Page 28 of Ciaran

The thought ramps up my anger once more.

“Are you sure everyone will be okay with this?” She chews on her lip, her eyes huge as she gazes up at me.

Yes, I’m damn sure. I don’t care what my brothers say, this is happening. “I’m certain. Nate’s room is yours for as long as you need it.”

“What if Nate comes home?”

I laugh. “Unlikely. And if he does, he can sleep on the couch. Keeping an empty room in the hope he might grace us with his presence is stupid.”

She hangs back, chewing the inside of her cheek. I know her reticence comes only from fear of what my brothers will say, especially Callum. As soon as we’re over that hurdle, she’ll be fine.

“Why don’t you sit in there.” I point my chin at the lounge area, mostly empty of guests bar a few stragglers. “I’ll find Declan and Callum and let them know what’s happening.”

The wave of relief that washes over her face tells me I guessed correctly. If they aren’t happy, she doesn’t want to be standing there in the center of the argument.

“Okay.” She takes a seat in the chair nearest the door. Her hand goes straight to her mouth, and she nibbles on a thumbnail. My heart clenches. She looks so lost and alone.

I jog downstairs to find Declan and Indie relaxing on the couch, watching TV. Callum and Laurella aren’t around. Good. The initial absence of my twin will make this easier. Divide and conquer.

“Hey,” I say, taking the chair adjacent to the couch. I rest my forearms on my knees and lean forward. “Need to tell you something.” I use the words specifically. This isn’t about Declan granting me a favor, or me asking for permission. My wants, needs, and opinions count in this family just as much as theirs.

Declan cocks an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

I stare my brother square in the eye. “Millie is moving in.”

Declan stops lounging and sits up straight. “What? How come?”

“Because her deadbeat husband showed up tonight, and she needs a safe haven until he gives up harassing her. Oh, and she’s living in a shithole. Or she was.”

Declan frowns. “And that’s our problem because…?”

I raise an eyebrow and give my brother an impassive stare. “It’s not your problem. It’s my problem, and I’m solving it.”

“Declan,” Indie adds, her tone chiding. “What’s wrong with you?”

Declan sweeps a hand over his face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it to come out like that. Can’t you just arrest her husband or something? I mean, we don’t know her all that well, and she’s an employee. It doesn’t feel right her moving in.”

I huff. “No, I can’t just arrest him because, legally, he’s done nothing wrong. And you might not know her, but I do. At least, I knew her pretty well in high school. She’s scared, alone, and she needs a fucking friend.”

“Where will she stay?”

“Nate’s room. It’s not like he ever visits, anyway. No point in keeping it a shrine.”

Declan winces. Nate’s reluctance to visit hurts my eldest brother in a major way.

“And if he does make a surprise trip? He’s done it before.”

I clench my jaw at the barriers he keeps throwing up. I expect this from Callum, not Declan. Not that it matters to me. I’ll sit here all night knocking the fuckers down. “He can sleep on the fucking couch. Jesus Christ, Declan. I don’t ask for much, and I’m not asking for this. I’m telling you. She’s moving in.”

Declan’s lips twist to the side. “I guess it couldn’t hurt. You need to check with Callum, too. It’s more awkward for him and Laurella.”

“Laurella won’t care. She and Millie hit it off pretty well.”

Indie grins. “So, even if Callum does have a problem, he’ll get precisely nowhere.”

I chuckle. Indie and Callum still don’t get along. They sort of dance around one another like a couple of fighters at a UFC bout, each one waiting for the other to land the first punch—metaphorically speaking.

“Is Callum in?”

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