Page 5 of Killaney Fire

I nod.

"Maybe it means something. I don't know. I just…" He stops, shaking his head. "Forget it. It's stupid."

"It's not stupid." I reach out, my hand resting on his arm. "We need all the luck we can get, so I'll take it."

Declan smiles. "Yeah, so much for the luck of the Irish shit."

I laugh.

We stand there for a moment longer, the silence stretching between us. Then Declan turns back toward the study.

"Where are you going?" I ask.

"To tell Callum you're on board." He glances back at me, his smile widening. "Before you change your mind."

"Ridiculous. You couldn't wait?" I say, but I'm smiling as he disappears down the hall.

I stand there alone, thinking everything over. I don't want this, but I can't have my brothers more worried about me than what's in front of them. I'll be damned if I'm the reason they get distracted, the reason they get hurt.

So, okay. I'll do this. I'll let Callum bring in this Octavian guy, and I'll play along. But that doesn't mean I'm going to make it easy for him.

If he thinks he's going to waltz into my life and start calling the shots, he's got another thing coming. I'll cooperate. I'll let him do his job. But I'll do it on my terms.

When he shows up, he's going to learn real fast that I'm not some damsel in distress.

I make my way to the library for a quiet place to sit. The conversation with Declan plays on a loop in my head; his words made me a little scared.

Yes, the threats are real. The danger is real. And if I keep fighting against the people trying to protect me, I'm only making it worse.

But that doesn't make it any easier to accept.

I hate the fact that somewhere out there, The Morrígans are watching. Waiting. Planning their next move, but I've been planning, too. I'm going to find out who they are, where they came from, and why they're trying to take down our family. And then I'm going to level their entire operation to the ground.

But first, I have to deal with this bodyguard.

I pull out my phone and open my text messages to Calli. She's the only one who'll understand how I'm feeling right now. The only one who won't judge me for being pissed about this.

Did you hear the news?

Her response comes almost immediately.

No?! WHAT?!

I'm getting a bodyguard.

LOL. Who's the poor bastard?

Some ex-special forces guy.

I follow up.

Names Octavian. Enzo vouched for him.

Enzo doesn't vouch for just anyone. If he trusts him, he's probably good.

I don't care if he's good. I don't want him.

I get it. But maybe give him a chance? You never know, he might surprise you.