Page 19 of Irish Betrayal

“This is news,” his dad said carefully. “Does your mother know?”

Daniel felt his cheeks heat like a child who’s been caught in a white lie. “No.” He avoided everyone’s eyes as his admission settled around the table. Keeping important things from the Byrne sisters wasn’t often tolerated.

“Raven will want to help you decorate,” his uncle Patrick said evenly, a hint of censure.

“It isn’t a done deal. I’ll tell mom the moment I know if I get it.” In desperation, Daniel looked to Jonathan and asked, “Has Aunt River given her opinions about your properties for the office?”

Jonathan put his hands up in a “What the hell?” gesture. “Don’t drag me into this shit. And yeah, Mom sent her recommendations this morning. I’m going with her number one.”

“I’ve taught you something, son,” Patrick grinned, toasting the table with his two fingers of Three Wolves Ten Year.

There were a hundred things to be proud of his family for, but damn if the O’Faolains didn’t make a fine whiskey.

“Tell us your other news, cousin,” Jonathan prompted, elbowing him like the asshole he loved to be.

His dad and Patrick were suddenly all ears. The problem with their family was that keeping secrets was nonexistent.

Daniel felt his ears burn, but for Christ's sake, he was twenty-four years old. Squaring his shoulders, he announced, “I’m taking Blair to the friends’ Christmas party at Gray Eyes tonight. As my date.” As my date…Christ, Daniel.

“Oh yeah?” his uncle Patrick drawled. “River told me to expect something like that.”

“What the hell? What would she know of it? Blair and I barely know,” Daniel defended.

“If you love the girl, then I’d be surprised if you know up from down, Dan. Just look at Jonathan,” Patrick nodded his head toward his son, “the boy was a complete mess.”

“I love you, too, Dad,” Jonathan growled.

Daniel didn’t respond, too busy watching various emotions cross over his father’s face: shock, surprise, and finally understanding.

“Is Coll’s daughter the reason behind wanting to settle in the country?” his dad asked.

“Yes,” Daniel admitted.

“Makes sense. She’d want the green.”

“Irish acres of green,” Patrick teased.

“Have you spoken to Barr?” his dad asked.

Oh shit.

“Umm, it’s new,” Daniel defended.

“I don’t care if it’s three minutes old. Barr is a mean sonofabitch who guards his women like a dragon and their treasure,” his dad said unhelpfully.

“Not to mention her uncle. MacGregor won’t take kindly to you going behind his back, Dan,” Patrick added.

“For fuck’s sake,” Daniel cursed. “Blair has barely said whether or not she’ll have me, let alone tell her family.”

“And yet you’re buying a family home with Blair in mind,” his dad reminded.

This was getting out of hand. Blair would die if she knew they were discussing their future before they’d even had a chance to fully discuss it. She’d agreed to go on a date in front of their friends, not marry him.

Taking mercy on him, Jonathan clasped Daniel’s upper arm. “Don’t lose hope, bro. It will work out. We just unfortunately chose to love difficult women.”

Truer words.

Gray Eyes