Page 45 of Until Ireland

“The reason I’m here at my shop and why I moved is because of Lux Auto. I found out Edgar, the owner, was fencing cars.” I braced myself for whatever Mack had to say.

Sometimes things were too good to be true. I got a taste of what it’d be like to have a man in my life who truly cared about me and in an instant, a cosmic joke, it was all over.

Chapter Nine

Mack

Bright yellow caution tape had been wrapped around one of the bays, and two police cruisers greeted me when I pulled into the parking lot of Banks Automotive. Cobi was leaning against his vehicle as though he’d been waiting for me. Chances were, he was, considering my car was causing this uproar.

A quick scan of the lot didn’t show either Ireland or her siblings. No doubt they were situated inside the building somewhere, not hiding but keeping out of the officers’ way so they could do their job without delay. I hadn’t even opened up the driver side door before a hauler was backing in. It’d be taking the Aston to their impound until everything was worked out.

Cobi wasn’t fucking around, and I was grateful I had the wherewithal to make sure I’d snagged all my paperwork concerning the Aston after I’d gotten off the phone with Ireland. My girl already had a metric shit ton on her plate. I wasn’t going to allow my car to ruin her, even if neither of us had known the car was stolen. I had every intention of informing Cobi of such. After, of course, I found Ireland and made sure she was okay.

The frantic call from her had taken at least a year or two off my life. I could still hear the pain—fuck—the fear in her voice. No doubt Ireland thought I’d be upset at her for the loss of a possible two-plus million payday. The blame laid on the auction house, as far as I was concerned. Although I was a lot of things, I was no thief.

It was also pretty fucking amazing I’d even made it here without crashing my car, considering I had done double the speed limit to get here.

Cobi pushed off the car he was leaning against and headed to me. “Mack—”

I didn’t even pause in my stride to the front door. “Later,” I gritted out between my teeth, aware I got away with brushing the other man off because of our friendship.

Cobi had a woman; he’d hopefully get my priority right now was Ireland. Once I assured myself all was well with my girl, I’d answer any questions he had for me.

I pushed open the glass door with force. Landon and Jackson were behind the counter, talking quietly. Both looked worried. “Where’s Ireland?” I asked, skipping over pleasantries.

Jackson was the first to acknowledge me with a chin lift toward the office behind them.

I walked with purpose through the area between the wall and the countertop, not even acknowledging the office door that was labeled ‘private’ before opening it without a quick knock.

Hunter was kneeling in front of Ireland, softly talking to his sister who was curled up in a ball, like she was trying to protect herself against what was occurring outside the room. She’d been crying too—was still fucking crying, and she was biting her lower lip.

Hunter stood. Ireland didn’t.

Ireland had strikes. I had lessons. She was about to learn the first one. Short of her fucking another guy, and even then, she was mine. I was never going to let her go, and we’d work through whatever life deemed to throw at us together.

“Mack,” Hunter said, his eyes flickering back and forth between his sister and me. They were filled with concern.

Couldn’t blame him. I knew more was at stake than just a car. The family was relatively new to the area and could lose its reputation. Nothing like small town living, where everyone knew everyone else’s business. Even if she was only fixing a stolen car, people would judge her like she’d been the one to steal it. I wasn’t particularly worried about myself. I’d survive whatever was thrown my way, thanks in part to the Redman name and how long my family had lived in this town.

My automotive business was lucrative, but it wasn’t everything. I also had Flame and enough money in the bank that I’d never need to worry about cashflow for the rest of my life, even if I gave up both businesses tomorrow.

Couldn’t say the same for Ireland or her brothers. But I’d do everything in my power to make sure that didn’t happen.

I didn’t have time to soothe anyone but the woman sitting in the chair. I stepped to the side, opening up the doorway. “Give us a minute, Hunter.” Ireland hadn’t even acknowledged me yet. Like Cobi, I’d chat with Hunter once I was done talking to his sister. After I reassured my girl in the chair all was still good between us.

After a moment more, Hunter walked out of the office, closing the door behind him with a slam.

Moving to stand in front of her, I waited for her to notice me. When she didn’t, I dropped down, squatting before her. I laid my hand on her ice-cold fingers. She tucked her chin deeper into her knees. “Cupcake.” Silence. “Babe,lookat me.” My tone was firm, letting her know I wasn’t messing around.

When she finally lifted her face, her eyelashes were wet and spiky. Her pretty emerald eyes were dark with pain, and it killed me. “I’m sorry, Mack.” Her voice caught on a sob.

“Aww, cupcake.” I maneuvered my hands behind her, pulling her from the chair and into my arms before I stood. “You did the right thing contacting the police, and you’ve got zero to be sorry about.”

Ireland buried her face in my neck, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure if she was wiping her nose on my suit or inhaling my scent. I smiled when I heard her inhale, knowing it had been the latter.

“It’s not your fault, babe,” I assured her again, comprehending where her mind was at the moment. “If anyone should be sorry, it’s me. I brought this shitstorm right to your front door.”

Her breath hitched. “I was already knee-deep in it before you though.”

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