Page 43 of Beautiful Trauma (The Irish Rogues #5)
A lthough the mention of my father had tempered my excitement, it soon recovered as we pulled up to Callum’s house. While it was where he currently resided, all the brothers had once lived under the roof. “It’s beautiful,” I murmured.
“Thank you.”
As the SUV came to a stop, I said, “It’s not what I expected when you said you all lived there at one time.”
Kellan laughed. “Did you think of some swinging bachelor pad?”
Nodding, I replied, “Something edgier and more modern.”
“My father bought it because it reminded him of our estate back in Belfast. Since we were all homesick when we first came over, it helped that it did resemble a little bit of home. Of course, we weren’t used to living in a major city.”
“I can’t imagine trying to adjust to another country. It was hard enough leaving my mother’s home for Father and Faina’s.”
As we got out of the SUV, Kellan said, “When I’m recovered, I want you to feel comfortable enough to redecorate in any way you want. And if you want to move somewhere else, we’ll do it.”
With a smile, I replied, “You’re spoiling me.”
He pulled me to his side. “Is there something wrong with that?”
I shrugged. “I have never really been spoiled before.”
“Then let me do it.”
“Okay, I’ll try.”
When we walked in the back door, a crowd of women was waiting for us. Apprehension filled me when they came surging forward for Kellan. The first one was a woman with auburn hair streaked with silver. I knew she had to be Kellan’s mother because they favored each other so much.
“ A chroí !” she cried out before putting her hands on his shoulders. I know she was dying to hug him, but she’d been warned of his injuries. “Praise the saints for your safe return.”
Kellan smiled before dipping his head to kiss her cheek. “Thanks, Mam. I’m sorry I worried you.”
“I wouldn’t have a single grey hair in my head if it weren’t for you boys!” she chided.
“As far as my return, Mila should also get credit.”
Kellan’s praise, coupled with all the women staring at me, caused my skin to shrivel over my bones. I hated being the center of attention. Especially with those I didn’t know. And I certainly hadn’t saved Kellan to have praise rained down on me.
Kellan’s mother grabbed my hands in hers. “I’m eternally grateful for your sacrifice for my son.”
“You really don’t need to thank me,” I protested as I shifted on my feet.
“Of course I do. Do you have any idea how brave and courageous you are? Not to mention what a romantic you are to save the man you love.”
At the mention of love, heat warmed my cheeks. Since we had yet to say the words to each other, it felt weird hearing them used about us.
“Mam, ease up,” Kellan cautioned.
She rolled her eyes. “I’m so sorry that my love language is words of affirmation.”
“Just the other day, you said it was physical touch,” Dare teased.
“And I’ve heard acts of service,” a beautiful dark-haired woman said with a grin.
She waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t listen to them, Mila. Just know, I would do anything for you. All you have to do is ask.”
“Thank you.”
She started to back away, but then stopped. “Och ,I forgot to introduce myself formally. I’m Orla, and it’s so very nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice meeting you, too.”
Once Orla stepped aside, three beautiful women encircled Kellan. They kissed his cheeks and patted his chest instead of hugging him. But it was evident they cared about him very much.
Taking my hand, Kellan said, “Mila, I’d like to introduce you to my sisters-in-law, Caterina and Isla.”
After I shook their hands, Kellan turned to the next woman. “And this is Isla’s sister and my very good friend, Brooke.”
At the mention of ‘very good friend’, I tried to ignore the alarm bells going off in my head. Forcing a smile, I reluctantly shook Brooke’s hand. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
She squeezed my hand tight. “You can’t imagine how happy I am for the two of you.”
While I wanted to believe she was genuine, something twisted in my chest. “I appreciate that.”
When Kellan turned to the final woman, I felt apprehension radiating off of her. I knew she had to be Ava, Dare’s wife. “It’s nice to meet you, Ava,” I said, extending my hand.
Her dark eyes popped wide. “I’m not going to lie that I wasn’t expecting you to be so friendly. I mean, I’m the bitch that ruined your family’s alliance.”
A laugh burst from my lips at her summation. “While that’s one way to look at it–well except for the bitch part--I could argue that without you, I’d never have met Kellan.”
At my response, a chorus of awes went through the women while Ava smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Kellan glanced around. “Where are the kids?”
“Julianna and Piper are at preschool, and Rian and the twins are down for a nap,” Caterina replied.
“We should be grateful for that peace,” Callum mused.
“I can’t wait to meet them.” Turning to Kellan, I said, “I know how much he loves his nephews and nieces.”
Caterina smiled. “They can’t wait to meet you as well. They’ve been missing their uncle K very much.”
Kellan beamed. “I’ve missed them, too.”
Feeling overwhelmed in the crowded kitchen, I said, “You should probably go and get some rest.”
Orla nodded emphatically. “She’s absolutely right. You’ve had enough excitement for the day.”
Kellan rolled his eyes. “Great, now I have two of you on my ass.”
“Apparently you need us, right, Mila?” Orla teased.
I laughed. “That’s right.”
With a grunt, Kellan started up the back staircase. When I started to go with him, he said, “You should stay and get to know everyone.”
“What if you need me?”
“I think I’ll be fine.”
“Och, you silly man. You’ve still got a lot to learn about each other, don’t you?”
Kellan furrowed his brows. “What do you mean?”
“Can’t you tell the poor girl is gobsmacked by the lot of us and needs some time to decompress?”
I blinked at Orla in disbelief. How could she possibly have known that was what I was feeling? At what must’ve been my questioning look, she cupped my chin. “It’s a mother’s intuition.”
For reasons I couldn't understand, I blurted, “I don’t understand that since I don’t have a mother.”
Orla’s expression turned forlorn. “I’m so sorry, love.”
Shaking my head a little manically, I replied, “I mean, I had a mother. A very good mother. But my father killed her in front of me when I was twelve.”
At the silence echoing around me, I whispered, “Oh God, did I actually say all that aloud?”
Kellan stepped back down and slid his arm around my waist. Without a word to the others, he started pulling me up the stairs. “I’m so embarrassed,” I moaned.
“Don’t be. Every one of us in that kitchen has dealt with loss and trauma.”
“But you’re family. I just met them.” As we reached the landing, I placed my hands over my eyes. “God, what do they think of me?”
“That you’ve been through a hell of a last two weeks. You’re overwrought from saving my life and having to leave your family behind.” He kissed the top of my head. “While my wounds might be visible, yours are buried beneath. But they’re still just as painful.”
There was so much I wanted to say at that moment, but the words wouldn’t come. Words of gratitude. Words of appreciation. Words of endearment.
Instead, I leaned my head against his arm and let him lead us to the guest bedroom.