Page 58 of Until Ireland

I nibbled on my lower lip, not wanting to look up at Mack and see anything but pride in what I’d done.

Hunter, being the oh so helpful prick that he was, piped up for me, “It’s what Ireland did today. She drove her happy little ass to Nashville, broke into Lux Warehouse, and took pictures of all the boosted cars they were housing. All by herself and without informing anyone of her plans.”

Remember how I was so sure Mack wouldn’t get mad at me? I was wrong….so, so very wrong. I realized too late how incorrect I’d been when he whipped around and pinned me to the spot where I stood with a glare. Correction, Mack was enraged, and I could feel the fury pouring off him, filling the small area around us.

“Ireland?” He held the phone. “Tell me you didn’t do this. That you didn’t risk yourself for pictures.”

I chose to go with indifference and shrugged. “What’s the big deal? You went and got my bike. It’s the same damn thing.”

Mack exploded, snarling out. “The fuck it is.” He moved closer, and I retreated until my back hit the wall. “I didn’t go alone, and we’d clued Cobi in before we left. He was there for us if it went to shit. That’s the damn difference.”

I wondered how Mack would react if I pointed out the vein in his forehead pulsed when he was pissed. Going by the look on his face, not well. So, I kept my trap shut on that point. “I was safe,” I stressed. “I worked for the bastard.” I touched my chest twice to prove my argument. “I knew the schedule and how everything functioned. Everyone leaves the warehouse at the same time for lunch. That’s when I went in.”

Mack looked up to the ceiling for a long moment before facing my brother, whether for patience or guidance I couldn’t tell. What I could see was the glare Hunter gave Mack, which said ‘she’s your problem now.’

Mack sighed, wrapped his hand around my arm, and started toward the office. I had no choice but to follow, although I didn’t make it easy. “Mack stop—” I attempted to get out his hold, yet it seemed to spur him on more.

I only stopped struggling when Mack turned on me, getting right in my face, and snarled out. “We’re not doing this out in public, Ireland.” I frowned. He rarely called me by my given name. Always cupcake and, lately in bed, wildcat. “Because I haverespectfor you and your feelings and what I need to say is to you, not Hunter. Got me?”

I got him. Didn’t mean I had to like it. I glanced to Hunter for help. The turncoat was sitting back at the computer, pounding at the keys without a care in the world. Mack continued on, tugging me into the private office and slamming the door shut so hard the wall shook.

I kept my mouth shut when he backed me up against the door, getting in my personal space.

“What you did was dangerous!” His jaw muscle twitched as he clenched his teeth so hard I swore I could hear his back teeth grinding. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but he put a hand up to stop me. “I’d advise you to keep your mouth shut, Ireland.” Not willing to piss him off even more, I bit my tongue and rolled my lips over my teeth. “You lied to me.”

My heart clenched from the pain in his tone. “No, Mack I—”

He cocked a brow.

“Tell me, cupcake,” he sneered, and I was slightly grateful he called me by his nickname. “When my dick was buried balls deep inside of your pussy this morning, did you already have this planned for today?”

Oh, shit.

His fingers captured my chin, pulling my gaze to his. “Answer me.” His voice was dark and broody.

I’d fucked up, and big. I took a deep breath, squared back my shoulders, and answered honestly. “Yes.” I hated the slight wobble in my voice and the weakness it showed.

“So, you lied to me,” he stated, his voice cold, and his gray eyes turned icy. “After we argued about me even allowing you to go to work, you went behind my back and lied right to my face when I asked what your plans were.”

“No, no Mack, I didn’t lie,” I stammered, worried I’d fucked up everything. Would he walk away? “You asked me if I planned to go to the shop. I said yes, and I did come here to do some work this morning. I left midmorning so I could make it to Nashville in time.”

“Semantics, cupcake, and you know it.”

I took a breath, pushing my body back tight against the door, and looked up for a second, hoping to gain some patience when dealing with an alpha male in full force. I dropped my gaze back to Mack and admitted. “You’re right. Lying by omission is still lying.”

He nodded. “Damn straight. Don’t fuckin’ do it again, Ireland.”

“I got it, Mack. I won’t,” I promised before trying to step out from his hold. Mack threw up his arm, blocking my exit from between the door and his big body.

“We’re not done,” he announced.

“Yeah, well I don’t like being intimidated, Mack,” I stated and then added, “especially by my boyfriend.”

“I don’t know, Ireland, perhaps said boyfriend wouldn’t be pissed the hell off if his girlfriend didn’t put herself in stupid dangerous situations. And let’s not forget, said boyfriend assumed your ass was safe with your brothers. It was only the way said boyfriend was able to go to work and not worry about the woman he fuckin’ loves,” he volleyed back.

“Pfft. I got the job done, and now Cobi has probable cause—Wait, you love me?”

“Jesus,” he huffed. “That’s what finally shuts you up?”

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