The two fellows halted their ministrations.
Kiernan could feel their stares. They were probably wondering what made Torin so special that Kiernan would put his life at risk for him. Or maybe they’d heard the rumors about the relationship with Alannah and were well aware of his connection with Torin.
Regardless, Kiernan had to come up with a plan to save the young man. His mind raced with all the possibilities, and he landed on the only thing he could think of. “We’ll build a casket. If they want a dead person, that’s what we’ll give them.”
23
Alannah didn’t move from her hiding spot on the veranda. As far as she could tell, Shaw and Charlie had left Oakland. Zaira had also gotten up and disappeared inside, taking the light with her and leaving Alannah in the dark.
Even with the yard and house now quiet, an unease prickled the back of her neck, almost as if someone was still out there in the dark, watching and waiting for her to step out of her hiding place. Or maybe she was just imagining that Shaw and Charlie had walked off a short distance but were lingering nearby, intending to capture her the moment she made her presence known.
She’d been certain Zaira had known she was hiding behind the plant and chair and had positioned herself there to keep anyone from seeing her. Once the danger was gone, surely Zaira would come out and talk to her and let her know she was safe to emerge.
But only Mr. Shanahan had stepped through the back door and had met the coachman on the lane as he’d beenbringing the horse up to the house. Mr. Shanahan hadn’t wasted any more time. He’d mounted and left Oakland, taking the road to the south in the direction of the brickyard.
Alannah shifted, one of her legs numb from sitting in the same place for so long. Had she been here an hour? Maybe not quite so much time had elapsed, but she was ready to stand and stretch.
What had become increasingly clear as she’d waited was that as kind as Kiernan had been all this time trying to help her and Torin out of their predicament, it wasn’t his problem to solve, especially not by marrying her.
She expelled a taut breath. She had to go. But where? She didn’t have enough money saved to return to Ireland. Did she even want to go back anymore? Since moving to Oakland, she’d hardly considered the possibility.
Where else could she go? She didn’t have any friends in the city. She didn’t have any family here except for Torin.
She didn’t know what to do. The only idea she’d had over the past hour was returning to the O’Briens’ for a day or two, just until she could find other employment.
“Alannah.” A whisper came from the open window above her. Someone was in the library, attempting to communicate with her.
She held herself motionless and waited.
“It’s me, Zaira,” the whisper continued.
Alannah’s chest squeezed at the kindness of the young woman. “Zaira, I’m so sorry about all of this.”
“Hush now. You’re not to blame.”
“I am, to be sure. And so is Torin.”
“Your brother?”
“Oh aye. He’s in trouble with the Farrell gang.”
“If you bat an eyelash the wrong way at the Farrell gang, you’ll be in trouble with them.”
If the moment hadn’t been so serious, Alannah might have smiled. As it was, she fought back tears. “Shaw wants me as payment for Torin leaving the gang.”
Zaira released an indignant huff. “I won’t let them have you, and neither will Kiernan.”
“I don’t want Kiernan to be involved any longer.”
“That man wouldn’t be able to keep away from you if someone chained him up and locked him away.”
Leave it to Zaira to be dramatic. Even so, Alannah couldn’t put him in more danger. “I have to figure this out on my own.”
“I’ll help you.”
“No—”
“Yes. I already have a plan.”
