Page 3 of Into Temptation

“Bout ye, wee dote?”

“I’m grand. Everythin’ is grand because yer here.”

I kiss the top of her head, still shook that this is my wee sister, the wee sister who saved me. Even though she is actually my cousin, I’ll always see her as my little sister. That’ll never change.

She lets me go when she’s ready while I wipe her tears away with my thumbs.

Looking at the person behind her, I smile—the first genuine smile in a very long time. “How’s things, Cian?”

He has always been a handsome devil, but time has been quare and kind to him. He is built like a brick shithouse and matured into the big man I always knew he was going to be.

He nods, holding back his tears. He’s always been a big softie—some things don’t change.

I offer my hand, but he doesn’t take it. Instead, like Hannah, he pulls me in for a tight hug. “Ye too good to give yer best friend a hug?” he teases as he tightens his hold.

It’s suddenly too much, but I fight the impulse to push him away. This is Cian—my best friend, the lad who stood by me through thick and thin. Ten years may have passed, but that hasn’t changed the strength of our friendship.

So, I embrace him as best I can.

He slaps me on the back before letting me go. “Ye look like shite.”

I shrug in response.

Hannah greets Darcy as she joins the reunion. “Should we head?”

“Aye.”

There is one last thing I have to do.

“Thank you.” I address Officer Grenham. “Ye were the only officer who gave a shite. Yer a good man.”

He nods and extends his hand, which I shake. “And so are you, Puck. Good luck out there.”

With nothing further to say, I turn and embrace this new life…as a free man.

The moment I step outside, I shield my eyes from the daylight—it’s something I haven’t seen in a long while. Hannah is chatting happily to Darcy, but stops when she notices me lagging behind. Cian instantly wraps his arm around my shoulders, offering me his strength.

“Ye feelin’ all right?”

“Aye, I just need a minute.”

Cian doesn’t let me go, and anyone else’s touch would be unwelcome. But not Cian’s. He is familiar. He reminds me of happier times. A time when I fell in love with a parful doll…

I’ve tried to keep her out of my thoughts, but it’s hard to do that when she became a part of me. Even though I know the truth, I can’t expect her to be here, welcoming her “brother” with open arms, which is why I don’t allow my disappointment to show.

I asked Hannah not to tell Babydoll the truth. I wanted to be the one who did that. I owe her that. But ten years is a long time. I don’t even know if she’s in Northern Ireland anymore. What reason would there be for her to stay?

Hannah mentioned she helped early on with trying to set me free, but I hurt her. I don’t blame her for moving on, which I’m sure she has. These past six months, I haven’t spoken to Hannah about Babydoll, and the thing which has surprised me most is that Hannah hasn’t spoken about her either.

Just like always, Babydoll leaves me with more questions than answers.

When I’m ready, I take a deep breath and recommence walking. The lights on a flash red Mercedes flicker when Darcy deactivates her alarm. She tosses her briefcase into the car.

“I’ve a meeting to finalize everything. Can I call on ye later?”

I don’t realize she’s talking to me until no one replies, hinting the question was for me. “Ach, sure. If ya want.”

“He’s stayin’ with you?” she asks Cian, who nods.

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