Page 74 of Bartered Innocence

“It seems far-fetched, but I’ve always loved how your mind works,” my father says.

Aisling beams. “Thanks, Daddy. But I’m just saying it wouldn’t be the first coup I’ve witnessed.”

I groan in amused disgust as my father chuckles, shaking his head. The rest of the men snicker and then walk over to hug her, the tension broken from the shit day we’ve had. I walk over to her last and wrap my arms around her, squeezing her to my chest.

“It’s good to have you back,” I whisper into her hair.

Her nails dig into my side. “Do you think I can meet your wife before you throw me into the lion’s den?”

“We’ll see. Cillian tell you what I need?”

She nods, sighing as she lets go. “Yes, but I need you to keep in mind what I said. Maybe Luca is just as betrayed as the rest of us. A lot of the older men don’t enjoy the ways we’ve had to adapt to stay under the radar. Some prefer the days when we could wave our guns and money around to get whatever we wanted. They don’t like hiding in the shadows, nor do they like our names only being spoken in whispers by people who know about us.”

“I’m aware, especially for the Italians. Their pride will be their downfall.”

Aisling smiles, her green eyes sparkling. “The downfall of all men, I’d say.”

Cillian grabs his sister, resting his arm over her shoulder. “Come on. Lemme show you the new knives I got and see if you want to take one for the road.”

I watch them leave with a heavy heart, hating where we’ll be sending her soon.

My father clears his throat. “What is the plan if Aisling is right?”

Scowling, I sit in one of the chairs facing him. “Kill him another day?”

Aodhan snorts and we fall into discussion. It’s not until a few hours later that I’m able to break away and check on Isabelle. I had the doctor check her over before administering another sedative as the first started to wear off.

I stare at her sleeping form, the obsession I feel for her nearly overwhelms me. Even if she turned out to be a spy planted among us, I don’t think I could let her go.

Cillian knocks softly, opening the door and wheeling in the supplies. He looks at me expectantly. “You sure? You can’t take it back.”

“I never want to.”

“And you think she feels the same?”

I glance back at Isabelle, feeling my heart twist as I think about his question. “I think Isabelle is very practical about what our life is, and today was a reminder of why it will never be what she’s dreamed. She was clinging to the past, wanting to keep things the way they were, and she was unwilling to see a different path.”

“And now you’re positive she’ll embrace change?”

Shrugging, I sit in the chair and take off my ring to give him my hand. “I think she’ll finally accept that I’ve only ever looked out for her and her wellbeing, even if it’s not what she envisioned.”

Cillian sets up the ink and scoots closer to me. He glances up at me one more time. “Here’s to forever then, brother.”

Chapter30

Isabelle

My body feels heavy,like I’ve been sleeping under a weighted blanket for days. I struggle to open my eyes and let out a groan as I roll to my side.

“There’s water on the table.” His deep voice pierces the air.

I squint, trying to make out the shape of him sitting in the dark corner. I’m not sure what time it is, or even what day it is. A few moments of silence pass before I’m able to sit up, and when I reach for the cup I suddenly pull my hand back. My left ring finger is wrapped tight with gauze and starts to throb the more I stare at it.

A pit in my stomach forms and my body trembles. I have a deep suspicion about what’s underneath, and I’m terrified to unwrap it. I look over at the man in the chair. Rian is resting on his clasped hands, elbows on his knees as he watches me. Waving the finger in the air, I glare at him.

“What is this?”

His eyebrow raises, daring me to open it and see.

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