Page 153 of Dust to Dust

She grinned up at me. “I meant, what are you doing in Dublin?”

“As I’m sure Mam has told you, I’ve been visiting with her and Eamon.”

“Aye, she did.”

“So, I decided to take a little trip to see you while I’m across the pond.”

Her emerald eyes stared intently into mine. “What’s wrong?”

I forced a smile to my lips. “What’s with all the suspicion?”

“For starters, you might love Belfast, but you hate Dublin.”

“That’s because I’m a Northern man through and through.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m serious, Quinn.”

With a shrug, I replied, “I just wanted to check on you.”

“Bullshite!” she countered.

“Listen to your mouth. Mam would have your hide if she heard you.”

She laughed. “It’s the hazard of having five brothers.”

A genuine smile curved on my lips. “Aye, you never stood a chance, did you?”

“Never.”

“You have my apologies for corrupting you.

“I’d rather you buy me a drink.”

“Cursing and drinking now, eh? Where did my innocent little sister go?”

Maeve’s bright eyes darkened. “She died a long time ago.”

I winced at her words. “I’m sorry I said that, Mae.”

“It’s okay. We’ve both had our traumas.”

“Regardless, the last thing I would ever do is hurt you.”

“I know that, Quinnie.”

With a mirthless laugh, I replied, “But you know what? Maybe you shouldn’t trust me. I mean, I say I would never, ever hurt people, and then I do.”

Her auburn brows furrowed. “What’s really happened?”

“I’ll tell you over a pint.”

She nodded. “There’s a decent pub just up the street. Fancy a walk?”

“Yes, the air would be nice.”

After a quick word with Maeve’s bodyguard, we started walking to the pub. Silence hung heavy around us. “Did something happen with Isla?”

Since I wasn’t ready to talk out in the open, I countered, “Who were you all smiles with on the phone?”

---