by Henry, Jane
“Alice, how are you?” Keenan says.
She juts her chin out and ignores his question. “I’ve heard my daughter was attacked. Seems Patrick won’t let things go, hmm?”
McKenna bristles beside me, and I can tell she wants to go to her mum, but this conversation is between Keenan and Alice.
“Yes, Alice,” Keenan says placidly, and in the overhead light, with weariness in his eyes, he resembles his father. “But Mary’s fine, and McKenna belongs to the fiercest member of the Clan.” His lips twitch. “So she’ll be fine as well.”
She bloody fucking will be. I fucking dare anyone to harm a hair on her fucking head.
Alice’s eyes fly to me and McKenna. She shakes her head. “I warned you about the men of the Clan,” she says in an angry whisper. She resembles a witch of old, with her scraggly gray hair and wild eyes. I half expect her to pull out a wand and mutter incantations. I loop my arm around McKenna’s shoulders.
“Now, Alice,” I say to her, my voice ringing out loud and clear in the dining room. All eyes come to me. “Did you come here to warn her about me? It seems that’d be a waste of time, no? Surely you had a different purpose.” I smile at her. “And I promised you I’d take good care of your daughter. You have my word.”
She falters, opens her mouth, then closes it again. She sighs. “No, that’s not why I’m here.” She turns back to Keenan. “But I can’t stay silent any longer.” She suddenly starts and stares at Maeve sitting right here before her. Maeve gives her a gentle smile. “Maeve,” she says softly, so softly I’m not sure anyone else can even hear. “Don’t you remember me? I didn’t know you were still here.”
Maeve stands, reaches for Alice’s hand, and gives her a gentle squeeze.
“Aye, love,” Maeve says, her green eyes shining at Alice. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you. The day you came to visit your daughters, I kept away out of respect for you.”
McKenna looks to me, confused. I shake my head. I have no idea what’s going on either.
Alice drops her voice. “I’ve come to make amends.” She raises her eyes back to Keenan, who’s watching her with interest.
“You have to understand, I… I was forced not to tell anyone.”
It’s as if the room itself holds its collective breath. Though her cheeks blaze and she still looks wild and unpredictable, there’s a clarity to her voice I haven’t heard before. “I was the woman who had an affair with the former Scottish chief how many years ago?” She sighs and shakes her head. “It was different then. There was no separation of the Clans. You remember, Maeve, your fondness for the Welsh Chief as well?”
Maeve nods. “Aye. I do. I’ve told my sons of that as well, as it seems the attack now was from the north. An old axe to grind, then, is it?”
Alice nods. “It is. And I wouldn’t have noticed if not for Patrick.” She looks to McKenna. “He came to me. Asked about you. And when I wouldn’t tell him any more, he went off on his own. He’s under the pay of the men of the north, I’m sure of it.”
Keenan nods. “Thank you for telling us,” he says. He raises his voice and addresses the rest of us. “I want an inner circle meeting of the Clan members immediately.” He looks to Alice. “Mum, I’ll have you secure Alice here at the mansion. She’s not safe outside these doors.” He looks around at everyone assembled. “None of you are. No one leaves here without permission. No one comes, and no one goes. Am I clear?”
Murmurs of assent go up around us. I hold McKenna’s hand. She’s safe here with me. I’ll see to it she isn’t harmed.
I hate that I have to join my brothers in a meeting, but we’ll plan our act of war. I leave her with Maeve and Alice.
“I’ll be back soon, lass,” I whisper in her ear. “Stay strong, like I know you can.”
She hugs me. “Thank you, Tully. I’ll be waiting for you.”
And with those words lacing us together, a promise of the good that’s yet to come, I join my brothers in our meeting.
* * *
Chapter 19
McKenna
It takes a while for us all to figure it out, but the women of the Clan are fierce and determined. Caitlin leads us all to the sitting room and instructs the staff to bring tea. Maeve, in her graceful, friendly way, makes my mum comfortable by inviting her to sit in an armchair.
