AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bets’ mind had been spinning with terrifying visions of a woman alone on an empty road with five dangerous men. She’d wanted to punch something after watching the broadcast, and Linc’s jaw had cracked more than once as they’d waited for Liam to arrive. Malcolm had promised he’d strike again, but Bets hadn’t imagined he would orchestrate a scenario straight out of a Hollywood film.
“She’s street savvy.” Kathleen stomped forward, her strong Boston accent more evident in her anger. “We should applaud her, not pat her on the back and bemoan what might have happened. She clearly doesn’t want that.”
“I agree,” Liam said, squeezing Bets a little harder this time. “She’s just arrived, and she had her reasons for driving here alone, ones we’ve put in the past. Sorcha had her back and reached out to me. I was out the door in a flash.”
“We would have gone with you,” Declan ground out. “Dammit, Liam—”
“I didn’t think,” Liam shot back. “I just raced there as fast as I could. Plus, she’s mine—something Sorcha has already told her.”
A ripple of shock went through the crowd. Well, there it was. Bets had known—it was basic math being that Liam was the last of the men Sorcha had pledged to matchmake. It hadkilledher not to say anything, even if Linc had to keep reminding her, insisting she should let them figure things out themselves. Still, hearing her son talk like this… It was like seeing him grow into being a man the rest of the way.
Someone coughed loudly before Sophie said, “Which I suggested to Sorcha. I thought it might be more effective for her to tell the woman first.”
“She’s saying men are thick in the head,” Declan grumbled.
“If the shoe fits, Ace,” his wife shot back.
“Not that Taylor wants any of you to talk to her about it,” Liam continued, looking across the group to ensure he was heard and confirming Bets’ gut. “Seeing Sorcha has freaked her out. Understandably so.”
Brady put his hand on her son’s shoulder. “We’d wondered, Liam, but we weren’t sure we should say anything. Right, Jamie?”
“Sophie was the one who told us,” Jamie corrected, “since Taylor talked to her about seeing Sorcha. She was rattled by it all, and no wonder. But we’re getting off track. Malcolm obviously plans to continue his harassment of our people. What are we going to do about that?”
“We’re going to hire more security guards,” Linc said, tucking his hands in his pockets and rocking on the heels of his cowboy boots. “No one is going to go anywhere alone for a good long while.”
“Nowhere?” Liam asked, his brow knit. “Linc, I’m the first one to support our need for increased vigilance and security, but curtailing our every freedom gives Malcolm all the power.”
“And yet, he managed to block a public road today after having Taylor followed from Dublin airport three hours away.” Bets took her son by the shoulders. “Malcolm will be ready for the live streaming next time, won’t he? Aren’t there electronic jammers or something to stop technology?”
Linc put his hand to her back and likely felt it trembling, but then again, he always knew when she was upset and did his best to comfort her or talk her down. “Sugar, we’re going to find a way to make sure our people are always safe and connected. I’ll be working with our security officer along with Donal and Carrick and a few others—”
“I want in,” Declan said, his face as stony and determined as when he used to box in the ring.
“Me too,” Eoghan said, taking his wife’s hand. Sandrine had been Sophie’s longtime helper since childhood. She and Eoghan met through her and married just weeks ago. “We can’t just muscle up. We need to find a way to outfox Malcolm.”
“AndMary Kincaid,” Sophie added, twisting her hands. “Don’t forget about Mary.”
No, no one could forget about Mary Kincaid, and for that Bets felt a huge weight of responsibility. Mary’s hatred was for her, but it had become her mission in life to stop the arts center. Now she had more friends, powerful friends. “We shouldn’t have announced the day Taylor was arriving. We made it so easy for Malcolm. I want to kick myself.”
Liam kissed her cheek. “Don’t kick yourself, Mum. Eoghan’s right. We need to focus on being smarter.”
Donal shook his head, glancing over at his wife Ghislaine, a publicist who had helped the arts center after Sophie had called her in. They’d married at the same time as Eoghan, Donal’s father, in a ceremony that would be remembered in town for years to come. “It’s not like this village is known for discretion. You can’t tell anyone anything without it being passed around. We’re going to have to go back to some of our old ways and keep things to ourselves. Too many ears.”
“Yes,” Eoghan said, his angular face lined with tension. “We have enemies in our camp. We must act accordingly.”
Bets shook her fist in the air as anger surged up again. “I’m having another moment where I’m questioning whether this is all worth it.”
Linc took her aside and bored his beautiful blue eyes into hers. “Let me recount this argument. Mary was picking at you and undermining you even before you conceived of the arts center.”
“Remember your prized roses, Bets?” Donal asked. “She cut them to pieces out of spite. She’s been a viper in this village her whole life, and she’s been gaining friends and flexing her muscles.”
“Yeah, and now Malcolm is hanging around her cauldron,” Bets cried out. “Dammit, we need to shut them down. What are the chances the new Garda officer will press charges on Malcolm, Denis, and the rest of his muscle?”
“We’ll soon find out,” Linc told her, holding up his hands for a peace she didn’t feel capable of just now. “I know everybody is worked up. But nothing more can be done tonight. We should all go home and get some rest. For those who want to join, we’ll hold a meeting tomorrow with the security officer at two o’clock. That should give our new Garda officer enough time to decide what he’s going to do.”
She hated waiting on other people. “He’d better do something,” she said harshly.
“I think he wants to if the law allows.” Linc massaged her shoulder, making her feel like a total shrimp next to his large frame. “He was genuinely upset about the news and pledged his full support.”
