Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
“If he lives with us, that’s what he is, right?”
Aislinn nodded and quickly ducked her head but I’d seen how glassy her eyes had become. We sat in silence for a few minutes and I fumbled with Aislinn’s wedding ring, which I’d carried in my wallet since I’d taken it from her after her betrayal. Only this morning I’d taken it out and carried it in my pocket all day.
I’d hesitated to put it back on her because I wasn’t sure it was time yet. But I wanted her to wear it to show that she belonged to me. I pulled her wedding ring out of my pocket and held it up in front of her. For some reason my heart started racing. Her eyes widened in surprise. She searched my face then held out her hand without a single word from me. I slid the ring on then kissed her fingers and my heartbeat slowed again.
“This time forever I hope.”
Finn and I picked up Aislinn’s mother at the airport a week after Finn arrived in New York. The woman remained stubborn. She had taken my money to pay for the flight but had insisted it was only a loan that she wanted to pay back with interest. Considering that she already owed the clan money, she knew how high our interest rates were. Maybe she’d change her mind once she met me.
Finn bounced excitedly on his heels as we waited for his grandmother in the airport hall. When she came through the sliding doors, I recognized her at once. Not just because Aislinn had showed me a photo but she had an uncanny resemblance to Aislinn and Imogen, apart from her dyed brown hair. She was only seven years older than me, since she’d had her daughters so early in life. It was a bit strange and would certainly make Father drop the occasional comment if there was ever a Killeen and Devaney family meetup, which was unlikely. Aoife gave me a very cold look as she approached. With her darker hair and the black leather jacket and faded black jeans, she looked like the black sheep of the Killeens, which made me smirk. Aoife’s eyes narrowed but then she dropped her gaze to Finn who’d ripped from my hold and was running toward her.
She dropped her travel bag, got down on her haunches, and hugged him. They talked for a while, and I stayed put. She was probably questioning Finn about me. I doubted he had anything bad to say. Finally, they headed my way.
“Lorcan,” she said coolly. If she weren’t family, I wouldn’t have liked her disrespectful attitude. But I was used to the rough charm—or rudeness as some might call it—of the Killeen women so it only amused me.
“Aoife. Or should I call you Mum?” I couldn’t resist the jab.
“Aoife.” She cleared her throat. “Where’s Aislinn?”
“In hospital with a friend.”
Aoife nodded, briefly glancing at Finn.
“When will I see her?”
“Finn and I have plans to meet a few New York Giants players so I’ll drop you off at the hospital to see her right away.”
“Sorry, Gran,” Finn said with a sheepish smile.
Aoife laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m glad you’re having fun. But be careful. New York is a big city.” She gave me a suspicious look.
“He’s been to New York before. He and I can handle the big city, right, buddy?” I held out my hand, palm up.
“Right!” Finn high-fived me. I could tell that Aoife was trying to hide her surprise, but failed.
We headed toward my car, and Aoife strapped in Finn, as if I couldn’t do it. Who did she think had strapped him into the car seat before? But I didn’t get in her way. She’d lost a lot in the last few months.
She closed the door but didn’t get into the car herself. Instead, she faced me. I smiled knowingly. She was about to say what she couldn’t say with Finn around. “I don’t trust you. I don’t know why Aislinn suddenly changed her mind. I can’t change the fact that she’s your wife, but I don’t see us as family. The money I owe you, I’ll pay it back like any other debtor would. I don’t want a family discount.”
“I’ll hand this off to Aran then. He takes care of our debtors in Ireland. I’m sure they’ll send over one of our money collectors for an introduction to give you the details of our new business arrangement.”
Of course, Aoife would still get special treatment. I wouldn’t allow her to get hurt, even if she was acting like a bitch. But maybe one of Aran’s men could scare her on occasion so she’d feel like a real debtor. I was sure she wouldn’t be able to pay our rates on time, and Aran wouldn’t mind playing this game.