Page 84 of Bartered Innocence

“I knew a few of those men. Saw them at my father’s restaurant, attended their family’s parties. It’s weird to know they’re just…gone. One minute they’re enjoying their evening, and the next they're dead.”

Aodhan tilts his head down and Cormac shifts on his feet. Rian studies my face, a sternness to his expression that makes my heart twist a bit.

“Everyone has a story, Isabelle. They’ll always be someone’s child, and perhaps they were lucky enough to be someone’s partner or parent. Killing is never easy, and you have to separate a part of your humanity for it to not linger.”

I swallow, nodding slowly. “I know.”

“They were men responsible for the ambush that nearly killed me,” Aodhan says. My eyes lift to meet the despair in his. “And I lost two of my best men. One who had a three-month-old daughter at home. We all are somebody at the end of the day and why does he get to live his happy life as if he didn’t deprive a little girl of her dad before she could even remember him?”

Tears stream down my cheeks and Rian wipes them. He leans forward and rests his forehead on mine. “Never lose your heart, love.”

When we get into the car, Rian holds my hand and I rest my head on his shoulder. Some of the shock is starting to wear off and everything that happened sinks in, and I hate it. If I never have to see a knife cutting through skin again, it will be too soon.

Chapter34

Rian

Rubbingat the back of my neck, I watch my wife pace in front of me. Her hands twist and untwist the fabric of her dress as she shakes her head and continues down her worn path in the carpet. We’ve been home for a few hours, but I had to leave her alone for a while while I debriefed the men. When I walked into the room and saw the fire burning in her stare, I knew she hadn’t let go of what happened yet.

“Perhaps it’s better to talk it out,” I offer with an amused curl of my lips.

Her angry eyes narrow on me. “You couldn’t have warned me? Hey baby, I’m gonna murder a bunch of people at the ball.”

Relaxing into the cushion, I spread my arms along the back of the couch. “Luca needed to see your honest reaction so he wouldn’t feel betrayed by his own.”

“I’m nothis,”she spits out and jerks her head back, surprised by her own words. My cock hardens at the statement, throbbing painfully with the need to claim her. She stands straight and stares at me. “I’m not his, I’m an O’Callaghan now.”

I groan, kneading my cock to relieve some pressure. “Baby, come here and say that again while I spill my cum inside you.”

Her lips quirk. “Be serious.”

“I am serious. I need to be buried inside you.”

Isabelle shakes her head and walks to our dresser. She starts to take off her earrings in a huff and I study her curves in that sinful dress. “How about this? Next time, I’ll include you in the plan.”

Her eyes brighten for a flash, then narrow. “Do you think I don’t see through your lie? You’ll just not include me again.”

I laugh, patting my lap. “You’re too smart. Come here, love.”

She bites her lip before turning and coming to straddle me on the couch. My hands fall to her hips and pull her closer so her pussy is snug against my cock. Isabelle gasps and then rocks against me once.

“You know what else you are?” I tilt my head, wanting a kiss.

“What?” she breathes against my lips.

“Too beautiful,” I whisper. My voice is light, full of the affection I feel for her.

Isabelle inhales sharply as I trail my nose along her jaw.

“Too selfless.” My words fan across her neck, hoping she senses the pride I have for her.

She grabs my shoulders. “Rian.”

“Hmm?”

She slides her hand between us, undoing my pants button, then puts her hand inside to rub against my rigid cock. “If you don’t fuck me in the next two seconds, I’m going to ask for a divorce.”

“Ask all you want, love. I’ll never let you go.”

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