Page 23 of Aidan

Da sits forward and rests his elbows on the desk top, tapping his lips with steepled fingers. “I hadn’t realized you were seeing anyone.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Is she pregnant?”

My head rattles. “What? No.”

“Is she the daughter of another enemy I’m not aware of?” he asks with a bit of irony in his tone.

I bark out a short laugh. “No. Sorcha and I have been friends—and only friends—for five years. She, her three young siblings, and, up until a month ago when he died, her Da live in a small village on the northwest coast. We met in Belfast where she was going to uni.”

“Not that I need to know who all your friends are, but why is it that I’ve never heard of her before today?”

I have to resist the urge to look away like I’m guilty of something. “Because until three days ago, she had no idea who I was. Or rather what my last name is. She didn’t know the family I belong to.”

Da slowly leans back, his gaze penetrating. “I see. Why is that?”

“I lied to her when we met.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

I straighten. “Sometimes it’s nice being just Aidan without everything that comes with being a Donnelly. The circumstances around Sorcha’s and my meeting were difficult for her. It felt easier. Safer if she didn’t know who I was.”

Da’s quiet for several minutes that stretch into what feels like hours. “I assume, if she’s marrying you, she’s now aware of who you are?”

“Yes.”

“If you’ve been lying to this woman for five years, I’ll also assume something prompted you to tell her who you really are.” It’s not a question.

“I haven’t figured out how, yet—although it may not matter at this point since they’re both dead—but her Da knew Dónal Sheehan. Well enough to borrow over ten-thousand euros to help keep Keir’s pub afloat. With Sheehan’s death, the debt was transferred to its new owner who sent two men to collect payment from Sorcha. A debt she knew nothing about.”

Da’s face hardens and his lips thin. “Campbell.”

I dip my head. “She called me after they left, completely terrified. I confronted him that night. He was a prick like usual. Refused to accept my offer to pay it. So I did the only thing I could think of to protect Sorcha.”

“You told him she was your fiancée,” he surmises.

“In front of Imogen.”

At last, a spark of amusement lights up his eyes. “I’ll bet that didn’t go well after you left.”

“I transferred the money to him the day before yesterday. As long as Sorcha and I follow through with the marriage, the debt will remain wiped clean. Otherwise, he’ll take payment out of my flesh.” No matter how much I’d wanted to, I hadn’t gloated after it was all said and done.

“Have you set a date for this wedding?”

“Not yet, although Campbell forced my hand and said if Sorcha and I were actually engaged, then it must mean she would be moving to Dublin soon. Plus, I wanted to tell you first. I do need to go back to Burtonport and help Sorcha finalize some things with the pub. I told her I would hire people to continue operating it if she wanted. She’s having a hard time letting go though. It’s been in her family her entire life. She wants it to stay that way for the boys and Aisling after they’re grown. In case any of them decide to take it over.” I lean forward and rest my forearms on my knees.

“What about living arrangements?” Da asks.

“That’s another thing I wanted to talk to you about. For now, I was hoping to get them settled here at the manor. The boys can take two rooms upstairs and Aisling can take Cian’s old room so she’s close to her sister. I think it’ll be nice for them to get to know the family. Plus, having other people here can help take the burden off Sorcha. It’s been hard for her since her Da died. She’s running the pub and parenting three kids alone.”

Da nods slowly. “I think that’s a good idea. You’ll need to talk to your brothers. Let them know.”

“I also need to introduce Sorcha to Lucia and see how to enroll the kids in school. Plus, Aisling is around Enzo’s age.”

“You said there are two boys as well?”

“Kellen and Carson are twelve.”

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