Page 60 of The Thief
"Right. And I'm the Queen of England."
They're both grinning at me now, the kind of knowing smiles women share when they recognize the signs of attraction.
"It's complicated," I say finally.
"Best ones usually are," Raylee agrees.
"He's good people," Melissa adds. "Freddie, I mean. He’s been through hell and come out the other side still caring about others. That's rare in our world."
"How do you know?"
"Because Danny trusts him. Because Jer trained him. Because he's got that look in his eyes; the look of a man who's trying to be better than he thinks he deserves to be."
The door opens before I can respond, and Marcus walks in carrying a decanter of whiskey like he owns the place.
"Ladies," he says, setting the crystal bottle on the sideboard. "Enjoying your evening?"
The temperature in the room drops ten degrees. Both Melissa and Raylee go tense, like predators scenting danger.
"Marcus," Melissa says coolly. "We were just getting to know Alastríona."
"Ah yes. Our little princess from Belfast." His smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Learning about the family business, are we?"
"Learning about family," I correct.
"Same thing, really. Can't separate the two in our world."
He pours himself a drink, taking his time about it. Making us wait, asserting some kind of dominance I don't understand.
"Your father understood that," he continues. "He understood that family loyalty comes before everything else. Pity he forgot that lesson toward the end."
The words hit like a slap. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, dear. I’m just observing that Killian seemed to develop divided loyalties in his final years, putting his American family before his Irish one."
"He loved both families."
"Did he? Because from where I sat, it looked like he chose you and your mother over his duty to Henry. That choice cost us all dealy."
I'm on my feet before I realize I'm moving. "Don't you dare blame me for my father's death."
"Did I blame you? I simply pointed out that choices have consequences. Your father chose to keep you separate from this life, and people died because of that choice."
"Marcus," Melissa's voice carries a warning. "That's enough."
"Is it? Because I think our new family member should understand exactly what her presence here has cost. She should understand that her very existence has been a weapon used against us."
The room spins slightly. Is he right? Have people died because of me? Because Dad chose to protect my innocence over family unity?
"Get out," Melissa says, standing beside me. "Get out before I call Danny in here to remove you."
Marcus finishes his drink and sets the glass down with deliberate care. "Of course. Wouldn't want to upset the princess with too much truth."
He heads for the door but pauses at the threshold. "Enjoy your evening, ladies. Try not to fill her head with too many romantic notions about our life. Reality has a way of disappointing."
Then he's gone, leaving me shaking with rage and something that might be fear.
"Bastard," Raylee mutters.
