Page 311 of Lodestar

“Since now.” I glowered at Star when she started snickering.

“Who’s that? I can hear laughing. Is one of your brothers there?”

“No, Ma. It’s…” I pursed my lips. “…my fiancée.”

Star stopped chuckling at that, her eyes wide as she stared at me, and I shot her a smug smile as I put Ma’s call on speaker, just waiting for the explosion.

“You’re ENGAGED?” she shrieked. “To whom? This would never have happened if your da were still alive. Where’s your head at, Conor? Do I even know this woman?”

“You don’t know her, and it would have happened if Da were still alive because she’s it for me, and my head is firmly on my neck—I haven’t lost it in the five minutes since this conversation began.”

“How could you do this to me?”

“I haven’t done anything to you,” was my calm retort. “This isn’t about you, Ma.”

“Who is she?”

“Her name’s Star Sullivan.”

“That’s not an Irish first name. Who’s her father? Harry Sullivan?”

“We don’t live in Ireland,” I grumbled. “And no, her father isn’t Harry Sullivan. She isn’t tied to the mob. She’s…” Inspiration struck. “Savannah’s best friend.”

“Aidan’s Savannah?”

“Yes. She’s the daughter of one of Dagger’s bandmates.”

“Who?”

“The lead singer.”

“The one who shouted through all those songs you used to listen to?”

“He didn’t shout,” I groused. “But yes.”

“Is that how you met? Through Savannah?”

“No.”

“Then, how?”

I huffed. “Is this twenty questions?”

“No, but it can be if you want.”

“I don’t. Want, that is.” I frowned when Star snorted. “I met her through work.”

“You said she isn’t tied to the mob.”

“She isn’t!” I reached up and dug my fingers into my eyes. When I scented Star’s pussy on them, I smirked and let my hand fall to her belly which she immediately slapped away, seeming to know where I was taking this. I pouted at her glower and said, “She’s an ex-soldier.”

“Does Eoghan know her?”

“Does Eoghan know every soldier who ever served in the US Army, Ma? Christ Almighty,” I retorted even though I knew Eoghanhadmet her during his service.

“Don’t be blaspheming in front of me, Conor!”

“I’m not in front of you.”

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