Page 67 of Broken Blood Ties

“So you sent someone to my place?! I told you I didn’t want you and Aoife involved.”

“Ye clearly don’t know who I am.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She folds her arms over her chest, and I stare at the olive blanket she’s dropped to the floor.

“Nothing.” I grit out the words. Would this sweet preschool teacher ever want me if she knew who I was? If only she knew what I was capable of.

I’m not sure how much I want to admit—to Summer or to myself—but I find the words trickling out, nonetheless. “If ye need a safe spot to land, to be, the yacht is yers. Use it. Stay here. I have twenty-four-seven security on me yacht. The crew is vetted and most of them full time. Ye’d be protected.” It’s then I lift my face back to hers. What can only be confusion churns in the depth of her magnificent eyes while a soft, selfish voice whispers on my shoulder,at least you’ll be able to keep her.

Summer scuffs the tip of her shoe on the teakwood deck, diverting her gaze to it. “Is that really a good idea?”

“And why not?”

“Kieran …”

“Ye have no idea what hearin’ me name on yer mouth does to me.”

Her head snaps back to mine, and among the slapping of the waves against the hull, or the motoring engine of nearby boats, she gasps. It’s a sound I want to explore, and that’s not possible if she’s not here.

“Ye’ll stay here.” A fierceness stabs at my chest. I’m beyond giving her a choice at this point.

“I-I’m not sure.”

I’m trying to decrypt Summer. Her expression. She won’t look at me, picking the light on the upper deck to stare at, before falling back down to the blanket she still won’t pick up.

I can see it. The warring in her eyes. The internal argument I can only imagine is raging inside her head at this moment. It should be easy. I’m offering protection. A place to stay. A way to stay in Boston.

“I’m on the board at the Academy. I’ll tell Green ye’re on temporary leave for personal reasons. We’ll get someone to fill yer classroom.”

Water pools in her eyes as if I’ve made the decision harder for her. But at least this way she could come back—can come back.

She shakes her head, and my stomach drops. She’s going to say no.

“Give it two days,” I blurt. “Two days to think about it. Ye can map out yer plan. Get a good night’s rest. And if ye still feel like leavin’ is the best option, I’ll help ya.”

I’m not sure what it is. The same need that drives me to seek the mysterious woman in the fighting ring is pushing me to keep Summer in Boston. There’s no logical explanation. Just panic.

Finally, she speaks, her voice hovering above a whisper, and those five words soothe the intense dread clawing my stomach.

“I’ll give it two days.”

Chapter22

Summer

Igave it two days. All it did was delay the inevitable.

There is no question. “I have to leave,” I mumble to myself face down in the exceptionally soft down pillow.

Sitting up, I commit the stateroom that’s been my haven for two whole days to memory. The nautical-themed lamps that sit on the mahogany nightstands, or the meticulously stitched blue sailboat pillow propped in the upholstered chair in the corner by the massive windows. Even the drawing of Deuce that Aoife drew for me before breakfast yesterday.

Sunday, the crew took us back to the marina, and I said my goodbyes to Kieran and Aoife while they headed home with the promise they’d be back for dinner Monday night.

The boat sways with a continuous rocking that’s both calming and unsettling. It doesn’t help my already churned stomach to roll and dip. I spent most of the day yesterday contemplating what Kieran offered, and while I’m sure he has some connections in his position, if I’m found, he won’t be able to do anything to prevent them from dragging me back to use me. Perhaps punish me for running. If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s thattheyaren’t happy I ran away with their agenda.

I meant what I said when I told Kieran that I don’t want him involved.

I know I have to leave.