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My cheeks heat to a burning fire. I swallow my pride and put my hands around his neck. "Yea, I sure do, babes." I give him a quick kiss on the lips.
He blows on a spoonful of potato soup, then holds it to my lips. "Here ya go, princess."
More embarrassment floods me. He's taking this way too far, but I don't know how to get out of it. I cautiously eat it.
A loud knock fills the room. The door opens, and a huge man enters, announcing, "Tynan, there's an old, drunk geezer at the gate. He's claiming he's your fiancée's da."
My gut sinks. I jump off Tynan's lap. "My da's here?"
Tynan rises as well. "Stay here."
"No, I'm going to see my da," I argue and leave the room before Tynan can stop me.
He's quick on my heels, but I remember how to get through the house. I get to the front door, and he grabs my arm. "Maeve."
I spin on him. "You're not going to keep me from seeing my da. What if he's hurt?"
"I'll handle it. You stay here."
"No, I'm going to see him, and don't even try to fight me on this," I warn.
I don't know why he takes my threat seriously, but he caves. "Fine. But if I tell ya to come back inside, ya come inside. You understand me?"
I don't say anything.
"You're not going out there, Maeve, unless ya agree."
I begrudgingly mutter, "Fine."
He motions to the man who told us Da was at the gate and orders, "Send him through."
We step outside. The man picks up his phone, gives instructions, and within minutes, two men escort my father up the walk.
I run over to him, sling my arms around his neck, and cry out, "Da! Are ya okay?"
The sharp scent of alcohol swirls around him, mixing with a stench as if he hasn't showered in several days. It's not a new smell. It often happens when he's on a gambling streak and drinking to mask his losses. He stares at me with bloodshot eyes.
I put my hands on his cheeks, repeating, "Are ya okay?"
He slurs, "You need to come with me, Maeve. If ya don't, they're going to kill me."
The hairs on my arms rise. "Who's going to kill ya?"
"You have to come with me."
"Da! Who is after ya?"
He puts his hand around my arm. "Come on, Maeve. We're going."
"Over my dead body, she's going," Tynan booms.
Da freezes and then scowls at him. "They'll kill me if she doesn't come. Then they'll kill her."
"Who?" Tynan asks.
Da slurs, "Who do ya think?"
Silence fills the air, and my stomach dives. There's only one group of people who would be after my father. And they already warned him not to make any more bets with their bookies.
