by Henry, Jane
“Like I give a fuck about publicity and public relations. Tell me the truth. Did he touch you?” Screw beating him. I’ll slice his fucking neck.
“Only my arm.” I reach for her arm and drag it to my lips.
“This one?”
She nods, her eyes widening as I plant kisses along the length of it.
“You’re a wild one, Tiernan Hurston.”
I snort. “You ought to talk, love.”
She reaches up to me, holds my face in her hands, and kisses me full on the lips. “Sometimes only wild things understand other wild things, I think.”
I smile and lay my hands atop hers. “I think so, too.”
She sighs. “What do we do now?”
“I bring you home,” I say. “I’ll confirm with Keenan.”
“Home?”
She must wonder where “home” is.
I nod. “Back to the mansion.”
“And then what?” I hold her to me.
“Then we find who’s after you. We end the threat against us. We clear your name.”
She sighs. “This isn’t over, Tiernan.”
“I know, lass,” I say. I kiss her cheek. “But it will be.”
We clean up and pack our bags. I still have no cell service, but she shows me how to use the internet connection to call Keenan. I tell him everything.
“Bloody hell,” he groans. “I’ll have Carson dig around.”
Carson, Clan bookkeeper, is also our resident techie. He’ll dig and see what he can find.
“Thank you.”
“Is she safe?”
I hold her to me. “For now. And I won’t let anyone hurt her.”
She squeezes me tightly as I hang up with Keenan.
“I want to take you home,” I tell her. “I need you safe.”
She pushes herself up on her elbow. “Listen, babe. Seriously. I don’t know if going back is the right thing.”
“We aren’t staying here—”
“Just listen.”
I blow out a breath. “Go on.”
“The headmaster’s here, and he obviously knows something. I don’t know if he’s in touch with anyone, but I’m a wanted woman, and my identity’s likely been outed. Yes?”
“Yes.”
“If we go back… if we run… we miss any potential chance of finding out who he’s with. Right?”
I nod warily. “Right.”
“But if we stay… he doesn’t know we’re onto him. He doesn’t know Deacon went to Malachy. If I…” She bites her lip and flushes. “Play into his hand, I could…” She grimaces. “Find out.”
“No fucking way.”
“Tiernan, I—”
“No. I will never allow you to use your body for anything else again. Do you understand me?”
Hurt flickers across her features, and she winces. “I didn’t… I didn’t mean it that way. And I hate that your mind went there immediately.”
I sigh. This is something we’ll have to overcome.
“And you can’t very well beat my arse and fuck me every time we have a fight,” she says with conviction.
“Why not?”
She blows out a breath in frustration. “Because that’s not how it fucking works!”
“Oh? And when do I give a crap about how it fucking works? I know how we work. And beating your arse then fucking you senseless works just fine.”
She throws up her hands in frustration. “You are infuriating, Tiernan Hurston!”
“You’re no peach yourself,” I say, rolling my eyes at her. She bends and kisses me.
“I still think you’re bloody adorable.”
She gets out of bed, when my phone buzzes.
I pick up the phone. Keenan. Bloody hell.
Second thoughts about you coming home just yet.
I clench my jaw. Why?
He pauses. Aisling watches me. She twirls a piece of her short black hair between her fingers.
Keenan: I want you safe, of course. But I also want to know who at the school’s responsible for the infiltration. Do you think you can work with Lachlan, Tully, and Malachy to find out? I’ll be there with Cormac later on this afternoon.
Aye, sir.
Keenan: I want Aisling safe, but I know she’s in good hands with you.
No pressure, Keenan.
Keenan: Let her bait Clifford. Find out what he knows. See what he’s made of, and who he’s in touch with.
My fingers fly over the keys, my temper flaring before I can stop myself.
No fucking way.
Keenan doesn’t reply for a minute. I’ve never flat out defied him. I could be disciplined for this, and harshly. But his response is gentler than I expect.
I’m not saying she should compromise herself, brother. Just a temporary situation to out our enemies.
I blow out a breath. I’ll talk to her and think about it.
