Page 10 of Crimson Tears

He shakes his head. “Her father burned my parents alive on their property, forcing us to watch.”

His voice is vastly different from the arrogant boy I witnessed just moments ago. His posture is much more somber. I knew Nessa's father killed Cillian's parents, but I never knew how.

“I am sorry.”

He takes a deep breath as we walk into the room where Nessa is clicking on the red-colored fire setting and cuddling up under a blanket.

“That one's not on you, Old Man.”

He rounds the couch, taking the spot next to Nessa, right where her feet are tucked under her. I take the other side, and she leans into me, humming with joy as she digs into the stew.

“This is better than my mother’s,” she says, her cheeks straining with joy.

“It reminds me of mine,” Cillian says quietly, as if he didn’t mean for us to hear.

???

Dinner was delicious. We clean up together in comfortable silence, righting the kitchen and packaging up leftovers. Nessa teaches me tricks to make the bread last longer. I take careful note of each one, even though I doubt that bread will last the next twelve hours based on the way she and Cillian have been eating it.

Snuggling back on the couch with a cup of herbal tea, Nessa leans into my side. Carefully, I pull her onto my lap, wrapping my arms around her. The comfort of her touch and having her home is everything I could ever need.

Cillian eyes me, but I just smirk at him, more than happy about our positions as Nessa fits an arm around my neck.

“I missed you,” I whisper, pressing a light kiss to her cheek. They turn red instantly.

“I missed you more.” Her nose brushes mine slightly before she sighs and stretches out her feet, bumping Cillian’s leg in the process.

“Do you not have enough room?” he asks sarcastically.

She shrugs. “I could always use more.”

I pull her close to me, loving her sass. Red hair suits her well with the fire she emits in her attitude.

“Sure does seem like your old man is jealous over there, holding you nice and close.”

Nessa freezes, and even I pause. Gently, she sets her cup of tea on the coffee table before snuggling close to my chest, pressing in even closer to me.

“He has nothing to be jealous of,” she states matter-of-factly as she places a kiss on my cheek. My grin could not be more smug, holding her tight against me.

“What would you call that then? Claiming you so hard I’m surprised he hasn’t pissed on you.”

The hard stare and set to his jawline makes me want to smack him. This is our home, not his. This is my woman, nothis.

Pinching Nessa’s chin, I turn her head to plant a soft kiss to her lips. But I don’t give her a moment to answer, instead, I do.

“I would say I am beingterritorial, Kid.”

He scoffs. “What’s the difference, Old Man?”

Instead of looking at him, I look down at my girl.

“Jealousy is being envious of something you don’t have.” I steal a pointed glance at him before stroking a finger down my girl’s cheek. “Territorial is protecting what’s already yours. And make no mistake, Cillian. She ismine.”

Nessa’s lips part subtly, making my cock jump beneath her. She feels it too, her eyes going half-hooded in an instant, bitingher lip and squeezing her thighs together is proof of the arousal I bring when I claim her.

This woman makes me feral in all of the best ways. But maybe not the best in front of present company.

“I think Cillian needs a place he can run off to,” I whisper in her ear.

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