Mob Saint (The O’Rourke Brotherhood Book 4) by Sabine Barclay

Author:Sabine Barclay [Barclay, Sabine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Published: 2024-09-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Seamus

Tiera’s trembling so much it’s frightening me. I glance at Gareth, who’s gone even whiter than Gretchen when I told her the truth. It wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.

It’s clear Tiera’s behavior shocks Gareth. He’s never seen her this way, and I’m certain he was around her for the funeral— funerals? —I won’t ask Tiera. I scoop her into my arms, and Gareth’s eyes widen.

Motherfucker. Does he think I’ve been faking my feelings for Tiera so far? Is he shocked I can lift her? He knows how strong I am, so it would only reflect what he thinks about her. I walk to the sofa and am careful as I sit. I cradle her in my arms and keep cooing to her. Today’s been emotionally tough on me. I can’t imagine how Tiera’s managing not to fall apart. She’s stronger than anyone gives her credit for. She’s calming in my arms, which calms me.

“Should I get her some water? Some whiskey?”

Gareth doesn’t know what to do. He sounds as genuinely shaken as he looks. Tiera shakes her head and curls into me as though even a drink would take her away from me. That it would threaten her. He moves around his desk but gets no closer than that.

“Tiernan?”

“Leave me alone, Gareth.”

He nods as he reaches into his pocket. Silently, he pulls out his keyring and holds one up. He points toward the door. I can lock or unlock it from the inside, so he won’t trap us. He’s offering to give us privacy. Maybe there’s still a humane bone in his body—at least toward Tiera. He slips from the room, and we hear the door lock. There’s the soft murmur of voices in the hallway, but nothing loud enough for me to understand.

“Cailín, what do you need right now?”

“You.”

I tilt her head back, then cup her jaw. “You know I’ll hold you for as long as you want. You’re where you belong, anyway.”

“On your lap?” She offers me a watery smile.

“And in my arms. When you’re ready, we’ll leave. We don’t have to talk to anyone you don’t want to. We’ll get in the car and go wherever you want.”

“Can we go to my place?”

“Of course.”

“Would—would—you stay with me?”

I don’t like the timid whisper. She’s scared to ask. She’s scared I’ll say no. Why wouldn’t she be after what she’s learned in the past hour?

“Not ‘would’ as though it’s hypothetical. Not ‘will’ either. There’s no question, mo stóirín. I didn’t say that for their sake. You are my little darling when I can’t call you cailín in public. You’re my little darling in private, too. But I won’t hide my affection for you from anyone. My feelings for you aren’t a secret.”

She sighs and closes her eyes for a moment. Then she smiles again, and it’s not as weak as before.

“You have such a big heart, Daddy.” She places her hand on my chest, and I wonder if she can feel it beating. She rests it there briefly before sliding it until her fingers are in my hair.

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