Page 42 of Conall's Reign

Francesca turned just in time to notice my expression. “Conall! You’re home!”

Home. The word should have felt comforting, but I could only stare as she held up a package of organic something-or-other with a bright smile. “We’ve stocked up. I’m making dinner tonight.”

Theo snickered. “You should have seen Francesca. She has enough candles to start her own church.”

I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. When I opened them, Francesca was watching me intently, her expression perceptive.

I exhaled slowly. “I see that.”

Paddy clapped me on the shoulder. “She’s making this place a home, brother. It could really use that.”

My gaze flicked to Francesca again, and I was drawn to the warmth she had brought into my once-sterile space. It made me feel uncomfortable, itchy, and unsettled.

Francesca, completely unfazed by my tension, turned back to the groceries. “I was thinking of making osso buco tonight,” she said, pulling out a package of beef shanks. “Steamed veggies with saffron risotto. It still fits into your ‘my body is a temple’ lifestyle.” She winked at me. “But I’ll be baking a cake for the boys.

Paddy let out a low whistle. “Wow, Francesca, you’re already part of the family. That sounds like a lot of work, but we approve.”

Brody, who had just pulled out a baguette and was currently sniffing it as if he hadn’t eaten in a week, nodded. “I don’t even know what osso buco is, but it sounds like a fantastic upgrade from whatever takeout we usually end up with."

Francesca laughed. "It's comfort food. Perfect for a night like this.”

I crossed my arms, watching her navigate my kitchen as if she belonged there. As if she had always belonged there.

"This whole... transformation," I said, gesturing vaguely at the plants, the pillows, and the candles still flickering like some kind of séance was about to begin. “This isn’t permanent, is it?”

Francesca smiled slowly and knowingly.

Paddy snorted and nudged Brody. "He's already lost."

I scowled. "I heard that."

Brody just smiled. "Yeah, and?"

“Are you done for the day? Dinner will take a couple of hours,” she scrunched her nose at me. “I wasn’t sure what your schedule was. I just want to time it right. It’s flexible, though, if you have something going on.”

“I have a quick meeting downstairs in two hours with the guys. That’s all. It should take about half an hour at most.” I glanced at my watch. It cut right through the typical dinner hour, making me feel like a bit of an arsehole.

“No problem at all. It’ll work out great.” She flashed me a shy smile that sent an electric jolt to my cock. I suddenly wished we weren’t surrounded by so many people.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the necklace. It was simple—gold, delicate, and adorned with a small charm that might appear meaningless to anyone else. However, within that charm was something far more significant.

“A gift,” I said, offering it to her.

Francesca accepted it without hesitation, gliding her fingers across the cool metal. “It’s beautiful.”

I leaned forward, watching her expression closely. “It’s more than that.”

She nodded, already aware. “The tracker? I agreed to it.”

A voice from the doorway broke the silence. “Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Theodosia glared with her arms crossed, her dark eyes brimming with exasperation. “You’re already pulling this possessive shit? Couldn’t you at least wait a week?”

Francesca glanced between us, caught between amusement and something more thoughtful. “I agreed to it,” she said, fastening the necklace around her neck. “If it means he can worry less, I’ll wear it.”

“Don’t kid yourself, Frankie. That man will always worry,” Brody said, shoving a marshmallow into his mouth. I cringed at the thought of all the processed sugars in that thing. What was Francesca doing with marshmallows?

Theo scoffed. “That’s not the point, sweetheart. The issue is that if he’s putting a tracker on you now, what’s next? A curfew? A security detail you’re not even aware of?” She shot me a pointed look. “You already have Finn.”

I didn’t bother to deny it. “She’s important. I won’t take any risks.”

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