Page 8 of Aidan

By the time I’m finished, there’s a little over an hour until I have to open. I go back downstairs and do one more walk-through, because I have anxiety like that. The kids should be here any minute, so I’m not startled by the pounding on the door. I open it with a welcome home smile that sharply drops at the sight of two men—strangers—standing there. The hairs on the back of my neck rise.

“I’m sorry, but we aren’t open for another hour.”

“I know. We won’t be long.” The larger of the two grabs my arm, yanks me inside, and pushes me up against the wall, crowding me with his body. The second man closes and locks the door behind him.

My heart pounds and wild panic screams inside my head. The bitter taste of fear spreads across my tongue. Oh, god, the kids will be home any second.

“What do you want?” My voice trembles. The sooner they tell me, the sooner they’ll leave. I hope.

“We’re just here for a friendly visit and to offer our condolences on the death of your poor Da.” Creepy dude’s breath is rancid and when he runs a fingertip down the side of my face, I jerk my head to the side.His laugh sends a chill running down my spine. “We’re also here to collect this month’s payment.”

Payment? What payment? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He tsks. “Did Keir forget to tell you? Now that’s a real shame.” His smile is twisted and ugly. “Maybe we’ll have to take what’s due from somewhere else.”

He thrusts his pelvis forward, and bile rises to my throat at the hardness pressing against me. The other man chuckles.

“Stop,” I whimper and try to disappear into the wall behind me.

The devil’s hand whips up with lightning speed and grabs a fistful of my hair, yanking my head to the side. I cry out in pain. He leans in close and sniffs the entire length of my neck, dragging his tongue with it. I flinch away, but he’s holding me so tight I don’t move far.

“Dónal Sheehan was lenient with your Da’s payment plan. However, there’s been a regime change, and the loan has been transferred to its new owner. He doesn’t grant favors to his enemy’s old friends. Which means, it’s time to pay up.”

“I don’t know who Dónal Sheehan is or what loan you’re talking about,” I grind out between clenched teeth. “But I’ll have your money tomorrow. Please, just leave.”

I’ll promise anything to get them to go away before the children get home. Another knock hits the door. This one softer. Both men’s gaze shoot toward the sound.

“Sorcha, we’re home,” Kellen’s loud voice filters through the wood.

I whimper. “Please, don’t hurt them. I’ll have the money tomorrow. I swear.”

Tense seconds pass. Another knock and a louder call. “Sorcha. Let us in.”

At last, evil eyes releases me and steps back. He glares and puts a finger right in my face. “We’ll be back tomorrow. If you’re lying, I won’t be so nice. To you or the little mongrels.”

I suck in a breath and nod frantically, trying not to cry. “I’ll have it.”

“Sorcha!” Kellen yells this time.

Quickly, I push past the man and open the door with a shaky smile. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you. We were in the kitchen.”How I managed to speak normally I’ll never know.

“Who’s we? Is Aidan still here?” The two boys sweep past. Kellen comes to an abrupt halt and Carson crashes into his back.

“Hey, why’d you stop?” Aisling whines.

The twins’ eyes widen and dart between the two men and me. I give them a weak smile and wave them in so they’re out of the doorway, then quickly swap places.

“I was just giving these gentlemen a tour. They’re friend’s of Da’s visiting from Dublin and opening their own pub. They wanted to see how he ran ours.”It’s scary how easily the lie slips past my lips. “They were actually on their way out.”

The two dangerous men flash evil smiles and stride forward. The shorter man walks past first, but the big bad pauses and stares down at me with a terrifying smirk. “I’m looking forward to doing business with you again tomorrow.”

My mouth tightens, and the second he’s across the threshold, I slam the door shut and sag against it, my chest heaving.

“Sorcha?” There’s a tremor in Aisling’s voice

Eyes I didn’t realize I’d closed pop open. Kellen, Carson, and Aisling stare at me with equal amounts of fear on their faces. I come away from the door trying my best to forget about the men and what just happened and stride toward them. “How was school today?”

“Fi—fine,” Kellen answers.

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