I put the phone down and reach for Aisling. “Come here,” I say. I hold her to my chest. I never knew this woman was as fierce as she is. I never knew I needed the love of a woman like her, but I fucking do.
“Keenan wants us to find who’s behind all this here,” I say in a low voice. I don’t want to be overheard. “Thinks you should bait him.”
“Aye, it’s the only way, isn’t it?”
I grit my teeth. “I don’t like this. Could be fucking anyone. We know the headmaster can’t be trusted and he used a student to find out information. But he isn’t working alone, is he?”
She bites her lip and shakes her head. “No… likely not. You’re right. Who else would it be?”
“One of your roommates?” She shakes her head.
“Doubt it. Karla’s a good friend of mine, and Shane’s fucking clueless.”
“We don’t know that.”
She laughs. “Well, we may not, but be that as it may, Tiernan, I think they are the least likely suspects, really.”
I sigh. “I don’t want to use you as bait.”
Her face gentles, and she holds my face in her hands, the way she does. The way that makes my heart ache for her, every fucking time.
“You won’t be using me as bait, babe. I volunteered myself. I need to put myself out there if I’m going to be of any use.” Her eyes cloud. “Please, Tiernan. Let me be of some damn use. I hate that I’ve brought any danger to the McCarthy Clan, and you know I did.”
I shake my head sharply. “Don’t you go there, Aisling. Not at all. I was the one who killed him.”
She winces, but I don’t regret speaking plainly.
There’s a knock at the door. I look at her.
“Don’t look at me,” she says with a shrug. “No idea.”
I push out of bed and get dressed as I head toward the door. I look out at the peephole and see Malachy. He looks at the peep hole and flips me off. With a chuckle, I open the door.
“You alright?”
“Aye.”
He looks behind me, but Aisling’s run into the jacks. “Ruby good?”
“Aye.”
He sighs. “You returning to Ballyhock, then?”
I shake my head and gesture for him to come in. “No, not yet. Keenan wants us to see if we can find any information. He’s on his way here.”
Malachy looks hopeful. “Good. If you’re here, you’ve got me on your side as well.”
I jerk my chin at him. “Thanks, brother.”
There was a time when Malachy was more like a father than a brother, but things are different now that we’re on equal footing. I’m glad to have him at my back.
“You never told me why you weren’t inducted into the Clan, Malachy.”
“Oh, aye. Never really told anyone. I mean, I may as well be an honorary member, though. Truth be told, Keenan and his father treated me like a brother. I haven’t taken the blood vow, or made a commitment, though.”
“Can you tell me why not?”
He smiles grimly. “Had a bit of a history with Maeve.” I blink. It’s literally the last thing I expected him to
say.
“Come again?”
“Aye. I’m cousin to Keenan’s late father, Seamus. And before he and Maeve wed, the two of us…dated.”
His pause makes me wonder. “Is that right?”
“Oh, aye. Seemed best I keep my job here at the school. It’s where my heart is, Tiernan. Training the young lads to be McCarthy stock.”
“I understand. Hell, Malachy, I’d like to do it myself some day.”
“Would you? You’d make an excellent teacher.”
I nod.
“Let’s give you a taste today, then. We’re working on your specialty, and I’d love for you to focus on boxing with them.”
Aisling enters the room.
“Hello, Malachy.”
He smiles. “Ruby. Tiernan’s coming to give the boys a lesson in what he does best. Joining us?”
She nods, but looks to me for permission. “Aye. May I?”
I nod. “Keep close watch,” I say to both of them. “Anyone Clifford interacts with. Anyone who looks as if they’re communicating with someone else. Anything at all, you let me know.”
Aisling nods, and worries her lip. “Aye, Tiernan. I’ll do that.”
We head out, but I’m on edge.
My brothers are here. Malachy. Aisling.
Nearly my entire fucking world.
Chapter 16
Aisling
Excitement wells in me, not only because I’m about to see Tiernan as teacher once more, but because Keenan’s put us both on a mission. I know we’re in danger, but between the two of us, I know we’ll be able to find out who’s behind all this. Still, questions plague me.
