“Fucker. How long have you been standing there?” I rush over to the computer and turn the music off.
“Long enough to get a damn good show.” His smile is perversely amused. “Please, don’t stop because of me.”
“I’m done anyway.”
“I didn’t realize you had such mad skillz.”
“Shut up. If you weren’t holding a baby, I’d shoot you.”
Declan laughs, clearly in better spirits. “Coming from you, I know it’s the truth.”
“Good, you’d be smart to remember it.”
“My guard never goes too far down with you.” He sits on the loveseat and takes off Aisling’s coat, and then his own. “Who’s the girl? She’s cute.”
“What?” I whip my head around, realizing he’s looking at Farrah.
“No one.” I slam the laptop closed. Declan puts his hands up in surrender. “Where’d you go?” I ask to change the subject.
“Just a stroll around the neighborhood. It’s lovely. We made friends.” He taps the tip of Aisling’s pink nose.
“Seriously?”
“Yup.”
“So, laying low is a thing of the past?”
“Of course not. But a friend here and there can’t hurt.”
“Unless someone comes around asking about an Irish guy with a baby.” My tone is irate.
“Relax. I used an American accent. I’m not that stupid.”
“Whatever. We should be out of here in a few days anyway.” I throw my hands up. “Just try and keep social hours to a minimum.”
“Whatever you say, boss.” Declan blows me off, giving all his attention to Aisling.
It annoys me to no end. “You know, you asked for my help, and you aren’t taking the threat seriously at all. You can’t go around socializing. You can’t make friends. Ronan is out there, and he’s looking for you.For us.No one can know we are here.”
“I get how hiding works, Poppy. But we ran into a bit of trouble. And I had to take care of it. What did you want me to do? Walk away?”
“What kind of trouble?”
“We’re the new kids on the block. And this isn’t exactly the Ritz-Carlton. The alphas in the area wanted to test me. I had to step up, or we would have been seen as sitting ducks. They would’ve been ransacking us in no time.”
I notice Declan’s hands, and his knuckles are red and swollen. “You got into a fight while you were with Aisling?”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle. And look, she’s fine.”
“Jesus.” I dig my fingers into my hair.
“It’s fine now. Everything is fine,” he tries to assure me.
“It better be.” I grab the laptop. “Ice your fucking hands,” I snap at him, then retreat into my bedroom.
I’m amped up. Confined. Frustrated. And just want to fucking hit something.
“When are you going to stop acting like such a bitch?” Declan yells.
