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“Do you need to help to look for this guy, Jones? I can stay in my room and not keep you back, or make you feel you have to babysit me.” I don’t want to leave Jones, but I know he would be better off helping. Jones walks around beside me, sits down and squeezes my hand. “I am staying here. You need me. The men out there know what is at stake if they don’t do their jobs. It’s the life they chose. Do you mind me staying, Sophie? Cahill is trying to get home to you.”
“Thank you. I want someone to stay with me. I’m a little scared.”
He smiles. We drink I don’t know how much tea, and he tells me stories of him in service and his family. I didn’t know he is gay but that doesn’t change anything. Jones is a great friend to Cahill and me.
It’s getting late so Jones walks me to Cahill’s room and sits in the lounge while I run off to change. When I climb into bed Jones gets up to leave. “Wait, do you have to leave? I don’t wanna sleep in this room alone,” I whisper. I feel so weak. I don’t think I am cut out for this life full-time.
“It’s ok, Soph. I will stay, and I will sit back down here. You get some sleep. When Cahill gets home, I will get him to wake you.”
I smile and drift off feeling safe.
A few hours later I wake to hear shouting. I stay still to listen. The spot beside me is cold and empty. I climb out of bed quietly. The bedroom door is partially closed but I can see into the lounge area of the bedroom. Jones is there trying to tell Cahill to keep his voice down. Ruairi is pacing the floors, while Cahill is pulling his hair, shouting at everyone. He is covered in blood. I don’t know if it’s his or not. I stay behind the door.
Ruairi speaks up. “It's her, Cahill. They want her. That is twice we have got the same letter. It’s not the families. It’s one of the groups up North. It has to be.” I smack my hand over my mouth.
“Ruairi, what are you saying?” I hear Cahill growl back.
“Just get rid of her, Cahill, and life will return back to normal.”
“Rid of her?”
I open the door then with a bang. “Get rid of me?!” I scream.
I look to Jones for support, and he shakes his head saying, “It’s ok, Sophie. Nothing is going to happen.”
Jones steps closer and I run. I know I’m bare foot and in Cahill’s t-shirt, but I don’t care. I don’t want to die. I am far too young. And this is none of my fault. I run down the stairs when I can hear my name being called, but I don’t stop. I head for the front door and just as I’m about to grab the handle strong arms grab me from behind. I know it’s Cahill from the smell and his arms have become more and more familiar to me. I start to wiggle, kick, scratch, bite but Cahill just keeps saying, “Shh, shh,” in my ear as he walks me back to his room.
As we get closer, I know my fate is now doomed. “Please don’t kill me. I didn’t do anything. I won't tell anyone anything. I will move away. Please!” As tears stream down my face. He doesn’t reply, which makes things worse in my head. I just keep sniffling into my hands. We walk back into the room. Jones is sitting down giving Ruairi the evil eye. Ruairi is over at the bar with his back to us. Cahill sits down on the sofa with me in his arms.
“Firstly, no one is killing you, Sophie. If anything, I’d rather marry you quicker. Secondly, you aren’t going anywhere, you are staying here with me, I can keep you safe. Thirdly, Ruairi isn’t sure if it’s the groups up North, but he is just thinking out loud. He wants to help. Are we clear, Sophie?”
“I’m sorry. I—I panicked. But Ruairi scared me. I don’t want to die.” I stutter out. Cahill keeps rubbing my back.
“Come on, let's go to bed. We all need to get some sleep and we can try talking again tomorrow. Thank you, Jones, for today and tonight. See you for breakfast. Ruairi, goodnight, we will speak in the morning.”
Cahill tells the boys as he carries me to bed. He sets me down and strips himself. I hear a click, which makes me jump.
“Sophie, it’s only Jones locking the door for us. He is trying to make you feel safe. It’s ok, doll,” he coos at me as he climbs into bed and hugs me.
“Just settle down, let's get some sleep. I need to hold you, Sophie. Just let me hold you tonight.”
And I do. I snuggle in and don’t let go. I cry. After a bit I focus on my breathing and feel safe. I think I am falling for Cahill Traynor. I hope he keeps my heart safe. I remember his shirt is covered in blood as I'm about to drift off to sleep.
“Why are you covered in blood?” I don’t know if I want to know why he was, but a part of me must, or I wouldn’t have asked.
“We will talk in the morning, let's not worry about it now,” he whispers.
When I hear Cahill’s breathing even out and I believe he is sound asleep I whisper to the room, “Please keep me safe, Cahill, I am falling for you, and I don’t think my heart could handle you hurting me. I will say a prayer and light a candle to keep you safe and make sure you keep coming home to me.”
