“Rory!” Ash snaps, before looking at me, waiting for my response.
“Does she not know we’ve killed people?” Dean asks. “I would think that’s pretty obvious.”
“Jesus, Dean.” Ash runs a hand through her hair while I try to realize this is real life…and these guys are talking about killing people in front of me.
I know they do. Ash told me everything just last night, but this is real now. And this is about me.
“I like you, too,” I admit, remembering what Rory said just a moment ago. That’s a whole lot easier to focus on than the rest of it.
“We’ll talk about it later,” Tiernan says, then looks at me. “Ash trusts you, and I trust her more than anyone in this world. But she’s my family. My heart. Everyone in this room is, and there is nothing I won’t do to protect them. Don’t let us down, Zuri.”
“What the fuck, T?” Ash pushes her brother, who doesn’t seem surprised or annoyed by her.
“I’m sorry, Ash, but it has to be said. I did the same thing with Ollie and Shai. There’s nothing more important than keeping us safe. The question is, can she accept who we are? If she can, and if we can trust Zuri, then that includes her. She’ll be family because you’re family, but anyone who is a risk to us isn’t family anymore.”
I take that for the threat it is, and as uncomfortable as it sounds, even though it makes my neck prickle and my stomach twist, I appreciate Tiernan for putting it out there, for being honest and upfront. And it’s impossible not to respect him for the way he loves his family, and especially the way he loves and trusts his sister.
“You can trust me,” I promise him. “I would never do anything to hurt Ash, and hurting any of you would be hurting her. I love her,” I admit, earning a gasp from the woman beside me. We haven’t said those words to each other yet, even though I’ve felt them for a while. How could I tell her when she hadn’t letme in on all the parts of her? When she started to avoid me and put distance between us?
“I love you, too,” Ash replies, tears in her eyes, before pulling me in for a hug.
“Oh, I want to hug. This is so sweet. Can I get in on that?” Rory asks.
“Shut the fuck up, Ror.” Cillian laughs, wrapping an arm around Rory and kissing his cheek.
“I don’t want to hug you. I want to hug them,” I hear him say in the background.
“You’re going to have to accept me for now,” Cillian replies.
“Would you two shut up?” Ash says, then leans forward, pressing her forehead to mine. “We’re in love.”
“We are.” And that means something to me. Right or wrong, it means more than anything else.
I press my lips to Ash’s once, twice, three times, before forcing myself to pull away. “We’ll pick this up when we’re alone.”
“I’m counting on it,” she chuckles.
“Jesus Christ,” Tiernan groans. “Pack some things. The two of you are coming home with us.”
Both Ash and I freeze, and I have a feeling she’s giving him the same “excuse me?” look that I am.
“You did call me for help, right?” he asks.
Okay, so he does have a point.
“These are strong, independent women, T. They deserve to be asked, not told.” Rory winks at us.
Tiernan sighs, then pinches the bridge of his nose. I feel bad for the guy. He clearly has a lot on his plate. “Will the two of you come home with us?” he asks.
“Yes,” we say in unison.
“Sleepover!” Rory cheers.
And I have a feeling, possible murder and current creepy incel man aside, my future is going to be really interesting with Ash and her family.
CHAPTER NINE
Aislin
