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The family is cleaning up the aftermath of the fire. The McCarthy family's house was damaged, but they'll be alright. It's a huge house, so for now they've all regrouped in the back rooms. It's a little cozy.
“Just like the old days,” Caitlin says. Seamus sits in a chair, a patch over one eye. He looks pretty fucking banged up, but he's still the obvious head of this family.
“What are you doing to outfit her for safety, Torin?” he asks.
Torin goes down the laundry list of things he's given me. “And most of all, she has her own two hands and knows how to use them.”
“Does she?”
“I'd show you if Torin wasn't already injured.”
Caitlin grins at me.
“Valentina, I have something to ask you,” Bronwyn says. Her face is no longer pale. She says the pain meds are working their wonders and that she's just happy she can sleep in her own bed and not in the shitty hospital one again.
“What's that?”
“After this is all said and done. After my brothers have completed what they set out to do and all is safe again. When we can start building instead of tearing down.” She wobbles a little. “Come back to Ireland?”
My throat works. “I wouldn't have it any other way.” I'd actually like to do things like eat at the restaurants, shop with her, and walk along the shore without having to hide from anybody.
“I packed a good bag for you,” Caitlin says, shoving it at me. “Some clothes and a couple other things. You're a strong girl, and I'm proud to know you.” She kisses my cheek.
We have one last night in the house. I've never seen anything like the security around the McCarthy estate. It's as if they’re expecting a visit from the prime minister himself.
The McCarthys didn’t let on that the attack hurt them in the least, but threw themselves full throttle into business as usual.
The gates have been repaired and now solidified with a second layer of protection. Barbed wire runs along the top, and military-grade security gates have been installed. There are twelve armed guards at the entrance. Surveillance cameras run every twenty meters around the entire perimeter of the house, and this time, everyone in the inner circle has access to the cameras.
Seamus says he has more things underway that he plans to install next. He just hasn't gotten there yet.
“Let's go.” Torin puts a hand out to me. “We fly out first thing in the morning. Crack of dawn. Let's get some sleep.”
“We ride at dawn,” I whisper with a smile. He takes my hand, walks me up the steps, and as soon as we're in the bedroom, he shuts the door and locks it behind him.
Turns out, Torin has no interest in sleep.
He crosses to me and takes my chin, tilting my face into the light. Then his hand goes to my side, right where I've been careful not to let anyone touch me all evening, and presses.
I flinch before I can stop myself.
“That's what I thought.”
“It's nothing.”
“It's not nothing.” He doesn't let go. “You've been favoring it, and you've been hiding it, and I want you to understand I noticed both.”
“Torin McCarthy,” I begin.
“Mmm?” He backs me up until my shoulders find the door. “We're about to head into the most dangerous time you and I have ever faced together. It's absolutely essential that you do what I tell you.” He leans forward, his voice dropping as his forehead touches mine. “And I'm not convinced you will.”
I swallow hard and look up at him. “What gives you that impression?”
He releases me and paces, his eyes on mine. “Let me think.” He taps his fingers. “Talking back in front of my brothers. Telling me you had no interest in staying home and that you would fight too. Disrespect on numerous occasions, which I am sure you are well aware of.”
He's not wrong, and I’d do it all over again.
My pulse races.
