Inhaling deeply through my nose, I fight the urge to shake my head. Surely Keeva didn’t think we’d return home like sardines packed in a can. That’s what our townhome is, overpacked, and honestly, a risk.
We don’t know what we’re facing these days. I haven’t learned much, but I do know it to be true. Our life won’t ever be as simple as it once was, and this is merely the truth. Liam wants to keep the family safe, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful. I doubt Keeva understands what’s happening yet, but one day she will. Fuck, one day soon, everyone in the family will understand.
“Keeva, I assure you we’re headed in the right direction,” I tell her, hoping she’ll drop it, but I should know better. Keeva doesn’t drop anything, ever. She demands answers, and until she gets them, she’s a major pain in the arse.
“Brother, you know how much I cherish you, but I hate when you play these games. You could simply tell me what’s going on, but you won’t because it’d be too simple,” Keeva grumbles, glaring at me with all her might.
Eamon lets out a laugh in the driver’s seat, and her angered eyes shift to him. “I don’t know why you’re laughing. You’re just as horrid as Keenan is when it comes to being an overly complicated bastard. The only simple man in this family is Bran, and it’s because he only wants two things in life: boobs and booze.”
Eamon and I burst out into laughter, but it’s not because Keeva’s wrong. In all honesty, she’s more accurate than most when it comes to Bran. People assume because he’s dark and mysterious it means he’s wiser beyond words, and while he isn’t an idiot, it doesn’t mean he can’t be from time to time.
“The turn is coming up here, I think,” I speak up, signaling Eamon to pay closer attention. He focuses on the road in front of him and makes a left. We come up to painted white stones holding an iron gate. There’s a small box with a pin pad, and Eamon pulls up to it.
“Got the code?” he asks, turning to look back at me.
I pull my cellphone from my slacks and open my text messages with Liam. As I locate the message, I read it out to Eamon. “Yeah, it’s four . . . seven . . . five . . . three.”
Eamon presses the buttons, and the mechanical sounds come with it. After a moment, there’s a buzzing sound, and the gates open, inviting my brother to drive on in.
“Okay, what in the bloody hell is going on? Where the hell are we? How do we have a code?” Every question she’s asking comes out a bit quicker than the last.
“Liam has a family estate here. He hasn’t used it in a very long time and suggested we move in. It’s been sitting mainly empty for a long time now and is much bigger than the house we’re used to,” I tell her, wondering if she’ll buy all of it.
“There’s got to be some sort of catch,” Keeva mutters.
“We watch over the property and the family works for Liam in the family business. No big deal,” I tell her, watching through the front window as Eamon continues to drive up the white gravel-filled lane.
Keeva narrows her eyes at me before looking through the front window. Something’s on her mind, and while she isn’t saying it now, I’m sure she will eventually. Eamon continues driving until we make it out of the tree tunnel, so to speak, and goes over to the small parking area on the side of the house.
Well-trimmed bushes surround the parking area and the paths are perfectly landscaped. We all proceed to exit the vehicle, and I take things a bit slower since I’m hurting today. As I make my way around the vehicle, Keeva locks her eyes on mine. “You said it was vacant, didn’t you?”
“Mhm,” I murmur, not caring to get into an argument with her.
She looks right at the freshly planted flowers and raises a brow. “Seems well maintained for a vacant property.”
“Liam probably wanted to make it a bit more cozy for us.” I bullshite the fuck out of her, knowing eventually she’ll drop it.
“Ah, looks like there are security systems up. Not going to lie, with what happened to you, I’d consider this a massive plus,” Keeva says while looking up at the security cameras with the blinking red light.
“Yeah, state of the art. Go ahead in and pick out your room. I’m feeling a bit winded.” I take a seat on the wooden and iron bench.
Keeva’s expression falters slightly, and she nods, knowing not to ask me if I need help. She’s been more than helpful since I’ve been in the hospital, and I really need some time to myself.
Eamon waves her on, and from the corner of my eye, I see her nod. She walks down the path, and after a few moments, I can no longer hear the soles of her shoes hitting the stone. “Liam sent me blueprints of the house. He wanted me to know where every safe room and tunnel entrance was,” Eamon speaks up, looking right at me.
I give him a curt nod. “Good. I pray we won’t need to use them, but I’d rather we be prepared. We’re swimming with the sharks now, brother.”
“That we are. Have you given any thought on filling Bran in on things?” Eamon questions.
God, what a question. “I’d like to, but I don’t think the timing is right. He doesn’t need to know the details until he can prove he’s straightening up. What Keeva said is accurate, and the man parties far too much. We can’t afford for problems to arise. Not now, not so soon after what happened.” I speak up, and Eamon nods in agreement.
He crosses his arms and releases a sigh. “I wish things were different, but maybe in time they will be.”
“I hope so. And I hope you know I’m not one who wants to keep secrets from anyone in this family.” My ultimate goal will be bringing us all together, not ripping us apart.
“I do, and I understand your reasoning. Rest assured, I’m not angry.” I’m relieved Eamon isn’t upset. In this family we’ve always stuck together, so keeping things from the rest of them is unsettling for us both. Still, I feel we can’t let them know everything yet.
My phone rings in the pocket of my slacks, so I pull it out. Seeing Liam’s name flash across the screen, I tap the green button and bring it to my ear. “Cousin, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
