Page 39 of Careless

“I need more info than that, sweet cheeks. Someone better have a bullet wound to get me out of bed at two in the morning when I have to be in the shed at five.” I can never tell if he’s joking or serious when he says stuff like this.

“My mother just showed up.” I know that’s all he needs to know.

“On my way.”

“Can you bring your little mini-lab thing?” I ask, the desperation obvious in my voice.

“Got it.”

I hit the end button and slip the phone back in my pocket. I look to see Rian staring at me with suspicious eyes tinted with jealousy but he doesn’t question me. He’s made it clear he has jealousy and possessiveness issues when it comes to me, but he has nothing to worry about. I don’t want Tiernan. He’s like another, less protective brother.

I hold up the pill bottle in my hand. “She was desperate to give this to me and I don’t trust her. I need to know what’s in it.”

“Okay,” is all he says.

Rian takes me in his arms and I bury my face in his thermal, taking in lungfuls of his intoxicating scent. It’s so relaxing, and I yawn against him.

“Tired?” he asks with a chuckle.

“More like the stress has drained me.”

He runs his hand down my hair, soothing me with his gentle touch.

“Why don’t you lay down? When T gets here, I’ll give him the pill and get him set up, okay?”

I let out a small hum in response, too relaxed to say anything else.

Rian lifts me from the couch and carries me bridal style down the hallway to my bedroom. I’m asleep before my back hits the bed.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

HIM

Isoftly close Sorcha’s front door and stand guard on the front porch. I make sure Sorcha’s mother is gone and wait for Tiernan to get here. Sorcha was so out of it when I carried her to her bed. I don’t know if I’ll be able to wake her when needed. A part of me worries about how toxic her mother is to her mental health. I’ve never seen her pass out so quickly, not even when we were kids.

I don’t know what the point is her mother was trying to make, but I trust Sorcha’s instincts. If she thinks her mother’s intentions aren’t so pure and is doing the opposite of helping her, I will do everything possible to make sure we find out what her true motives are.

I shouldn’t get involved in this. I should leave her be, but I’m too psychotic and self-destructive to give her space. I need her, and needing her could get me killed and her hurt. I should be doing everything in my power to shield her from all of this. I’ve always been way more involved with her than I should be but tough shit.

The high beams from Tiernan’s van fly around the corner. The tires screech as he slams on the breaks, nearly plowing into my car. Good thing. He knows I’ll kick his ass if he messes up my car. It’s not anything special, but it's the first car I ever tinkered with, and it has nostalgic significance.

As soon as Tiernan steps onto the porch, I open the door and wave him in. He grins at me and waggles his eyebrows like he knows exactly why I’m here.

Nosy fucker.

“You’re just a glutton for punishment, aren’t you?” he jokes, and I roll my eyes.

“Shut up.” I pull the bottle out of my pocket and hand it to him. “Her mother gave her this and was pretty adamant about her taking it. But, of course, Sorcha is suspicious. Who delivers a single pill in the middle of the night if it's not illegal?”

“Where is Sorcha?”

“In her bed.” He gives me a knowing smirk, but I just glare at him. “I didn’t fuck her, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

He shrugs like it’s inconsequential and none of his business. As if that happening wouldn’t affect everyone in the house he’s living in.

Tiernan is the only one who knows how much of a hypocrite I am. If he hadn’t caught me watching Sorcha’s dance practice a year ago, he probably wouldn’t have caught on. After that, there was no point in hiding my obsession with my best friend’s little sister. I’ve told him about how much that girl consumes me. He’s probably sick of hearing me lament about my obsession. I use the wordobsessionand notlovebecause it's so much more. Ten times as addicting. I’m too selfish to call this feeling love. I’d put her needs above my own if it didn’t require taking her away from me. I’m not so stupid to think Sorcha isn’t isolated and doesn’t crave love and affection outside of her small bubble. Still, I’m more likely to chain her up in a dark cabin in the woods before I’d ever let her love someone who isn’t me.

She’s fighting her feelings for me now, but eventually, she’ll give in. She wants to protect me and Finn. I can respect that, but I’m not going to allow us to be separated because of his anger. He’ll get over it. Plus, his little slut is proving to be a decent distraction for him. For the past couple of weeks, she’s kept him entertained, even if he didn’t know I noticed. I’m not the only Bastard with stalker tendencies, and I’ve seen it.

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