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She straightens in her seat and blinks back her tears. I don’t want to overstep, but I also don’t want him taking his anger out on her when it’s meant for her father and that fucker who tried to drug her.
I step forward and put a hand on Kieran’s shoulder. “Take a breath, man. I know you’re upset, but you know now. Directing your anger at her is misplaced.”
He’s breathing heavily, but he dips his chin in agreement. When I step back and look at Chloe, she gives me a small smile and mouths, “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry, Kieran. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I know you’re different than my father. I guess I wasn’t thinking about your feelings. I was so excited to get out on my own for the first time.”
Kieran’s gaze softens. “I’m happy you got out of your father’s house. You should have told me, though. I want to keep you safe, Chloe. I don’t want to control your life. Not like he does.”
She pushes to her feet and slowly walks around the kitchen island. When she stops at Kieran’s side, she looks up at him, uncertain for a beat. Finally, she wraps her arms around his waist, and my best friend drops his shoulders and lets out a long exhale. I shouldn’t be jealous that she’s hugging him. Should not and am not are two different things, though.
When they release each other, the tension in the room has mostly dissipated.
Kieran glances at me and switches to Gaelic. “We’re going to pay her father a visit.”
“Aye,” I reply.
She moves her gaze between us. “I don’t like it when you speak Gaelic in front of me. What did you just say?”
I look down at her and wink. “Nothing, lass. I’m going to let you two catch up for a while.” To Kieran, I say, “I’ll be at Declan’s whenever you’re ready.”
He nods.
Before I leave, I stop in front of Chloe. “The next time you think about telling a lie to one of us, remember what I told you happens to naughty girls who fib. Be good, Little one.”
Her mouth drops open, and her eyebrows pull together as she narrows her eyes, but her pupils dilate. “You are such a caveman.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “I’ve been called worse, lass.”
When I glance at Kieran one last time, he’s staring at us with a strange expression. As soon as he notices my gaze on his, he tips his chin up. “See you in a few.”
“Aye.”
“What does this fucker do for a living?”
Kieran turns down a long driveway and parks. I’ve been here once before for a party. Years ago. Before their mom died. That’s the only time I’ve met Chloe’s dad. I didn’t like him from the second we shook hands. He had one of those wimpy handshakes that tells you he’s not trustworthy. If I wanted to hold a dead fish, I’d go fishing.
“He’s an attorney for a bunch of high society fucks. Politicians, judges, CEOs.”
We get out and walk up to the front door of the massive home. The older craftsman-style mansion has a running fountain in the middle of a circle driveway. I don’t remember it looking this run-down. The gardens are overgrown, there’s paint chipping off the shutters, and moss growing on the roof. Everything was immaculate when I was here last. Then again, Chloe’s mom was alive then, so maybe she was the one who managed the house.
Kieran rings the bell, and a moment later, a woman in a maid’s uniform opens the door.
“Is Ronald here?” he asks.
She smiles politely. “May I tell him who’s asking?”
He moves into the door frame, and I follow. The woman steps back fearfully, giving us enough space to enter the house.
“I’ll let him know who I am. Thanks for your help, ma’am,” Kieran says with a smile.
“Wait!” she calls out as we make our way through the house.
Kieran knows where he’s going. I stride silently behind him, and when we come to a set of French doors, he kicks them open. A woman screams. Ronald looks up from his chair in surprise as he hurries to zip himself up.
“Jesus Christ!” the older man shouts.
The woman rises from her knees. All I see on her face is fear. I’m used to it. It’s almost normal when we walk into a room. But she’s not afraid of us. It’s something else. She’s young. Too fucking young. I’m all about age being just a number, but he’s in his sixties, and I’m debating asking for her ID to make sure she’s legal. I don’t like it.
