Page 94 of Broken Blood Ties

She throws up her hands. “Hey, girl. I hear you. I better get back in there before they tear the classroom apart. Don’t be a stranger and text me. We’ll go out some time.”

I smile and nod, then spread my arms for a hug as she tumbles into me for a squeeze.

On my way back out the door, I’m grateful the halls are mostly empty. I take a few moments to hover near the main office entrance debating whether I should go in.

Ultimately, I decide I don’t have the patience to answer more questions from the staff or even Principal Green for that matter. And, honestly, I’m not sure what Kieran’s told them, so I trudge back to the car.

When I open the back door, Allie is chewing at the corner of her lip, and she pauses the fingers that tap on her knee. I get in without saying anything and meet Finn’s gaze in the rearview mirror. Suddenly, I’m feeling insecure. Like I’m an inconvenience.

Part of me feels like I should apologize, but I’m not sure what for. So I shrug it off, directing a smile at them both.

The car ride back to Kieran’s place is longer than I remember, and when I walk back into the house I’m lost as to what to do. Allie shrugs off her coat and hangs it by the back kitchen door and then moves to pull out a Crock-Pot.

“I’m going to get dinner going for this evening. Is there anything you need?”

“Do you need any help?” I ask, tucking my thumbs up into my sweater. I’m not sure she needs it, but what am I supposed to do? I’m out of a job, for now, and alone in a foreign home with my fake fiancé’s housekeeper slash nanny.

I tighten my fists at my sides, digging my short blunt nails into my palm. I’m worthless, and it’s all because Kieran put me inside this little box. Not that I’m unimpressed—I am. He saved me from my father, and genuinely seems to want to help despite my last name, and I’m grateful. But another part of me stews over the fact my life’s been upheaved. Not to mention Kieran’s disposition seems to have done a complete one-eighty.

The infuriating father of one of my students, who used to word play with me and exhibit, at times, tenderness, has since been bottled up, shaken, and dumped out in favor of a seething Irish Mob boss.

I sigh. Maybe that’s not fair. It’s not like I’m an innocent here. Still, my mind drags the memories of our almost kiss on the yacht out to play, and I can’t help but stroke the flames that penetrate my thoughts. Could he still see me like … something? Even now, knowing my history, my issues, and my last name.

“No, that’s okay. Why don’t you go upstairs and rest.” Allie’s answer to my question brings me back to the kitchen where I stabilize myself on the fridge. “I’ll bring you some tea and breakfast in a bit.”

I want to argue with her. To tell her I’d be fine with coffee and a Pop-Tart, but the stern look she gives me shuts my mouth.

With heavy feet, I drag myself to my room and toss my body onto the bed.

I stare at the decorative plasterwork framing the ceiling, focusing on the tiny details, when my phone dings and the number I’ve been texting in secret pops up.

Luna.

Guess there really isn’t any reason to hide now, is there?

She gets straight to the point asking about the “engagement” and I sigh glancing at the ring then change the subject, more interested in making up for lost time and hearing about her.

We text for a while. Then, after I’ve been sufficiently stuffed with tea, scones, and a lunch to rival all lunches, I count down the hours until I’m to go toAtelier. I end up drifting to sleep while staring at the green gem on my finger.

Chapter29

Summer

Finn drives slow. You’d think for someone as young as he is, and as involved in organized crime as he is, he’d be a bit more edgy. Faster.

Nope. He drives like mynonna, and I think she’s rolling over in her grave being compared to him right now.

I glance down at my phone. It’s 5:05 p.m. I’m late.

Kieran’s message said 5:00 p.m. and I know places likeLuxeAtelierusually keep a tight schedule. My hope is that I’m their last appointment of the day and won’t be holding any other clients up.

After I fell asleep, having unbuttoned my jeans to accommodate for my food baby, Allie knocked on my door at 4:30 p.m. urging me to get ready because Finn was already here to drive me. I had to wipe drool and leftover scone crumbs out of my hair before darting to the bathroom to pee and splash some water on my face.

There was a grand total of five minutes spent putting myself together into something presentable before I ran downstairs, said goodbye to Allie and Aoife, then ran to the car.

The minor interaction I had with Finn when I slid into the back seat for the second time today consisted of me commenting, “You again, Finn? Kieran have you on transport duty?”

He grunted in response before ignoring me the rest of the way. Well, almost. We’re still not there yet. I take another look at my phone. 5:10 p.m.