Page 69 of Redeem Me

Caelon snorts. ‘I don’t want them to think I’ve forgotten that they murdered my wife. To assume that they can sleep peacefully in their shitty prison cells because I’ve moved on. I despise the thought of giving them even a minute’s peace. I want them to live in fear, because I’m coming for them.’

‘You can’t be serious?’ My jaw drops. This is crazy talk. Dermot was right.

‘I’ve never been more serious in my life. I’m going to prove they were responsible for Isabella’s death, and I’m going to make them pay with their lives.’

A violent shudder skitters over my spine. He’s so unbelievably hot, but could he really be that cold?

Could he really take a life?

No, it’s the drink talking. It has to be.

‘Shh, now, that’s not the Caelon I know, and lo —’ I catch myself before the ‘l’ word slips out. It might just be a turn of phrase, but anything is liable to tip him over the edge tonight.

‘You need to focus on the here and now. Not the past. Life is a gift. We can waste it or use it wisely. Losing my sister taught me that.’

‘I live for two things; my kids and revenge. I have nointention of leaving this earth until I’ve taken care of all of them. Losing my wife taught me that.’

‘It won’t bring her back,’ I whisper.

‘It might bringmeback, though.’ He eyes me darkly. ‘Part of me died with her. And Iwillget my revenge for both of us.’

I prise the glass from his hand, down the contents, slip my arm through his and help him to bed, the darkness blanketing his room matching the darkness blanketing his soul.

Chapter Thirty

CAELON

Letting slip to Ivy that I plan to murder my enemies slowly and painfully doesn’t seem to have put her off. She’s let me creep into her bed every night this week.

Maybe she assumed it was the drink talking. Sure, it may have loosened my lips but my plans are cemented like concrete.

The second we have the confirmation that the O’Connors were involved in Isabella’s death, Killian’s men plan to isolate Jack and Declan while I personally deliver revenge. I’d have done it already, but Killian insists we wait until we have proof.

Of all my brothers, Killian says the least, but when it comes to experience of war, he has the most. He’s spent years fighting someone else’s battles serving our country. It changed him. He projects an air of disinterest, but nothing escapes his attention. He has a frightening, violent streak, tempered slightly by a deep sense of morality. I’d bet there isn’t a shrink in the world who could work that fucker out.

‘Where are we going?’ Ivy asks, eagerly peering out of thehelicopter window as we speed over lush mountains and picturesque lakes. The excitement in her tone is infectious.

She’s wearing one of those goddamn summer dresses. It’s taken all my willpower not to lift it up round her waist and see what she’s wearing underneath, but I’d hate to distract the pilot.

‘You’ll find out in about ten minutes.’ The kids are with Jocelyn this weekend, and while I love shacking up for marathon sex sessions with Ivy, I’m aware I haven’t had the chance to take her out properly. She deserves better. She deserves to be wined and dined and spoiled like a princess. While I’m not comfortable dating, I am comfortable with Ivy. Given we’ve been living together for weeks, and shared both deadly secrets and decadent secretions, we’ve got to know each other pretty damn well, skipping over dating milestones in a short space of time.

Now, I finally have the chance to take her out, I won’t risk us getting papped again. I have enough enemies as it is, without adding Dermot to the list.

Rian is reopening the Luxor Lounge next week and my best friend is like a dog with two dicks. Obviously, I have to attend the grand opening night to support my little brother, though the prospect of being surrounded by naked women doesn’t do nearly as much for me as being around his little sister.

The Donegal mountains crest on the horizon, rugged green caps piercing the clear blue skies.

‘I’ve never been to Donegal before.’ Ivy blows out a breath as she presses her nose against the glass like a child.

‘We have a habit of not making the most of what’s right in front of us.’ I shrug.

‘Is that an innuendo, Tortured?’ Ivy spins to face me. My eyes fall to the freckles dusting her cheekbones.

‘Take it any way you like.’ I press a kiss to her temple, breathing in the scent of her familiar shampoo.

‘Oh, I intend to,’ she chuckles. ‘I’ve never been flown away for a dirty weekend before.’

If I could, I’d whisk her away every weekend. I seriously need to get a new nanny. Not because I don’t like this one, but because I need someone to take care of my children so I can monopolise her attention.

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