight,” Aunt Ashley retorted. “So, you can share your bed with me anyway.”
Myla and I moved to the side as they passed us.
I jolted as Will nodded at Ashley and murmured, “Good to see you again.”
“Will,” Ashely replied, nodding back.
I was almost positive that I’d never introduced them.
“How the fuck do you know my aunt?” I asked in confusion once Aisling and our aunt started up the stairs.
“None of your business,” Will replied, not meeting my eyes.
“Oh, my god,” Myla muttered with a snicker.
“No.”
Myla laughed harder.
“Who the fuck cares?” Ronan said tiredly from his place beside the counter.
“I care,” Saoirse said, staring at Will. “How long have you known our aunt?”
“It better be more than what? Thirty years?” Myla said dryly. “He’s been with Aunt Molly forever.”
“Watch it,” Will ordered, looking at Myla.
“Just saying,” she replied with a shrug. “I’ve seen pictures. You were a stud muffin.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” he grunted, staring at the ceiling as Myla giggled.
“This is fun,” Brody said sarcastically. “But can we get back to the fact that Aisling is either seein’ shit or I missed that fucker doin’ drive-bys all night?”
“He could be usin’ different cars,” Ronan said dubiously.
“Seems a little elaborate,” I muttered. “Plus, that motherfucker ain’t drivin’ anythin’ tonight.”
“How do you know?” Ronan argued.
“I know.”
“How?” he pressed.
“Wisht,” I barked. “Feckin’ hell, Ronan. Drop it.”
Myla stared at me wide-eyed.
“What?” I snapped.
I knew exactly what.
“Jesus, Cian, you need some sleep,” Saoirse said, her voice strained as she strode past me. “Your Irish is showing.”
It happened when I was upset. It had always happened when I was upset. When my emotions got the better of me, my father’s voice came tumbling out of my mouth.
“You good?” Myla asked me as Ronan stormed out of the room.
“I’m fine.”
Will slapped me on the back and walked over to the coffee pot, pressing a finger against it to check the temperature. It must’ve been warm enough because he proceeded to make himself at home as he searched for a mug.
“I’m going to the hospital,” Saoirse announced.
I turned to face her as Brody stood up.
“Take Brody with you,” I ordered.
“I don’t need him to come,” Saoirse argued.
“Nonnegotiable.”
“Oh, for God’s sake,” she griped, staring at me in exasperation.
“I’ll follow on my bike,” Brody said.
“Thank the good Lord for that,” Saoirse muttered under her breath. She hurried over and gave me a quick peck on the cheek before swinging back around.
“You better hurry, Brody,” Myla mused, watching Saoirse go. “I think she’ll leave without you.”
“The fuck she will,” Brody replied, following my sister.
“I’m guessin’ it’s never a dull moment around here,” Will said, lifting a cup of coffee to his mouth.
“Coffee’s hot?” I asked tiredly, walking toward him.
“Warm enough,” he replied.
“Me too,” Myla ordered, following behind me. “Your sister always has the good stuff.”
Will watched us over the top of his mug. “No offense—”
“That’s never a good way to start a sentence.”
“You look like shit,” he said flatly, ignoring my comment. “I’m gonna go sit on the porch a while and call my woman. I’ll keep an eye on things. You two should get some rest.”
“I’m fine,” Myla argued.
“He’s not,” Will replied, pointing at me.
I thought about it for a moment. If I was honest, I felt ready to drop. It wouldn’t be long before I wasn’t much good to anyone. A few hours on the couch would be enough to get me level again.
“Thanks,” I said with a nod.
“No problem.” He leaned over and kissed the top of Myla’s head. “Stop talkin’ long enough for him to fall asleep, yeah? Once he’s out, I doubt your chatterin’ will wake him.”
“I don’t talk that much,” she huffed.
Will smiled at her and walked out of the room. Then it was just Myla and me in the kitchen, the house quiet around us as the front door opened and shut again.
We stared at each other.
Shit was swirling around us. The unknowns seemed to be mounting, and my baby sister was getting worse instead of better. Richie still hadn’t woken up. Somewhere, if he wasn’t dead, was a man that I’d stabbed and left to die. That man had a boss that probably wasn’t real happy.