Page 59 of Surrender
“So, I hired a detective to find her. To gather information. I didn’t know what kind of person Darcie was, if she was like Cian. I needed to protect myself. And then, I saw a picture of you and… I couldn’t stay away.”
Keefe looked up. “And what did you think she’d do when she found out you’d lied about who you were?”
Gwen winced. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
He let out a short laugh and shook his head. Clearly, faking her identity wasn’t something she did often. “Darcie is as much like Cian as you are. And my family will protect her.”
“I swear to you, Keefe, she doesn’t need protection from me.”
“I know that, love.”
“Turns out, he wasn’t very good. I didn’t know Sophie married Liam.”
He reached for her hand, pressed a kiss to her palm, then laid it against his cheek. A thought flickered in his eyes.
“This guy, whoever you hired that clearly sucks at his job, did he tell you that you have an uncle?”
“What?” She sat up straight and looked at him.
He nodded. “Your father had a sister.”
“I know. She died before I was born.”
“No, love, she didn’t. She was alive.” Before Gwen could get angry he continued. “The point is, Darcie isn’t your only family. You have an uncle: Shamus O’Day. He was married to your father’s sister and yes, she is dead now but he married my aunt Nan.”
Gwen’s eyes widened. “What?” She cried and sobbed and then she got angry. Angry at her father, angry at her investigator. “What? What did I ever do to deserve this? All these secrets and lies! Jesus Christ! That investigator really was shite.” Her voice rose. “Why did Cian keep all of this a secret? I’ve been alone my whole life! Summer after summer, Christmas after Christmas, birthday after fucking birthday—I sat alone in that fucking boarding school!” Tears spilled from her eyes, her voice was fierce. “I had a sister! A family! And that shit of a dickhead bollocks father left me alone! Why? What did I do to deserve that? I would have loved having a sister.”
Keefe didn’t say a word. He simply wrapped her as tightly as he could in his arms until her rage simmered.
“Shh, my love,” he murmured. “You have a sister now. And if I know Shamus, he’ll be honored to know you.”
“Really?” Her voice was small as her tears slowed down. “He won’t hate me for lying?”
“Well, I can’t promise anything but I’ll speak with him.”
Chapter 17
O’Brian’s kitchen smelled like rosemary, garlic, and fresh-baked bread—three of Keefe’s favorite smells, and coincidentally, three of Gwen’s favorites too. He smiled to himself as he worked the knife through a pile of carrots with a rhythm that almost counted as music, his movements light and easy.
Being separated from Gwen had been hell. Ever since the truth about her had come out, the pub had felt hollow, his house lonelier, and his own company almost impossible to bear. But now she was back. Back where she belonged.
That was the easy part. Now came the hard part: telling Sophie.
They never kept secrets from each other—why start now? Sure, she might need a little time to accept it, but once she saw how thoughtful and lovely Gwen truly was, she’d forgive that one lie. Then she’d be happy for them—maybe even excited.
The back door swung open, letting in a damp summer breeze and Sophie. She paused in the doorway and narrowed her eyes, taking in the humming and the suspiciously cheerful expression.
“You’re… in a good mood today,” she said cautiously.
“Guess so,” he replied, sliding the carrots into a pot.
Sophie leaned against the counter, studying her brother. For too long, Keefe had moved like a shadow wearing his own skin. But today, today he was back to the land of the living. Hallelujah.
“I’ve been meaning to say,” she began, her voice soft, “I’m sorry about the way things ended.”
“I know,” he replied, looking up, ready to make his announcement.
“I know how much you loved her.” She sighed. “But let’s just be grateful we’re rid of the evil bitch before she did any more damage. Who knows what she would have done to Darcie—and the twins? It’s bad enough she broke my brother’s heart. If I ever see her again, I swear I’ll wring her neck until her eyes pop and she stops kicking.” She even held her hands out like she was already choking the life out of the woman he loved. “And then I’d sleep like a baby.”
