Page 54 of Whiskey & Witches

“You’ve not seen me with bedhead and morning breath. You’d change your thinking right enough.”

He laughed and shook his head. With a wink and an appreciative grin, he said, “If I was after stealin’ you away, neither of those things would make a difference.”

Flustered by the wicked gleam in his silvery gaze, she looked toward the French doors.

“Your husband and Damian still seem to be in deep conversation. Would you care to walk with me?”

She gave him a considering side glance. “You’re an endearing rogue, and I’m afraid you’ll distract me from my mission here today.”

He chuckled. “If only all women were as honest as you! Come, I promise not to seduce you.”

“More’s the pity,” she muttered under her breath.

Obviously, he had the hearing of a bat, and again, he laughed. “Don’t tempt me with lines like that, love. I’m mending my ways and have sworn off other men’s wives.”

“Sure, and I’d not be unfaithful to Carrick, but a woman can fantasize, Ronan O’Connor.”

“Scarlett is your mam, Roisin O’Malley! And my cheeks are close to matching from all those grand compliments of yours.”

She enjoyed their flirty banter. Odd, since he’d technically been the unknown enemy to her family all this time. But she wasn’t lying when she’d called him endearing. Men like Ronan could rule the world if they’d a mind to. She only hoped they didn’t find themselves on opposite sides again in the future. She’d meant what she said about murdering anyone who would harm her family. This time, she’d be ruthless.

CHAPTER21

“No.”

“You’re a fuckingplanc, Seamus McLeary!”

“Call me what you will, Moira, but I’ll not hurt that boy again.” Seamus guzzled more of his pint. “I’m of a mind to listen to Ronan.” Not to mention he still felt the noose of Roisin O’Malley’s magic around his damned neck and his eyes bulging from his head. That spot of retaliation hadn’t been pleasant.

“Ronan’s gone soft,” Moira snapped. The “like you” was implied.

She wasn’t wrong. Other than curtailing the two of them, Ronan seemed distracted most days, moodily staring at his phone’s screen or off into space while nursing his tumbler of whiskey.

“If we want the O’Malleys’ magic, we need to take it for ourselves. The boy is unguarded and ripe for the plucking.” Her voice turned wheedling, but she couldn’t hide the calculation in her cold blue eyes. “And there’s another prize to be won if you’ve the bollocks.”

Curiosity got the better of him, and he spun on his stool to face her. “What prize?”

“The Aether has a child.”

Seamus’s sphincter contracted, and he stared at her in horror.“Are you mad?”What was he saying? Of course she was!

Her hand shot out, and she dug her nails in his throat as she squeezed. “If ya call me mad again, I’ll finish what Roisin O’Malley started,” she snarled.

Spittle gathered on the sides of her mouth, and with her eyes narrowed in warning, Moira looked as dangerous as a pit viper.

He tried to nod his assent.

Releasing him with a hard shove, Moira grabbed his Guinness and took a hearty sip before slapping the mug back on the counter.

“If you’d a brain in your oversized head, Seamus, you’d know I have a foolproof plan.”

“Sure, and you always do,” he readily agreed. Inside, his stomach was a ball of knots. Moira’s “foolproof plans” never failed to end with Seamus mired in shite. “Out with it. I might as well know what will be the death of me.”

“The children are wandering on the estate—alone. Not an adult to be seen.”

“And you want we should kidnap them?” Doubt was heavy in his tone, but he couldn’t suspend his disbelief that Aeden O’Malley’s mam and da would be far, considering.

“No. I want we should kill them and take their power.”

---