Page 56 of Sweet Vengeance
I glance over to see Cillian with his back to me. He’s at the bar in their living room, pouring a drink.
Look at me, look at me, look at me.
“Hey,” Tiernan says, pulling my attention away fromCillian. “Anything that goes on in this house—”
“I don’t want to know about it,” I interrupt. “I don’t ever want to know any of it.”
Every time Tiernan looks at me, I could swear he hates me. There’s so much anger sizzling beneath the surface, but logically I know it’s not truly directed at me. He always seems like he’s in control, but like the smallest thing can make him snap, and I have yet to find a way to be comfortable around that.
I shiver but hope no one notices.
“Good,” he replies. “But some of the shit won’t be avoidable. You’re Cil’s responsibility. You fuck up, that reflects badly on him, and—”
“What! No. That’s not fair. I don’t plan to do anything I’m not supposed to do, but you can’t hold him responsible for my actions.” What if I accidentally mess up? What if I don’t mean to but do something wrong and then Cillian has to deal with the consequences? “I’d rather risk being alone than him being on the line.”
I’m surprised when Tiernan cocks a brow, looking amused. “Even if being on your own gets you killed? Or hurt?”
“Tiernan,” Cillian says sharply, and if I’m not mishearing, warningly too.
Tiernan ignores him. “I asked you a question.”
“Yes. I’m not used to this stuff, but I won’t risk Cillian getting in trouble for me. I’ll only stay if you only hold me responsible for my actions and not Cillian.”
“Kitten,” Cillian says. “That’s not—”
“It’s the only way I’ll stay!” I shout, without meaning to. “I don’t work that way. I don’t want anyone getting hurt, certainly not because of me.”
Both Dean and Tiernan look over at Cillian.
I stand. “Don’t defer to him like I can’t make choices for myself.”
Dean smiles, and Tiernan gives me a slight chuckle before speaking. “Sit the fuck down, Ollie. You’re not going anywhere.”
“Was our brave little bunny about to fight Tiernan for Cil?” Rory walks into the room. “Dean said when they first met, he was ready to go after him when Dean came home with hickeys all over. He wanted to make sure Dean was safe.”
“I like him!” Aislin chimes in while I’m trying not to melt into the floor. I fully get that there’s not much I can do to protect anyone, so hearing them talk like this just makes me feel foolish.
“Come on, let’s take your shit up to my room,” Cillian says.
His room. I’ll be staying in his room. Of course, I knew that. I’ve been sleeping with him at my place too, but I swear, it feels like everyone is looking at me, and for the second time in a minute, I feel like they’re laughing at me.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Cillian
Igrab oneof Ollie’s bags, leaving the second one for him because I know he’ll get upset if I take both, then make my way upstairs. He’s right behind me, not saying a word, but then, he doesn’t really have to. Not with the scowl on his face.
My head is too fucked up today to deal with any more complicated feelings, but unfortunately, that seems to be all I have anymore. I’m still pissed about my dad. Tiernan took me out shooting to try and help me get my head on straight, but it didn’t work.
I was nervous about being around Ollie when I feel this way. He seems to be able to pull stuff out of me that I’m usually pretty good at keeping locked up.
That had been my plan—to keep my distance and get out of my head—but then Ollie went and said what he did to Tiernan. The way he’d been willing to risk himself for me, the way he’d stood up to Tiernan for me…that took fucking balls. Especially when you’re dealing with someone like Tiernan and coming from someone like Ollie. Someone who is kind and doesn’t ever want to see someone get hurt.
And I know he hadn’t done that because he feels something special about me—Ollie would have done that with anyone—but it feels that way, feels like he said it because Imean something to him, and…fuck, Iwantthat. I want to mean something to him. How is that possible in such a short amount of time?
I unlock my bedroom door, step aside and let him in, turning on the light, though the room is bright from the three windows along the wall facing the back of the property.
“God, I feel so stupid.” He drops his bag, walks over to my bed, and plops down.
