Page 68 of Redeem Me

I stalk along the corridor, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet.

‘Ivy,’ Caelon calls again, hot on my heels.

‘Can we talk about this later?’ I force a cheery expressionas the kids come into view, blinking back the hot dam of tears threatening to burst out of my eyes.

I sit with Orla and Owen at the table, quizzing them about their day while they pick at their dinner. Their tired murmurs and complete lack of enthusiasm assure me they’re approximately three minutes away from face-planting into their food.

‘Come on, guys. Let’s get you bathed and ready for bed.’

While Caelon entertains James and Scarlett, I might as well do the job he’s paying me for. And by the time I get the kids tucked in and have read them a story, James and Scarlett have gone.

It’s Friday night. Technically, I’m off the clock. I could go out. But there’s nowhere I’d rather be than here – at least if Caelon hadn’t gone all weird on me earlier.

I poke my head into the sunroom. He’s sitting in one of the crushed velvet armchairs, staring across the room at his wedding photo again.

‘Are you okay?’ I ask tentatively.

He blinks hard and turns his head towards me. ‘Yes. About earlier... I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.’ He raises his whiskey to his lips and drinks deeply. His subtle slur is the only giveaway that it’s not his first.

I cross the room and perch on the arm of his chair. ‘I don’t need to put a label on us, but I do need to know what you expect of me when we’re around your family. One minute you’re asking me to share a glass of champagne with your sister-in-law and the next I’m back to being the hired help.’

If Caelon wasn’t so serious, I’d crack a joke about going to the wedding as Rian’s date, but clearly, something is bothering him. I wish he’d open up.

Caelon swallows hard, his dark eyes dilating. ‘James cancelled their original wedding plans because of what happened to Isabella. Now they’ve made new plans, it’s as ifthey’ve accepted she’s gone, and I… I just can’t.’ He swipes a hand over his jaw.

‘It’s bound to take longer for you. She was the other half of you for so long. It would be weird if you were over it so quickly.’

‘You would know, apparently.’ He arches a brow. ‘Why didn’t you tell me you had a twin?’

I sigh. Dermot. Big mouths seem to run in the family. ‘It was a long time ago. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it, but I’ve accepted it.’

‘But I can’t accept Isabella’s death, not until I’ve made someone pay.’ He clutches my hand and pulls it to his lips. ‘I just can’t.’

‘You will. You have to accept things are the way they are. And with or without me, you have to go to your brother’s wedding and smile.’

‘If I take a date, it’s as good as announcing we’re together and that I’m over Isabella.’

‘And you’re worried what your family will think? What Isabella’s family will think?’

‘No, my family, my brothers at least, adore you. And Isabella’s mother is forever telling me I should move on.’

‘What then?’

‘The press.’ He grimaces. ‘They’re bound to splash pictures of the big day all over the tabloids and everyone will see you and me together, our enemies included.’

‘Enemies?’ It sounds overly dramatic.

Dermot’s words from my first night at the house ring through my ears.

‘The Becketts and the O’Connors have been enemies for years. Both families run rival whiskey empires. Weeks after the Beckett brothers helped put Declan O’Connor behind bars, Isabella is killed in an “accident” that makes no sense whatsoever.’

‘The guy driving owed the O’Connors a serious debt. The rumouris the debt would be wiped and his family would be taken care of if he did this last job.’

I’ve read enough articles to know Jack O’Connor and his oldest son, Declan, are behind bars, while the other brothers are missing.

And even if they were responsible for Isabella’s death, they’re already serving time, even if it is for a different crime.

‘Are you worried they’ll attempt to sabotage the wedding?’ I place my hand on Caelon’s shoulder, silently urging him to open up to me.

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