Conal's jaw clenched. "She has you," he sneered. "How long for? The next week? A month?"
The knife in my hand clattered when I dropped it onto my plate. Conal was right. Ronan would soon lose interest. It was clearly a surprise to all of us he hadn't moved on to his next conquest already.
I went to move from my chair, but Ronan forced me back down, a firm hand on my shoulder.
"Fuck you, Conal, and fuck you for making Verity feel less than."
Confusion flashed across Conal's face. "What?"
"How dare you tell her she's useless because she couldn't hit the target! It took you months to hit a fucking tin can, you asshole!"
"I didn't—" But before Conal could finish the sentence, Ronan swung a fist out, clocking him on the jaw.
"And that's for leaving me on read." Conal barked out a laugh while rubbing his jaw.
"You're a fucking idiot, Ronan. Verity deserves better than you. Leave her the fuck alone so she can meet a decent man."
"Like you, eh, brother?" Ronan smashed his fist into Conal's face again, knocking him back into a chair. I winced as it fell apart like kindling.
"No! Not me or anyone connected with this family! Our world is too dangerous!"
Anger churned in my gut. How dare he act like he knew what was best for me? I'd grown up in this world. My sister was a part of it. In what universe was I going to meet and marry some fucking accountant or used car dealer?
He was fucking delusional.
"Fuck you. You're just jealous, Con. Admit it!"
"I'm not jealous!" Conal hurled back, finally defending himself. Another chair split apart as Conal threw Ronan toward the fireplace.
"Yeah, you are! You want her, but you're too chickenshit to admit it!"
"I'm trying to do the right thing!"
Ronan got the upper hand, pinning his twin to the floor dangerously close to the glass door of the log burner.
"Stop!" I screamed. "Stop hurting each other!" They both paused and turned. "I don't want this. Any of it. Please stop fighting."
"Pixie, we fight all the time. His ugly mug can take a few punches."
"If I'm ugly, so are you, you gobshite." Conal wiped his bloody nose with his sleeve and shoved his brother off.
"Ronan." My heart clenched at what I needed to do. Getting involved with him was bad for all of us, and I didn't want to come between him and his brother. I wasn't worth it. This had to end."I think it's better if we don't do this anymore. Please stay away from me."
"Pixie!" All the warmth in his expression faded. He looked stricken. And also angry. "Don't you fucking—"
"What the FUCK is going on in here?" Declan appeared in the doorway, his huge frame vibrating with fury at the sight of two broken chairs and blood spatters all over the stone floor.
Silence hung heavily over the kitchen, interrupted only by the occasional crackle of logs inside the wood burner. Ronan's hurt gaze found me, but I looked away. I'd said my piece. Whatever had happened between us was over.
I knew I was nothing but a temporary source of amusement. The moment someone prettier,skinnier,came along, his roving eye would move on. And as for Conal. Well. I had no clue what he thought, and it was better if it stayed that way.
Maybe Ishouldhead back to Thea's, like she'd suggested this morning.Again.A week or two in the sun might help. She'd be too busy with the kids and work to have time to quiz me on my plans, and if I played my cards right, I could top up my tan and then catch a flight to Thailand without too much stress.
Having made my mind up, I ducked out of the kitchen while Declan muttered something about idiot brothers and too much testosterone. I caught him throwing me a suspicious look, but he made no effort to stop me.
28
Conal
