Page 26 of Broken Blood Ties

“Aye.” He steps back, lifting his hands from his pockets to cross his arms in front of his chest. “Ye sure ye’re in the right profession, Miss Smith? Hell, ye’re a child yerself.”

I stare at him—at those eyes that are hauntingly beautiful. A wavy curl falls into his face, but he shakes it away. I want to crumble under his scrutiny. More like punch him in the face, but that woulddefinitelyget me fired, if I’m not already.

My jaw drops open as I try to formulate a response. I’m not a child. Who the hell does this man think he is? He has no idea what I’ve been through for the past seven years. The changes I’ve made. Who I’ve had to become. Except this man is threatening to expose the very person I’ve worked to bury. This asshole is just that, a power-tripping ass.

“Listen, you selfish pr?—”

“Daddy?” Aoife shuffles in to stand at the doorframe, and I wince at my behavior. Sweet girl has been out there waiting patiently while I’ve been monopolizing her father’s time and fantasizing about wringing his neck. I struggle to wipe the irritation off my face but smile at Aoife as she looks between us.

“Daddy, I’m hungry. Is it time to go now?”

Kieran tilts his head to the side still looking at me. He squints while peering in my eyes. Do I have something in them?

“Yeah. Let’s go grab some food.” He finally releases his stare, turns back toward Aoife, and strides to her, guiding her out the door without another word.

I’m left in the classroom stunned, and thoroughly uncomfortable by how quickly that escalated. Agh. He drives me insane.

I stomp over to the windows and close the blinds, then gather up my computer and other materials to take home. It’s already late and my commute is rather long, so I decide to walk to the nearest sandwich shop and grab a quick bite for the train ride.

A light dusting of snow covers the sidewalks. The sky is a pale gray as the sun dips toward the horizon. The air has a chill to it, and I pull the thick scarf from my coat, wrapping it around my neck to cover my mouth and nose.

I balance my bag over my shoulder so I can tuck my hands deep into my pockets while navigating patches of hidden ice. The blocks surrounding Ardenbrook are quieter than usual, and I nod to a few people passing on the other side of me.

About a block from the shop, hurried footsteps sound behind me, and I slow to allow whoever’s rushing the ability to pass me. But instead of anyone passing by, the footsteps slow in time with mine.

My breathing quickens as my pulse picks up and I clench my fists in my pockets.No, no, no, please …

I speed up. Perhaps there isn’t anyone behind me anymore. Maybe they were in a hurry to get a coffee at the shop I just passed and ducked in. At least there are other people around and it’s broad daylight.

But as my pace quickens, so does the crunch of what sounds like boots behind me. I walk faster and faster until I’m practically jogging to a bus stop where several people wait by a bench. Slowing down when I reach them, I glance behind me, following the path I just walked.

No one.

There’s no one there. However, a sinking feeling in my chest blooms and I know …

Someone was following me.

Chapter8

Kieran

Infuriating woman. The damn teacher has once again stuck her perky little nose in my business. In my life. With my daughter.

My first thought when I get Aoife situated in the car is to email Green. The second was to figure out if her brown eyes were truly bronze, or if the light filtering in through the window where she stood was playing tricks on me.

I hate I was late for Aoife. She must’ve felt left, forgotten about, and I hate the idea those thoughts may have gone through her head.

Allie called after lunch upon hearing that her mom had been rushed to the hospital. Of course, I told her to go and that I’d handle pickup from school. Unfortunately, we had a fighter from the other night who’d lost not only his fight but also was out over a grand from bets he placed on other rounds.

A thousand dollars is usually not worth my time, but the grimy thief was poking around my yacht for some quick cash—most likely for his next fix. He had to be dealt with. By the time I finished, I was still across town, and it was pickup time. In a rush, I left my phone on the boat and couldn’t call the office to let them know I was on my way.

Despite my interaction with her, I’m grateful Miss Smith let Aoife stay in her classroom with her instead of having to wait in the office.

I glance back in the review at Aoife, who’s staring out the window. “I’m really sorry for being late, little love. What do ye feel like for dinner?”

She looks up at me in the mirror. “Can we see Lizzy?”

“O’Brien’s it is.” I weave through traffic, finally making it back to the pub. I pull at the tarnished gold handle, and Aoife bolts through the door, taking off to where Lizzy is behind the bar.