Page 20 of Bargain with the Irish Devil

With a nod, he pushes up from the table and is gone.

I’m glad he’s gone. It was beginning to feel too…normal and nice. God, what’s the matter with me?Get back to the damn audit so you can get out of here.

I work flat outuntil my stomach warns me it needs food. Giving in, I toss my pen down and stretch. It’s annoying because I’m finally able to see the differences between last year and this one. The only problem is they’re not huge, just enough to tug at the corner of my brain—I know something isn’t right, but I’m not sure yet.

Getting up, I go into the kitchen to find Aoife in the middle of chopping what seems like a mountain of carrots, onions, and celery. “Well, hello there. I was beginning to worry about you. What would you like for lunch?”

Worried I’m bothering her, I shrug. “I’m good with a sandwich or something. Idon’t?—”

Her smile is kind. “Dear, please stop being so shy. Colm was in here a half hour ago pleading for a Sheperd’s Pie. It’s only got a fewminutes more to go. Declan would be angry as hell at me for not making you what you would like. If it’s beyond my skill then I can order it in.”

Blushing, “I would actually love Sheperd’s Pie. It’s never the same when I make it at home.”

“Probably because you’re only using ground beef instead of lamb.”She glances at the stove, where a timer is running. “Three minutes. I’ll slice the bread I baked earlier to go with it. We also need to sit down and go over your favorite things I need to shop for you. Have a seat.”

I’m confused about her shopping for me. But don’t want to bother her while she’s busy.

The moment the timer goes off, Colm is through the door. Rubbing his hands, he’s smiling big. “I can’t wait, Aoife. It smells delicious.”

I notice he’s careful not to even glance my way. Remembering Declan's warning about killing him if I were nice to him, I’m guessing Declan gave him a similar warning. I still need to figure out why his being so possessive turned me on.

I’m grateful when Aoife yanks me out of my thoughts as she brings multiple plates to the table. Two filled with a generous serving of the pie and two with thick bread. She also has a little plate of butter.

Colm has already taken his own plate and left the room. Aoife brings her own plate to the table, as well as a sparkling water for me.“When Declan told me to refresh the guest room yesterday, I wondered about you. Seeing him today confirmed it.I’mso happy he finally found you.”

Confused. “I’m sorry?” I don’t really understand what the heck she’s talking about. Was it that big of a deal to do the audit?

She chuckles.“You and Declan.I’venever seen him like this with a woman.”

I shake my head.“I’monly here to do the audit.”

This time, she lets loose a shout of laughter. “Right. He removed Banshee for you. His care for the cat was well-known to everyone. No one was allowed to mistreat the foul creature in any way. He might have said it wasn’t a big deal, but he refused to see her before he told Ryan to take her away.”

My chest goes tight at the idea of him getting rid of the cat for me when it did matter to him. “I knew it. I told him not to. The cat didn’t mean it. I’m not going to be here long.”

“Interesting. He wants me to get your favorite foods and any drinks you might like, so anytime you want something, you can have it. Declan hasn’t cared in the past if a woman had a food allergy—or any type of allergy—let alone had me shopping for the food she wanted.” She’s curious as soft brown eyes run over me.

I’m blushing. He said it himself last night. He’d never taken care of someone before. While I believed him, her surprise over it slams it home. “I don’t want to get involved with him. I’m only here to do the audit.”

“You’re thinking if you say it enough times it will make it true?” Her eyebrows are up.

“It is true.”

A small smile. “All right, dear.”

I want to argue with her, but the woman’s eyes are too sharp to hide from.

Long after I finished eating lunch and gave her the list she demanded, I can’t stop thinking of what she said.

CHAPTER 7

Declan

“We have to be prepared, Declan,” Tommy says for the thirddamntime.

I sigh. “Tommy, we are as prepared as we need to be. The Serbians don’t give a shit about our small business. They’re out to strike at the Outfit. We need to stay the fuck out of it. Let them and the Bratva deal with it. The last thing they want or need is us getting into any of it.”

“The Serbian was in Seamus’s building. You’re telling me that wasn’t a move against us?”

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