Page 64 of The Past

A crunch of gravel behind us had me turning, yanking me from my daydreams of Fiona, the hairs on the back of my neck prickling.A Black Mercedes pulled up near the track, its tires spitting dirt as it skidded to a quick stop.The driver’s door flung open, and out stepped Seamus Conlan.

His sleeves were rolled up, his collar undone, his eyes ablaze.

Rory cursed quietly.“And so it begins.”

Seamus stalked toward us, his steps hard, fists clenched at his sides.His glare cut straight to Rory, his expression murderous, but I was ignored.I’m sure he felt I was beneath his notice and he clearly didn’t care if I overheard what he had to say.

“Ye had no right to take my property,” he growled, stopping just short of us.

Rory didn’t flinch.“Would that be yer daughter yer talkin’ about, or her clothing?”

Seamus’s nostrils flared.“Ye know what I mean.Ye took property from my home that I paid for and specifically prohibited Fiona from taking.”

My jaw locked tight and I was astounded the man could be so petty over something so inconsequential.My response would have been to punch him but Rory maintained a cool head.

Sort of.

“Yer welcome to take them back,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.“But ye have to go through me first.”

Seamus sputtered.“So ye want to boil it down to… what?Fisticuffs?”

I almost snorted at the antiquated term but Rory wasn’t amused.“I’m merely tellin’ ye, that if ye want Fi’s clothes, ye have to go through me first.If ye want anything to do with yer daughter, ye have to go through me first.She’s safe and secure now and I’m going to keep her that way.”

“Safe,” Seamus spat, eyes flashing.“She’s supposed to be home.Where she belongs.And ye’re harborin’ her like some runaway.”

Rory’s jaw ticked, but his voice stayed even.“Ye made a choice, Seamus, when ye kicked her out without any other options.No one owes ye anything.”

Seamus let out a harsh laugh.“She’s a foolish, naive girl.She doesn’t know what she’s doin’.”I had previously thought that Seamus’s ego was too big to even notice me standing there, but I think I was wrong.His glare flicked to me, narrowing.“And I know damn well who put these ideas in her head.”

I took a step forward before I could stop myself.“You don’t need anyone to blame but yourself,” I said, voice steady.

Seamus’s lip curled.“I should drag her back home where she belongs.”

A deep rage uncoiled in my chest, and before Rory could stop me, I stepped between them, squaring my shoulders.“Not without dealing with me.Rory will be waiting for you, but you’ll never make it past me.”

The moment stretched tight, Seamus staring me down like he was weighing whether to take that challenge.But I was bigger, younger, and I sure as hell wasn’t afraid of him.

Seamus’s face twisted with disgust.“Who the hell are ye, anyway?”

My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my voice like steel.“I’m the man who loves your daughter.”

Seamus seethed, his voice like gravel.“Ye’re the reason for Fiona’s downfall.”

I laughed, shaking my head.“No, Mr.Conlan.With all respect, your daughter is going to have an amazing life built on her own terms.You tried to take away her happiness, to force her into a life she doesn’t want.That’s on you.You’re a pathetic excuse for a man, and an even worse excuse for a father.”

Seamus lunged, but Rory stepped between us, his hands going to his brother’s chest.Fiona’s father pointed at me.“I want that boy gone from this estate.He’s not welcome here.”

“He’s here at my invitation,” Rory said, his voice sounding fatigued.“He’s not goin’ anywhere.”

I shot him a wink and Seamus’s face flushed red.He lunged for me again and Rory pushed him back a few feet, his hands still to his chest.

“That’s enough,” Rory barked.“Ye want to fight someone, Seamus?Fight me.”

Seamus wrenched free, breathing hard as he glared at his brother.“Ye think ye’re in the right here?Ye think ye can undermine me?”

Rory didn’t so much as blink.“I think yer a fool if ye don’t see what ye’re losin’.”

Seamus inhaled sharply through his nose, collecting himself.“Ye listen to me, Rory.Ye better fix this.Ye better send her back home, back where she belongs, and get her back on board with Brian.”

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