Page 247 of Mangled Memory
Liam sets his helmet down with a thud and stares holes through me as he takes the seat opposite me. He breathes as if he had to pedal that bike here.
“I’ll go get us something to drink.” Cian looks between us but speaks to me. “If you’ll tell him what you told me.” Turning to his brother, he adds, “And if you’ll listen and not kill him while I’m gone.”
“No promises,” Liam mumbles, not quite low enough to be under his breath. He strips his armored motorcycle gloves off revealing scarred, tatted hands.
I nod to Cian as he stands and winds his way back into the house, watching him give Eleanor a rub before leading her away from the back door.
By the time he’s returned, bottle and glasses in hand, the dog is nowhere to be seen and I have literally watched Liam morph in front of me. He knows I’ve told him the truth.
“Ayla’s sound asleep. She didn’t even stir when Eleanor jumped onto the bed with her.”
“Almost a win after today.” I reach for the bourbon and a glass.
“You need to know she has a black eye.”
Excuse me. “Explain.”
“Dad was”—he pauses as if tumbling the word around on his tongue—“rough when he got home today. Handprint bruise on her upper arm and a knot on her cheek, more so than a black eye.”
I see red but force my breathing to slow. Seamus Murphy will pay for today.
“I’m staying here tonight, by the way.” It’s not a question.
The eldest Murphy nods once.
“What in the ever-loving fuck?” Liam offers out of nowhere, extending a glass to me as I pour.
“Exactly.” I lift the bottle and Cian pushes the last tumbler across the table.
We all toss back a slug.
“He bruised her twice today,” I whisper into the darkness. “That will never. Happen. Again.”
“Never,” Liam offers.
“Ever,” Cian echoes.
We knock back a couple more shots each before Cianmentions dinner for Liam. “Have you had anything, Christian? Want some dinner?”
“I just want my wife. If it’s all the same to you, I’ll head to bed.”
He nods and extends a hand. “Glad she has you.”
Liam extends a hand. “Same.”
I nod to each of them and then leave them to find my wife.
Ayla
I wake to a thick band of steel wrapped around my middle and snuggle back into the warmth at my back, then freeze. Last night crashes down on me as yesterday washes over me.
My mom.
My dad.
Ward.
Christian.
