Page 114 of Colt

“I asked her out, but she said she’s seein’ somebody,” Donny added. “Any idea who the fuckwit is?”

I bristled as it hit me how Freya had blown Donovan out the water for me, and to show my thanks, I’d left her in a strange apartment alone all night. She was loyal to me, even after I’d been distant and the, to top it off, I stood her up for her trouble.

I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the nausea clutching at my stomach.

Asshole was too good a word for me. How could I be so dismissive toward a girl who was so fucking perfect? In trying so hard to not be like my father and push her away, I’d done the exact opposite and started treating Freya the same way that asshole treated my mom. The realization hit me like another knife to the chest, and I had to stop myself from groaning out loud.

Bowie shrugged. “She either said it ‘cause she’s not interested and wants to let you down gently and not hurt your feelings, or she’s been seeing some pimply-nosed med student down in Denver.” He turned to me. “You were down there with her recently. Do you know anythin’?”

My mouth twisted. “She’s single, but she wouldn’t give him,” I nodded toward Donovan, “the time of day.”

Donny’s had reared back. “What the fuck did I do?”

“You’re a slut,” I confirmed. “Freya don’t like that shit, she’s a decent girl. You’re not good enough to shovel her shit.”

Callum barked a laugh.

Bowie grinned.

“I was only sowing my wild oats.” Donnie said in an affronted tone. “Didn’t wanna settle down is all.”

I curled my lip at him in disgust. “Like I said. Not. Good. Enough.”

Donny’s eyes narrowed on me.

“What do you think your da will say to it?” Callum asked Bowie.

Bowie shrugged. “He’ll probably tell your brother to fuck off. He wants my sister with a doctor or lawyer, not a hoe-bag, ex-military ladies’ man who part runs a bar, and a gym, and who also has tentative links to the Irish fuckin’ Mafia.”

I nodded my agreement, lips twitching at the crestfallen look on Donny’s face.

“But if you’re serious and you promise to treat her like the princess she is,” he continued. “I’ll have a word. Just remember, my sister’s a good girl. She deserves someone who’ll look after her.”

My smile faded.

Donovan smirked. “Daddy likes a good girl.”

Brain almost combusting, I let out a loud growl.

“Motherfucker,” Bowie sneered.

“Not fuckin’ helpin’, ya muppet,” Callum snapped. “Haven’t even got her da on side yet and you’re sending it all arseways.”

Bowie’s eyes darted between the brothers before resting on me. “What the fuck language is that?”

“Irish dialect,” I explained. “Muppet is idiot, and if somethings goin’ arseways, it means it’s gettin’ fucked-up.”

“Right,” Bowie said, eyes sliding back to Donovan. “I’ll talk to Dad, but chances are he’ll hunt you down and dick punch ya for even suggesting taking my sister out. Sure, you still want me to open my mouth?”

Donny shot Bowie a wink. “Yeah. She’s worth a dick punch.”

My chest tightened. It didn’t matter that Freya loved me and wouldn’t touch Donovan O’Shea with someone else’s dick, he should speak more highly about her. “That’s the wrong way to go about it for a start, asshole. Freya’s a lady and deserves respect. You’re not fit to lace her goddamned sneakers.”

Callum chuckled. “Someone’s jealous.”

My throat went dry. “She’s my best friend and I respect her.”

Cal nodded slowly, mouth hitching. “Riiiight.”

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