Page 3 of Stay, Swear.

“Okay, well since Kieran’s clearly in a delightful mood this evening I’ll cut to the chase. Clara’s best friend Brittany ismoving here, she left yesterday and will be here late tonight. They’ve decided they need a girls night out tomorrow night. As in no husbands allowed. Brittany isn’t married so really I’m just not allowed. My issue is there’s no way in hell I’m allowing them to go into the city without proper protection.” His eyes lock on mine and I’m well aware that I’ll be their detail tomorrow.

Clara’s ex before Rowan was an abusive asshole, her and Rhett barely made it out alive. How she lives here with all six of us up in her space making sure they’re safe, protected, and loved is beyond me. She’s the only woman living in a sea of Byrne men. Rowan loves her enough that he’d die if it meant she’d never be sad again. The rest of us love her like we love each other. She started dating Rowan and quickly realized she got him and five brothers who would protect her and Rhett to the ends of the earth. So if that means tomorrow night I’m club hopping with my sister and her best friend while they scream sing Miley and get white girl wasted, then so be it.

“I’m on it. I won’t let them leave my sight.”

Rowan nods to me then turns his attention to Mac. “So while I need Kie physically there, I need you virtually there.”

Mac nods as he answers, “I’m already on it. You know between the two of us they’ll be safe.”

“Perfect, be vigilant and get them home safe. Also answer my fucking calls and texts immediately. I’m not trying to piss my wife off, but I will come find her if either of you goes quiet.”

I understand exactly what he’s talking about. Clara was kidnapped months ago, she’s safe and sound now, but it definitely left Rowan on edge and hesitant to let her and their son out of his sight.

“I’ve got them Roe. I’ll protect them with my life.”

“I know, I’m just stressed. She’s ready to go out again without me, and that’s a good thing. I’m just anxious I guess.”

Yeah, I get that. I’m anxious about it too. Not to mention that I’ve heard about this Brittany chick, but I’ve never met her. I’m not sure what kind of person she is or if she brings trouble. But it looks like I’ll be finding out in twenty-four hours. Checking my phone and seeing it’s about time to leave and go grab Ryan, I wrap up the conversation that we’re having and head out to go settle my fucked up brain.

2

Chapter Two

Brittany

Standing in my best friend’s bathroom, I’m fixing my hair while she’s doing her makeup and laughing while we finish getting ready for girls night out. Clara and I have been best friends for years. Most specifically since we lived fifteen minutes away from each other and I helped her escape from her abusive prick of an ex. I got in late last night and crashed in Rhett’s room. I’ve missed my godson tremendously, so I’m taking any chance to suck up all the time with him I can get. We’ve swam, played with every toy he has, and had ‘adventures’ on the swing set. We napped, then he ditched me for his dad and some of his dads clones.

When I say clones I really mean clones. The four of them that I’ve seen so far all have the same face, only differing within inches of height, in shades of brown hair and green eyes. The only ones I haven’t seen are the two middle ones. Everyone’sbeen really nice, but Rowan says one of them is coming with us tonight to make sure we’re safe. They try to talk in code a lot like I don’t have access to google and haven’t looked him up. I know who Rowan Byrne is and what he does. He’s not losing points in my eyes as long as my best friend keeps that smile firmly in place and he’s the reason for it.

Clara breaks me out of my inner thoughts, “Does this look okay? I know we’re just going out for dinner and drinks, but I’m trying to make Rowan feral since he has to stay home.”

Unable to stop myself I laugh loudly, “Yeah babe, you look like sex on legs. Honestly, you should probably be prepared for him to take you right back upstairs. I’m thinking I’ll be going out solo tonight.”

Giggling, she moves behind me and grabs the curler out of my hand fixing a spot I must have missed in the back, “Oh, you’re hilarious. We’re going out. You’re looking stunning, and I’m going to enjoy watching you shut down every man in the bar.”

We take one last look at ourselves in the mirror. Both our hair is curled, Clara’s hair is brown where mine is a strawberry blonde, and her eyes are a dark brown, where mine are gray. However our makeup is also similar, both going for a more natural look. She’s sporting a navy dress that hits just above her knees tight in all the right places with the neckline providing just enough cleavage that it’ll drive Rowan crazy.

My dress is gold sequins, hitting my mid thigh. The plunging neckline making it less than decent but my boobs are taped in place, I don’t have a husband to consider, and I wouldn’t be opposed to finding a man to fuck me into a coma tonight. After slipping on my four inch gold heels that bringme to every bit of six feet, I’m ready to go dance with my bestie.

Clara also slips her own heels on, before she throws a black trench coat at me. “Put this on, Rhett will be downstairs and we don’t want him seeing his godmom dressed as a hooker.”

Laughing I shrug the coat on and close it, “Fine, but I’m taking it off as soon as he goes upstairs. I didn’t dress like this to cover myself up tonight. Come on, let’s make your husband swallow his tongue.”

We’re not even halfway down the stairs when Rowan’s sharp intake of breath filters up and I can’t help but smile to myself. This man is so madly in love with her. I’ve never been as happy for someone as I am for them.

My hand comes up to smother my smile when the next thing we hear is Rowan’s deep voice exclaim, “Absolutely not, Pretty Girl! Not without me there.”

A deep belly laugh comes from the couch facing away from us in the living room. “Give it up, Roe. She’s going out tonight without you, while you’re here hanging out with Little Bear I’ll be at the club watching your wife dance.”

Two things hit me at once; one that the gravely sexy voice that just shot tingles through my entire body is one I’ve yet to hear, and two who the fuck does he think he is making comments like that about my bestie? Rowan doesn’t even have a chance to respond before I’m flying down the rest of the stairs putting myself between Clara and whoever this man is.

“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking about like that? You aren’t watching her dance while her husband is here. We’ll go out by ourselves before I let some slime ball gawk at us all evening.”

The mystery man slowly stands up, and turns around. I’m quick to realize I should have kept my mouth shut when this mountain of a man with the prettiest green eyes I’ve ever seen gives me a once over. He has to stand at least six inches taller than me in my heels. His jeans fit him like they were specifically made for his long legs, strong thick thighs, and trim waist. His black t-shirt fits him like a second skin, the cuffs hugging his strong biceps, his thick forearms making my mouth water. This man is ripped, and sexy as hell.

I bring my eyes up to his face, his strong jawline peppered with a neatly trimmed close cut beard. His hair is cut short on the sides and just a little bit longer on top. He looks like he could be some sort of fighter, definitely fitting the role of security he’ll play tonight. His sexy half grin has my eyes moving from his handsomely masculine face to his thick lips, then finally his breathtaking pale green eyes surrounded by thick long eyelashes.

Before he can say anything Clara clears her throat, “Um, Britt. It’s fine, this is..”

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