Page 287 of Lodestar

She cleared her throat. “Yes.”

“How?”

A few taps on her screen, and she was handing me her cell.

Unknown Sender: Your mom can finally rest in peace now.

“You think Eamonn sent you that?”

“I received it after Aidan Sr. died.” Her gaze collided with mine. “I’m assuming it’s him.”

“Why?” I asked warily. I mean,Iknew what had happened, but I assumed she didn’t.

Her eyes narrowed upon me. “I think you’ll be the only woman in the family who the men don’t try to keep in the dark.”

“I don’t think that’s something to be envious of,” I drawled, but I didn’t deny it—anyof it.

Her hand tapped the table beside mine. “Nice ring.”

I hummed as she studied it.

“You said yes?”

“I agreed to wear the ring.”

She tipped her head to the side. “Interesting.”

“I don’t think Conor and I will ever do anything the normal way.”

“Probably for the best in this family.” She straightened up as she finished her coffee. “He survived the night.”

“Dagda?”

“Yes.”

“Are you glad about that?”

“I suppose. Not much point being glad about it if you’re going to kill him.”

I studied her. “I think you know more than you let on, Aoife.”

“The men aren’t as quiet as they think they are.” She sniffed. “Well?Areyou going to kill him?”

“He murdered my mom,” I reasoned. “But my mom wasn’t as squeaky clean as I thought she was so I’m of two minds about the whole thing.”

Her throat bobbed. “I don’t have any family left, Star. Not on my mom's side. And the… What I did have was stolen from me.”

“I know,” I rasped, my gaze meeting hers. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Not your fault and I’ve made peace with what happened because I love my husband and I understand how this family works. They protect their women. No matter what the women do.

“If I killed Lena, Finn would go to war to make sure I never saw the inside of a jail cell. He’d lose his brothers too because he’d stand by me.” She sucked in a breath. “I find comfort in that.”

“In knowing you could destroy his whole universe and he’d still stand by your side?”

Slowly, she nodded. “Yes. Not very healthy, but we each find our own coping mechanisms, don’t we?”

“We do,” I agreed, sharing a measured glance with her. Knowing and accepting that we’d both gone through hell. “Are you asking me not to kill Dagda?”

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