“Here, Alice,” she says. “Have a drink, will you?”
She winks at one of the staff. “Bring us something stronger than cream for the tea.”
A few minutes later, we’re all drinking strong tea laced with Irish cream, and nibbling on buttered scones and thick slices of hearty soda bread. A fire burns in the fireplace, and I’m nearly mesmerized by the flicker of flame and heat that radiates from it. It’s been such a long day, and I can’t wait to curl up next to Tully, with his big, broad arm around me, and get some sleep.
“Now, then,” Maeve says, addressing us all. “Let’s talk, girls.”
I sit beside Caitlin. With her calm presence and gentle eyes, I feel immediately at ease. My adopted older sister, as it were. She smiles in her placid way, and I smile back.
“You alright?” Caitlin whispers in my ear. I nod. There’s been so much to handle the past few days, but I feel calm and at ease among the women of the Clan. However, I’m curious what my mother has to say. I go to sit near her, but Maeve sits between us, giving us a little distance. I appreciate her for that. I didn’t know that I really do need that space.
Still, even after the traumatic events of the past few days, my heart sings.
Tully loves me.
He loves me.
How could I not love him back?
“Back when we were as young as you lovely women, Alice and I were good friends.”
“And I ruined it,” Mum says.
Maeve shrugs. “They were tricky times, indeed,” she says. “You girls have to understand, my marriage to Seamus was arranged. Because it wasn’t planned, I had feelings for another man.” We all know this, but I haven’t heard her speak of it.
Mum frowns. “She’s right. I was pregnant with a man from the Scottish Clan.” She turns to look at me. “Mary was born of that Clan, but as a bastard child it was kept quiet and hidden.”
I feel my brows rise. “Oh?” That would explain why they’ve taken her in as their own.
“And I was in love with a man from Wales,” Maeve says quietly. “The men warred, and it seemed we’d put everything to rest. But now that isn’t what’s happened at all. It’s hard to imagine someone so vindictive this many years later, but there’s no question that’s what’s happened.”
“Aye,” Alice says. “And I’ve proof of it. None of this made sense until Patrick came around. He dated McKenna, and has never been able to let things go. He wanted more information, and I wouldn’t give it to him.”
“Good!” Maeve says, patting Mum’s hand.
“But I followed him.”
“Mum, you didn’t!”
“Of course I did. I suspected something was awry, didn’t I? Especially with Mary come to visit.”
I blink in surprise, still shocked with all the information.
“And I saw he was in touch with the Welsh.”
“I’m confident they’ve framed the Scottish,” Maeve says. “Confident of it.”
“And that’s why we’ll be going to war,” Caitlin says with a sigh. “The Welsh made it seem it was the Scottish that attacked, but we know based on what Mary’s said and the lack of identifying tattoos that they were framed, weren’t they?”
Maeve nods. “Absolutely.”
“What does this all mean?” I ask, still confused. “What does it mean when Clans go to war?” I’ve seen how fierce these men can be. I’m assuming war brings out a level of ferocity unlike anything I’ve seen.
Maeve sobers. “What it means will be up to Keenan as Clan Chief. Our attackers are responsible for the death of my brother-in-law, and in Clan life such deeds don’t go unpunished.”
“Certainly no
t,” Aileen says. She’s on her feet, pacing the room. Her voice wavers when she speaks. “It’s so sad that it’s come to this, but Keenan can’t allow a family member to be killed without retribution.”
Maeve sighs out loud. “But when does it end? The bloodshed. The battles. When does it all end?”
My mother looks to me. “This is why, McKenna,” she says, shaking her head. “Joining yourself to a man of the Clan is foolish. I’ve regretted it.”
I’m out of patience. She has the nerve to come here, to criticize these people, to take their money, and then warn me against them when they’ve only been nice to her? My temper snaps like a twig underfoot.
“Shut it.” My eyes narrow on her. “I won’t have you disrespect them again.”
She blinks in surprise. “Only trying to warn you, McKenna.”
She has no idea what I’ve even been through.
