Page 14 of Aidan

“Sorcha, will you stop and talk to me?”

I fumble with the lock on the door with a trembling hand. “I think it’s best if you don’t come in right now.”

Finally, I manage to get it open and push the three of them inside. I’m right on their heels and shut the door in Aidan’s lying face. After the stress over the last few weeks of not knowing how I’m going to keep things going and the fear those men caused me yesterday, this new revelation is more than I can handle at the moment.

“Boys, can you please take your sister upstairs? I’ll be up shortly. I need to be by myself for a little bit, okay?” I hope they won’t ask me any questions.

As though sensing how on the edge I am, Kellen takes hold of Aisling’s hand. “Come on little nightmare. Let’s go watch a movie. I’ll even let you pick.”

With only a quick glance back, he guides her toward the kitchen with his brother following.

“Can we watch the scary one with the weird people?” Her voice trails away as they disappear into the kitchen.

I cross the length of the pub and pour myself a gin and tonic, not caring that it’s barely nine in the morning. I finish it in less than two minutes and start on a second before I finally collapse into one of the chairs. Aidan’s words rattle around inside my brain again. If his last name isn’t Broderick then what is it? The only other names he mentioned were Dónal Sheehan, Liam Campbell, and the Donnellys. Sweet jesus, is he a Donnelly? What does that mean? Is he a cousin or something? Surely, he can’t be one oftheDonnellys.

Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I do a quick search. There isn’t a lot of information on them. Then again, if they are the mafia, I doubt they want the attention. I search news articles, images, videos, until finally I find a clip from the main news in Dublin. About a month ago, three members of the Donnelly family were arrested for allegedly attempting to break into a Liam Campbell’s home. Each one of them were armed. The video shows three handcuffed men being escorted by several members of the Gardaí into a building.

In the lead is a familiar auburn-haired, tattooed, and pierced Aidan.

CHAPTER7

Aidan

That did not go as planned.I don’t blame Sorcha for being pissed, but I’m a little disappointed she shut me out completely before giving me a chance to explain myself.What is there to explain? You’ve been lying to her for five years.

I walk back to my car, grab my bag, and head to the bed and breakfast I’d checked out of only yesterday to secure another room. I’m not sure how long I’ll be in town. I should probably touch base with someone at home as well. I pull my phone from my pocket and call Cian. He might be the only one besides Da up this early and the longer I avoid talking to Da the better.

“Why are you calling me at this hour?” he grumbles and then whispers something unintelligible, most likely to Nessa.

“Stop bitching. It’s not that early.”

“It is when you’re in bed with a beautiful woman. Since you’ve already ruined the mood, what do you want?”

“I’m just letting you know I’m going to be out of town for a few more days.”

“I didn’t realize you were gone.”

Of course he didn’t.“Well, I am. I’ll be back either tomorrow or Monday in case Da asks.”

“Why are you calling me instead of him, then?” Cian complains. “Unless you don’t want him questioning where you are.”

I pause for a second. “It’s complicated.”

“Which means there’s a woman involved.”

“There is no woman.”Jesus. I shouldn’t have said anything.

Cian barks out a laugh. “You’re a shite liar, you know that, right?”

I’m almost offended. I happen to be an excellent liar. I’ve been doing it for years. “Look, I’m just letting you know I’ll be back in a couple days.”

“Thanks for ruining a perfectly good morning by calling for something I don’t care about. Tell this non-existent woman I said you’re an arsehole.” He ends the call.

Fuck. I shouldn’t have bothered. Cian is always waiting for a chance to bust my balls, so I suspect I’ll be getting a call from Da soon. The bed and breakfast comes into view. Once I’m checked back in and settled in my room, I lie down. I’m going to need all my energy to convince Sorcha of my proposition. One I hadn’t been able to broach since she kicked me out of the pub. It doesn’t bode well for her accepting my offer, either. I’ll have to do what I can to convince her then.

* * *

It’s a dick move,showing up when she has customers, but regardless of her being pissed, she’s still by herself and needs my help. Even if she won’t ask for it. I walk through the door behind a couple regulars. They take a seat at one of the few empty tables and I head behind the bar. Sorcha glances up, scowls, and ignores me. This might be the first time I’ve witnessed her truly angry. She’s kind of adorable.

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