Page 61 of Pints & Potions

“Thank you, son.”

As she watched, Piper saw the two most important men in her life bond over a common goal: her safety. Her heart was full in a way it had never been.

Understanding passedbetween Hoyt and Cian, and he was happy for it. Piper’s father wouldn’t stand in his way when it came time to eliminate the threat against their beloved girl and would, in fact, assist him in the process.

He suspected Hoyt saw what it had taken Cian too long to recognize; that the woman had captured his heart from the start and wouldn’t let it go anytime soon. Surprisingly, Cian was thrilled and not at all reticent anymore.

He lifted her wine glass from the table and handed it to her. “Have a seat, love, and let’s discuss what needs to be done about Meghan.”

After they were all comfortable, with Piper tucked against his side, Cian told them both about the story. “We don’t know much about the accident that took Roisin’s life other than Meghan survived in place of Ro, and Aeden is suffering for it.” He sipped his whiskey before continuing. “Every day, Aeden becomes more withdrawn and has constant night terrors, in the daytime, too. He believes an evil monster is trying to destroy us all.”

“He may be right.” Hoyt’s countenance was grim, and he frowned down into the amber liquid in his tumbler. “If this Meghan is as bad as you say, he may sense her intent.”

“I agree,” Piper said and sat straighter to meet Cian’s concerned look. “Perhaps he senses the darkness under whatever false pretense she shows him. It’s also possible he fears her for a different reason—her scars. They make the side of her damaged face absolutely grotesque. It might be horrifying to a child his age.”

“I’ll talk to Carrick and see if Aeden’s been in contact with her.” Cian shook his head at the idea his brother would let that monster within a foot of his son. They all knew how wicked Meghan was; even Roisin had understood her sister wasn’t a good person. “Meg tried to seduce Carrick a number of times in the past, despite the fact he was happily married to Ro. Until tonight, I’d never believed he would fall for her,” he said in disgust.

“Maybe he hasn’t. Don’t judge what you don’t know, boy,” Hoyt warned with a pointed look. “If she has strong magic, she might be influencing him, where she couldn’t before.”

“Why now and not when Roisin was alive?” All this talk of magic made Cian’s head hurt. He wasn’t naive to what might be possible. Hell, in his ex-line of work, he’d learned all about trickery. He’d also learned a long time ago that love spells and potions weren’t effective and, more often than not, backfired.

“If their relationship was true, nothing could’ve broken them up.” Hoyt shrugged and sipped his drink.

A trickle of suspicion ran down Cian’s spine. “You’ve been the victim of another’s treachery?”

The other man snorted. “You’re perceptive, boy. I’ll give you that.”

“Dad? What’s this about?” Piper leaned forward. Concern tightened her mouth and a frown drew her brows together. “Did someone try to steal you from Mom?”

“Not me. Your mother from us, and it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans anymore. It’s past history, Pip.” Hoyt gave her a self-assured smile. “Don’t you worry about your old dad none. That good-for-nothing failed miserably. He didn’t stand a chance against the Thorne’s charm.”

“As a recipient of that unholy charm, I can vouch for the truth of your words,” Cian said with a laugh.

Piper elbowed him lightly in the ribs. “Shut it, you!” She addressed her father. “How did I never hear that story? Mom’s fond of reminiscing.”

Hoyt’s expression turned dark and a hard light came to his eyes. “We don’t mention his name. There’s power in a name.”

“Sounds like Voldemort,” Piper muttered with a snort. “‘He who must not be named.’”

Cian recognized the Harry Potter reference, although he’d never read the books or saw the movies. When they’d come out, it was all anyone could talk about. Even Bridget had fallen under the spell of those books for a time. But he understood Hoyt’s desire to keep quiet about the past. A namedidhold power, and it could be wielded to hurt.

“So it is possible for Meg to sway him with an enchantment while he’s suffering Roisin’s loss?” Cian asked, wanting to clarify.

“Possible, yes. Probable, no, unless she’s utilizing black magic. Most witches shun the dark arts.”

“We all know how unstable that power is and what it could ultimately lead to, Cian. A witch would need to be desperate to resort to it,” Piper explained.

“Yeah, that I know. I’m just trying to find a reason for my brother’s actions tonight. He’s never defended Meghan in the past unless it was Roisin’s request. He’d not do it if he felt she was the reason for Ro’s death.”

Nothing made sense to him, but he intended to delve deeper into the who and what of it all. Cian would be damned if that she-devil seduced his little brother under his watch. Bridget would need to be alerted to the newest development, too. She’d need to keep a keen eye on what was happening should Cian not be around.

“Is there a spell to drive her away?”

“Maybe not drive her away, per se, but we can easily erect wards to keep her off the property.” Piper jerked as if a thought suddenly occurred to her. “Dad, wouldn’t the wards you and Spring put in place have kept evil intenders away? How far would that extend from the property?”

“We only spelled this here inn. It doesn’t extend to the pub or Carrick’s place, but we could easily do that now.” Hoyt gave a firm nod, as if he liked the idea.

“I’d be grateful if you did.” Cian finished off his drink and stood up. “But I think morning is soon enough. I can’t see Meghan returning tonight.”

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