Page 68 of Pints & Potions

“Like an inheritance or something?” Carrick asked.

“Or something,” Alastair replied dryly.

“Out with it, man.” Cian ran a hand through his sooty hair and belatedly thought about a shower. “What’s the ‘something’ you’re chewin’ over?”

Respect for Cian’s deduction caused Alastair’s nod of acknowledgment. “You’re smarter than I gave you credit for, O’Malley.” With an all-encompassing glance at the room’s occupants, Alastair rose to his feet. “I believe our villain wants to stop a Thorne/O’Malley union.”

Cian’s soul shriveled and his stomach twisted into one solid knot. “Have you narrowed it down?”

“Not yet, but I will.”

“Why do you believe that, brother?” GiGi’s worry marred her forehead.

“All the attacks on Piper and Cian came when they were together.” He ticked off the incidents on his fingers. “If I’m not mistaken, you were together on the Cliffs of Moher, the first time.” At Cian’s nod, Alastair continued. “The second was when you were both in the woods of Glencar.” Again, Cian nodded. “This time, you were both in Piper’s room, when the fire started.”

“Jaysus!So it’s not necessarily an attack on her, but on us as a couple,” Cian concluded.

“That’s my belief, yes.”

He felt as if Alastair had pulled the rug out from under him. With no way to narrow down their assailant, the only way to keep Piper safe was to stay away from her. She’d continue to be a target here in his home.

“We’ll find who’s doing this, Cian.” Ryker placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I promise, we will.”

“You can’t make a promise of that magnitude. And I can’t take the risk to Piper’s life.” His heart was crushed under the blow of this discovery. “She’ll be safe in America, though.”

“Cian—”

“No, Bridget. We’ll put it out that she died tonight.” He swallowed, praying it wasn’t true. “Her father will agree to the plan to keep her hidden. And whoever’s striving to keep us apart will get his wish. For now.”

25

As Cian stalked from the room, Alastair sighed.

Young love. They were always so quick to make snap decisions without weighing all the options.

He met his best friend’s steady stare and almost smiled. Ryker knew him too well to believe Alastair would simply let this end here. He’d find the threat and eliminate it without compunction.

“Until now, our villain has kept you on the run, reacting to each attack without giving you much time to think.” He hardened his tone and said, “That ends now.”

Carrick and Bridget exchanged a worried look.

“Do you have anything to add, O’Malley?” Alastair asked as casually as he was able. In reality, he was boiling mad inside. But who and what he was forced him to contain his anger or he’d destroy them all with its power.

“We’re worried about Cian, if we’re honest,” Bridget said in her brother’s stead. “He’s already had his heart ripped out once. He’ll not be able to survive this should anything happen to someone else he cares about.”

“I think your brother is far stronger than you give him credit for,” Alastair replied, not unkindly. “But your worry brings me to my first question. Is there a jilted lover who might want to hurt Cian?”

“None that we know about.” Carrick shot a questioning look his sister’s way and answered Alastair when Bridget shook her head. “Moira was the only woman who ever held his heart, but she’s dead.”

“Ryker, make sure of that, won’t you?” Alastair directed. When his friend nodded, he posed his next question. “Knowing what I now do of your family’s prophecy, and knowing the first line refers to Cian—and possibly Piper—I have to ask: who stands to gain if your magic doesn’t return to you?”

“The O’Connors,” Bridget spat.

Alastair almost laughed at her vehemence. “That’s the obvious answer, yes. But who else?”

“Aren’t those thieving bastards enough?”Her outraged question echoed off the walls around them.

Alastair did laugh then. “They’ve had over two hundred years to make your life miserable, Ms. O’Malley. And from what I’ve gleaned, they are more likely to cause mischief in other ways.” He met her furious gaze head on. “Like seducing and abandoning a young woman?” he ventured to suggest. Tears filled her wide, angry eyes, but he hardened his resolve. “I’ve met Ruairí O’Connor, and I know him to be a decent man. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s not behind this attack.” He softened his tone. “I don’t believe you think he is either.”

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