The Downfall of Padraic O'Shaunessy by Imogene Nix

Author:Imogene Nix
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Love Books Australia

A piece of card dated the year before Fenella’s birth fell onto her lap. She stared at it as her stomach churned. A butt from a concert, dated June first. The writing was a vicious scrawl, but it was the band name that was like a stab to both her brain and heart.

A sound in the doorway had her lifting her head, and Padraic came in, carrying a tray with two bowls, steaming drinks, and spoons. “Everything okay?”

Fenella glanced down at the journal and bit her lip. Her heart raced, and acknowledging the truth left her aching inside.

“You’ve found something?”

“His name was Seamus. He was an ‘other’, as you call them. He could make a portal, I guess is the name, according to Mam’s diary. Afterward, she’s written that it was like everything was arranged. The whole situation planned.” Her eyes stung, and she blinked rapidly. “A set-up.”

Moving carefully, Padraic placed the tray on the coffee table and settled beside her, winding a hand around her shoulders. “So, we find out who it was. Did she give a name? More than simply Seamus?”

“No, not really. But there was this.” She slid the ticket butt from the pages of the diary. The band name ‘Pretending Humanity’ embossed in blood red with drips was offensive, and she wanted to thrust it away. It felt like poison in her mind.

“May I?” Padraic reached over and took the card, and she felt a wash of relief at handing over the revolting item. “I can send a scan of this to Michael. See what he can track down.”

“I… Yes, if you wouldn’t mind,” she murmured.

“Fenella, I can’t begin to understand how you feel right now. All I can say is if you need to talk, I’m right here.” He scooted closer, and for a moment, she felt a sense of peace and well-being.

Strange, I feel so comfortable with him.

“Fenella?”

His soft question cut through her thoughts, and the heat she tried to ignore rose, licking at her insides. “I feel safe with you. Is that strange?” She whipped around to look at his face.

He shoved the ticket butt into a pocket, then raised his hand and cupped her face. “No, Fenella. I feel it too. A connection.”

In his eyes blazed emotion, mesmerising, but also a balm to her jangling emotions. “I want to kiss you,” she whispered, and without stopping to think, Fenella closed the distance between them.

She wanted it to be soft, but the heat rose up, devouring as her lips moved over his.

“Fenella.” He tugged back slightly, his chest heaving. “If we go further, you may regret it later.”

She blinked as his words dashed over her like a wash of cold water. “Further?” Her spine straightened.

“Feck it all,” he muttered. “I meant I don’t know that I’m ready to take the chance, because with you…” Now Padraic shrugged. “I don’t know why, but it means so much, Fenella. I don’t want to make a mistake. I don’t want to scare you off.”

In her chest, something lurched, as if in agreement with his carefully chosen words.

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