Page 28 of Three Irish Kings
I’m not a little boy dreaming of a different life. Not anymore. I used to want to go to culinary school, wanted to be some famous chef in a nice restaurant.
The innocent dreams of a child who had to grow up very fast and learn that dreams stay just that. Dreams. Because reality is far too dark to allow yourself to hope.
“You ready to go?” Dare asks, and I shake my head, stalking into the house.
Liam stands in the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“Pour it out. You won’t be needing it.”
“Cil, I’m not in the mood?—”
“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t be the one staying tonight. You’re angry right now, and if she tries to escape?—”
Liam opens his mouth, but I hold up a hand.
“Listen, Liam. I’m not being an asshole here. I’m thinking smart. I’m calmer. Hell, you know I barely read her dossier. And I’m not half in love with her like Dare.”
“Hey!” Dare protests, and the corner of my mouth twists in a semblance of a smile.
About as close as I ever get to one.
Liam stares at me for a moment with ice blue eyes that could turn fiery at any moment. Finally, he nods. “All right. I’ll go home, talk to the old man. See if I can buy us some time.”
Relief rushes through me. I was almost sure he would fight me, but even Liam seems to get that this situation is well and truly fucked.
As they talk about who drives and where they’ll go first, I glance toward the bedroom.
It was Ronan and Celeste’s master bedroom back in the day. I still remember walking by, hearing her giggles and his low voice.
God, they were so in love.
My chest aches just thinking about it.
Ronan was just a driver then. He wasn’t born into the life, he fought for everything he has.
I used to respect him for that. I still do. But lately, I can’t help but question some of his decisions. I love the man, but there are lines I’m not sure I can cross, even for him. I just pray he doesn’t ask me to.
“Are you good?” Dare’s voice cuts through my thoughts, and I nod before I even know what he’s asking.
I clear my throat. “Fine. Just be back before eleven in the morning, okay? I’d like to sleep at some point.”
“You’re not going to sleep?” Dare raises an eyebrow.
Liam smacks him in the back of the head, and Dare groans.
“Of course, he’s not, you idiot. She could slip right out. Not like the doors lock from the inside. Which is why maybe we should’ve taken her to the warehouse.”
“Why, so your da would know immediately what we’re doing?”
I groan. “Stop arguing, you two. I’ve got this. Just meet me back here in the morning.”
“We’ll see you bright and early,” Liam says, while Dare shoots off a sloppy salute.
I roll my eyes, freshening up the coffee Liam had poured for himself.
I haven’t heard peep one from the girl, so I should probably go and check on her.
Liam wouldn’t have knocked her out or anything, would he?
