Page 530 of Lodestar

Anton had morphed into ‘Grandfather’ when he’d visited the city to tell her Kathy Harridan, her burned ID, was no longer wanted in Ohio for kidnapping a child.

“Interesting,” Finn mused. “His power is definitely terrifying…”

“And he only abuses it for family,” I teased. “Something we can all get behind.”

Aidan touched his napkin to his lips. “I respect a man who’ll go to the ends of the earth for his kin.”

“That's why you’ve got the ECD causing problems for the British on the borders with Northern Ireland?” Aoife asked coolly. When Aidan arched a brow at her, she continued, “Dagda told me. He’s happier since you had him move back to Ireland, so I have to thank you for that. I won’t thank you, however, if you get him killed.”

I took a sip of wine. “I still don’t understand how that helps the US.”

Aidan shrugged. “Doubt it does. I don’t expect Kuznetsov to tell me his whole game plan so long as he helps us down the road with Seamus.”

Most of my brothers stared at Star as if she could explain. Star just hitched a shoulder. “Grandfather has good intentions. For the most part.”

“Helpful,” Finn retorted.

“When did I ever say that I’d try to be helpful?” was her smartass reply.

Finn rolled his eyes.

“Are you looking forward to tomorrow, Savannah?” Camille asked.

“I am. I know there’ll be an argument, but I haven’t eaten with the folks for a while.” Savvie tossed a glower at Star who was keeping quiet. “Star’s promised that she won’t cause trouble.”

“It’s Conor who’ll cause trouble. Drooling into his food instead of talking like a regular human being,” Brennan mocked. “Still can’t get over that crush onnoxxious,can you, Kid?”

I flipped him the bird. “It’ll be fine.”

“You’re meeting your idol as a son-in-law this time,” Eoghan mused, but he was hiding a grin. Jackass. “That’s a lot of pressure.”

“Never meet your heroes,” Declan agreed.

“Just try not to show me up,” Aidan retorted.

I huffed. “Thanks for the vote of confidence!”

“I know how you got the last time you met Dagger. I wasn’t sure if you were going to cry, collapse, or come in your pants!”

“Aidan!” Aoife hissed. “The kids will hear!”

He shrugged unapologetically.

“You’re going to miss dinner with Lena?” Inessa inquired, obviously trying to change the subject to something more manageable. “All of you? I’m surprised she didn’t invite Lorelei and Dagger over so that she wouldn’t have to do without her precious boys for a day.”

“She offered,” Aidan said dismissively. “I told her what I keep on telling her—our wives also have families.”

Because I was sitting so close to Star, I noticed the faintest tension emanating from her limbs. She kept it hidden, though, not just throughout the rest of the meal but all the way home too.

Only after we tucked Katina in bed did I confront her about it.

“We don’t have to go tomorrow if you don’t want to. We both know how you love Ma’s company,” I drawled.

Though she smirked, she didn’t look up from the computer where I knew she was multitasking between coordinating an event that was being held at the Four Seasons for the ATRF—the Anti-Trafficking Relief Fund—speaking with Goldstein regarding a Sparrow who’d only ever spoken to his compatriots in a code she’d broken this weekend, and slowly gaslighting Temper Black into believing that the Brothers were trying to have her eradicated.

All in all, it was a slow week for my fiancée.

“Your ma’s sole redeeming quality is her ability in the kitchen.”

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