Page 62 of Accidental Irish Daddy

“I know exactly who she is,” Grant says, raising his voice. “And you’d better be very careful with the next thing that comes out of your mouth, friend. Where I come from, insulting a man’s wife is the fastest way to lose your teeth.”

The air in the room has changed. It’s like a dark cloud has come over us. I don’t know what game Liam thought he was going to play coming here, but it’s now very clear that he’s crossed a line that he might not be able to walk back over.

Liam doesn’t seem to feel the same ominous feeling, however. He stands there, gritting his teeth and staring Grant down. “She owes me money,” he says. “And I mean to get it from her.”

Grant says, “Aisling, go into my study and stay there until I come for you.”

I don’t know what that means, but the change in his voice compels me to move. I walk away obediently, going to his study. I keep the door open a little so I can hear.

“Just so we’re clear,” Grant says, “you’re not going to get a penny from me or from her. Whatever business you think you have with Aisling is over, starting right now. If I see you anywhere around her or around my property, I’ll make you regret the day you ever met me.”

“That a threat, rich boy?”

“It’s a promise. I don’t make threats. Now, you’re going to turn around and leave, or I’m going to drag you out by your neck, put your mouth on the curb, and stomp your fucking head in.”

“You can’t touch me—”

“Please say another word.” Grant’s voice has taken on a dark, low growl. “I’m fucking begging you to say something else to me. All I need is a word,friend. Just one more fucking word.”

I don’t hear anything for a long moment, then someone is walking and the door opens and closes.

I walk away from the door a second before he comes into the study.

“Thank you,” I say to him.

Grant doesn’t look at me. He walks past me and sits down at his desk. “If he comes back,” he says, “call me immediately. Understand?”

This isn’t a request. That darkness that crept into the room is still there, lurking behind his eyes. I’m thankful for his protection…but I don’t like this side of him.

“Understood,” I nod. I walk out, heaviness in my chest as I go back up into my room.

19

Grant

Almost lost control there.

Seeing the man who hurt Aisling flipped some kind of switch in my brain. The animal that I once was, that I buried with my drug and alcohol use, almost came out.

I don’t care about whatever money he was looking for or anything else he was talking about. He was standing in my house and threatening Aisling. I saw red from the moment I laid eyes on him.

I pace around my study, thinking about how close I came to becoming that monster again. I’d have gleefully ripped that man apart with my bare hands…

Jesus, what if Aisling had seen that part of me? What if she saw how violent I could become? In the fragmented memories of my past, there are nights when I’ve left men in shambles. Mangled faces lying in pools of blood at the hands of my rage.

Aisling can never see that part of me. If she ever did, she’d run from me, and rightfully so. The monster I really am needs to stay hidden from her at all costs.

I take a few deep breaths, but it does very little to calm me down. Maybe if I work out, I can burn some of this rage off.

Bridget comes in. I leave the study just in time to see her bounding up the stairs. That’s fine. She should be with her sister right now anyway.

I go to my room and change into my sweatpants and tank top. As I come out, Bridget is rushing out of her sister’s room, a plastic bag in her hands. “Hey.”

She jumps and whirls around, putting the bag behind her.

“How was school?”

She shrugs. “Fine. Nothing much happened.”

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