Page 78 of The Thief
"Everyone needs training," she says, but there's less conviction in it now. "But Christ, you've got a better foundation than most of us."
Freddie's watching me with an expression I can't read. Surprise, definitely. Respect, absolutely. But there's something else there too, a kind of hunger that makes heat curl in my stomach. Like seeing me fight has awakened something in him.
"Your father knew what he was doing," Henry says quietly, pushing off from the wall. "I had no idea Killian trained you. I apologize, my dear, for the lack of faith I had in you."
"He wanted me to be able to protect myself."
"Well, mission accomplished." Makenna wipes sweat from her forehead, still looking slightly stunned. "Though I'd still like to work with you sometime. Compare techniques, see what else he taught you."
"Maybe later. After tonight."
If there is an after tonight. If we all survive what's coming.
Freddie moves to my side, close enough that I can feel his warmth. "We should go," he says. "Stephen's expecting us."
"Of course." Henry stands, suddenly looking every one of his seventy-odd years. "Be careful today, both of you. Come back safe."
"We will," I promise, though I'm not sure it's a promise I can keep.
The drive to Stephen's house is quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I keep thinking about the look in Makenna's eyes when I put that knife to her throat. Respect, yes, but also something else. Recognition, maybe. Like she finally understood that I'm not just some Belfast bar girl who needs protecting.
"You didn't tell me," Freddie says finally.
"Tell you what?"
"How good you are. With knives, hand-to-hand. You could have handled those men in the alley without my help."
"Could I? There were four of them, and they had weapons."
"You took out two before I even got there. The third would have been easy."
True. I probably could have handled Sean and his friends without help. But I'm glad Freddie was there anyway.
"Does it change anything?" I ask. "Knowing I can fight?"
"It changes everything. It means I don't have to worry about you as much."
"You were worried about me?"
He glances over and smiles. "Constantly. From the moment I first saw you in Murphy's."
"Why?"
"Because you mattered. Even then, before I knew you, you mattered."
The honesty in his voice makes my chest tight. This dangerous man with blood on his hands has been worried about me since the night we met.
"I can take care of myself," I say.
"I know. But that doesn't mean you should have to."
We pull into Stephen's driveway, a huge house in the middle of nowhere. Nothing like Henry's mansion, somehow more welcoming.
"Ready to meet Jessica?" Freddie asks.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
He takes my hand as we walk to the front door, fingers intertwining with mine. A simple gesture, but it feels like a promise. Like whatever comes next, we're facing it together.
