Page 72 of Dust to Dust

My lips quirked. “Am I?”

“You stomp into my life, bossing me around and not taking no for an answer.” She jabbed a finger at me. “I’ve managed to take care of myself for twenty-three years, not to mention taking care of my sister and Henry all by myself the last two.”

“I don’t give a shite if you find my behavior overbearing. It was under my watch that you were assaulted. I will not apologize for wanting to ensure your safety, nor will I not do everything within my power to keep you safe.”

Her blue eyes stared intently into mine. “You will.”

“Aye, I will.”

With an exasperated sigh, she said, “Fine. I’m too tired to fight you.”

“It’s best if you saved your energy since you weren’t going to win.”

“Beast!” Isla shouted, which caused her to wince and bring her hand to her neck.

One of the security team cleared his throat. “We’re about to install the panel by the front door. I thought you might want to clear the personal items in the vicinity.”

“Uh, right.” Isla glanced from me to Henry and then back to me. “Here. Take him.” She then thrust Henry at me.

As I stared into the baby’s questioning face, I argued, “Isla, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Don’t worry. He’s usually good with strangers.”

“It’s not that,” I gritted out.

The corners of Isla’s lips quirked. “Don’t tell me you’ve never held a baby before?”

“Of course, I have,” I snapped. When she cocked her head at me, I sighed. “Fine. It’s been like sixteen years with my kid brother.”

“Caterina told me you’re going to be an uncle in seven months. You should start practicing for your niece with Henry.”

Defeated, I merely rolled my eyes. “Fine.”

Isla didn’t give me another moment to prepare before shoving Henry into my arms. She then whirled away before I could protest. Henry’s wide eyes tracked Isla down the hallway.

Once she was out of sight, he turned his gaze back to me. His chin trembled, causing me to groan. “Come on, kid. Do us both a favor and don’t lose it on me.” My words only caused his lips to quiver, and his eyes to water. At the rising panic I felt, I tried patting his back as reassuringly as I could. “I promise Auntie Isla will be right back.”

With his expression continuing to crumble, I started bouncing him in my arms. I reached into my memory for a lullaby from my childhood. As I envisioned my mam sitting in the antique rocking chair with Eamon in her arms, I began humming Toora Loora Loora.

Henry blinked at me in surprise. The intensity of his gaze penetrated my soul. Thankfully, he appeared to enjoy the lullaby because his sniffles dried up. After I shifted him higher on my chest, he stretched his arm out to the intricate tattoos on my neck. His tiny fingers scratched along my skin as he traced the ink. When he reached my scars, I sucked in a breath while waiting for him to jerk away.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he babbled something before patting his hand along my gnarled skin. I exhaled a breath of relief. Although I would never voice it, I’d worried about what a child of my own might think of my scars. Would it frighten them? Would they question how I’d gotten them? Worst of all, would my appearance embarrass them around their friends?

At the sound of a gun cocking, I didn’t stop to process what was happening or how I should react with a child in my arms. Instead, my free hand went to my jacket pocket and snatched out my gun. When I whirled around, I came face to face with a slightly taller, angrier version of Isla.

“Who the fuck are you, and what are you doing with my baby?” she demanded.

Chapter Eighteen: Isla

Quinn was in my house.

His worry and care for me had gone so far that he’d broken HIPAA laws to get my medical records and was forcing a security system on me.

He wanted to consume me physically and emotionally.

The last twenty-four hours had been such a confusing emotional and physical rollercoaster. I’d been released from the ER with no lasting physical issues except for a bruised larynx. The doctor had told me to rest, drink plenty of fluid, and alternate ice packs during the day.

---