“Yes, it is, Declan. You used that charm and left a trail of broken hearts. That is the last thing anyone needs. Not Fiona, and not your brothers.”
“You aren’t dissuading me from going and I need help with that to wear,” Declan said.
Sean laughed. “You sound like a girl, now, but we’ll help you so you don’t embarrass yourself and us. You need a tuxedo.”
“Tuxedo?”
Declan pulled out his phone and pressed some keys. “There’s a place close to here you can rent one. You can get an Uber to and from the event. Are you meeting her there or picking her up?”
“Picking her up.”
“We’ll help you, Declan,” Sean said, “But you better not lay with her tonight.”
Declan didn’t see what the problem as. If he was next to her in bed, she would be safe. How was that irresponsible?
“Declan, no,” Donal warned once again.
His brothers were no fun at all. “Fine. I won’t lay with her. Tonight.”
“Don’t until this goblin is defeated.”
Declan sighed. He didn’t want to take his brothers’ advice, but it did seem like the right thing to do. “Fine. I won’t do anything with Fiona until the goblin is defeated. For the record, I think the two of you are making a bigger deal out of this than is necessary.”
“You haven’t faced a goblin. Ever. Remember? You were cursed before you ever had a fairy to protect,” Donal said.
His brother did have a point, but the Foleys have been protecting fairies as long as anyone could remember. He doubted that he was incapable because he hadn’t personally done it. It was in his blood. His inheritance. He already felt protective of Fiona without knowing her very well. It would all happen the way it was supposed to. He would know what to do.
“I know that Donal, but I can do this. You two always doubt me. You just assume that I’m going to fail.”
“Because you never took anything seriously,” Donal said. “You played and played. You pretended to be a child and we let you.”
Feeling the anger rise, Declan stood. “I’m not a child and I don’t act like one.”
Sean stepped between the two. “This is no time to argue. We have work to do to get him up to speed on what will happen tonight. We don’t need the two of you going at each other’s throats.”
Sean turned his gaze first to Donal then to Declan. Both of the men nodded. Declan knew this wouldn’t be the last time that he and Donal would argue. Something about his older brother’s smugness always got under his skin. Just this once, he could back down.
“Let’s spend the next few hours acquainting our brother with the modern world,” Sean said. “There is no time for disagreement and we need to come together as a family.” He put a hand on each brother’s chest. “We are all the family we have left in the world.”
Declan couldn’t argue. “You’re right. I’m sorry, but I don’t like to be treated like a babai.”
“Then don’t act like one,” Donal said.
“Boys,” Sean said, a warning in his voice.
Declan pressed his lips together, swallowed the retort that had been on his lips and
unclenched his fists.
Chapter Five
Declan held the door open for Fiona as they entered the large room filled with tables set for a banquet. He put a hand on the small of her back and she felt a tingle go up her spine. He couldn’t have looked more delicious in a tuxedo. The black of the outfit was almost the same color as his hair and it all made his ice blue eyes more vivid.
Her mouth had watered when he first opened her door. He’d been nothing but a gentleman so far though he’d been flirting with her. Was this guy for real?
An orchestra played in one corner of the ballroom. Uniformed circulated with trays of champagne glasses and hors d’oeuvres. Fiona didn’t mind these events, but she wouldn’t have chosen to attend it. She might have balked if she hadn’t chosen to find her own art sponsor. Here would be the perfect place to mix and mingle with people who had deep pockets.
She took a deep breath then let it out to settle the butterflies in her stomach. They were as much a result of the location as the man beside her.
“Lass?”
His hand was still on her back. “I guess we need to find our table.”
“We have to sit a certain place?”
She glanced back at him. “Yes. I have to make contact with the people who pay Damien’s salary.”
“And in turn yours?”
“Yes.”
He moved up beside her. “So our names will be somewhere?”
“Yes, Declan. Well, mine will be. You are only a plus one.”
A low chuckled emanated from deep in that impressive chest. “I’ve never been anyone’s plus one.”
He didn’t seem insulted, just amused. “Well, let’s mingle and make fake friends.”
“You make it sound so enticing, lass. Do you really want to be here?”
“No, but it is my duty as Damien’s assistant. If the money doesn’t flow to him, it doesn’t flow to me.”
“Sounds like a nasty way to make money.”
She shrugged, having made peace in some ways with what she did to pay the rent. “It is what it is, Declan. You get to be eye candy.”
“Eye candy?”
“Something good for the women to look at,” Fiona explained.
“Is that why you brought me along? Because I am devilishly handsome?”
Her gaze went up and down him. He wasn’t lying. He was devilishly handsome. “It won’t hurt if you charm some wives.”
“Aye, lass. I’ll do what I can.”
She laughed. “I have a feeling you are tailor-made for the job.”
“Good thing I’m not so easily insulted, lass.”
“I’m sure your ego isn’t even bruised right now.” She tucked her hand into his arm. “Let’s go find our table.”
“Lead the way, lass.”
