Page 57 of Ciaran

“Have you fucked him?”

My eyebrows shoot up. Yep, he followed us, and he’d seen me making out with Ciaran. “Excuse me?”

His eyes narrow, and his nostrils flare. “O’Reilly. Have you let him put his dick in you? Maybe you’ve let both of them fuck you. It wouldn’t surprise me if you have a twin thing going on.”

Enough. My vision clouds, and my hands start to shake. I jump down from the chair. “This conversation is over.”

He grips my arm. “I haven’t finished with you.”

Out of nowhere, Ciaran grabs hold of Tanner, shaking him free of me. “Oh, you’ve finished,” he almost growls, shoving Tanner’s arm up his back. He hisses in pain.

“Go and sit down, Mia. Now.”

I should feel bad about how close Ciaran is to breaking Tanner’s arm, but instead, I wish he would. I want Tanner to hurt. I’d give anything to rake my fingernails down his too-perfect face.

It takes a few deep breaths to calm my rage while Tanner struggles to escape Ciaran’s grip. Ciaran is too used to handling criminals resisting arrest, or simply those who’ve had a little too much to drink and try taking on a cop, he barely breaks a sweat.

I jab a finger in Tanner’s face. “It’s over, Tanner,” I say, adding for good measure, “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”

I don’t have two red cents to rub together, let alone spare cash for a lawyer. Still, saying it feels damn good.

Chapter 21

Ciaran

The weeks blend together, and in no time, Christmas is almost upon us. Luckily, I’m not on shift Christmas Day or the day after, and I know exactly how I plan to spend those two days… in bed with my girl. Apart from Christmas dinner that is. We’ll have to show our faces then, especially as this year Mia’s parents are invited, as is Declan’s best friend Paul and his wife Alana.

I’ve also invited Draven, because he still hasn’t calmed down from the impending early motherhood thrust upon his baby sister, and he’d probably ruin their festivities, anyway. The rest of his family has grudgingly accepted the unexpected turn of events, but Draven isn’t quite there yet.

The only one missing will be Nate. He declined Declan’s invitation a couple of weeks ago, citing work. I don’t know whether it’s the truth or bullshit. You never can tell with Nate. Still, we’ll have a full house regardless, and I’m looking forward to this holiday season more than any I can remember, because this year, I get to spend it with the woman I love.

Not that either of us have said we love each other yet. I haven’t because I’m too worried she won’t say it back. I can only guess why she hasn’t, but I’d put money on it having something to do with Tanner coloring her expectations of what love means, and she’ll need more time to truly believe not all men are like him. A lot are, though. I come across them every day in my line of work. But there are some good guys, too, and I like to think I’m one of them.

I arise early on Sunday morning and get in a session at the gym so I can spend the day with Mia. When I arrive home, I barely get the key in the door when a piercing scream bounces off the walls.

Dropping my bag on the floor, I race toward Mia’s room. Despite sleeping together whenever we can, we’ve kept separate rooms for now. I’d have her move into my room in a heartbeat, but I’m giving her space until she adjusts.

I fling open the door and flick on the light switch. It takes a couple of seconds before my eyes adjust not just to the light, but to the scene in front of me.

Nate is standing by the bed, butt naked, his brows pulled low over his eyes. Millie has scrambled up the bed, the covers pulled up to her chin, and her expression one of horror mingled with shock.

Nate doesn’t even bother to cover his junk. He glances over his shoulder, sees me, and says, “Hey, bro,” followed by, “So, Goldilocks. What are you doing in my bed?”

Millie shoots a glance at Nate, her face pale as her eyes flick to mine. I start to laugh. By now, Declan and Callum have joined us.

“Jesus, Nate,” Declan says, ducking into the adjoining bathroom. He returns with a towel that he tosses to our youngest brother. “Cover yourself up, for Christ’s sake. No one wants to see your dick swinging in the breeze.”

Nate slings the towel around his waist. “Define no one.”

I make my way over to Mia and perch on the end of the bed before I ease an arm around her shoulders.

“Millie, this is Nate, our jerk of a brother who isn’t supposed to be here.”

“Hey.” Nate thrusts out a hand.

Mia’s shoulders relax. “Nice to meet you.” She goes to shake Nate’s hand then thinks better of it, burrowing back under the covers. “I’m kinda naked under here,” she whispers to me. “I was hoping for an early morning wake-up call.”

A flush of desire warms my insides. “Not quite this kind of a wake-up call, though, I’m guessing.”

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