Page 125 of Broken Blood Ties

“Summer, it’s Kieran. Call me back, please.”

The few seconds it took to leave the voicemail were too long, and I hang up, dialing Todd. It rings twice before Todd’s raspy voice answers.

“Boss.”

“Where is Summer? She’s not answering.” I lean over my phone, now on speakerphone.

“She’s asleep in the back seat, sir. We’re about an hour outside of Boston.”

I freeze, suspended in the moment, and replaying his words in my head. “Ye’re coming home?”

“Yes, sir. She told me she has to be home by Saturday night.” It’s then, in the background, the whirring of car tires on the road settles around me. I swallow down all the words I want to bark out about hurrying up and paying attention to the road. Instead, I get straight to the point.

“There’s been a security breach. Don’t stop. Come straight home to drop her off.”

“Yes, sir.”

Letting out a breath, I scan my office, practically tripping over myself to gather my shite, and leave. The need to get home and check on Aoife hurries me, and I stride out of my office pulling the door shut.

What kind of leader am I becoming? Summer’s words from several weeks ago echoes in the distant chambers of my mind.“Don’t let him, Kieran.”

I can’t let Riku have his way with the Irish. Bend us over and take until we’re humiliated or worse, nonexistent. I fumble with ideas. Ways to keep my family safe while also doing my job.

I didn’t want this life for Aoife, but I’ve come to understand it may be hers by default. If I were to have more kids, she’d still be the oldest, the next in line. Being female doesn’t mean she’s any less entitled to my legacy. If I’m going to leave her one, I’m going to need to fight for it.

* * *

I dial Cormac on my way home, my car screaming down the streets. Mercifully, he answers, and I quickly reprise him of my plans. Ones I need to execute efficiently.

Aoife might not understand. So, I’ll discuss things with Allie first. Calmly, and knuckle white, my hands grip the steering wheel as I park in the driveway.

As if drawn, my gaze finds the patio firepit, and emotion stirs in my chest thinking of Summer atop me. Her whimpers, moans, and desire rivaling mine.

Todd needs to hurry; I need her here. Safe.

Allie is in the kitchen, readying some tea as she must’ve heard me drive in. Cinnamon and citrus waft with the steam rising from the pot on the stove, and I inhale a breath, willing myself to stay calm.

A rhythmic pulsing melody dances from the living room, and I pad the few steps out of the kitchen to peek in on Aoife, playing with her dolls on the coffee table. Tiny clothes, ball gowns, and plastic heels lay strewn across the table as Aoife dresses her dolls up for a special dance. Deuce is curled up on the sofa behind her, tail curled. I smile, rubbing at my chest, at the bruising feeling blooming there.

The pot screams behind me, and I nudge off the doorway. Allie bustles to the stove. Her peppered hair pulled back, and a pale-yellow apron wrapped securely around her waist. Moving back to the island, I lean on the cool marble, icy and sharp beneath my hands.

“Allie.”

There’s a pause, and she lifts her head, but she slowly turns around. Very few times have I taken this tone with her. It’s not rude or commanding, but stern and insistent.

She scans me, no doubt searching for a hint as to what I may be about to say. Lips pressed tight, I drum the pads of my fingers against the countertop.

“What is it?” she asks, letting the apron slip through her fingers after she’s finished wiping her hands.

“I need ye to pack for the cottage. Both for ye and Aoife, and also … for Summer.”

Allie fidgets, fingers twirling with her necklace, the increase in the rise and fall of her chest giving away the fact she’s worried. “Are—are we in trouble?”

“Just do what I say. Ye leave tonight.”

There’s a look of understanding and she jumps into action, pulling the pot off the stove, and cleaning up the tea before she jogs from the room and up the stairs.

Drawn back to the living room, I relax on the couch, watching Aoife dance her dolls round to the music.