She led him around a few tables until she found her name. He glanced around, his gaze darting in all directions. “You okay?”
“Yes. Just, well, I’m a security guard and this isn’t the table I would pick for the best vantage point.”
“Occupational hazard?”
“Something like that,” he said.
“Well, I don’t have any control over it.”
“Understood, lass. I’ve been in worse positions.”
“It isn’t as if you have to protect me.”
He gave her a look, but she couldn’t interpret it. Nor could she ask him because another couple arrived at the table.
“Well, you don’t look like Damien,” the man said.
“I’m not,” Fiona said. She smiled and extended her hand. “I’m Fiona Brady. This is Declan Foley.”
Declan shook hands with the older gentleman who introduced his wife as Wilma. Fiona swallowed a laugh at the thought he might be named Fred, but it was Brett. They all took their seats.
“Would you like to dance?” Declan asked.
“Not right now. You’re taking this date thing seriously.”
“Aye, lass. Never let it be a said that a Foley isn’t a gentleman of the highest order.”
She could listen to him talk all night. He could read the phone book and she’d swoon at his feet. No swooning. She’d sworn off men. Declan was making her forget that. Even when they sat, Declan was still looking around. Was he expecting to see someone he knew?
“What line of work are you in, Declan?” Brett said.
Declan stopped to focus on the man, but he looked as if he was still taking in his surroundings. What was it like to be vigilant all of the time? Fiona thought she’d find it exhausting.
“I’m in security,” Declan answered.
“Cyber?”
“Personal.”
“How did you get into that?” Wilma asked.
“Family business.”
“He and his brothers are starting their own business,” Fiona said. She wasn’t sure why
she was so proud of that. He wasn’t her boyfriend. She had no stake in his life. Brett nodded as if impressed.
“Always good to work for yourself,” Brett said.
“Aye.”
Declan went back to studying the crowd. Fiona leaned into him. “What are you looking for?”
He glanced at her then shrugged. “Long story lass, but I promise to tell you eventually.”
“Are you scoping out business?”
“Not exactly, love.”
Then he didn’t say anything more. She couldn’t exactly get mad at him because she was doing the same thing. “I’m going to powder my nose.”
He looked down at her. “Let me walk you there.”
“I can find the ladies’ room on my own.”
He rose. “I’d feel better.”
“You aren’t going to follow me in are you?”
“Not likely, but I will wait for you outside.”
She decided it was too much trouble to argue with him. She smiled at her table mates, then strode out the door they’d come in. Surprisingly there was no line and she was back out in a few minutes. Declan had waited for her in the hallway then escorted her back to the table.
“A man left a something under your plate, Fiona,” Wilma said.
Fiona tugged the paper out from under the china then read it. “I want to talk to you about being your sponsor.”
There was a phone number. She looked up to see Declan staring at her with one eyebrow raised. “Should I be jealous?”
She laughed. “No, but I’ll talk to you about it later.”
***
Declan had smelled the goblin when they first arrived in the ballroom. The stench of it emanated from the note Fiona had received and Declan knew he should get Fiona out of there. She would never agree. This was a work function for her and clearly important.
Declan’s instincts when on high alert. The goblin was here, but he or she wasn’t going to look like a goblin from what Sean and Donal had told him. He glanced around every few minutes anyway. Fiona eyed him, but he couldn’t interpret her expression. She probably wanted him to blend in, but being taller than most, he couldn’t do that.
“What is your problem?” she said. “Can’t you turn off your job?”
He looked at her straight on, her green eyes staring up at him. “Are you ever not an artist?”
“Point taken, but there is no danger here. I’m in no danger.”
“You might not think you are.”
Her eyebrows knitted. “How am I in danger?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
This was happening sooner than he’d expected. He’d wanted to get to know Fiona before he sprung on her that she was a fairy. His fairy, in fact. That his family had sworn millennia ago to protect her family. That she was his responsibility. He found the whole idea sobering.
“May I see the note?” he said.
She handed it to him. “I’ll call the number when we get out of here.”
“You don’t even know this person. Are you looking for a sponsor?”
He didn’t know anything about the art world. There had been fairies in his time who created beautiful things, but he’d never come in contact with them. He suspected that that had changed. His brothers might know, but he couldn’t call on them right now without arousing suspicion from Fiona. He wanted her to trust him first. Then he could spring what would probably sound like an odd tale on her.
“I am,” she said, her voice small.
“Are you embarrassed?”
“No, just, uh. It’s hard to explain.”
He handed the note back, wishing he could go wash the goblin off of his hands. “Try.”
Her shoulders rose as she took a deep breath then let it out. “For me to live on my art, it would be easier if someone paid me to create it. At least at first.”
“So is that why you’re here?” He looked around. “You’re looking for someone to be that sponsor?”
“Yes. I can’t make it obvious or Damien will find out.”
He cocked his head, studying her. “Have you told anyone else?”
“No.”
He flicked his finger at the paper she held. “Then how did this person know that you were looking?”
