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Nina, on the other hand, beams at him. “It’s so good to see you.” Even as she tries to remain calm, I can see the turmoil in her eyes as this man works for Cathal.
Isiah mentioned that both James and Cathal know who he is. Apparently, Cathal used to be his best friend before my father chased his family out of the city. And I remember him mentioning Isiah’s original name, Dalton, when we met together one time, clearly a taunt.
His eyes land on me. “I hear congratulations are in order, Mrs. Darcy.” There’s something in his expression that I can’t quite place, but suddenly I wonder how I ever liked this guy. “How have you been?” he asks.
“I’ve been fine, thanks. You?”I ask, unable to keep the coldness out of my tone.
His jaw clenches. “Well, thanks. Is there something wrong?” he asks.
Nina squeezes my arm, alerting me to the fact that Cathal is heading in this direction. “I’m going to the bathroom. Come get me when he’s gone.” And then she scurries off, leaving me alone with James.
“Why would something be wrong?” I ask.
The corner of his lip curls upward. “You just seem off.” His eyes narrow. “What has Isiah told you about me?”
I shift uncomfortably as Cathal joins us. “There you are. I wondered where you’d gone to.” He smiles at me. “It’s lovely to see you, Bella. How is married life?”
I shoot James a look as I say, “Better than expected, honestly.”
James’ expression changes. “I think he’s told Bella the truth.”
I give him a glare. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His expression goes from angry to concerned. “Cathal, can you give us a moment?”
“He’s not going to leave your family alone, Bella.” His jaw clenches. “Isiah is the reason I’m second in command to Cathal.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“He told you about his brother, no doubt?”
I hesitate to confirm anything, but in the end I nod in reply.
“However, he didn’t tell you what he did to me. His father loved me like a third son, but Joe hated it. He was jealous of me, that his father loved me more than him and his twin.” He sighs heavily. “The night Aiden died, I should have gone with them, but Joe made sure I got left behind.”
“That’s not what he told me,” I say, as it seems like the last thing Isiah would have been thinking of after losing his twin.
His eyes narrow. “All I’m saying is watch your back and your family’s back. If he believes your family had a hand in his twin’s death, he’ll kill all of you.”
“I highly doubt that’s his intention,” I say, despite knowing it was.
James straightens, clearly realizing that I trust Isiah’s word over his. “He’s a liar, Bella. I’m telling you to be careful around him.”
I sigh heavily. “And I’m telling you, I don’t need to be. I think it’s you I need to be careful around.”
His jaw clenches and I see the anger simmering in his eyes. “Whatever he’s told you about me, it’s not true.”
“I don’t wish to discuss the matter further,” I say simply, wanting to leave it at that.
James’ expression turns furious as he clenches his fists, angry that I’m not listening to what he has to say. “I’d watch how you talk to me, Bella,” he says, his voice dangerously low.
A shudder races down my spine as I step away from him because he’s finally showing his true colors.
Cathal returns, brow furrowed, as he can sense the conversation is getting heated. “What’s going on with you two?”
I’m about to open my mouth and tell Cathal the truth when James shakes his head. “Nothing. We better get going.” He nods toward the exit. “Haven’t we got a meeting to get to?”
Cathal looks at his watch and nods. “Yes, unfortunately. It was good to see you, Bella.”
