Page 89 of Killaney Blood

"Is that a threat?" I ask, my voice low.

He shrugs. "It's a fact."

I narrow my eyes. "You're an asshole."

He laughs. "I like your fire. I'm sure that's part of why Declan's taken an interest in you. But let's be honest, my brother's a womanizer. You shouldn't read too much into whatever the hell the two of you are doing."

My fists clench in the sheets. I want to tell him to get the fuck out, that he doesn't know what he's talking about. But I'm tooweak, too lightheaded still. And something tells me this man doesn't bluff.

"Maybe he's changed. Maybe you don't know him now," I say.

"I know him better than you ever will."

He looks at me for a moment, his eyes going intense, like Declan, but different.

"I feel like you had some part in this," he says, standing slowly. "Maybe not directly. Maybe not on purpose. But I don't need him getting distracted from family business. We've got a lot going on."

"I'm sorry, what are you saying?" My head throbs with each word.

"Let me be clear. I don't know you. I don't trust you. You come around, something like this happens." He gestures vaguely with one hand. "Even whatever the fuck is going on as to why you're staying here. You want to be nurse to his fighters or do whatever you do to make money, fine, but leave it at that. You understand me?"

I don't respond. What can I say? He's both right and wrong. I did let this life get to me. I did let Declan take me without much protest. And I have no idea what happened, but maybe it was in retaliation for what he did to the Albanians, and that comes back to me. God, I hope I wasn't the cause of this.

"You saved him, Lyra. I respect that. So I'm giving you a pass. One," Callum says, holding up a finger. "Don't make me regret it."

"I didn't do anything," I say, my voice sounding weak.

"Maybe not." His eyes burn into me. "But you're a variable. And I don't like variables." He clenches his jaw. "So we understand each other?"

I nod, speechless. The rational part of me understands. He's looking out for his brother, his family. But another part, the part that spent time with Declan, fighting to keep him alive, wants to tell him to go fuck himself.

He smooths his already immaculate jacket. "No hard feelings. I'm just protecting my family. I hope you understand. Also?—"

A sudden knock at the door interrupts him. We both look up as a woman with fiery red hair walks in. She glances between Callum and me, her expression guarded.

"He's up," she says, then looks at me. "And he wants to see you."

My heart jumps.

Declan's awake.

And for the first time since I collapsed, I feel everything at once. The fear, the guilt, the relief, and the love I'm too afraid to name for the man I saved, regardless of whatever the fuck anyone says.

28

LYRA

Callum looks at her. "Maybe you can help her?" he says, nodding in my direction. "I want to see Declan real quick."

She nods. "Sure."

Callum looks at me one last time. "Take care of yourself, Lyra Cassidy," he says, and walks out.

The red-haired woman steps in, letting the door close behind her. She leans against the doorframe casually, one foot crossed over the other. Her hair is fiery, vibrant, even in the low light. And I already know who she is.

Keira Killaney.

Declan's twin.