Page 9 of Stay, Swear.

And now it’s time to break this up. Mac’s the quietest of us all, but he’s still a Byrne and once that fuse is lit, everyone’s in trouble. We’re all on edge right now. It’s to be expected when we’re talking about the scum of the earth and it hits so close to home. Pushing at Mac’s back to guide him out the door I call over my shoulder, “Everyone do whatever you need to do to calm down, and we’ll meet up in the morning. Just stay out of the gym.”

Mac doesn’t fight me as I guide him out of the room and up to our floor. Neither of us says a word until we’re in his room. I push him into the center then make my way over to his dresser, pulling out shorts and throwing them at his face.

“Get changed, we’re going to the gym.”

“I don’t need the gym. What I need is to go stab Declan in the hand.”

“And that is exactly why we’re going to hit shit until you’re too tired to hurt him. I’d encourage you to go to the club, but I’m not sure whoever you get paired with would survive the night.”

He grumbles something about not touching a sub while he’s pissed but I’m not paying attention. “You have five minutes.I’m going to change then meet you there. We’ll warm up, then spar. And if you mark up my beautiful face, I’m stopping and you can hit the bag.” He cracks the faintest smile before heading into the bathroom to change.

A couple hours later Mac and I are laid out in the middle of the gym floor. Sweat pouring from our bodies as our lungs fight for a full breath. We lay in silence for about twenty minutes before Mac finally whispers a single name.

“Riley.”

Yeah, I knew exactly where this was going the moment we figured out these assholes are in skin trading.

“M, we don’t know that this happened to her.” He sits up and draws his knees up before draping his arms over them locking one wrist in the other hand’s grasp. His head falls so low his chin hits his chest.

“We don’t know that it didn’t either.”

“I know, I’ve been thinking about her too. The hard truth is that we can’t save her. It’s been fifteen years, and we still know as much as we did when she disappeared.”

“Wow, thanks for the pep talk, you’re so good at them it’s no wonder I don’t go to anyone else.” Sitting up beside him and copying his position, I knock my shoulder into his.

“Shut up. What I mean is we can’t save her, but we can save them. Rowan and Dec are looking at this as if it was Rhett and Clara. They were so much older when Riley disappeared that they weren’t friends with her. But I swear to you Mac, she’s on a loop in my head too.”

“I know, I’m sorry for blowing up. It’s just been like taking sandpaper to sunburn for days. I couldn’t take it anymore.”

“I know the feeling. Come on, let’s go shower and crash. We’ll start fresh tomorrow.”

Mac nods his agreement and takes my hand when I offer it to him. Pulling him up I lead us back upstairs where we separate to go to our own rooms. I’m opening my door when Mac’s voice stops me.

“Hey K?”

I turn my head towards him and lift my chin for him to continue.

“Thanks.”

“Anytime little brother. Night.”

“Night.”

6

Chapter Six

Brittany

It’s been weeks since my hookup with Kieran and I never texted or called him. Not because I haven’t thought about it a million times but because my brain just wont tell my fingers to pull up his contact and use it. The electricity between us is dangerous. The man looks like he promises nothing but heartbreak and good orgasms. I want the latter but can’t afford the former. I’ve almost reached out to him more than once. He intrigued me enough to have me wanting to, but then my self preservation kicks in and I tamper that back down.

I got a new job as a personal assistant at a law firm a week and a half ago. I’m working twelve plus hour days, six days a week. I’m not complaining because honestly I need the money. My boss is pretty cool. Although he’s a little too informal for my preference, but he’s fine to work for. I’vemissed my partner in crime this week. I didn’t just get a new job. I’ve also moved into my apartment right down the street from my office. It was like it fell right in my lap.

I just got off from work an hour ago and made my way straight over to Clara’s. I miss my best friend so much, and we needed a girls night in. That’s how we’ve ended up lounging on the giant sectional at the Byrne house with Rhett between us.

“Auntie, where have you been?”

“What do you mean, silly. I’ve been at my apartment.”

---