Page 102 of Sweet Vengeance
I roll my eyes, but how does a guy not swoon a little at that? “Will the others stay here too? Tiernan’s mom is close, right?”
“He’ll want to go see her. He typically stays there, but then, we usually all do. Rory will stay here for sure, but I have a feeling Tiernan and Dean will as well. I’m not sure about Ash.”
I nod, and Cillian leans in. He cups my face with a gentleness I know he only has with me and presses our lips together.
“We doing this?” he asks.
“We’re doing it.” I turn, open the door, and see a man standing on the porch. He’s wearing slacks and a button-up shirt, like Cillian and Tiernan often do. He has his hands inhis pockets, brown hair like Cillian’s, only his is slicked back. He’s tall and broad, looking both like a dignified businessman and, well, a stone-faced killer.
I immediately feel the air in the vehicle thicken, Cillian’s tension rolling off him in waves.
And maybe…maybe he also doesn’t want me to leave his side for himself, and not just for me.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I tell him.
“I know. Let’s get this over with.”
He gets out of the car, and I do the same. The others are waiting, letting Cillian lead the way because that’s what they do, isn’t it?
I take Cillian’s hand, proud to be a part of this, a part of them, even if it’s in my own way.
“How was the drive?” Rian asks, to no one specific. Not to his son, I notice, but I have a feeling he wants it to be directed at him.
“Same as always,” Tiernan answers. “Is this going to become a thing? Are we trying to pretend we’re a normal family now?”
“You act like we never spend holidays together. Regardless of…many things, wearea family.”
Cillian scoffs beside me.
Rian looks at him. “Do you have something to say?”
“Doyou?” Cillian counters. When his father doesn’t speak, Cillian adds, “Figures. You can fuck off with your family bullshit.”
Cillian walks up the stairs, me beside him. Before we can pass, Rian’s arm shoots out, his hand wrapping around Cillian’s bicep. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
“He’s not my friend. He’s mine. Nothing anyone says will change that.”
Wait. What? Change that? Is that a thing they would try to do?
“Agreed,” Tiernan adds from behind us.
“I think the two of you are mistaken about who’s in charge here. You chose to give up that role, Tiernan. You don’t get to play pretend now.”
I stiffen beside Cillian, my heart punching against my chest.
Rian turns his attention to us…and while Cillian has blue eyes, Rian’s are green like Tiernan’s.
“And do you agree? You’re not going anywhere?” he asks me.
“Fuck you. Don’t talk to him,” Cillian seethes.
“Can he not speak for himself?” Rian asks.
“I can, and no. I’m not going anywhere. No one can take me away from Cillian…because he’s mine too.” I’m prouder than I’ve ever been that my voice doesn’t shake. I won’t let him intimidate me, which I think he’s trying to do. Maybe this is a game, some kind of test, and if it is, I damn sure plan to pass it. If not, I’m still going to let him know that when it comes to Cillian, I will always choose him and I will always protect him.
I’m surprised when Rian gives me a small smile. “Well, then, if you’re my son’s and he’s yours, maybe we should at least be properly introduced. I’m Rian.” He holds his hand out for me.
I stare at it a moment, unsure what to do. Is it a betrayal to Cillian to shake it? I don’t think so, because my goal is to help build a bridge.
