Charlie brought her free hand up to use his pressure points to force him to let go of her, and then she shoved him back. “And just because I’m fucking your son, doesn’t mean you get to touch me like I’m one of your yes-men.”
He took a menacing step toward her, and she had half a second to wonder if she was going to have to go for her gun, when Aiden’s voice cut through the foyer. “What the fuck is going on?”
Seamus straightened and adjusted his jacket. In the space of a heartbeat, icy disdain replaced the rage that had shaken Charlie to her core. “A simple conversation.”
How quickly he recovered and smoothed out his expression was more terrifying than everything that had come before.I was wrong about him not wearing masks. He’s even better at it than his son is.
Aiden stalked down the stairs, his gaze never wavering from her. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” She very pointedly didn’t look at Seamus asshe said it. Knowing she could likely take him didn’t do a damn thing to comfort her, because any confrontation between them wasn’t just a one-on-one sort of thing. There were layers and implications, and even if she was willing to shoot someone in self-defense—ornotself-defense—this was still Aiden’s dad.
Did I seriously just consider the consequences of shooting Seamus O’Malley?
She was in so far over her head, it wasn’t remotely funny, and it wasn’t even about the sex or her heart anymore. It was about her life.
Aiden stopped in front of her and searched her face. Then he touched her arm in the exact place that his father had grabbed her. Charlie flinched before she could catch herself, which caused his green eyes to harden. He spoke without looking away from her. “If you touch my fiancée again, I will kill you myself. Is that clear?”
“If you think—”
“This is not up for debate. You might have resumed control of the O’Malleys—for the moment—but that doesn’t give you the right to do what you just did. Apologize, Seamus.”
“You’re crossing the line, boy. Again.” Seamus strode away without another word, leaving them staring at each other.
Instantly, Aiden’s eyes thawed. There was still more than a little anger, but he let her see the worry, too. He spoke low enough that she had to strain to hear him. “Are you really okay?”
“Yes.”
He huffed out a breath. “No, you’re not. I don’teven know why I asked.”
“Aiden, I’m fine.” She reached out and touched his arm, which seemed the only sign he needed to pull her against him. It felt good to have him wrap her up like that. Better than good. Comforting.
But she couldn’t let his worry stand.
Charlie’s mouth against his shirt muffled her words. “He startled me. That’s all.” She didn’t mention that she’d had half a thought to go for her gun. She hadn’t, and that was that. No reason to even bring it up.
The thought still settled in her stomach like a stone, threatening to drag her down. Up until this point, she’d been in the right. The one with the justifiable fury. The innocent who’d been victimized by Dmitri Romanov.
The moment she’d considered shooting Seamus O’Malley in his own home was the moment she’d slipped over a line she wasn’t sure she could uncross.
The line that separated the good guys from the bad.
***
Dmitri hung up the phone and considered the new information at his disposal. Of all the scenarios he’d played out upon forcing Aiden O’Malley’s hand, Seamus O’Malley coming back to Boston and reaching out personally to assure him that his intention to marry Keira O’Malley would be honored…it had ranked toward the bottom. It hadn’t even taken the man a full day to make his play—he’d arrived earlier this morning and it was barely eight p.m.
The move reeked of weakness and desperation, which irked him. The O’Malleys had proven to be worthy enemies over the last three years, and he had a certain respect for them as a result. Aiden hadn’t agreed to a single thing untilDmitri had given as good as he got in their deal, and now his father was practically pissing himself as he offered Dmitri his throat.
Something broke in the old man, something he can’t get back.
It was useful information, but he wasn’t prepared to do anything about it currently. Whatever Seamus O’Malley thought, Dmitri and Aiden had a temporary alliance. The O’Malleys would help him with his Eldridge problem, but the true reasoning behind his request for assistance had nothing to do with an enemy.
He wanted Keira.
More, he’d already decided that he’d have her. There was no other option, no other acceptable outcome. He’d put his ring on her finger, and she would be exchanging vows with him at the earliest manageable date.
There wasn’t a damn thing Seamus or Aiden or the rest of the O’Malleys could do to stop it.
He took out a second phone, one he’d secured for a single purpose, and dialed. It rang several times, before a breathless Keira answered. “You know, it’s funny, but I distinctly remember only owningonephone. And yet I hear a ringing and there’s this little sucker in my underwear drawer. Creepy, Dmitri. Really creepy.”
