Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
He inhales, then exhales slowly before he speaks. “We won’t lie in wait for the O’Gregors anymore. We want to bring them out of hiding, fight them head on.”
I frown, but nod. What does this have to do with us leaving?
“They won’t come here on our property. We’re too heavily guarded here, and they know they don’t stand a chance. They will, however, attack if they think we’re vulnerable.”
I really should listen more before I jump to conclusions, but sometimes I can’t help the way I react. It’s self-defense, really.
“I’ll go with you,” he says.
“Do we have to go back to that home, though, Nolan? It damn near gives me anxiety attacks being back there, I hate it so.”
“We do, but you won’t be alone. I’ll be with you. Carson found a nearby home that’s unoccupied, only a few doors down. My brothers will be there, prepared to help us. We just have to be discreet about it and it shouldn’t take long. We’ve planted the news that you’ll be coming back. We don’t want them knowing we’re lying in wait.”
I think over this plan. “We won’t draw them out as easily if we were at my place, then?”
He shakes his head. “No.”
He steps a little closer to me and places his hand on my arm. His touch is warm and reassuring. “You can do this, Sheena. And after this… after we’ve ended this threat to my family and yours… you and I will talk about the next step we take together.”
Reluctant hope blooms in my heart as I listen to what he has to say. But I’ve been through too much to really believe there are happily-ever-afters for a girl like me. So I don’t think of it. I only nod. “Okay, then. Let’s do it. But Fiona and Tiernan are old enough to know why we’re doing this.”
“Aye,” he says. “But so help me, Sheena, I’m not going to fight you every step of the way and drag you along with me.”
Sam starts to fuss a little, so I sway with him on my hip. “Shhh,” I whisper to him, while I nod to Nolan. “I know it. You’re like your brothers. Remember, my job is to observe details, isn’t it?”
He gives me a crooked grin that melts my heart. “Aye.”
“And I’m well aware that you won’t fight me. You’d just as soon manhandle me into submission.”
He shrugs.
I clear my throat and gather up my courage. “But that won’t be necessary.”
He gives me a wary look. “Right.” He doesn’t believe me.
“What?”
“You want me to believe that you won’t fight me, then?”
“Well…” my voice trails off because I’m not exactly sure how to tell him the truth. Can I? “I’ll try my best,” I finally say. There must be something about my expression that amuses him, for he laughs out loud and shakes his head.
“Let’s take this one step at a time, then. First, we move them to your mother’s home. We get things set up. Then we take step two. No step two until step one is complete. Listen, Sheena. We need to draw the O’Gregors out. The plan is for us to set up in the family home in Stone City, but once we’ve sorted everything with the O’Gregors, we’ll move them to your place, or…” his voice trails off and he works his jaw.
“Or what?”
His eyes come back to mine. “Or, we find a place together.”
“We?” I ask. “We who?”
“All of us,” he says. “You, Tiernan, Fiona, Sam. And me.”
He isn’t saying this. Is he? But I mask the hope that rises in me, because I’m afraid if I move too quickly, this dream will vanish.
“What about my mother?” I ask
He hesitates before he responds. “I don’t think she’ll prove a threat.”
I breathe out in relief. “Right, then. Aye. I can do this, yes.”
“Good,” he says, reaching for baby Sam. Sam leans over and lets Nolan take him, then nestles against his hip. I wonder if taking the baby is a power move, because my body responds of its own accord whenever he’s got the baby. I can’t help but swoon a little. I can’t think of any of this now, because Fiona’s gone off to find Tiernan and both of them are approaching us now.
We’ve got to sort this out.
But move back to the family home?
The very thought makes me nauseous.
Chapter 17
Nolan
I expected Sheena to fight me. I had a plan in place, and was prepared for her to balk, to resist going back to the childhood home she despises.
But I never expected mam to put up such a fuss.
“I don’t know about this, Nolan,” she says, following us into the house when we go to pack their things. She’s heard the plan from someone, and now she’s following after me and Sheena on a mission.