Page 64 of Highballs & Hexes

Black brows drew together over midnight-colored eyes as he considered Fintan’s words.

“Last night, Patrick and I were attacked by two non-witches in the alley between his house,” Fi said.

“Jaysus!” Noah’s expression declared he was ready to rip the villains limb from limb. “Tell me O’Malley dispatched them, or give me their direction.”

“Sure, and it was his ex-wife who shot the man with the knife to my throat.”

He paled. His focus dropped to her neck, and he exhaled forcefully when he registered the lack of injury. “So his wife returned, shot the man, and miraculously refrained from getting even with O’Malley, even though you, his latest lover, were present?”

“It’s not like that. She doesn’t care that he’s moved on, but was a right proper bitch to him in the past, and unfaithful, to boot!”

“Sure, but in that case, whywouldn’tshe take delight in his demise?”

Fi shrugged. “Don’t know, don’t care. Everyone is convinced she’s innocent of hiring the men.”

“Why did anyone believe it was her to begin with?”

“The man mentioned he was paid by a lady. But he never finished telling us who before Rose shut him up for good.”

“And you still don’t think she did it?” he asked with a laugh.

“No.” Maybe she was a fool, but she believed Rose. More importantly, she believed Patrick believed her, which was saying a lot, considering he didn’t trust many.

“A woman, huh? Is that what you believe, too?” he asked Fintan. When the Seer confirmed it, Noah’s gaze grew thoughtful. As he considered what was said, he looked toward the door as if mentally recalling things he’d seen or heard. Seeming to reach a conclusion, he climbed to his feet and held out a hand to assist Fi up.

“We’ve a need to see your mother, love.”

“Mam? What does she have to do with this?” Unease unfurled in her stomach.

“Everything.” His expression was grim.

Not wanting to believe her family was in any way involved, Fi looked to Fintan, but he nodded.

“So now you know what’s about to happen when you didn’t five minutes ago?” she asked dryly.

His grin was sheepish.

“You’re right about your feckin’ ancestors, and you can tell ’em I said so.” She smiled when he chuckled, then leaned in for a brief hug. “Thank you, Fintan.”

“I’ll be going with you in case you’ve need of me,” he reassured her.

They followed Noah out the door and down the hallway into the pub. When Fi saw the gathered crowd, she hissed out a breath and touched his arm to get his attention.

“It’s too busy for you to leave. We can go,” she said in a raised voice to be heard above the crowd.

He drew her back into the hallway and leaned closer so she could hear. “I don’t give a shite about any of those people. They can all bugger off.” Sandwiching her face between his palms, he graced her with a look so tender her old self—the woman who’d once adored him—wept inside. “Let’s go find Patrick.”

Overcome by his willingness to help despite her choosing another, her chest tightened, and she could only nod. He clasped her hand and tugged her through the pub, pointedly ignoring anyone who hollered his name. Before they exited, he drew Marta aside. “You’re in charge for the foreseeable future. Don’t fuck it up.”

The cheery, blonde-haired beauty rolled her sky-blue eyes and winked at Fi. “His managerial skills are top-notch, they are!” With a dismissive wave in Noah’s direction, a seductive smile for Fintan, and a well-placed cuff to the ear for the nearest drunkard attempting to pinch her arse, Marta sailed off.

“I love her,” Fi said as Noah hustled her out the door. “I want to be just like her when I grow up.”

“It’s a little late for that. You’re almost twice her age, love.”

“Shut your gob, Noah Riley!”

His lips twitched, but he did as she ordered.

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