“I don’t need the fucking warning, thank you.”
My mother pushes herself up from the chair and marches toward the door, muttering to herself.
Maeve’s eyes are sad when she looks at me. “Let her go, lass. I’ll see that she gets home safe.”
She pulls out her phone and makes a call.
It’s the first time I’ve seen her weary and tired. I swear she looks older than she has in ages.
“I don’t know,” Caitlin says sadly. “Since I’ve been wife to the Chief, we’ve seen battle after battle. Rival clans that attacked, old grudges still held. And though I’d not criticize how my husband handles any of this… well, one does grow weary over time.”
Maeve nods. “Especially when one raises children in the Clan.”
I have a feeling it’s unlike either of them to question anything about the Clan at all, but I see before me two women who’ve held things together for over so long.
“How long have you been wife to Keenan, Caitlin?” I ask.
“Over a decade.”
“And I’d bet you’ve seen so much in that time.”
“Aye, McKenna, we have. And now that my own children are nearly old enough to attend St. Albert’s, it makes me wonder. Is this the life I’d have chosen for them?”
Aileen still paces, rubbing her hands together. “I agree, Cait, you know I do. My children are younger, but I still wonder if Clan life is what I wish for them.”
“Now, girls,” Megan says. She stands, her pretty eyes pleading with everyone to listen. “I hear what you’re saying, I do. How many of us would wish no harm to come to our children? There’s no question, is there?”
Caitlin nods.
“But the men of the Clan avoid violence and bloodshed unless absolutely necessary, don’t they?”
Not sure I agree with that. Tully would rip the arm off anyone who’d touch me, I know that for certain. Still, I see her point.
“It’s because of the Clan peace reigns in Ballyhock.”
No one speaks for long minutes. Lachlan’s Fiona worries her lip, and finally she stands as well.
“I know how wearying this must be for all of you,” she says, looking to Maeve and Caitlin. “But it’s because of the Clan that I have a home. It’s because of the Clan that I feel safe and protected.”
I’ve heard from others that Fiona grew up in Stone City, one of the most depressed, crime-ridden cities in Ireland. Her mother was a drug addict, and she was rescued from poverty and destitution by her older sister.
“Same for me,” Faidha says. She grew up in Stone City as well, and I’m told she had quite a sordid history. She married Tiernan, and has been loyal to and loved by the Clan ever since. “No one wants to go to war, girls, and you know Keenan well enough to know he’d never make that call unless it was absolutely warranted.”
“But it isn’t like Father Finn was killed in cold blood,” Aileen says. She makes the sign of the cross, whispering under her breath, “God rest his soul.”
“Yes,” Megan argues, “but it’s because of the attack on us that he was killed.”
“’Tis true,” Maeve says with a sober nod. “Honestly, they had every intention of killing both of us. If Tully and McKenna hadn’t come, I’m certain we’d both have been killed.”
Caitlin sighs. “The very fact they abducted you is an act of war, and they should know that.”
The rain and storm from earlier have subsided, and outside the window, moonlight reflects on the main gates. I stand and walk to the window, peering into the darkness. It’s hard to see, but someone’s at the gate.
“Does anyone else see the person at the gate, there?” I squint, but between the reflection on my glasses and the distance, I can’t see a bloody thing.
“Oh my God,” Megan says. “It’s Walsh, isn’t it? All the men are downstairs in a meeting, but someone needs to get out there immediately.”
“Walsh?” I ask. He’s the Chief of police here in Ballyhock, and I’ve been told that he’s on the payroll of the Clan. He reports to them, and sees to it that none of Ballyhock’s law enforcement interferes with Clan workings.
“How odd,” Caitlin says as if to herself. “He usually calls Keenan. Why would he come here, this late at night?” She rises. “I’ll go to Keenan.”
She’s perhaps the only one among us, save Maeve, who’d be allowed to enter the private sanctuary of their meeting room. She pushes open the two doors that lead to the sitting room, when suddenly the overhead lights flicker. It’s odd, since the storm’s passed.
