Page 118 of Broken Blood Ties

Summer’s hand moves over mine and then climbs up my forearm. She tugs me closer, planting a kiss to my cheek.

It’s not her plan to stay, right?

By the time dessert comes out, I’ve already eaten too much. Summer however helps herself to the Irish apple cake, twice.

Halfway through her second piece, her phone rings and she pulls it out of her chic handbag around the chair.

I eyeball it, curious who it is. The name Luna flashes across the screen. Summer grins down at her phone and pushes back her chair.

“Excuse me for a moment.” She hauls off toward the back hall.

Every fiber in my being wants to follow her. To be there when she hangs up the phone, drag her into my office, and kiss her senseless. But I also know her conversations with Luna make her happy, and I’d give anything to make sure she’s happy.

Lizzy grills me on my plans for the coming week, and we talk a bit of business. By the time Summer comes back, the dishes have been cleared and Cormac is teaching Aoife a card game that I should probably make sure isn’t poker.

She marches straight up to me, determined, and I love that expression on her face.

“How was yer phone call?” I ask.

She looks at me, eyes glassy. “It was good. I love hearing from her. I was so careful before, probably too careful. I cared more about protecting myself, yet again, than being a good sister.”

My hand drifts up to rub her shoulder.

“She—she asked if I could come visit her. So I could meet the boys.” When my hand pauses mid stroke, she rushes to continue. “Nik said he’d make sure security would be tight, and that he would be willing to go over everything with you. And I’d only be gone for as long as you say it’s okay?—”

I hold up a hand. “Summer, ye’re an adult. I’m not yer father.”

“I know,” she says. “But I respect you and what you’re doing for me here, I don’t want to come across as if I don’t care. Because I do.”

I scowl. Not at her, never at her. At myself. Every bone in my body screams to be selfish. To use what she just said against her. To not let her go in fear that she’ll choose to run instead. I know I can’t be selfish with her. In fact, I should’ve been the one to tell her to go in the first place.

She must take my silence as negative because she whispers out a plea. “Please, Kieran. You can come with me.”

The way she’s looking at me is pained, and her brows are drawn together as if she’s trying to figure out what’s going on in my head.

Truth is, I’d love to go with her. But with the uncertainty of Riku and Aoife in school, I’m not sure I should leave right now. Plus, I’m pretty sure she’s trying to find a way to go, even if she has to invite me along to do it.

“Summer.” I grab her left hand, fingering the ring that I wish I could permanently sear to her skin.Bleeding hell, Kieran. Now you’re a psycho.“Ye’re welcome to go anytime. I’ll have Licon assign a guard to go with ye, and I’ll speak with Nik. I don’t think it’s best I leave right now.”

“Oh,” she says, shoulders slumping slightly. She swallows. Hard. Did she want me to come? “Thank you.”

I don’t know who I am anymore. What kind of mob leader lets his fiancée out of his sight in today’s world? I trust the Bratva. I know Luka and Nik will guard her with their lives, and it’s because of that I’m comfortable letting her visit. It’s making sure she comes back that churns the food in my stomach.

The possibility of rejection is intimidating.

Chapter36

Summer

Kieran doesn’t say much on the way home after lunch. Cormac got a ride home with Finn, so I’m up front with Kieran and Aoife is passed out in the back seat. She fell asleep as soon as we got into the car, and because of the short drive home, Kieran decided to drive around the block a few times.

He’s silent. There’s no radio on. Only the tiny snores of Aoife in the back seat prickle through the silence.

I’m not sure if he’s upset about me wanting to go to New York or not. He didn’t seem mad. I’m slightly shocked he’s not putting up more of a fight to let me go. I know my father wouldn’t have let my mother travel without him. But comparing Kieran to my father isn’t fair. He’s been kind and thoughtful, putting my needs right up there with his organization.

Yet again, I try to draw parallels between them both, and I can’t. Kieran is so different from what I thought any boss would be.

I’m looking forward to seeing my sister after so long, and finally meeting the boys in person. However, when I look back at Aoife and glance over at Kieran’s stoic expression, my heart hurts. Leaving them, if only for a minute, feels wrong.