Page 17 of Honorable Sins

"That will change, I promise you," Kara says, proving my woman's thoughts are in sync with mine.

Chapter five

An Unthinkable Solution

KARA

Although I think both Sadie and her mom would be more comfortable in our private apartment, I know there's no way Mick will allow strangers into our inner sanctum.

So, I request sandwiches be served in the sunroom.

It's my favorite room in the main area of the mansion. The wall of windows with a view of the bay is south facing, so it provides lots of natural light whatever the time of day.

The casual atmosphere is nice too. There's my oversized reading chair with ottoman on one end of the long room and an overstuffed sofa with matching armchairs at the other. In the middle, near the window, is a table and four chairs great for casual dining and playing boardgames.

If you discount the bullet resistant glass on the windows and the fact the furniture was all purchased through an exclusive interior design house, it's pretty normal family living.

While we're still in the foyer, I turn to Fitz. "Why don't you get changed out of your uniform while I get something sorted for Sadie?"

My son gives his friend a questioning look. "Okay?"

Sadie nods without speaking and Fitz jogs off toward our quarters.

"You don't have to lend me clothes. I can stay in my uniform." She crosses her arms over her chest and hugs herself, trying to hide the way her uniform blouse gapes where the buttons are missing.

Yeah, no.

She does not need to sit with a constant physical reminder of what happened this afternoon. "Not at all. My sister's clothes should fit you just fine. She's smaller than I am."

Sadie looks askance at me.

Mick chuckles. "She doesn't mean shorter."

Which is the truth. Fiona is taller than me, but skinnier and the twelve-year-old Sadie won't swim in her t-shirts.

"Oh, uh…okay." Sadie gives Mick a wary look. "I'll stay here, I guess."

Not a good idea. My husband is a wonderful man but he is not comforting to anyone but his immediate family.

"Come with me. I'll text Fi and have her meet us at the guest bathroom with clothes for you." Which is exactly what I do.

We only have to wait a couple of minutes for Fiona to arrive with a pair of black yoga pants that are capri length on her and will be full length on Sadie, a light blue t-shirt and a lightweight gray hoodie.

"You can wear the t-shirt with your skirt, if you want. But I've got some slouchy socks for you in case you don't. Because who wants to wear knee-highs with yoga pants, am I right?" Fiona asks with so much more friendly confidence than she used to have.

My sister also offers a sling pack for Sadie to put her school uniform in.

"Thank you." Sadie takes the clothes and bag and then disappears into the bathroom.

Fiona tugs me away from the door where we can't be overheard and asks, "What happened to her? Her shirt is missing buttons."

I tell my sister the gist and she's scowling by the time I'm done. "I'm proud of my nephew for beating the crap out of them, but I still think Zoey should pay those boys a visit and make sure they understand personal boundaries in the future."

Fiona's partner, Zoey, is a mafiosa with the Cosa Nostra, but she's been working security and enforcement for our mob on loan since my cousin Róise got engaged to the Genovese underboss.

He's the don now and Zoey is on long term assignment to the Shaughnessy Mob.

"I'm not sure what disciplinary actions Mick has planned." Fitz clearly thinks that what happened today isn't enough of a deterrent for future behavior.