“You should know something first.”
Kiernan glanced over his shoulder.
“She probably thinks Torin is dead,” his da finished. “That’s what everyone at the brickyard believes. That’s what we believed, and Zaira and Bellamy went to tell her.”
Kiernan picked up his pace and started down the stairway, taking them two at a time. He had to get to her before Zaira and Bellamy did. He wanted to spare her some heartache, at least temporarily. Because in the long run, she would lose Torin anyway. There was no other choice.
27
Torin was dead. Alannah leaned her head on Zaira’s shoulder. In the darkness of the shed, she couldn’t see the young woman sitting beside her, but her presence was comforting nonetheless.
Even though Bellamy had offered to ride with Zaira back to Oakland, she had decided to remain with Alannah. Bellamy had also wanted the two of them to stay in the apartment above the pub for the night. But Alannah had insisted on keeping to the shed, not wanting to put Bellamy and his family in more danger than she was already bringing them.
Tears filled Alannah’s eyes again, and she sniffled, trying to hold them back.
Zaira squeezed the hand she was clasping in her lap.
Alannah was thankful to have such a sweet friend at her side during this terrible time when all she could think about was that she’d lost everyone and everything. First Cagney and now Torin. And she had no job, no place to live, no money, no hope.
At a jerk on the door of the shed, she sat up stiffly. Beside her, Zaira straightened too.
Was it Shaw searching for her? The fellow had gotten Torin. Why wouldn’t he leave her alone?
A knock resounded against the door. “Open up.” The commanding but low voice belonged to Kiernan.
Alannah’s heart sped, and she climbed to her feet at the same time as Zaira. The young woman was the first to reach the door, unlocking it and opening it before Alannah could completely process that Kiernan was here.
The darkness of the night shrouded him as well as Bellamy standing just beyond. But there was still enough light from the stars and moon to see the outline of Kiernan’s strong frame.
“I need to speak with Alannah,” he whispered. “Alone.”
Zaira hesitated. “Alone isn’t a good—”
“Go. Now.” Kiernan ducked his head, then gentled his tone. “Please, Zaira?”
“Fine, but I’ll be waiting just outside the door.”
He didn’t respond as his sister sidled past him. Instead, he entered the shed.
As he closed the door, Alannah felt his presence, as intense and overpowering as always. He was near enough that she could reach out and touch him if she wanted to.
And, oh saints above, she wanted to. She wanted his comfort, wanted his touch, wanted everything about him so she could lose herself with him and forget all her problems and the loneliness threatening to engulf her.
But she clenched her hands together to keep from using him so selfishly. She couldn’t hold on to him, not when she had to let him go.
“Alannah,” he started softly, apologetically.
That’s why he’d come. To tell her about Torin. “I already know.” Unbidden tears pricked her eyes again.
He glanced over his shoulder at the door, then took a step toward her, lessening the gap so that he was standing only inches away. “I have something to tell you.” When he clasped her shoulders, she didn’t pull away.
Instead, she finished closing the distance between them and pressed her body against his. The hard, brawny length of him was solid and sturdy—everything she needed in this moment.
He didn’t hesitate and slipped his arms around her, wrapping her up in his embrace. The tenderness was in stark contrast to the magnitude of his power. And as she rested against him, she couldn’t hold back her tears.
“It’s alright,” he whispered.
It was, at least now. All her problems seemed to fade away, and she felt as though she could face anything and do anything as long as she was with him.
