Page 14 of Líadan's Code

“These are the best donuts in the city, in my opinion,” I explain as we stand in line. “The baker, Suzy, is so nice. She doesn’t even shame me when she knows the box of donuts won’t last the walk home.”

The man next to me snorts in amusement, shaking his head. “Will she judge me if I ask for three dozen, you think? Her husbands will whine if I don’t bring them any back too.”

Husbands?!

Blinking as I swallow back all the questions I have, I shrug. “I don’t think she’ll mind at all,” I rasp.

The man next to me smirks as if knowing I’m biting my tongue. It’s none of my business, so I won’t ask for more information.

“Mind what, Líadan?” Suzy asks as we step forward to the booth. I have no doubt that she’s been watching us closely. I’ve been coming here for the last month as often as possible, and I think Suzy is a bit protective of me.

Here, I’m just a girl who is shopping, and not the O’Brien Banshee. I’m not Seán’s daughter, or the secret heir to his organization either. It’s so nice to just be me without all the tethers of responsibility.

“This gentleman here?—”

The man in question interrupts as if realizing he hasn’t introduced himself. “I’m Jordan. Líadan here says your donuts are my best bet for my niece's pregnancy cravings. She said she wanted something sweet, but gave me no other direction.”

Suzy laughs as she continues to make donuts fresh for us in the fryer. Her husband keeps an eye on them before he pulls them out. They’re a well-oiled machine. Watching them makes me believe love that isn’t twisted exists.

Brendan adores me, kills for me, and loves me fiercely. He’s obsessed with my very breath, but I know that can’t be normal. Right?

“I’ll send you home with a few dozen for her and her husband,” Suzy says with a smile as she works.

“Husbands,” I say, amused and without judgment.

“Ha! Husbands, well then you may need a bit more then,” Suzy says with a large grin. I love how carefree her laughter is.

I’ve never been that free. Not ever.

“I’ll take a dozen, please, Suzy,” I tell her with a smile.

Nodding, Suzy frowns when she glances at my hand. Grabbing a pre-packaged wet wipe, she slides it across the table toward me.

“What happened to your hand?” she asks as she begins to ring me up.

Opening the packet, I shrug as I pull out the wet wipe and begin to clean my hand. It’s kind of a relief not to have my palm crusted with sticky chocolate anymore.

“I ran into Jordan and spilled my hot chocolate,” I explain. “It wasn’t very warm, and I was almost done.”

Suzy’s green eyes would kill anyone with the spark of anger I see. “Good,” she murmurs as she rings up Jordan as well. I have to say Suzy reminds me of a mom as she stares us down.

I haven’t had a mother in so long, it amuses me to watch her fuss over me.

“Enjoy your donuts, and Jordan, I hope you pay attention to where you’re going,” Suzy says drolly.

Pressing my lips together to hold back the smile that’s threatening to take over, I thank her as I take my box of donuts. They smell so good, I swear my eyelashes flutter in ecstasy.

Stepping away with me, Jordan says softly, “She is one scary and protective woman.”

“Suzy is the best,” I agree as I pop open my box and carefully take out a donut. Making sure it’s properly shut, I slide the box into my shopping bag before I take a bite.

“Fuck, they’re good.”

Jordan raises a brow as he sneaks out a treat carefully and takes a bite. “Why did you do this to me, Líadan,” he groans. “Nothing else will ever compare to this.”

Bubbles of something fill me as I hide the smile I want to give him behind my donut. I’m enjoying this entirely too much, and I can’t get over the way my core tightens when he says my name.

Typically? I hate all men except Brendan. The only good man is a dead one.

---