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PROLOGUE
Maeve Fitzpatrick
Rain falls harder, making it nearly impossible to see. I pick up my pace and step under the porch's roof, snapping my umbrella shut. I reach for the door and freeze.
Something isn't right.
Goose bumps break out on my skin. A shiver runs down my spine. I stare at the doorknob and the light shining through the partially open door.
Please. Not again.
I glance behind me, but the rain still obstructs my view.
My heart pounds harder, and I squeeze my eyes shut briefly, hoping I'm wrong.
A man's muffled voice hits my ears, and I cringe.
God dammit, Da!
I take a deep breath and push the door open, stepping into the hallway. Da's faded green paddy cap hangs on a hook, blending against the worn wallpaper.
"I swear I'll pay ya," Da claims.
My stomach flips. I shake my head and ignore the growing quiver.
Get it over with.
What am I going to give them this time?
I rack my brain, but nothing comes to me. We're down to the bare bones. Da promised he'd stop gambling the last time this happened.
"Da," I yell, hurrying down the hall and entering the dining room. "Da—" I freeze. Bile creeps up my throat, and I swallow it down.
A rope is wrapped around Da's body, restraining him to the chair.
A man with broad shoulders, long legs, and chestnut hair turns toward me. He pins his green eyes on me, and his lips twitch. More shock fills me as he taunts, "Well, if it isn't the troublemaker Maeve."
My gut churns faster.
Not him.
Anyone but him.
I gape at the man, holding my breath, feeling the buzz of electricity build in my veins just like it did the first time I met him.
It was in a pub. He sat right next to me, with his brother across from us. I didn't understand my reaction then, and I don't now—especially when this makes my father's situation worse than I thought.
This man is the youngest O'Connor brother, and an enemy of my family's clan. So this situation is worse than I anticipated.
All I've ever tried to do is get my da to stop gambling. Ever since my ma passed, he's bet himself into one situation after another. So, while this isn't the first time his life's been in danger due to his debt, I don't understand why Tynan O'Connor stands in our house. My da places bets with O'Learys. There's no way he'd cross clan lines.
Or would he?
I disregard Tynan's statement and blurt out, "What are ya doing to my da?"
His expression turns darker. "Why do ya think I'm here?"
I tear my eyes off of his green gaze and question my father. "Ya took money from your enemy?"
