Page 25 of Home Again

7

“Goddamn fool.”

Sebastian and Gianna watched as two men half dragged, half carried Armand up the front stairs of the main house.

“Gianna, get back inside, there’s no point you getting all wet,” Sebastian said as he looked over at her.

She shot him a dark look, then turned around and went back down the hallway.

As the three men got closer, Sebastian could see that there were a couple of bruises on Armand’s face. Who in the hell had he pissed off?

“Bastian, is that you?”

He took a closer look at the red-headed giant of a man on the right and broke into a grin. “Callum?”

“Nah, I’m the other O’Malley, Fergus. You never could tell us apart.” He pushed Armand onto the other man and sprinted up the stairs to enfold Sebastian into a bearhug. “Jesus, man, it’s good to see you. Wait ’til I tell Ma you’re in town, she’ll be wanting to feed you and setting you up with one of the cousins in no time.”

“The food I’m good with, but no more set-ups with O’Malley girls, they scare me.”

“That’s smart on your part.” Fergus turned so that they could both look at Armand being helped up the stairs. “This here is Bill. He and I drew the short straws and had to bring your numb-nuts uncle home. This is the fifth time this year that he’s started a fight at The Anchor. If he didn’t pay double for clean-up, they wouldn’t let him back in each time.”

The three of them went into the house and were met by Gianna who was holding a stack of towels and a first-aid kit. “Bring him into the kitchen and I can help get him cleaned up.”

Sebastian saw Bill’s and Fergus’ eyes light up as they gave Gianna the once-over. He couldn’t blame them—all that sexy, wavy dark hair that flowed down over that form-fitting sweater dress, what wasn’t there to like?

“Hi, Gee!” Armand slurred out the greeting. “Miss me?”

She rolled her eyes.

“Follow me.”

“Bastian, I’m liking the company you brought,” Fergus muttered under his breath as they all followed her into the kitchen. Sebastian wasn’t going to tell the big Irishman any differently. With all that was going on, he really didn’t need him sniffing around because of a pretty face.

“My name is Gianna, how many times do I need to tell you that, Armand?” Gianna asked as she pulled out one of the kitchen chairs for Bill to drop him into.

“You love it when I call you Gee, and you know it.” He tried to make a grab for her, but she backed up before he could. He would have fallen on the floor if Bill hadn’t caught him and shoved his ass back into the chair.

“Okay, I’m not playing Florence Nightingale to this idiot, you are.” She shoved the first aid kit at Sebastian, then crossed her arms and glared at Fergus. “What in the hell happened? He was only gone for five hours.”

Armand chuckled. “I’m just that good.”

“Shut it,” she growled.

“Big Red, answer me.” She pointed at Fergus.

Fergus nudged Sebastian with his elbow. “Seriously, Bastian, I like her, she’s feisty. How’d you two meet?”

Gianna gave Fergus a confused glance. “Oh, we’re not together. I’m renting the carriage house out back. I just met Sebastian yesterday when he came home.”

Sebastian watched as both Bill and Fergus gave him long looks, then turned to look at Gianna.

“Is that right?” Fergus asked. He kicked out the legs of one of the kitchen chairs and sat down. “So tell me about yourself, sweet thing, and don’t leave anything out.”

Gianna shook her head. “Flirt much?”

“Bastian, your uncle is bleeding on the floor, shouldn’t you be taking care of that?” Fergus asked, not taking his eyes off Gianna.

Sebastian grabbed Fergus’ arm and hauled him up.