AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He glances at me. "I'll get those rings back."
"No. Just stop. Enough," I insist. "Tynan, go. Get out of our house."
Tynan ignores me. He unties Da and claims, "Tell ya what, we'll solve this right now."
Da pulls his arms from around the chair and rubs his wrists. "How?"
"Da, no!"
"Quiet, Maeve!" Da orders.
I blink hard, willing myself not to cry in front of Tynan.
He sits down on the chair next to Da. "Your da and I are going to play a game. Aren't we, Malachy?"
"Da, don't," I repeat.
He holds his hand in the air. "Shush. So what are we playing?"
"Da," I warn.
Tynan interjects, "Blackjack. Winner takes all, and your daughter will wear her ring again either way."
Da glances at me and back at Tynan. "You'll let Maeve keep her ma's ring even if you win?"
"Aye. Of course I will," Tynan states, like it was never in question, but I don't trust it.
I barely get out, "Da, please. Don't!"
"Deal," Da agrees.
I wince, hating everything about this situation. I add, "We don't have double to give ya when he loses!"
"I'm not losing," Da interjects.
"Ya will!"
Tynan turns his gaze on me, and I freeze. Heat fills his greens, and the throbbing in my core fights to overpower my disgust for him.
"Here are the terms." He leans into Da's ear and mumbles something.
Da's face turns white.
Tynan leans back and says, "Unless ya think ya can't win."
"What did ya just say to him?" I question.
No one speaks.
"Well?" Tynan pushes.
"Da, don't!" I cry out, sure that whatever his terms are can't be good.
"Deal," Da seethes.
My chest tightens, and my pulse skyrockets. I shake my head in disapproval.
Tynan deals the cards, laying a ten of clubs and a seven of spades in front of Da. Then he sets the king of diamonds and the ten of hearts in front of himself.
