I stare after him, guilt ripping me in two. If only I could figure out how to make amends.
The necklace catches my eye. Even if it’s not mine, I can’t leave it out here, it’s much too pretty. Picking it up, I study the piece. Eighteen carat gold. Diamonds and emerald on a four leaf clover attached to a gold chain. Whoever lost this will be sad. I tuck it into my clutch for safe keeping.
As I walk through the front door, I’m surprised to find Cian home. Did he change his plans and come back early?
I’ve never seen Cian’s pale blue gaze alight with so much fury. He knows. Wolfe must have already told him about what happened last night.
Fists clenched at his sides, I can tell he’s desperately trying to control his temper. But I don’t want his control, I want his understanding.
I set my clutch on the entryway table. “I didn’t have any other option. Wolfe would have stopped me from going to Mr. De Luca’s house.”
“Exactly!” Cian snarls. “His job is toprotectyou. No one else. You! To hell with everyone else if your life is in danger.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” I snap, my own cool-headedness hanging on by a thread. “I’ddieto protect those I love. That includes my cousins. You weren’t there, you didn’t see how Roman carried her out of the house over his shoulder, and everyone stood around, watching. Not a single person?—”
“It doesn’t matter!”
“Yes it does! Not a single person tried to stop him. You don’t know what it feels like to never have anybody interfere. For no one to stand up for you when you need it most. To save you from the monsters of this world.” I jab my thumb at my chest. “I will not idly sit by and let my loved ones get hurt!”
“Roman De Luca is a dangerous man,” he growls.
“Exactly! I wouldn’t have tried to save Sophia from him if he weren’t.” Why can’t he understand my perspective?
“What you did was reckless.” He turns away from me, raking his fingers through his long blond hair that’s loose around his shoulders.
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I have no remorse.” It’s the truth. Although, what I had to do to get Wolfe out of the way pains me. He didn’t deserve that.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!You’re going to drive me to an early grave, woman.” Cian faces me again, his cheeks and neck tinged pink. “You make protecting you nearlyimpossible. What the fuck am I supposed to do with you?”
“Understand why I did what I had to do. Love me for who I am. Please.” All I want is his understanding. Is that too much to ask?
His features soften. “Idolove you.”
“I love you too. I understand why you’re upset, but I’m not going to apologize for my actions.” I hug my middle, fighting against the burn behind my eyes. I’m so damn tired. “I was beaten for years of my life and no one ever stepped in to stop it. They were all too scared of my father. I’m not scared, not any more. After what I’ve been through, I’ll never sit by and let anything happen to someone else. Ican’t.” My voice breaks. “The things Roman could have done to Sophia… I couldn’t live with myself if I let him. Ineededto make sure she was okay.”
Cian’s arms envelope me, encompassing me in his protective embrace. His warmth and spicy scent surround me as he pulls me into his chest.
“Shh,broc meala. I’m only angry because I could have lost you, and I wasn’t here to be by your side to rescue your cousin. I should have been here. I should have gone to that engagement party with you. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you needed me.”
I wrap my arms around him, my cheek pressed against his chest. “Would you have gone after my cousin with me?”
“Of course. I would have taken twenty men and stormed De Luca’s mansion.”
I let out a soft chuckle. “You would have started a war with him.”
“Meh. I don’t care, as long as you’re happy.” He smooths his enormous palm over my hair. “I know you love your family. Having never been close to mine, then betrayed by my brother, I forget what that feels like. But yes, I understand the burning need to make sure my loved one is safe. I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I’m sorry I made you worry.”
He sighs. “I’m sorry for being angry.”
“I understand why you were. If anyone deserves an apology it’s Wolfe. Do you think he’ll ever forgive me for having one of my cousins lock him in a cellar? For ditching him like that?” I pull back enough to gaze up at Cian. “He didn’t say a single word to me on the ride home.”
“Winning his forgiveness might be the toughest battle of your life. Wolfe’s still holding onto grudges from more than twenty years ago.”
“Hm. I figured he was that type of man.” My heart sinks.
Afew days later I let myself into the house, and run into Brendan in the foyer. He’s on a ladder, doing some work beside the door.
