Page 127 of Bite Marks & Broken Hearts

“Ach, come on now.” Connor’s laugh held an edge. “Ye were a right mess that night, weren’t ye? All torn up about that lad, Tom.”

“Yes, I was upset about Tom. Which is exactly why you—” I took a breath, turning to Katie. “Connor kissed me that night. On the beach.”

“What?”

The word hung in the air between us. I watched the change sweep across my sister’s face: confusion first, then disbelief, and finally a horrible understanding that drained every drop of colour from her cheeks.

She gripped the edge of the table, her wedding ring catching the light. “No, Flynn, you must have misunderstood—”

“Just like I misunderstood at your party three years ago?” The words tumbled out. “When he cornered me in the kitchen and—”

“Now hold on just a minute!” Connor’s fist slammed against the table. Every glass jumped—but my water shot straight up, as high as my face, before raining down on the table. No one seemed to notice, too focused on Connor’s rage. “I won’t be sitting here listening to these lies!”

Seb rose to his full height. “Then perhaps you should leave.”

“Ye can’t make me do anything.” Connor’s face reddened as he jabbed a finger towards me. “Andyou—ye ungrateful little shit. After everything we did for ye?”

Connor’s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. Revulsion coursed through me at his touch, memories of that night on the beach flooding back—his hands, my tears. My whole body went rigid, trapped between fight and flight.

The movement was so fast, I barely registered what happened next—just a blur of motion, the sickening crunch of bone meeting knuckles, and then Connor was stumbling backwards, blood tricklingfrom his nose. Seb had struck with the lethal grace of a cobra, his fist connecting with Connor’s face with such devastating precision that the crack echoed through the quiet café.

Behind the counter, the barista suddenly became very interested in cleaning the coffee machine.

“Who the fuck do ye think ye are?” Connor spat, wiping his nose with his sleeve. “Some posh English bastard—”

“I assure you.” Seb’s voice dropped dangerously low. “I am neither English nor someone you wish to test. You can walk out of here of your own accord, or I can escort you. Your choice.”

Something in Seb’s expression must have registered because Connor backed away, one hand pressed against his bleeding nose. “Ah, Katie, love. Yer brother was in bits that night, crying his eyes out and drunk as a lord. He’s the one who tried it on with me, and I had to push him off, didn’t I? Now he’s gone and twisted it all around because he’s ashamed of himself.”

“Just go, Connor,” Katie whispered, her eyes fixed on her hands.

Connor teetered on the balls of his feet, and for one horrible moment, I thought he’d never leave, but then he stormed out, door swinging behind him.

A heavy silence fell over the table. My pulse thundered in my ears as I watched my sister, desperate for any sign that she believed me.

Seb’s fingers found a lock of my hair that had fallen forward, tucking it gently behind my ear. “He’s gone now,” he murmured, voice soft but firm. “You won’t need to see him again.”

My heart stuttered at the tenderness of the gesture—the contrast between Seb’s fierce protection and this gentle touch made my heart squeeze. Here was someone who wouldn’t let anyone hurt me again—I knew it in my very soul.

Katie watched us closely, her brow furrowing. “Flynn…” She paused, studying how I leaned into Seb’s shoulder.

Seb said softly, “Your brother is very important to me, Ms Carter. He’s been so anxious abouttalking to you about this.”

Sighing, Katie worried into her bottom lip. “Flynn, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Because you didn’t believe me the first time.” My throat tightened. “Because he’s your husband and you love him and I… I couldn’t bear to see you hurt like that.”

Katie’s eyes filled with tears, but there was steel beneath them. “Tell me absolutely everything. From the beginning.”

I felt Seb squeeze my hand gently, and somehow I found the strength to start talking.

26

Sebastián

Ileft Flynn and Katie to their privacy, settling at a table across the café. Of course, their conversation wasn’t truly private.

Katie’s apologies about Connor poured forth, genuine remorse in her voice. Then their words drifted to memories of his departure, of their mother’s tears, of unanswered calls. The weight of abandonment hung heavy between them until Katie broached the subject of Seabreeze.

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