Page 113 of Broken Blood Ties

“Don’t let him get a foothold, Kieran. I may have been out of these circles for a while, but I know how they operate, what they’re capable of.” She says it with such conviction, such determination.

The corner of my mouth twitches at the hands on her hips, her glare narrowed into slits as she commands me. I’d let her. I’d ravage the world on her behalf if she demanded it. Sweet but fierce. Calm but bold. I could love her. Probably already do.

Several beats pass, slow and unyielding between us.

“So …” Summer says, her tone shifting to something more playful. “Want to spar?”

I laugh, moving close enough to her flick her nose. “Probably not a good idea,” I purr. “We’d need to get ye outfitted with gloves, and I’d hate for all that sushi ye inhaled to come back up.”

She winces, most likely imagining the scenario. Then she steps around me, circling me. “Afraid you might get beat by a woman, old man?”

Old man? I scour her face, searching for any truth behind her words. Does she think me too old?

I whisper into the bleak surroundings. “Does it bother ya?”

She returns directly in front of me and inclines her head, brows furrowed. “Does what bother me?”

“Me age?”

“What? No. Besides, we’re playing the part perfectly. Do you know how many young women are traded for alliances to older made men double or triple their age?” Then, her eyes widen. “Does it botheryou?”

“No,” I answer instantly. There’s nothing that could deter me from Summer, aside for her asking me to leave her alone forever. “And … and what if thiswasreal?” Because let’s be honest, for me, it was never an option of this not turning into something more.

She steps forward, hand reaching up to cup my face so delicately I’m afraid to move, afraid it’ll shatter the moment into a million tiny pieces. “I’ve seen more in my lifetime than I care to admit. I’ve had years of doing what I wanted, when I wanted. At this point, I want joy and happiness. To be settled somewhere I don’t have to run.” Her eyes shift away from mine, fixed on the corner posts wrapped in cushioned pads supporting the ring.

With one finger, I tap under her chin, trying to draw her back to me—a heartbeat later she turns.

“You’re not too old.”

It felt like there might be more to say. I’m pretty sure I’ve never had a conversation this open and honest with anyone my age, or better yet, a significant other. We could talk about almost anything at this point. And I know … I know I could spend the rest of my life talking to her and never get bored.

Chapter34

Summer

The top step of the stair groans beneath my feet as I stand there, torn between running or backtracking to my room. Deuce wraps around my legs, and I look down to meet his gaze and it’s like he’s silently judging me. “What?”

I glance down the hallway. Aoife’s room is empty, her bed made.

On the other side, Kieran’s bedroom door is shut, and I stare at it, tracing the irregular wavy grain up and down the solid wood.

I hardly slept. Instead, I kept looking at the door willing him to walk through it, or perhaps trying to convince myself to walk through it. It’s been weeks since my time in the ring with Kieran.

It was natural. Fun. And something I’ve been trying to figure out how to hold on to.

It made me angry the leader of the Yakuza is going after Kieran, trying to manipulate him, threaten him.

Because sleep avoided me, I had time to get ready early. I showered and pulled on leggings and a cream sweater that I have no memory of buying but slipped into anyway. I drag a hand over my hair, pumping up the volume and then descend to the kitchen.

When I walk in, I freeze.

Both Cormac and Kieran stand around the island dressed in suits and forking waffles onto their plates. Kieran looks up at me from where he drizzles syrup on his double stack and smirks, inspecting my outfit. Annoyingly, I dip my chin to hide the evidence of my rapidly heating face.

Cormac clears his throat. “Good mornin’,” he says, smoothing his solid navy tie down the front.

“Morning.”

Allie bustles out of the pantry with Aoife following behind her.