She looks to Maeve. “All the children are secured?”
Maeve nods. There are a variety of nannies that live here in this house, and the children have long since gone to bed. Most live right here within the walls of the mansion.
As I head to the hallway with Caitlin, there’s a crash. Someone screams when the lights go fully out, and we’re submerged into darkness.
“Christ,” I mutter under my breath. I pull out my phone and swipe the flashlight on. “I’ll go with you, Cait.”
The staff is immediately prepared. Flashlights are handed out, lamps are lit, and someone lights a fire in a second fireplace. I walk with Caitlin, through the foyer toward the door that leads to the men's meeting room.
"Do you think this is just the storm?"
Caitlin shakes her head. “No, McKenna. My instincts are usually strong with this…” she bites her lip as she thinks things over. She’s been in this position for over a decade, and she’s a smart woman. I trust her.
She shakes her head. “No… I don’t believe it’s just the storm.” She keeps her voice low, so as not to be overheard. “It’s why we need to get to them.”
We descend the stairs, following the beam of light. She trips, and I stifle a gasp, but she quickly rights herself by holding the rail. She’s unfazed, moving swiftly and with purpose.
We walk past the library, past the workout room, and head to the one room only the men of the Clan are allowed to enter. Caitlin knocks on it loudly, and the sound of hushed voices inside stop.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Caitlin, Keenan! Open the door.” Ah, a fierceness from Caitlin that’s rare, but again, this woman is married to the Clan chief.
She’s likely the only person he’d open to.
A moment later, there’s a sound of clicks and metal on metal, and the door glides open.
“Is everything alright?” Keenan looks out at us in concern.
“Of course not,” Caitlin says severely. “Keenan, we’ve lost power here, and it looked as if Walsh was at the gate.”
“Walsh? Are you serious?”
“How could you not know we lost power in the house?”
He frowns. “We’re on a different grid in here. This room’s kept apart from the others intentionally.”
Caitlin frowns. “So you didn’t lose power.”
“No, lass.”
Something’s seriously amiss.
Keenan turns around to address his men. “Caitlin’s come to warn us,” he explains. “And it seems Walsh is at our gate. Which of you will go to meet him?�
��
“I will,” Tully says, stepping to the front. My heart does a little somersault. He looks so fierce, so dangerous, in the dim overhead light. “McKenna, you’ll come with me.”
I nod. Of course I will. I’m pleased he cares, and even more pleased he’s planning on taking me with him. We’re in danger, and the weight of everything falls heavily on my shoulders, but my heart is light, and I’m filled with giddy anticipation.
He loves me.
I’m his.
I think back at how I resisted being a claimed woman of the Clan. Now I’m thrilled to be his. My heart sings. We’re a team, the two of us, a beautiful synchronicity of two hearts joined as one.
I blink, bringing myself back to the present.
“Report back, Tully, immediately.”
“Absolutely.”
Caitlin joins Keenan, and the men exit the room, but Tully and I go ahead of them. He trots up the stairs two at a time, and although I’m much slower, I go as fast as I’m able.
On the landing, he grasps my hand and tugs me over to him. “I just wanted you alone, love,” he whispers in my ear. That gives me a little tingle.
“Tully!” I hiss. “We need to get going, though. We can’t be fooling around when the Clan is depending on us.”
He grins and gives my arse a swift, teasing smack.
“I love that about you, McKenna. Fucking love that.”
“What?”
“That it matters to you that the Clan is depending on us. That you’re loyal to my brotherhood.”
I nod. “Of course I am.” Just as my love for him… how could I not?
“I can’t tell you what this means to me, pretty lass.”
Pretty lass. Squeeeee.
I smile shyly to myself. I underestimated his reaction. I didn’t know how he valued my allegiance to the Clan, but I suppose it makes sense as well, because this is his family. These men are his brothers. If I love them, I love him.
We head to the door. It’s eerie seeing this massive mansion under darkness.
“This is odd,” Tully mutters. “We have multiple generators for if we lose power. They should’ve come on by now.”