The comment catches me off guard.
I’ve never really thought about things from his perspective before. I was always so focused on what I wanted, and carving my own path out of this family, that I never stopped to consider that Oscar never had that choice.
He was the only son, the heir to the Walsh empire. From the moment he was born, there was never going to be any other path for him.
“What do you want, Oscar?” My eyes remain fixed on Allistair.
He seems so preoccupied with watching the entrance to the library that it seems like I might actually get away with this secret meeting after all.
“I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to make things right. I’ve already made changes.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what?” My tone is a little sour, but it’s like I told him before, I’ll believe it when I see it.
“I told Rion that our father left his empire to me, not him. So, he can either get on board with the fact that I’m in charge, or he can get the hell out of my house.”
I have to swallow a laugh. “I bet he loved that.”
“It’s Rion. What do you think?”
Despite myself, I smile.
Rion is not an easy man to deal with, especially considering his ego is the size of Texas.
I would have paid good money to see Oscar put him in his place.
“And?”
“And he left. He’s gone and officially out of our lives. Sean too.”
I flinch at the mention of Sean O’Keefe. “Sean isn’t gone.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because he’s still after Kieran…and me.”
Oscar tenses, but he stays silent for a few beats.
“Then maybe I should help,” he eventually says.
“No. You’ll just make yourself a target if you get involved. Besides, Kieran doesn’t know we’ve been in contact, so if yousuddenly show up, he’s going to know I went behind his back. It’s better if you stay away until this is sorted.”
“I can handle myself, Riley.”
“I know you can, but this isn’t just about you anymore.” My hand drifts unconsciously to my stomach, though I stop short of actually touching it.
He grits his teeth. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Choose to protect him over protecting yourself.”
“I’m not.”
“It sure sounds like it.”
“Kieran and I are married, Oscar. Believe it or not, but I want to protect my relationship. And if that means you have to sit on the sidelines for a while longer, then so be it.”
“Do you think Kieran can protect you?”
