Page 62 of Líadan's Code

“Eh, she started it first,” I explain mildly as we walk up the stairs out of the station.

As Brendan and I link hands with Líadan, we stroll together through the park to where there’s ice skating.

“So, how do we feel about ice skating?” I ask them with a grin.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been,” she says with wide eyes. “I’ve always wanted to do this though.”

“You have great balance, you’ll both be fine I think,” I reassure them as we grab skates and put up our shoes.

Carefully, we move around the ice, and soon Líadan is getting the hang of it.

“How does this fare so far as part of our date?” I ask Brendan with a chuckle as Líadan pulls away with a wide smile.

It’s cold today, the air visible with every breath as we skate. Snow begins to fall over our heads, making this ever more beautiful.

“It’s a pretty great date,” Brendan says with a happy sigh. “It’s hard to believe the old bastard is dead. I know I saw it, but I still have to remind myself that we’re free of him.”

“You went a little trigger happy clearing the path for our girl,” I murmur. “I don’t blame you in the least. Duncan Ryan was never getting his grimy hands on her.”

Snorting, Brendan lazily turns in a circle on his skates. Fuck, they’re already ridiculously good at this. They both had to grow up too damn fast. Today is about being silly and enjoying life.

“My father shouldn’t have been responsible for keeping anyone or anything alive,” he grunts. “Now that you mention it, cutting his hands off would have been fun.”

Grabbing him around the waist, I pull him toward me as I roll my eyes. “So damn bloodthirsty,” I murmur.

Brendan throws his arm over my shoulder as we skate around the rink, my eyes already searching for Líadan.

“Bloodletting makes me happy,” Brendan says with a shrug. “Does that bother you?”

“Not even a little,” I say, a rough bark of laughter exploding from me. “Lennon has her own demons, several of which she even married. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable. I already have a list of people I plan to present to you that I think were at Líadan’s birthday party. Keep your nose clean, don’t get caught. I’m catching feelings as they are.”

With a final squeeze, I release him and skate off until I can see Líadan. She appears to be trying to evade a group of guys who are trying to crowd her. Too bad she’s the bigger threat.

“Líadan!” I yell, needing her to see me. Her eyes find me immediately, widening to tell me that her patience is thinning.

“Excuse me, I think you’re crowding my girlfriend. Back the fuck up.”

Sliding back, they look surprised to see me. Brendan races up to me on his skates, holding out his hand for her to take. She doesn’t need it, but I appreciate her pretending to be weaker than she is.

Blood on the ice in Central Park is probably frowned upon.

“I thought she was your girlfriend,” one of the guys says, frowning.

“Did I? I mean ours,” I respond. “Whatever the semantics are, they’re none of your business, and she’s not looking.”

Wrinkling her nose, Líadan shakes her head. “No offense, but I’m good.”

“Sorry about that,” another one mutters, looking dejected before he skates away with them. They all apologize under their breath, surprising her.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a man apologize to me before,” she says.

Glancing at Brendan, I raise my eyebrows. “I apologize with orgasms, not words typically,” he grunts, making me shake my head.

“Once more around and then we can go?” I ask. “I’m thinking we can grab some hot chocolate as we cut through the park.”

“Hmm yes. That sounds nice,” she says with a smile.

Holding Brendan’s hands, we ice skate a bit more before changing into our shoes and getting that hot chocolate.

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