Page 13 of The Hermit

“Grace, youwillcalm down,” Devlin demands.

A smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth, then Grace’s stormy gray eyes flick to me. When her gaze narrows on my smirk, there’s a burst of adrenaline in my veins.

Her voice vibrates with rage as she doubles down and says, “You will not marry Ciara.” She inhales sharply before continuing. “I’m grateful for what you did last night, but my sister is off-limits.”

Enjoying the volatile situation a little too much, I can’t resist fucking with her. I cross my arms over my chest and raise my eyebrow at her. “Then what will you give me for my trouble?”

Her lips part, and for a split second, a weird mixture of disappointment and fear flashes over her features before returning to an aggressive glare.

“My gratitude is all you’ll get,” she grits out between clenched teeth.

The scab on her bottom lip splits open, and blood trickles down her chin. Not taking her eyes off me, she uses the back of her hand to wipe it away, only smearing the crimson trail over her skin and leaving a streak behind.

The blood makes her look even more fierce, and my heart skips a fucking beat.

The instant I feel attraction toward Grace, I shut it down, and my head snaps in Devlin’s direction. “I’m running out of patience, Ian.”

Panic ghosts over his face before he pins Grace with a stern look. “Enough! Go clean yourself up and calm down. I’ll talk to you later.”

When Grace takes hold of Ciara’s arm, he snaps, “Without Ciara! I swear I’ll lock you in your bedroom if you continue with this absurd behavior.”

Grace surprises me by letting out a burst of laughter, then her expression grows icy as she says, “I’d like to see you try.” She takes a step toward her father. “Push this matter, and I’ll take Ciara and leave. We’re grown women and don’t need you to survive.”

“Jesus Christ, Grace!” Devlin shouts. “Leave before I say something I’ll regret.”

Grace makes a show of taking Ciara’s hand and proceeds to pull her sister out of the living room.

Artificial insemination, it will have to be, seeing as Grace won’t let me touch Ciara with a ten-foot pole.

A smile curves my lips for the second time, catching me off guard, but I quickly wipe it from my face.

When I’m alone with Devlin, I mutter, “You have quite the fiery daughter.”

“I apologize,” he sighs. “I’ll get her under control. Just give the girls time to process the news.”

My eyes flick to him. “Let me know when the wedding will be held.”

“You have to get to know Ciara. She’s a sensitive soul.”

No, thank you. I have zero interest in the mouse.

“Stay with us for a few days,” he says. “We need to discuss the wedding and take care of business anyway.”

I cross my arms over my chest again. “How long is a few days?”

“Until the wedding.” He gives me a smile. “It will take a month at the very least.”

A month.

In this house.

With these people.

God help me.

“I’m used to being alone,” I say unnecessarily. Everyone who knows me is aware of that fact.

Devlin gives me a pleading look. “There’s a cottage at the back of the property. You’ll have plenty of privacy.”

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