Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“You said—”
He interrupted me. “I was furious. I’ll apologize for upsetting you, but not for defending you. Did he hurt you?”
“No. He annoyed me. I told him off.”
He smiled, this time one of the smiles I was used to seeing from Sully. Wide and proud. He kissed my head. “That’s my girl. Let’s go inside and warm up.”
I followed him, but the rest of the evening, I had to force myself to be present. I kept seeing his face, that frightening smile and hearing his words.
I held back.
I had no idea what to do with how I was feeling.
But I didn’t like it.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SULLY
Isensed Autumn’s subtle anxiety and withdrawal the rest of the evening. I cursed Kevin, the chance encounter, and my own stupidity for letting my anger get the better of me and calling O’Leary in a parking lot to tell him off.
She smiled and chatted with the three women, letting them drag her to the dance floor to teach her some Irish steps. Roisin returned, sitting down and taking a long drink of her Guinness. She regarded me. “Okay, Sully?”
I sighed. “I didn’t expect a confrontation tonight.”
She nodded. “I know. You prefer a low profile, but I think it will send a message.” She glanced at the dance floor. “Tonight has upset your girl?”
“She’s anxious. She heard me say I should have killed Kevin.”
She scoffed. “You wouldna done that for his stupid behavior. She must know that.” She paused. “She knows of Finn and Niall, yes? Your connection?”
“She knows we’re cousins. I haven’t exactly spilled all my secrets.”
She tutted. “Honesty is a keystone to a good, strong relationship, Sullivan Black. Be it friendship, lovers, or marriage.”
“I know. I’ve been trying to figure out how.”
“If you are serious, you have to tell her.”
“I know.”
She shook her head. “Men. You’re all daft.”
“What?” I asked, confused.
“You meet her and fall hard. Talk marriage in only a few days. Bring her here to meet me. Look at her like she sets the sun. But you don’t tell her about your family. About what you do to aid them. Your past. Your ties that you will never sever completely.” She frowned. “She saw the way that boy responded to your name, and she knows something, Sully. She’s smart. Clever. She is also going to think the worst before you are honest. Don’t be a coward. If you trust her with yer heart, then trust her with this too.”
“And if she can’t handle it? Even if it is a small part of my world, it’s still there.”
“Then better you know now than before there’s a ring on her finger.”
The thought of Autumn walking away made my chest ache. I knew Roisin was right, but I was worried. She had grown up with this world. Knew what her son and Finn did in Canada. Knew my involvement, however small it was.
But Autumn had no clue.
And how she would handle it, I had no idea.
And Roisin was right. I was a coward for not telling her.
“I’ll tell her when we go home. I need privacy to do it.”
“Good. She loves you, Sully. You may have to give her a little time, but I think she’ll be fine.”
I heard Autumn’s laughter over the music, and I stared at her, her simple beauty taking my breath away. Smiling, lifting her skirt to watch her feet, and failing miserably at a jig, she was stunning.
And mine.
And I refused to believe any different.
Later, in bed, Autumn lay on her side, quiet and still. I knew she was awake but not wanting to be intimate. She had already told me that before we’d arrived earlier, so that didn’t surprise me.
“We’re not getting frisky in your aunt’s home,” she warned me.
“Frisky, lass?” I laughed.
“You know what I mean.”
It was only one night, and I didn’t want to do anything that made her uncomfortable, so I had only nodded. But there was a greater distance between us than I expected.
I didn’t like it.
I slid closer, slipping my arms around her and pulling her back to my chest. She stiffened for a moment, but I waited and she relaxed.
“Talk to me, mo fhiadh beag. I can feel your worry, and I don’t like it.”
“Those men tonight…” She trailed off.
“Local wannabe gangsters. Think they’re tough.”
“How did they know your name? Why did they look so frightened?” she asked quietly.
I blew out a long breath. “I grew up not far from here, Autumn. I was young, stupid, and got involved in a gang, and I became one of the leaders. I was well-known.”
“And?” she pressed.
“I left that behind me, but I keep in touch with some of the more current members who were friends. I recognized the name and called their boss to tell them of the behavior. The attitude of some has changed, and gangs aren’t roving the street and causing trouble but, instead, affecting positive change.” I sighed. “Not everyone likes that.”