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“That’s all I want you to say right now,” Linc interrupted, holding up his hands with a warning in his light blue eyes.
“I agree,” his mum finally said, her fingers now gripping the table’s edge. “No one is going to be hurt by this. Do you hear me? Dammit, this shouldn’t even be a thing. It’s our building!”
Linc pried her hands away and took them in his own. “Everyone is working on their part, sugar. It’s going to be fine and dandy. I mean, hell, first Veritas, and now a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist? We might not be out of the woods yet, but we’re more than halfway through. Now, what are we going to do about Mary? She could go the defamation route, I’m told, seeing as she wasn’t involved with the incident on the road on Saturday.”
Liam felt Taylor’s muscles tense again. “I told Veritas about the rose competition stuff.”
“You met him then?” Eoghan asked. “In person like?”
“Let’s not get into specifics,” Linc implored, helping Liam’s center remain calm. “For all our sakes. Our new Garda officer, John Hart, has already asked for a meeting. The lawyers will be there for the interviews, and we’re going to see what questions he has for us. Our plan is to only respond to what we’re asked without volunteering more information. We’ll see how far Malcolm—and Mary—plan to take this and respond accordingly. We are not on the defensive here, folks. Malcolm is. We keep the heat on him. Ghislaine?”
“We have interview requests galore, as expected.” She pulled out her phone and tapped the screen. “Taylor, no shock, but some big news anchors want to interview you. I’ve sent you an email just now of who I have so far and which ones I recommend you do. We’re also having a press conference this Friday and hope you can speak. We can discuss everything. I know this isn’t how you expected to start your new position.”
She licked her lips. “No, but I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
“Thank you, Taylor,” Liam’s mum said, sending her a smile. “And if you need anything, you let us know.”
“Thank you.” His soulmate pushed her hair back behind her ears, her first show of nerves. “Liam has been taking care of me so far, but I’m eager to branch out a little more.”
“We should head to the Brazen Donkey tonight then.” Eoghan clapped his hand on the table. “We’ll welcome you the Irish way. With whiskey and music and good company.”
“I can’t wait,” she responded with one of her first easy smiles.
Linc stood. “Our coveted board ofWho’s Whowill be coming in for the press conference—as much to stand with us as to see one of the largest Veritas murals to date. I didn’t know for sure whether we have the record. There’s other good news, folks. Hans Shumaker wants to start his painting for the museum a year earlier than expected, and Tom Sarkesian has pledged to present his plans for the new museum at our upcoming press conference—three weeks ahead of schedule.”
His mum gasped. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”
“Because you should always end a meeting on a positive note,” Linc added with that charming grin of his. “But I like Eoghan’s idea better. We really should party tonight and welcome Taylor. Liam, seeing as you’re the unofficial tour guide for Ms. McGowan, do you think you can have her at the pub around six? A few of us still have some calls to make, but I think we can sneak off around then.”
He glanced over at Taylor. She looked tired, but she nodded at his silent question. She’d wanted to go to the Brazen Donkey last night, but they’d decided to do the mural. Tonight would be a bigger crush, but he would help her navigate it. “As Ms. McGowan knows, I am completely at her disposal. Still, I’ll let her answer.”
Taylor squeezed his hand before saying, “We’ll be there.”
“Then the meeting is adjourned,” Linc declared. “Liam, can I speak to you for a second about the party tonight?”
He knew a ruse when he heard one, but he headed over anyway. Linc pulled him into the corner as the others filed out. “I meant what I said about keeping the details about your communication with Veritas quiet. Nothing is to be said unless it’s absolutely necessary, and only then after conferring with the lawyers. Got that?”
Liam bit the inside of his cheek. God, he hated lying. Still, he had to answer in a way he could live with. “Only Veritas and I will know the details, I promise.” He and Taylor would have to decide just how Veritas had contacted him.
The older man clapped him on the back. “Good. Now, go and hug your mother some. She’s been a basket case, worrying about you.”
“She loves me, what can I say?”
Linc gripped his shoulder. “Well, I do too, and since you’re Bets’ boy, that makes you mine as well. Liam, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
No one could make such a promise, and they both knew it, but he nodded all the same, deeply moved. “It was a blessed day when you arrived in Caisleán. And Linc, since you’re my mother’s, that’s makes you mine too. I won’t let anything happen to you either.”
The older man gave him a friendly shove. “Oh, get on with you. I’m going to cry if you keep that up.”
Liam walked over to his mother and did indeed wrap her up. She held on to him a bit more tightly than normal. He did his best to assure her, but he was aware that he had trouble being present with her. Unusual that. It was Taylor he was looking for when he let his mum go, his heart seeking her out as much as his eyes.
She was his soulmate, after all.
Even better—she almost believed it.
CHAPTERTEN
Never say the Irish didn’t know how to party in tough times.
