Page 17 of Dublin Charmer

My knuckles barely graze the door when it swings open. Ginny stands there in yoga pants and an oversized sweater, her copper hair pulled into a messy bun.

“Finn? Now, this is a surprise. What are you doing here?”

“Just checking in. Last night was...” I trail off, searching for the right word.

“Insane?” She crosses her arms.

“Aye, that’s one way to put it.” I hold up a small black bag with its cheerful red bow. “I was out with Bryan today and saw these. I thought you deserved a little something after last night’s insanity.”

Her eyes soften as she opens it, pulling out the delicate emerald earrings. “Finn, they’re beautiful, but?—”

“But nothing. I saw them and thought of you. I want you to have them.”

“You’re sweet.” She leans in and kisses my cheek, soft and quick. “Thank you.”

“Any chance I could upgrade that kiss?” I try for my most charming smile. “I think we proved last night that we have a fair bit of chemistry.”

Ginny takes a step back, her smile dropping. “Finn, hon. I love you—like I love all the Quinn boys. You are family. But last night was just... it was a bit of drunken fun, yeah? We were having a good time and enjoyed the moment.”

My stomach drops. “Then what’s stopping us from enjoying another moment?”

She shakes her head. “Och, no, Finny boy. It’s not going to happen.”

“But why? We always have a good time when we’re together. We have a lot in common. We’ve known each other our entire lives…”

“Aye, and that’s the rub, isn’t it? Wehaveknown each other our entire lives and I’ve seen your world from both the inside and out. I can’t date a Quinn. I won’t. Your world...” She gestures vaguely. “The gunfire, the violence, the other families fighting for control…that isn’t what I want out of life.”

“It isn’t always like that. There are good times, too.”

“Och, I know there are, but last night proved exactly why I’ve always stayed clear. Because it only takes one stray bullet and I could lose everything: my love, my life, or, one day, even my child. That’s not the life for me, Finn. I’m sorry.”

The rejection stings worse than I expected.

All these years of watching her, wanting her, thinking she was way out of my league. Then after last night, I thought maybe...

“Right then.” I force a laugh. “Can’t blame a lad for trying. You’re a true peach, Ginny Frances. Enjoy the earrings and maybe you’ll think of me with a smile when you wear them, would you?”

“Aye, Finny. You know I will.”

I turn to leave, my face burning. The stairs seem longer going down, each step a reminder of my foolishness. Behind me, the door clicks shut with quiet finality.

CHAPTER SIX

Finn

Istalk into the war room, pissed that Tag called us down for a meeting on Christmas Eve when our family and food are upstairs and waiting. Well, if I’m being honest, I’m not thrilled about what’s coming upstairs either. I love my brothers but standing witness as the twins propose to their lady loves while my ego is still bruised from Ginny’s rejection doesn’t appeal.

I’m the last to arrive and find the other four in the festive spirit, shooting the shit.

Tag is seated at the head of the table, Sean to his left, and Bryan and Brendan across from him. Brendan’s got his leg propped up on a chair and has a bald patch and a bandage on his head.

“Look who’s home from the hospital,” Tag announces, gesturing to Brenny.

“How you feeling, brother?”

“Like I got shot.” Brendan grins. “The docs say the knock to the head was the worry, but I suffered no brain damage.”

Bryan claps his twin on the shoulder. “You’d have to have a brain for it to get damaged, dumbass.”