Page 43 of Pints & Potions

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Hoyt Thorne arrived within the hour.

He was an imposing figure. Standing roughly six feet tall, he was built like an American football linebacker. His black scowl was mirrored by his daughter, and that’s where the resemblance ended. Opposite to Piper’s coloring, Hoyt was light blond with eyes the color of pale green jade.

“Who’s he? Another vermin like the last one?” Hoyt growled. “What’s he gotten you into?”

“Dad!” Scarlet with outrage, Piper stepped protectively in front of Cian. “It’s not like that. The O’Malleys own this inn.”

After a closer look, Cian decided Piper had indeed inherited Hoyt’s stubborn jaw, and it was jutting out in her pique. He sidestepped her and held out a hand to her father. “Cian O’Malley, and this is my sister Bridget.”

“O’Malley? As in theUnluckyO’Malleys?”

“Dad!”

“What? I was just dragged into the middle of a gol-dern mess, girl. You think I don’t need to know all theplayers?”

The emphasis was on the last word, and Cian didn’t miss Hoyt’s meaning. Instead of anger, he was highly amused by the dig. “Yeah. We’ve been considered unlucky since a thieving O’Connor stole something my family was tasked with protecting.”

Hoyt grunted and sized him up before turning back to his daughter. “Gather your things. I’m taking you home.”

“No.”

“Pip, it’s not open for debate. Your ma’s worried.”

Legs braced shoulder-width apart, Piper crossed her arms and lifted her determined chin a notch higher. “Dad, we have no way of knowing who the enemy is or what they’re after. I can’t leave Cian and Bridget unprotected.”

Cian would swear he saw pride reflected in her father’s eyes, but Hoyt quickly shuttered any emotion. “Fine. I’ll stay. You go. I won’t let anything happen to your friends.”

Piper gave away her panicked thoughts the instant her gaze locked on Cian.

He gave a small shake of his head, but Hoyt was too observant.

“Not like that, huh? Crap on a cracker, Pip. An O’Malley? Really?”

Cian’s ire rose. “And what’s wrong with my family?”

“You’re cursed, boy. She’ll feel the brunt of it right along with you. She’s already got a target on her back because of it, if I’m not mistaken.” Hoyt’s scathing look rankled.

The blood rushed to Cian’s head and rushed back out. He felt lightheaded.

“Dad, stop it. You’re being mean.”

“No, Pip. I’m being truthful. He’s got no magic to protect you the way you need protecting.”

Piper’s indignation crackled in the air around them, and she balled her fist on her hips as she confronted her father. “It’s not his place to protect me. Even if wewereto form a relationship, which wearen’tbecause he doesn’t… he…” Her hands dropped to her sides, and she looked like she was about to cry. “It’s not his place,” she finally managed.

Unable to bear another second of her upset, Cian put an arm around her shoulders and tucked her against his chest. One of her hot tears ran down his neck and into the V of his t-shirt. “I’d protect you with my last breath, darlin’. You need to know that,” he told her softly.

She nodded and sniffled at the same time.

He glared at Hoyt, and when Piper’s father shot him a sly smile, Cian’s jaw became unhinged and about dropped to his chest.

Piper must’ve felt his sudden startled movement because she shifted to look at him. “What is it?”

He cupped the back of her head and studied every inch of her anxious but still lovely face. “Nothing,” he told her softly.

Hoyt shifted closer and placed a hand on Piper’s upper back. “I’m sorry, Pip. Your old man can be a bit of a butthole sometimes.” He opened his arms and, after a slight hesitation, Piper abandoned Cian for her father’s embrace.

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