How will I get out from under the accusations against me?
Who’s the one behind the threat to our safety?
How will this all play out?
I look for signs of anyone or anything that could be after us as we head to a big open field behind the main school. Dozens of lads stand around chatting, but they quiet when we draw near. I don’t miss the way their eyes shine when they look to Tiernan. He was once one of them, just an angry, lost, orphaned boy. It’s this knowledge that makes it easier to forgive him. The two of us have histories and pasts that will work against us.
But we can overcome them.
As I look at the lads that stand round the ring, I know these boys will grow to be men like the Clan. It’s got me a bit pensive.
I don’t see the headmaster, thank fuck. I don’t see Deacon, either. Malachy is the only one I recognize, though within a minute or so of us arriving, Lachlan shows up as well.
“Lachlan showed me damn near everything I know,” Tiernan says with a smirk. “And now I could kick his arse.” He’s a bit older than Tiernan, but not quite as bulky.
“Now, now,” Malachy says. “Did you forget the old man that taught you as well?”
“Never,” Tiernan says with a grin. “Tough as nails, but you helped damn near raise me.”
Malachy cuffs him with a grin.
“Good lad. Now, we need to work on pacing today. The boys have learned to throw punches well, but are ready to move onto something else. Classic new converts, want to lean on the jab instead of learning how to pace.” Malachy beams at Tiernan. “Never knew a fighter who was lighter on his feet than you, so I think it fitting you teach them.”
On Malachy’s command, two large, strapping lads stand at the edge of the ring. One whistles low and says in a loud whisper to his mate, “Tiernan Hurston, works for the McCarthy family.”
Tiernan looks at them sharply, but I don’t know why. They clam up, and one goes a little red.
“Shut it,” one of the boys says. “I want to listen.”
“Don’t tell me to—”
“Excuse me?” Tiernan raises a brow at both of them. He looks to Malachy. “You allow fighting in class, sir?”
Malachy’s steely blue eyes twinkle at Tiernan. “Ach, no,” he says, shaking his head. “But class hasn’t begun yet.” He swivels his gaze to the bickering boys. “And as soon as it is, they’ll stop. Won’t you, lads?”
His tone holds an edge of steel. Tiernan and Malachy are unrelenting, but I realize they’re raising future leaders.
Tiernan steps into the ring, grabs the edge of his t-shirt, and tugs it over his head. He tosses it to me. “Didn’t bring many clothes,” he says with an apologetic grin. “Can’t risk getting that one all sweaty.”
I fan myself with the t-shirt. “Oh, it isn’t a problem.” I give him a wink.
Tiernan bounces on his feet lightly, and my heartbeat quickens.
“As Malachy said, one thing to keep in mind is to always be ready to deflect. Too often, fighters are prepared to throw a punch. But half the battle of a well-played fight is conserving energy and dodging a blow.”
The largest of the boys who watched us come here guffaws. “Bollox,” he says. “Any pussy can dodge a blow.”
Tiernan fixes his stern gaze on the boy. “I’ve beaten some of the most prominent fighters in all of Ireland with these techniques. Care for a demonstration?”
The boy juts out his chin and rolls his eyes. “Fine, then.”
Tiernan beckons the boy over. “Come on, then.”
The boy blanches. “Me?”
A corner of Tiernan’s lips quirk up. “Did you think I was going to fight myself?”
“I didn’t mean…I didn’t think…”
“You a pussy?” A boy to his left hisses.
“You first.” Tiernan says, jerking his fist toward the boy in front. “And you next,” he says to the second boy.
Oh, dear.
Lachlan watches from the sideline, an amused expression written on his face.
“Bare knuckle fighting’s a bit of a dance,” Tiernan says. “Like I said, you need to learn to conserve energy and focus. You come out swinging and decking your opponent, you’ll get winded more quickly, you’ll lose energy, and your focus will be compromised. You throw a punch when it’s time, and not a second before.”
“I call bollox,” his opponent repeats.
