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“Then we kill him.”
***
There’s only really one place left for us to go. And although she doesn’t like it, the fact that the morning is beginning to break finally sways Roisin.
I call ahead to Connor, stiffly explaining the bare bones of the situation, and hang up the call before I get a lecture on his sister’s safety. My patience is in a major deficit and one wrong move on Connor’s part could lead me to say things I know I will regret later.
As we pull into the warehouse once more, it’s to find it thankfully empty. Connor is already by my parking spot, ready to greet us.
But one look at his concerned face makes me even more exhausted. I vow not to say a word to him until the morning.
“Roisin,” he says as soon as she steps out of the car and instantly rushes to her. “Are you okay?”
“No,” she replies shortly.
In the light of the warehouse, there’s very little about her that gives the impression of wellness. It looks like her eyes might close standing up. Not to mention the fact we both smell like a bonfire.
“Are you hurt? Do you need me to call a medic?” Connor fusses as I pull out a few bags from the trunk. The north wing wasn’t entirely engulfed, and I was able to pull out a few things once the embers had cooled. Although both of us will need a shopping trip soon, there’s at least enough here to keep us warm for another night.
When I look back up at the Maguire siblings, it’s to find Roisin pushing off her brother. “Leave me alone,” she demands.
Connor looks up at me for backup but notices the bags. “I have clothes laid out for you already.”
“I’d rather wear my own,” Roisin snaps before I can respond.
“They’ll smell like smoke,” Connor counters.
The monster inside grows irrationally angry at the comment. Angus is dead, my house is burnt to a cinder, and this is what Connor cares about?
“Clean them then.” Roisin pushes past him. “I don’t care.”
Connor reaches out for her hand, clasping it in his. “It’s been a scary evening–”
“Where are we sleeping?” she interrupts.
Connor scans her face, finally noticing the fatigue clearly etched into her skin, and nods. “This way.”
There’s an awkward silence as I trail behind them, one eye out for anyone lurking about that might cause trouble. My muscles have been twitching since the moment we first saw the fire, and it could be dangerous for anyone to cross our path now. For them.
“Here,” Connor says as he walks between the shipping containers that serve as sleeping quarters. “Roisin, you’re right next to me. Arnold, you’re down and to the right.”
“Arnie’s with me,” Roisin says as she sidesteps her brother, pushing the door open with one hand.
When I don’t object, Connor positions himself between me and the entrance.
“You’re down and to the right,” he repeats, crossing his arms.
I look up at him, jaw clenched. The “big brother” act is getting on my last nerve. I just lost everything. My home, the only man I ever looked up to, and Connor’s only concerned with being a prude?
Roisin hesitates in the doorway. “Let him through.”
“No,” Connor huffs without breaking our stare-down.
“He’s been through enough. Let him through.”
Connor’s green eyes look nothing like his sister’s. Though they share a shade, they are filled with a sense of ego that Roisin lacks.
All I want is to fall into bed. If Roisin wants me in hers, I will not deny her.
