Page 37 of Whiskey & Witches

“What?”

“When Seamus ran outside, I teleported out to confront him.” Her grip tightened. “He was the one in the road that day. I didn’t remember until I saw him tonight, but I’m positive it was him.”

“Ro! What were you thinking? If that’s true, then he’s half-mad, and he doesn’t care who he hurts.” Carrick pressed her hand to his chest above his heart. “Promise me you’ll never do that again.”

She scrunched her face and shook her head. “Aye, I won’t, but I wanted to see who else might be involved.”

“Well, for sure, Moira.”

“Yeah, she was there… but I think someone else was too, but I can’t remember who.” She frowned and shook her head. “It’s teasing my brain, like I should know, but when I try to recall, I get a headache for my troubles.”

“Sure, it sounds like another spell cast on you. I’m getting awfully tired of that witch playing fast and loose with your health.”

“Me, too.” She grimaced and tilted her chin toward the door. “Make certain we’re all secure and come lie with us. I’ve had all the sleep I’m likely to get tonight.”

CHAPTER15

As Carrick held her in his arms and as she in turn held Aeden, Roisin wondered if she might be dreaming. If perhaps she’d gone over the edge of reality into a fantasy state where she didn’t know what was the truth anymore—and she didn’t care. In this bed were the only two people she’d ever need to make her complete. Her husband and her son. She needed them like the air she breathed.

Tonight had proven one thing: she’d do whatever it took to keep their family whole. And if that meant killing Seamus and Moira, then that’s what she’d do. But what really disturbed her peace of mind was the shadowy third figure. Seamus wasn’t intelligent enough to be a mastermind, and Moira, who had given in to madness, was prone to impulse. Therehadto be another. There just had to be.

Ronan’s handsome visage flashed in front of her mind’s eye. That penetrating silver gaze had seen and categorized too much. She could definitely see him as a leader; however, he’d helped them tonight. He had shown up, performed the ceremony, and stayed until the magic worked. Would someone determined to hurt them do something so out of character?

“Know this, Roisin Byrne-O’Malley; I don’t make war on women or children, and you’ve suffered long enough for a situation not of your making.”

Who had said it to her? Ronan? It sounded like his voice inside her head. But if so, when? Certainly not tonight, yet she couldn’t recall a time when they may have met before. And if they had, why say something of that nature?

Carrick’s arm tightened around her, and he nuzzled her neck. “You’re thinking too hard, Ro. I can feel your turmoil, and it’s keeping me awake,” he murmured.

His comment was odd, and she shifted to look at him. “What do you mean by that?”

He blinked. “I’m not sure. What did I say?”

“You said you could feel my turmoil, and it’s keeping you awake.”

He blinked again, and the sleepy confusion left his face. “Yeah, like a buzzing in my brain.”

Barely comprehending what he was saying, she eased away from Aeden and slowly sat up. “Are you saying you feel my thoughts in your own mind?”

“For the last minute or two, yeah.”

“But not now?”

He went still, as if he were thinking about it. Finally, he shook his head. “No. Just before I woke, I felt it, though.”

What had she been thinking about before he spoke? She thought back and settled on Ronan. Pulling his face up in her mind’s eye, she once again tried to recall when they’d first met.

Carrick pressed fingertips to his forehead and rubbed. “The buzzing started again. Do you think I’m havin’ a stroke?”

Releasing the image of Ronan, she asked, “What about now?”

“It’s gone.” Carrick sat up. “What the hell, Ro?”

“I think I know who is behind our woes. The third in that dastardly trio that includes Seamus and Moira,” she told him grimly.

“Tell me.”

“Our visitor at the cottage. Ronan.”

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