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Guilt fills Da's expression. I've seen it too many times to count. It always breaks my heart, and this time is no different.
Tynan provokes, "How are ya going to rescue him this time?"
The quiver in my belly grows, along with a feeling in my lower region I wish would disappear. I don't know why I react to him so much. He's never been nice to me. He knows who he is and who I am, even if I don't care about clan business.
"Well?" he pushes.
I seethe. "Leave my father alone." I step toward Da and reach to untie him.
Tynan lunges between us, pushing me back several feet. He warns, "Be careful what you're doing, lass."
"There's no need to tie him up."
He grunts. "Isn't there? Your father owes me money, but something tells me ya already know that."
I shake my head. "I didn't know he owes ya money. How much is it?"
"More than ya can afford, lass."
My gut drops.
Tynan's expression hardens, but there's also pleasure in it, as if he likes our little scenario.
The hairs on my arms rise higher. I repeat, "How much?"
He grabs my father's coin purse off the table and dumps it in his hands. Then he holds it in front of my face. He slowly opens his fist, and the coins drop onto the floor. He states, "More than your da has."
I try to keep my composure. It's not the first time I've been up against brutal men, trying to save my father, but something tells me this time it'll be different. And I don't know why or what that means, but I can't shake the dread washing over me.
Still, I lift my chin and square my shoulders, trying to sound as confident as possible and demanding. "I asked ya how much."
Tynan crosses his arms. "More than everything in this house."
"Bullshit," I say.
He scoffs. "Ya calling me a liar, lass?"
"Tell me how much he owes ya and get out of my house," I order, my voice shaking.
He softly chuckles.
"This isn't funny!"
His face falls. He shakes his head. "No, you're right. It's not funny. Your da's debt is large. It would take him years to earn the money to pay me back what he borrowed."
I struggle to not flinch, feeling queasier. I sneer, "Then why did ya let him borrow it?"
A sinister expression explodes on Tynan's face. "Why does any bookie give money to a gambler?"
"Ya knew he wouldn't be able to cover that bet!" I accuse.
"Did I?" Tynan innocently asks, but his expression says it all. He knew damn well.
I try to think about what I could give him to cover my da's debt. I know what happens in this scenario, and I don't want my da to have broken bones or die. I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head.
Tynan taunts, "Aw, don't look so sad, lass. It'll be okay."
I curl my fingers around my mother's wedding ring. I've been wearing it since she died. I swallow hard, slide the gold band off, and hold it out to him. "Here. Take it."
