Page 30 of Merciless Sinner

I forgot them as if they never existed.

Seamus taps my hands again and gives it a gentle squeeze when he notices the shift in my mood.

“Take it easy, child. I think that’s enough for today.” Warmth fills his pale eyes. “Take it easy and steady. You’ve been through a lot over the past few days and last few years. We mustn’t overload your mind with too much.”

I nod, agreeing.

He sighs and releases my hand. “I’m going to leave now and give you some rest, but I want you to call me if you need me.”

“I will, and thank you. Thank you for coming by.”

He stands. “Always, my love. I assume your brother will be here as soon as he hears you’re back. Perhaps we could do something as a family then.” A hope-filled smile crinkles his eyes.

I nod, but the idea of meeting another family member makes me even more unsettled, but I still smile back and say, “That would be nice.”

“We’ll organize something the moment he returns. See you in a few days.”

“Alright.”

He lowers his head to plan a kiss on my forehead, then leaves.

I stare at the large wooden double doors long after he’s gone and think about him, and all the things we spoke about.

Chances are Seamus truly is the endearing uncle who’s loved and cared for me since forever. He seemed exactly like that, but my mind drifts to that sphere of fear it has nestled in, and I wonder again if he could be my enemy.

Seamus explained that he was in the hospital at the time of the attack. He’d had various medical procedures going on and was basically out of the picture.

But I don’t know him enough to use that alibi as something that would discount him from wanting my parents and me dead.

He’s my father’s brother. He would certainly make a good Judas.

So would Cillian. Virgo said he was in Ireland, but people can do anything from anywhere in the world.

Who would know more about everything to do with my parents’ plans and whereabouts than them?

I wish I didn’t have these feelings and suspicions, but I’m completely out of my element. Being back in New York also means I put my trust in someone else besides myself. That places me in a situation I never wanted to be in.

The last time I did that was with Flavio, and he screwed me over.

But that was different to this. Flavio was just an asshole who preyed on my weakness. He didn’t know about my past.

Coming back here to this alien home is me facing my demons I’m not ready to face. The whole idea makes me feel volatile and as unstable as thin ice.

Then there's the wedding.

I’m an Irish mafia princess who’s about to marry a Bratva boss?

Mafia. During the time I’ve been away, I’ve stayed away from anything to do with the mafia. It means danger, all of it, so how can I really be safe here?

I bring a hand to my head as a rush of dizziness hits me.

Slowly, I stand, deciding I might need some fresh air before I pass out.

Seamus was right. I need to take things easy and steady. If I don’t, my mind will explode.

I make my way into the adjacent room, which is hall filled with beautiful paintings on the walls. Most of the house is like this, but this room appears to be set up to display nothing but art.

Expensive art that probably costs more than a fortune.

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