She looked down at the paper, her lips moving, but no sound coming out. She cleared her throat. “I don’t know, Declan, but I don’t think this note is as suspicious as you think it is.”
“I’m naturally suspicious, but to have someone in a large room of people that you barely know leave you a note about the actual reason you’re here that you haven’t told anyone about, is just not normal. I know you want to be free of Damien, but I’m not sure this person is it.”
“You don’t think someone could have spotted something I did and see my talent?”
“Of course, they could, but, correct me if I’m wrong, lass, that everything you’ve done has Damien’s name on it.”
Another coupled joined them at the table. Introductions were made all around, but Declan’s focus went right back to Fiona. Whoever left this note was out for her. To kill her, unless Declan intervened. His brothers had warned him that he couldn’t defeat the goblin without Fiona. It required her to know that she was a fairy.
They’d said that neither Meg nor Colleen had taken the knowledge well. Declan had never been one to deliver bad news. In fact, he found ways for the women in his life to break up with him so he didn’t have to do it. He had never been so out of his depth in having to confront a person with the wild truth he knew.
Fiona shrugged. “That doesn’t mean they don’t know how the art world works. They could have seen me at an opening and figured out that I was an artist. Then that person would know the secret that I’ve painted a lot of Damien’s work.”
Her voice had dropped to a whisper. Guess she wasn’t allowed to mention that to anyone. “Then why not call you. They would have had no idea that you would attend this event.”
“Why are you trying so hard to talk me out of this? Don’t you think I have talent? Don’t you think that I could make it as an artist?”
“I’m no judge of talent, Fiona.”
“That’s a copout,” she said.
Her eyes had turned a fierce green now. He was going to have to tread lightly. “I don’t know what you think I said wrong, but I’m sorry. I just find it odd that this person has left you a cryptic message on a piece of paper.”
“All I am going to do is call him.”
“And what if he wants to meet? Make sure it is a public place.”
“I’m not a child, Declan. Nor am I one of your clients.”
Ah, but she was. She didn’t know it yet. “We have to talk when this event is over.”
She cocked her head at him. “Why? You’ve made it clear you think I have no talent.”
“I said no such thing, Fiona.”
How had this spun so far out of control? Why was he now arguing with her? He must have hit some nerve he didn’t know existed. Taking back whatever he said wouldn’t help. He truly didn’t know where the conversation had gone astray. If only Donal or Sean had known she was a fairy and they could have talked to Fiona before he arrived.
She might be more open to the fact that he was a gargoyle here to protect her.
“It sounds like you are intimating it.”
“I’m just trying to keep you safe.”
“I don’t need you to do that, Declan. I just needed a date for the evening. That’s all this is. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time now. I didn’t ask you to be some knight in shining armor.” She pushed her chair away from the table. “I’m going to circulate. If you choose to follow me at least keep your mouth shut. I’ll do all of the talking.”
Declan pulled in a breath and caught the reek of goblin.
Chapter Six
The nerve of him! was all Fiona could think as she scoped out the ballroom. There were only fifteen minutes left in the cocktail hour and then people would populate the tables.
If she made contact with the person here, would it get back to Damien?
This was a public place as Declan suggested. Feeling angry and petulant, Fiona wanted to leave Declan in the dust. Were he just some guy she might. Too bad he was the brother of her best friends’ significant others. Get-togethers would be awkward.
She roamed around the ballroom, deciding that settling at the bar might help her chances of someone talking to her. This was different than just picking up a guy. She could do that without breaking a sweat. No, this was business and important to the rest of her career. Hopefully, she wouldn’t say something stupid.
Fiona stopped at the bar and ordered a soda.
“Make that two,” Declan said next to her. “I never said you didn’t have talent, Fiona.”
He hadn’t. She’d read into his words and come up with it on her own. Why? Because those words echoed her doubts about herself. She knew she had some talent, but did she have that factor that would put her above the crowd? She didn’t truly know. Damien’s voice was in her head. He’d been encouraging when they’d been together. To a point. Realizing that, she figured he’d done that to keep her in his corral. He didn’t want her to think she didn’t need him.
Well, dammit, she didn’t.
“I know.” He gently squeezed her arm and she didn’t want him to stop touching her. She glanced up at his concerned face.
“Maybe you need to have more faith in yourself, lass.”
The bartender put their drinks in front of them. Fiona picked hers up then spun around to survey the ballroom. A man might be intimidated by Declan’s presence. Should she send him off?
“I’m not going anywhere, Fiona.”
“No one will talk to me with a big guy like you near me.”
He leaned down. “Maybe that’s the point.”
His breath wafted across her cheek sending a little shiver down her spine. Her gaze met his and she was lost in it. For a moment, the ballroom didn’t exist. There were only two people in the world, Declan and her. She licked her lips, but she would not kiss him. Not here.
Maybe later when he dropped her off. Even if she had sworn off men, she wanted a taste of him. He intrigued her. She’d always gone for the artistic types, not the big men who knew their place in the world.
When Garogyles Love Trilogy Page 18