“It was okay,” she said with a sigh. “I liked the cocktails more.”
“I have to admit those fruity concoctions were nice,” I laughed. “But lethal. I was drunker than I cared to admit.”
Her giggle was music to my ears, and I found myself smiling down at her. “They’re the best.”
She yawned and I could see her settling in, her eyes drifting closed. I couldn’t get over how devastatingly beautiful she was. Shona was beautiful, but Darby was next level compared to her and I wished I could give her what she so obviously wanted but it would be a mistake. I didn’t want her to regret it after all this was over. It may help to pass the time while we’re here together but she was young. She’d get attached and I never wanted to be the one to break her heart.
I didn’t think I would be capable of being the one to make her cry. I’d kill whoever dared try toupset her again. That, I knew without a shadow of a doubt.
“I liked the cocktails because it was fun with you,” she said softly. “That kiss was the best present I’ve ever had, though.”
My chest ached at her admission. I had to admit it but that kiss was explosive. I never intended to lose control the way I did. If fate hadn’t intervened with a surprise party, I would have had her under me in mere minutes.
Then where would we be?
I couldn’t respond, and I didn’t need to. Her soft snores told me she’d fallen asleep. I didn’t want to wake her so I stayed in my spot, with every intention of leaving later and going back to my own bed.
But I made the critical error of lowering myself on the bed and falling asleep once my head hit the other pillow.
FIVE
Rebel
I entered the clubhouse and immediately spotted Viper nursing his head in a booth with Fury, Blaze and Chains. I could barely contain my excitement when I pulled my phone out and brought up the car alarm sound I’d downloaded to fuck with Fury on cold nights in the gatehouse. Moving over to him, I held the phone close to his ear and blasted it. Everyone in the booth jumped and cussed me out. I put my phone away, laughing, as I headed into church where Hawk and Bear were talking.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Who is with her?”
“She’s asleep and she’s in a locked house, she isn’t going to cause trouble,” I said. “But if we can wrap it up, I don’t want to test my faith too much.”
“Sit down,” Bear said.
I did.
“We have it on good authority that Bran is here,” he said. “He was spotted in Kilkenny a few hours ago. He does appear to be travelling with his son and another kid, so maybe he’s just taking them somewhere safe, starting over. He’s made no contact with Brogan to find out where Darby is at but just be aware. We think it might be wise if you tell Darby about her family and brothers.”
“She knows about Keefe. Shona let it slip last night.”
Bear nodded. “Okay, so tell her about her father and her brothers and that Bran is still alive. Get her take on what she thinks. She may know something we need to know.”
“Got it,” I said, thankful I didn’t have to keep lying to her.
“Hopefully this will blow over in the next week or so and we can rest easy.”
Bear looked down at his phone and frowned.
“What is it?” Hawk asked.
“Bran’s car was spotted in Wexford and it appears he’s checked him and the kids into an airbnb downthere. Maybe we were wrong and he just fled and isn’t coming for Darby.”
“I don’t think we should risk it. She’s been through enough,” I offered, realising I was overstepping here but I couldn’t stop. “I’ll keep an eye on her, tell her what’s happening and let you know what she tells me.”
“Has he been spotted down there?”
“We had Viking and Wolf trail his car. They said he checked them in but Wolf couldn’t be sure of it. He said from afar it looked like him so we have to go by that. Why else would he have Bran’s kid?”
I nodded. “Yeah, let me know if anything changes, yeah?”
