Page 52 of Whiskey & Witches

CHAPTER20

“Idon’t trust my daughter to do as she’s told, so I’d like to keep this discussion short and sweet.” Damian crossed to the sideboard and poured himself another drink, then turned slightly to offer the room’s other occupants one. When they all declined with a shake of the head, he capped the decanter and returned to the center of the room.

On one side, Ronan stood, ill at ease but seemingly ready to face the conflict head on.

On the other, Roisin and Carrick eyed Ronan as if they’d like to tear his throat out.

These situations and the boiling emotions that accompanied them were what Damian usually tried to avoid. However, when unexpected people showed up on his doorstep, he had no choice but to mediate. With a heavy sigh and a hearty sip of his drink, he sank into a leather club chair and crossed his legs, studying the other three.

Ronan was in the wrong, yet his motives were understandable; acquire power by any means possible to protect himself against the thread of deranged family members.

This, Damian understood. He’d been there in the early days when his Enchantress mother had lost her fight and succumbed to the Darkness, trying to kill thousands to amass the entire magical community’s power. It had taken members of the Six—the original six families descended from the gods and goddesses, who resided on both sides of the veil—as well as two deities to stop her the first time, and it had taken Damian, full-grown and fearful for his daughter’s life, the second.

But the old sayingtwo wrongs didn’t make a rightcame into play here. Ronan would need to find a way to rectify what he’d done to the O’Malley family.

Speaking of the O’Malleys…

Carrick was growing more restless and angry by the second, and Damian needed to nip this one in the bud if he didn’t want the war to progress.

“In the good old days, we’d resolve this conflict by marrying off your children and making a pact,” he said casually. “Too bad Ronan doesn’t have a daughter.”

They all looked at him as if he were mad.

Again, he sighed. No one but Alastair Thorne ever seemed to get his humor.

“Since that isn’t an option, what do you propose?” Damian wasn’t above tossing the mess back into their laps. With enough motivation, they’d resolve their difference. He only hoped he didn’t need to resort to threats to get it done.

“Well, I, for one, would like to hear why you cursed me to begin with,” Roisin said to Ronan. “What did I ever do to you?”

Real regret flashed across Ronan’s face. “You’ve done nothing, Roisin Byrne, and it’s sorry I am you were pulled into the O’Connor-O’Malley war.”

“Sheisan O’Malley,” Carrick ground out. “And don’t forget it again. She’ll not be taken in by the likes ofyou, to be sure.”

A small smile twisted Damian’s lips as he watched the scene play out. He’d seriously underestimated Carrick O’Malley’s gumption.

“Please explain to Mr. and Mrs. O’Malley what you told me earlier, Ronan,” Damian suggested. “I think it’s important they understand you weren’t malicious in your dealings.”

Carrick shot him a sharp glance but immediately refocused on Ronan. “Sure, and be quick about it, man.”

“We should sit for this. It isn’t a short explanation.” Ronan plopped into the matching club chair and dropped his head back against the leather. “Please.” He nodded toward the loveseat.

The couple exchanged a wary look but eventually sat down.

Ronan proceeded to tell them about his desire for power to protect against his father, how Seamus had attacked the sisters and Aeden that long-ago day in the road, and how he—Ronan—found out about it too late but did what he could to save her and Aeden by taking them to hospital. He ended with the explanation of Seamus’s second attack and abduction of Roisin.

“I erased her memory of her time in my home.” Ronan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together. “I watched over her until you found her in the garden, but when she didn’t wake right away, I got worried and came to help.”

“And the brainwashing?” Carrick demanded coldly. “What about that?”

“I never intended to sneak into your home if that’s what you’re askin’, O’Malley.” Ronan’s voice had turned hard, as did his expression. “I merely intended it so if I got wind of Moira or Seamus plannin’ another attack, I could show up and stop them. If I’m trapped on the outside, I can’t rightly help now, can I?”

“If the wards do their job, Moira and Seamus can’t get inside,” Roisin retorted.

Ronan softened as he met her gaze, and Damian couldn’t help but wonder if his friend was sporting a crush on another man’s woman. It wouldn’t be the first time, and it would likely get him killed this time around. Carrick O’Malley looked to be feral when it came to his wife.

“But they’ve managed it before, haven’t they?” Ronan said gently. “I’ve told your family once, and I’ll state it again, I don’t make war on women or children.”

Roisin blew out a frustrated breath and looked at her husband. “I believe him.”

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