Page 156 of Three Irish Kings
“Is Liam coming to?” I think that’s Dare.
Cillian snorts. “I doubt it. He probably had half a bottle of Irish whiskey before I even ordered the pitcher.”
“Why'd you let him drink so much?”
“Because he needed it, Dare. Liam never gets like this. He’s crazy about her.”
“Aye. Well, he can take a number.”
“You can’t seriously still be possessive. Thought you hated her.”
Dare doesn’t respond.
Of course, he doesn’t hate her. I’m pretty sure she’s impossible to hate. She’s beautiful and smart and hilarious and everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman.
Even though I guess I never thought I wanted a woman at all, not like that. To warm my bed once in a while, sure, but to hold in my arms? To come home to?
Only Isla has ever made me feel that way, and I think it’s the same for all three of us.
I clear my throat and open my eyes, and it’s gone dark outside.
What the fuck? It was broad daylight, early in the day, when we left the bar. Why are we still in the car?
“What’s going on?” My words are slurred at first, but then straighten out.
“Oh, thank Christ,” Dare mutters.
“Isla’s been taken.”
Panic rises in my chest, clawing up my throat.
I blink, shake my head… Whoa, big mistake.
The world spins around me and my stomach threatens to turn me inside out.
I clear my throat. “What did you say?”
“It was Cormac.” Dare sounds exasperated. “And maybe if you hadn’t drunk the whole bar, we could have?—”
Cillian elbows him, and he shuts up.
“Cormac Callahan has Isla? You know that for sure?”
I can finally focus on Dare without him doubling.
My throat is dry, and my stomach rolls. My head feels like someone’s pounding it with a hammer, but I’m glad I'm present again.
Now I remember why I don’t usually drink much.
I don’t like being out of control, but if I’m honest with myself, I’ve felt out of control about Isla from day one.
Dare tugs his laptop out from his bag, fiddling with it, typing and clicking.
I have no idea what he’s doing. I’ve never been a tech guy, other than office equipment and checking my emails and calendar.
My head is still trying to wrap around Isla being taken.
We just got her back. She was safe, right next to us, and what did I do? I got too drunk to help her. To protect her.