Tiernan ducks as the crowd gasps. The boy had the nerve to throw a damn punch but Tiernan dodged him easily. He bounces on the balls of his feet, and the boy throws another punch, which Tiernan dodges once more. A third punch, and fourth, and the boy’s red in the face and winded. Tiernan looks like he’s just come in from a stroll in Maeve’s garden. The boy tries over and over to land a punch, to no avail.
I watch Tiernan dodge and weave, his eyes laser focused and his body taut with concentration, and I swear to God my heartbeat quickens and my blood heats. He’s so fucking hot like this. So fucking hot.
The boy throws another punch, which Tiernan dodges, then he’s making his own move. His hand lashes out and he catches the boy right in the stomach. He falls to his knees, doubled over, wheezing, and Tiernan steps back. I can tell from here Tiernan’s modified his strength. He could hurt a younger lad.
“I’ll give him a minute,” Tiernan says. The spectators watch, fascinated. “If this were a normal fight, I wouldn’t do that but because this is a demonstration—oof.”
The boy is up and he caught Tiernan off guard. Tiernan’s focus swings back to the boy. His jaw clenches, and I cringe. That boy is going down. Tiernan dodges, weaves, and lands another blow to the boy’s belly. He falls the ground with a loud cry and before I know what’s happening, Tiernan’s got him pinned beneath him.
“That was a low blow,” Tiernan says in a sharp, corrective tone that gets everyone’s attention. “Only an arse hits an opponent who’s not ready to fight.”
The boy holds up his hands, and he looks as if he’s about to cry. “Uncle,” he hollers.
Tiernan lets him up, and the other boys cheer.
“You’re done,” Tiernan says. He beckons to the second boy.
I watch him for hours, first one class, then the next. I’m tired and thirsty, as the sun beats down, but he’s hardly winded. Lachlan gets him water, and Malachy offers to do a few small lessons to give him a bre
ak, but Tiernan refuses. He’s in his element. He loves this. And every time I see him take the ring, a little bit of my heart goes with him.
Finally, the last class is dismissed. I hear whispers among the boys. The earlier classes told the later classes who their teacher was today, and the boys showed up excited. Finally, Tiernan pulls on his t-shirt.
“Christ, look at the time,” he says, grimacing at the clock when we arrive back at Malachy’s classroom. “You alright, Ai—” He closes his eyes and pinches his lips together. “You alright, Ruby?”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, aye, I’m fine,” I tell him. “Why on earth wouldn’t I be? I fucking loved watching you fight out there.”
“Did you?”
“Oh, aye. It’s damn hot, Tiernan.”
His eyes twinkle and he smiles at me.
I playfully smack his arm. “Aye, but I’m famished.” I lean in closer. “And Keenan gave us a job, didn’t he?”
“That was part of my job,” Tiernan says, jerking his head to where we just left. “See if anyone takes advantage while I’m fighting. Let them think I’m not on to anything.”
“Ah, I see. It’s all part of your grand plan, then, is it?”
He snorts. “Aye. Could use some grub and a cup of tea, no?”
I nod, feeling a bit faint.
We head back to the main dining hall, but this time we’re looking for the headmaster, no one else. But he isn’t there.
I eat a large, hearty bowl of chicken curry and rice, and drink two full cups of hot, strong tea.
“Where the bloody hell is he?” Tiernan mutters.
He signals to his brothers and points to his phone. He lets me see as he types.
Need to meet with you after dinner. My room.
They nod, one by one.
Back in his room, Tiernan’s sober as he delivers the news.
“Bloody hell,” Lachlan says. “Never liked the son of a bitch. Y’alright, Ais?”
“Of course.” I shrug. “Tiernan wouldn’t let me get hurt.”
Tully grins, just as Keenan joins us, as well as Cormac. Most of the inner circle of the Clan’s right here in this room. They make themselves at home around the small room, arms and legs hanging off chairs, sitting on the little sofa and the bed. Tiernan stands in the middle of the room, his arms crossed on his chest.
“Fill us in, please,” Keenan says. Tiernan tells them everything.