Page 25 of An Angel's Share
Liam steps back, surprised. “Language, Aoife. And yourmammy just said this morning she was worried about how much you were eating. I’m just concerned, that's all.” He changes his expression to one that looks like he’s worried, ramping up the act as more family members appear at the racket I’m making.
“I’ll eat what I want, you just keep out of my way. I have a baby to feed, if you haven’t noticed.”
“Oh yeah, I noticed.” His façade drops a little. “I just don’t want you to be fat, and affect your blood pressure. Not to mention shifting the baby weight for our next real baby.”
My mouth drops open, my mammy’s favourite saying coming out of his.
I don’t get a chance to shout back, as he disappears from view. Liam is laying on the floor, sprawled out, blood trickling from his nose.
“Speak to her like that again, and I’ll fucking kill you.” Jonno’s arm is cocked back, his hand in a tight fist, ready to deliver another heavy punch to Liam’s face. He’s shouting like a man possessed. And I see a different man now. One in full alpha protective mode. He’s stood in front of me, shielding me from everyone.
Marshall has sprung out of the study with Daddy, and gently takes hold of Jonno’s arm, preventing him from getting another go at Liam. Liam wisely stays on the floor, with Patrick flapping ineffectually around him.
“Now I’m sure there is no need for that,” states a shocked Patrick, trying to help Liam off the floor. Liam looks like he doesn’t want to get up, fending off Patrick’s help, welding himself to the floorboards.
Jonno points his finger at Liam, and I see Daddy and Marshall look at each other. “Speak to her like that again. I’m warning you.” His voice is so low and aggressive, it's almost undecipherable. The intent behind it, however, isloud and clear. He shrugs Marshall off, but to be fair to Marshall, he’s glaring at Liam too. So is Daddy.
Daddy comes over and takes me into a hug. “Are you okay, do you need something? You look a bit pale.”
“I’m fine, Daddy, just a bit tired and hungry. I only wanted a small sandwich to keep my blood sugar up. Obviously it’s become an issue.”
Liam is trying to defend himself from the floor, waving his arms around and pointing at Mammy, who has appeared with Maggie.
I walk away, refusing to get pulled into an argument with any of them. I can’t be bothered with all this point scoring. It’s so futile. I go straight upstairs to the sound of Daddy chastising Liam.
As I slam my door, the tears start. What have I got myself into? The man I’m supposed to marry is an idiot, and the man who wants my baby is a virtual stranger. A man I should not want. But I do. Granda Healey, help me please.
11
Jonno
I don’t fuckingcare if she is the thief. I want her.
That dickhead she thinks she’s marrying is getting nowhere near her.
Every protective instinct in me has kicked in. No wonder Kell and Xander lose their minds over my sister. I get it now. I knew I could be a bit crazy before, but this? It’s a whole new level of crazy. A whole new level of feelings I’ve never experienced.
“What’s going on, Jonno? I’ve not seen you like that before?” Marshall—the man who has known me my whole life, who has cared for us all—has herded me into the study and shut the door. “Well, actually I have, but Midarlin’ is usually involved. And seeing as though she’s not here, what the feck is the matter, man?”
Fuck me. Is this love? Is this what everyone gets pushed to the limits with? Well, I’m already there.
If Marshall had not seen my face and stopped me, Iwould have kept going. I need to get a grip. I’m blowing through my nostrils like a raging bull.
I lookinto his concerned face, his eyes so like Evie’s. It calms my nervous energy. He looks more like the twins, actually, when he looks like this. Or rather they are like him. I smile at him, trying to grab a hold of my emotions, get them under control.
I can see he’s now bamboozled by my behaviour. Thoroughly confused by it. Throwing his arms up in exasperation. He won’t badger me, not his style. So I confess.
“I’ve met Aoife before. Once, before.” Staring straight into his eyes, refusing to blink, I see the dawning realisation on his face. He’s never been under any illusions about what we are. How we live. He’s more or less lived with us since Evie was three years old.
He scrubs his hand down his face. “Oh sweet god. Jonno, you didn’t.”
I raise my eyebrows at him. “She’s a beautiful woman. I didn’t know who she was at the time. We spent an adult night together. I’m not going into any details.” He blows out a breath, looking relieved at that statement. “Needless to say, there was a bit of a mishap, and the result is currently growing quite contentedly in her tummy. That is my fucking baby.” I end the statement with conviction.
He looks totally shocked, he didn’t expect me to say that. One night and done, yes. But the baby? No.
“Does she know it was you?” He’s putting things together quickly.
“She knew who I was when I came to the engagement party the other night. She confessed it was my baby later in theevening, and that she did not intend to tell me.” I give him a quivering brow at that. He knows how that sort of thing plays out. “She’s spilled her guts about Liam, the ‘arrangement’ she’s agreed to so her parents can function.” I spit the last bit out with disgust. Someone should have been thinking about her. Not what it looks like. Not howtheywill look.
